The Board recognized employees who celebrated their 20th or 30th work anniversary in the 2022-23 school year! A small ceremony, led by Assistant Superintendent Ryan Brennan, was held at the beginning of the meeting followed by cake!

The Board gave second as well as third and final reading to its 2023-24 budget of $106,885,737 at its meeting on Tuesday. The budget received first reading at the May 16 regular Board of Education meeting and was followed by a Committee of the Whole meeting on June 13 where trustees once again went over the budget. The budget then came to the June meeting for second, third and final reading.

The Annual Budget is prepared in accordance with Public Sector Accounting Standards and includes the Operating Fund, Special Purpose Funds, and the Capital Fund. School districts operate on a fiscal year of July 1 to June 30. 

"Really the work being done this year is ensuring we are sustainable going forward," Secretary Treasurer Dale Culler reiterated to trustees. "In previous years the district relied on the accumulated surplus. That's just not sustainable."

He reported he and Director of Finance Jeremy Hunt did a lot of analysis over the last months to understand the systems and processes which may be affecting the district's ability to be sustainable, and are now at a place where they are comfortable with the budget.

Culler went over the major points of the budget with trustees and noted anything that had been updated or changed since the Committee of the Whole meeting.

During discussions there was a question about why the speech language pathologist position (which was unable to be filled this year) was taken out of the budget. Superintendent Donna Kriger answered stating that the funds were going towards the needs identified out of the recent Inclusive Education review, including training and mentorship for new learning resource teachers. She said unfortunately there are not enough funds for both.

Trustee Tennile Lachmuth commented she supports putting funding towards the findings from the inclusive education review. "I think that is key for us over the next couple of years." She thanked all of those who put in so much work to develop the budget for the Board. "Year after year there are so many variables, including our own initiatives and the need to find money to make it happen, agreements, ministry grant changes . . . all these are good things but a lot of work on your part. Thank you very much."

Trustee Corryn Grayston, who was the only trustee to vote against the budget, thanked Culler and Hunt for the tremendous amount of work and for all the extra hours to make sure trustees could fully comprehend the budget. She commented that her vote was not a reflection of all the hard work but that she couldn't support the budget because it saddened her that supports for students were being lost and she felt creative ways could have been come up with.

After the budget bylaw passed, VanBuskirk thanked Culler, Hunt, the financial team, and all of senior leadership for their work. She thanked Grayston for chairing the budget advisory committee and the committee members for their efforts.

A big first step was taken as the Board adopted a mission statement, a vision statement, and a number of values in developing the five year strategic plan.

Kriger began her report discussing the recent All Superintendent's meeting which she attended where the Ministry was talking about changes to the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning, which must be in alignment with School Learning Plans, District Strategic Plans, and Ministry goals. Focusses for the upcoming year are:

She also reported on highlights of the provincial Jointly Convened Annual Meeting which she attended with Diane Anthony of Adams Lake Indian Band and Darrell Jones of Splatsin. She said there were many key takeaways from the meeting, including recognizing whether everything possible is being done to set Indigenous students up for success, if racism is being tolerated, and if intergenerational trauma is being recognized. She also noted that one speaker, Deborah Jeffrey of the First Nations Education Steering Committee, presented on Foundation Skills Assessment and how FNESC will continue to lobby to ensure standardized assessments like this continue, ensuring there is a measure of how Indigenous students are doing compared to non-Indigenous students. Jeffrey also shared that, for example in the FSA Grade 4 literacy results and the Grade 7 numeracy results, there is about a 20 per cent difference in results between Indigenous students on-reserve and off-reserve.

Kriger moved on to the Strategic Plan discussing key themes and next steps. Some key themes from the data gathered included reconciliation (empowerment, language, cultural sensitivity, self-confidence, student agency), critical thinking & problem-solving skills, social awareness, and respect for self, others, community, and different cultures, and stewardship (land, environment, sustainable future). Now that the Board adopted the mission statement, vision statement and values, the next step is to develop value statements as well as for trustees to hold a working session to set strategic priorities. There will also be co-construction of an operational plan to meet strategic priorities. There are plans to re-design and adopt a new district logo and district branding.

Kriger took the opportunity to do some year end reflecting, highlighting positives in the Indigenous Education (such as co-constructing a new Local Education Agreement (LEA) with Adams Lake, Neskonlith, and Little Shuswap Indian Bands and is working on one with Splatsin, reconciliation, and community connections), Organizational Efficiency (family of schools model, single point of contact, and process development), and Elementary/Middle/Secondary Education (literacy support teachers in all 17 elementary schools, phonics instruction pilot in three schools, capacity building in numeracy with Doug Smith at Shuswap Middle School and A.L. Fortune, communicating student learning, and new health and education dual credit programs). She also commended the finance department and health and safety, for the tremendous amount of work accomplished as well as IT for being committed to its single point of contact philosophy.

