The following is a summary of motions carried by the School District No. 5 (SD5) School Board of Trustees during their April 14 meeting.

Motions Carried

THAT permission be granted for all three readings of Capital Bylaw No. 2026/27 CPSD05-01 of the Board for the 2026/27 Capital Plan to be passed at the April 14, 2026, public meeting of the Board of Education of School District No. 5 (Southeast Kootenay).

THAT the Capital Bylaw No. 2026/27 CPSD05-01 of the Board for the 2026/27 Capital Plan as approved by the Minister, to include the supported capital project(s) specified in the letter addressed to the Secretary Treasurer and Superintendent, dated March 27, 2026, is read the first time.

THAT the Capital Bylaw No. 2026/27 CPSD05-01 of the Board for the 2026/27 Capital Plan as approved by the Minister, to include the supported capital project(s) specified in the letter addressed to the Secretary Treasurer and Superintendent, dated March 27, 2026, is read the second time.

THAT the Capital Bylaw No. 2026/27 CPSD05-01 of the Board for the 2026/27 Capital Plan as approved by the Minister, to include the supported capital project(s) specified in the letter addressed to the Secretary Treasurer and Superintendent, dated March 27, 2026, is read the third and final time.

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT

From the Province

The Board and District Management have just returned from the BCSTA AGM—a lovely string of letters that fully demonstrates our collective avoidance of the written word. The BCSTA AGM is the annual general meeting of all 60 school boards across the province. As an organization, its purpose is to advocate for provincial changes that better support education, students, and staff.

This year, there were 31 motions brought forward requesting action of this nature. Two of these motions originated from our district and supported by the collective school districts within our region and boundary.

The first motion supported the intention to provide education that would further define and address unacceptable patterns of gender-based violence. Although the motion faced challenges due to previous requests on the same topic, we were given assurances that our presentation successfully advanced the intended purpose and direction.

The second motion focused on the replacement of aging school facilities and proposed changes to the criteria used for replacement. Specifically, it called for the inclusion of a broader range of factors essential to the safety and well-being of students and staff, particularly in the interior and northern regions of British Columbia.

From the District

Fernie Elementary School and Childcare planning is back underway. There were some delays associated with environmental studies that needed to be concluded. The Planning Committee met recently and reviewed the changes to the design associated with the inclusion of the daycare facility. There were questions forwarded from community contacts as to the name of the school, the grade ranges, staffing and program collaboration between the two elementary buildings. It was suggested that further community consultation would be arranged as formal construction starts in the new school year.

Mountain View Operations has been a topic of discussion recently. A portion of the building has been leased for office space and the remainder provided a home for the Treehouse Daycare. As the lease used for office space expired, work is required to convert the gym, in particular, back to the original intended design. Renovations will start shortly and as the Elk Valley has an increased need for recreation space, bringing the gym back into use will be of great benefit.

A new daycare facility will be added to the Amy Woodland Elementary site. An agreement has been reached with the Métis Nation of British Columbia, with additional support from the Ktunaxa Nation, allowing the daycare to proceed. Amy Woodland Elementary was recently destroyed by fire, and the School District is diligently working with the Ministry of Infrastructure to secure funding for a replacement facility and to address the educational opportunities lost as a result of the fire. The daycare will be located on the lower portion of the property, separate from the existing building footprint.

A recent meeting with the City of Cranbrook further strengthened the potential for positive collaboration. Members of both boards had the opportunity to discuss topics of mutual interest. As the City experiences significant growth in housing, gaining a clearer understanding of where future families may settle—and which schools their children are likely to attend—is an important consideration for the School Board.

April 15 marked the official opening of the Jaffray Daycare facility, offering a welcome opportunity to celebrate this valuable addition to community services. The entire school participated in a walkthrough of the new facility, with refreshments along the way contributing to the sense of occasion. We extend our thanks to the school staff and community for their warm reception and patience throughout the construction process.

The Capital Plan was successfully approved at our recent Board meeting. A significant amount of work is invested in the development of the Capital Plan, particularly this year as the process unfolded under very tight timelines. It requires careful identification of the type and location of repair and renewal projects across the district. As is always the case, the need for improvements exceeds available funding, which underscores the importance of the motion discussed earlier in this report to advocate for safe, supportive, and well‑maintained school facilities.

—Doug McPhee, Board Chair

SD5

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