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SD5 Board Notes
The following is a summary of board motions carried during the School District No. 5 (SD5) School Board of Trustees’ meeting on May 9.
Motions Carried
THAT a letter of support be written to Prince Rupert School District 52 in response to their letter regarding Aligning BC’s Education and Child Care Funding Model to Expand Affordable, School-Based Child Care.
THAT the spring of 2026 Sparwood Secondary rafting trip be approved with the understanding that the river will be run two days prior to the students taking the trip. Furthermore, this trip is only approved if there is guaranteed and adequate emergency services available and the most experienced river rafting guides are used.
Budget Bylaw
THAT the Bylaw of the Board of Education of School District No. 5 (Southeast Kootenay) (called the “Board”) to adopt the annual budget of the Board for the fiscal year 2026/27 pursuant to section 113 of the School Act, R.S.B.C., 1996, c. 412 as amended from time to time (called the “Act“). Read for a first time and second time on of May 12, 2026.
Property Acquisition Bylaw
THAT permission be granted for all three readings of the Acquisition of Real Property Bylaw FE2026 to be passed at the May 12, 2026, public meeting of the Board of Education of School District No. 5 (Southeast Kootenay).
THAT the Board hereby authorizes the exercise of the Option with respect to the Land and the acquisition of Land;
THAT the Board authorizes one or more of the Chair, Superintendent of Schools, or Secretary‑Treasurer to the execute and deliver and register, as applicable, all documents necessary or desirable to exercise the Option and complete the transfer of title to the Land, including but not limited to:
Form A Freehold Transfer;
Property Transfer Tax Return(s);
Any regulatory or Land Title Office filings.
THAT the Board authorizes the engagement of legal counsel to exercise the Option, to complete the conveyance of the Land and to all matters incidental thereto;
Read three times on May 12, 2026.
Election Bylaw
THAT permission be granted for all three readings of the Trustee Election Bylaw No. 2026 to be passed at the May 12, 2026, public meeting of the Board of Education of School District No. 5 (Southeast Kootenay).
THAT the Board of Education of School District No. 5 (Southeast Kootenay) adopt the Trustee Election Bylaw No. 2026. Read three times May 12.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
From the Province:
Provincial Elections October 17, 2026 – You Matter to Public Education.
Could you be a Superhero?
Trustees provide the guidance and direction which equitably supports the learning needs of all students and our collective relationships are positive and productive. If you are interested in running for trustee or wish to encourage someone, here are some helpful links:
British Columbia School Trustee Association:
SERVE, LEAD, INSPIRE: Your Guide to Becoming a School Trustee.
British Columbia School Trustee CANDIDATES GUIDE
Elections BC 2026
Information Specific to School District 5 South East Kootenay
“I would like to ask specific questions before I decide.”
There are Community Consultation Meetings scheduled for the near future:
May 26 in Cranbrook – Mount Baker Secondary School – Starting at 6 p.m.
The Consultation Meetings are an opportunity to share the collective learning experiences of all communities and ask questions. There will be trustees in attendance who can answer any question you might have on the role and responsibilities of a trustee in an informal manner at the conclusion of the meeting.
The Board will be planning an online session in August to answer any further questions candidates might have on municipal rules and regulations, filing procedures and campaigning restrictions. In the meantime, for those interested, please check the linked sites. Trustees support each of the communities in the school district, If you have burning questions, please feel free to contact them. They are, after all, Superheroes!
From the District: Board Meeting of May 12, Learning Centre in Fernie
May continues to be a busy month. A very successful Science Fair was held. Trustees and District Management were provided with an opportunity to view three of the presentations prior to our meeting. The Heritage Fair was held shortly after and we look forward learning from a few of those students prior to the Committee Day at the end of the month. The Board wishes to extend our thanks to all of the students, teachers, judges and sponsors who have worked to make these opportunities successful.
This past week members from the Board and District Management visited all the secondary schools in the Elk Valley conducting interviews for the District Scholarships. Each year the scholarship presentations become more impressive and often include not only the student’s aspirations for post-secondary education/training but also celebrate elements of citizenship they have learned or implemented in their educational path.
While in Fernie, the Interview Committee were gifted with the opportunity to attend the Elk Valley Indigenous Awards night and on the return to Cranbrook, the ʔaq̓am Community Awards.
During the Board Meeting:
The Annual Budget Bylaw passed 2 of the 3 required readings. The work on the budget starts early in the new year and must be passed before the end of June. In June the Board will present a report to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services (SSCFGS) which will provide further evidence to the province of the financial difficulties faced by districts trying to balance a budget in declining funding and growing inflation.
The Board passed three readings of a Real Property Bylaw. The bylaw will allow further work to be defined in the securing of an offer of land in the vicinity of the new elementary school in Fernie.
The Board, and all boards, are required to amend their Election Bylaws in preparation for the fall election. The amended bylaw was passed with three readings.
Looking forward:
We hope to have some positive information to share on the capital project submissions made in the five-year capital submission.
As stated earlier, there are 2 Community Consultations coming up in the near future.
The process of District Scholarship interviews will be concluded shortly and we will all look forward to the Graduation in each community and the Retirement Ceremony. —Doug McPhee, Board Chair
e-KNOW file photo
SD5