She congratulated and thanked the long time employees which were recognized for 20 and 30 years of service to the district earlier in the meeting. "Most of us know in the current economy most people don't stay in jobs for 10 or 15 years. When we have people that have dedicated 20 or 30 years to the district that is an amazing accomplishment."

She also touched on people retiring or leaving the district, thanking them for their work. She added her voice to the well wishes to Director of Instruction Carol-Ann Leidloff, whom she described as having great empathy and passion for supporting students. "There has not been another person who has been more passionate for students that have diverse learning needs. You have been a voice for many of the kids who didn't have a voice," She also announced that Vice-Principal Deanna Brennan has accepted a position on Vancouver Island and will be leaving the district. "Sad for us but a new exciting adventure. We wish you all the best."

As usual, Kriger wrapped up with celebrating student achievement in the district. She commented on the touching Storefront graduation ceremony which recently took place, and the many barriers students overcame to graduate. She said one extra special moment was when John Sayer, just an amazing individual who never had opportunity never able to graduate, was presented with an honourary Dogwood. "He has had such an impact on so many kids and taught so many teachers. To me, John stands as an example as why we need to pull down every barrier that gets in the way of kids to graduate."

Still with congratulations, four students will be taking part in the North American Indigenous Games in Halifax this summer. Dani Lachmuth of PVSS and Mandy Oakland of SAS will be on the U19 softball team while Jada Brown and Brooklyn Munch, who are currently Grade 10 students at Jackson, will be playing on the U16 softball team. She also mentioned the students who represented the district in the provincial track and field championships, and the concert at Marine Peace Park. She also shared information on a project to re-introduce a traditional Indigenous plant to the wetlands and that June 21 was National Indigenous Peoples' Day.

SD83 continues to have a new gym for Len Wood Middle and a new downtown elementary school in Salmon Arm as the two requests on its annual major five year capital plan submission to the Ministry. These two requests have been the district's major capital plan requests for a number of years now. The renovation of the gym at Len Wood was costed at $10,103,811 while the new elementary school is at $32,728,383. Any new Major Capital Plan requests for subsequent years will be identified in further Long Range Facilities Plan considerations and recommendations. This 2023-24 Major Capital Plan was approved by the Board.

The Board also received information on the 2023-24 Annual Facility Grant spending plan of $2.1 million. The Annual Facility Grant is intended for annual facility projects required to maintain facility assets through their anticipated economic life and to prevent premature deterioration of these assets. In recognition of the need for routine maintenance of school facilities, especially regarding roofs, this allowance was provided as part of school boards' operating budgets as a supplementary funding source for projects regularly required to extend the life of existing facilities. There are 9 main categories of eligible AFG expenditures which includes accessibility upgrades, asbestos abatement, electrical upgrades, exterior wall upgrades, HVAC upgrades, interior construction upgrades, plumbing upgrades, roofing upgrades, and site upgrades.

Director of Operations Travis Elwood noted there was an increase to the grant this year, which was much appreciated, as there has been major increases to all materials. He stressed the AFG plan was a plan, and is subject to change if problems or cost overruns happen. "We'll need to adjust because the funding has a limit." He also brought to the Board's attention that the plan wasn't just developed by him, but also with staff on the ground, who work on the buildings all the time, bring forward their priorities. Also, the ministry sends around a team to audit the buildings and systems and they identify priorities.

The Board approved the 2023-24 school fees, which will remain the same as the previous school year. The schools may charge less but the maximum total fees for the upcoming year will be $80:

Assistant Superintendent Ryan Brennan reported to the Board that charges for activities that are optional or extra-curricular in nature are set at the discretion of the principal but must follow Policy 8020. He also noted a $5,000 hardship fund was established in 2018 to assist smaller rural schools with cost recovery and unpaid fees. Kriger added that there are also some funds in the Student & Family Affordability Fund, which schools can access. Brennan added that some feedback indicated that fees will have to be looked at in the upcoming year and noted that the expectation is that principals consult with staff and their parent advisory council (PAC) regarding fees before submitting their proposed 2023-24 fees to the Board. View 2023-24 fees here

VanBuskirk verified that Trustee Brent Gennings will be the chair of the Transportation Committee while Trustee Tennile Lachmuth will be the alternate. This was suggested at the previous meeting when committee appointments were decided however, with both unable to attend that meeting she wanted to discuss it with them. They both agreed.

The Board approved the English Language Learning 11 course as a Board/Authority Authorized Course. Assistant Superintendent Ryan Brennan explained the English Language Learning 11 course is designed for International Student Program students who are at least approaching the Expanding (3) level according to the performance standards established by the Ministry of Education and Child Care for English as a Learned Language in the four areas of Receptive Oral Language, Expressive Oral Language, Reading, and Writing. He added any students taking this course will be in a regular Grade 11 English class, but will be working on the ELL 11 course. He added the course was adapted from another school district with the help of Director of Instruction Chelsea Prince.

He added the course would serve:

Chair VanBuskirk reported the committee had a busy meeting on June 7. They had an annual review of the committee structure and terms of reference and some changes were recommended, notably reducing the number of meetings and making them longer (three or four times a year rather than seven or eight) in an effort to make it easier for members to attend, particularly the students who are missing the same classes each time they attend. Further discussion will be held on this at the first meeting of the upcoming school year on October 4. She said during the Students First portion of the meeting members shared information about the Indigenous Youth Conference in Kamloops attended by five Sullivan students and a video from Highland Park showcasing little video vignettes where they used sign language to talk about themselves. The final portion of the meeting was on Equity in Action in SD83 and was presented by Director of Instruction Chelsea Prince.

Chair Amanda Krebs reported the committee met on June 8 and most of what was talked about is now being discussed at the Board meeting. She noted the committee also discussed the audit, which will take place over the summer with the report coming to the Board in September. She added that the City of Salmon Arm greenways project update will also take place in the fall.

Chair Tennile Lachmuth reported a meeting was not held in June. She says it has been a pleasure to chair the Policy Committee for the last five years. "I'm looking forward to moving on but will certainly miss policy," she added.

VanBuskirk reported a Committee of the Whole meeting was held on June 13 and focussed on the budget.

Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Carol-Ann Leidloff gave a June pride month report, saying activities throughout the district focussed on kindness, inclusion and diversity. She told trustees about the many activities taking place in district schools including an art show, to displays, fundraisers, sidewalk painting and more.

Leidloff, who is leaving the district to once again be a principal, was told by VanBuskirk that she would be deeply missed. "In the five years you were here you and your staff have done so much work towards inclusion and you have changed lives and saved lives. You've had such a positive impact."

"I want to commend you on the work you have done for the district, and we will continue to use your work moving forward. All the best at Alexis Park. The school is lucky to have you. Thank you from my heart for everything you have done for us." Later in the meeting other trustees added their thanks to Leidloff, who took the opportunity to thank the Board. "It has really been an honour and privilege." She added that she cares deeply about children, families and school success, and is looking forward to once again working in a school with kids. "Thank you for all that SD83 has brought me."

Chair VanBuskirk reminded trustees to do a self evaluation of their first year of the Board. The Board will do a more robust review in year two.

Lachmuth reported FNEC met on June 9th but she was unable to make it. She heard that meeting went well and that it was a good wrap up to all that has been accomplished this year. She said the Indigenous graduation ceremony was beautiful to see and that Chair VanBuskirk gave a wonderful speech on behalf of the Board.

In the trustee reports Grayston reported on the Carlin Country Market saying it was successful and that the PAC was planning on putting funds towards a new outdoor learning space. She thanked the leadership team and her colleagues for answering all of her questions. "I really appreciate the support and transparency. Have a very happy summer."

Lachmuth reported on the PVSS grad ceremony at NorVal arena and said the arena was bursting with "support and pride".

Gennings reported that as a first year trustee it has been very interesting. "I'm hoping to grow as person and trustee over next few years." He also reminded trustees that as well as Pride Month it is National Indigenous History Month.

VanBuskirk reported on attending a number of great events over the last month including the the District Authority Award presentations at SAS on May 17, the Hillcrest PAC meeting, the Bastion Spring Carnival on May 26, the strategic planning sessions on May 29 and June 7, the Jackson and Sullivan PAC meeting on May 20, and the Indigenous graduation ceremony on May 31. She attended the Jackson school improvement plan meeting on June 6, the FNEC meeting on June 8, the SAS athletic ceremonies on June 13-14, and the Storefront graduation ceremony on June 15. She was also planning on attending the Indigenous Peoples' Day ceremony at Jackson on Wednesday an invited other trustees to attend as well.

A parent, who is also a teacher in SD83, raised a question about SD83's SOGI guidelines, particularly around when a student chooses to use a different pronoun or name, that staff are not to discuss this with parents. Kriger responded saying the intent is not to exclude parents but rather to have a trusted adult or school counsellor work with the student so that the student could have a conservation about it with the family. "I think we can all agree that not every child would feel safe to disclose that. Our intention is to ensure children are safe. While they are safe to have those conversations in many homes, not in all homes." Kriger extended an invitation to the parent, and any parent in the district, to come to her with concerns. "I'm always ready to listen and be respectful of the concerns parents' have."