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SD5 Board Notes
The following is a summary of motions carried by the School District No. 5 (SD5) School Board of Trustees during their February 10 meeting.
Motions Carried
THAT the Board of Education authorizes travel of a Mount Baker Secondary School student to Oregon. This trip is not a school-sponsored event.
THAT the Board Authority/Authorized Course – Strength, Conditioning, Leadership & Performance 10 be approved.
THAT the Board Authority/Authorized Course – Teen Development and Caregiving 12 be approved.
THAT a letter of support be written to School District 60 regarding the request to include educational assistants in the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness Program.
THAT the Draft 2026-2027 School District Calendar be submitted for public consultation.
THAT permission be granted for all three readings of the Amended Annual Budget Bylaw to be passed at the February 10, 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 amended annual budget of the Board for the fiscal year 2025/2026 pursuant to section 113 of the School Act, R.S.B.C., 1996, c. 412 as amended from time to time (called the “Act“).
The Bylaw read a first, second and third time the 10th day of February, 2026.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
The Board of Education for Southeast Kootenay wishes to extend our support and condolences for the tragic loss experienced by the community of Tumbler Ridge. We have experienced the loss of loved ones in our communities, and the impact has always been deeply felt. A tragedy of the nature experienced in Tumbler Ridge has impacted everybody in that community and we wish them well as they move forward during this difficult time. Our hearts are with you.
The school district has circulated information to schools and parents which may help with the questions being asked about support services and information which may help with the questions students may have.
FROM THE DISTRICT
New Child Care Centre Coming for Fernie Families
The Ministry of Education and Child Care announced in November 2025 that 37 new licensed child care spaces will be provided with the new elementary school in Fernie. Work is ongoing on this project and with the announcement coming before the design phase has been completed, the addition of the child care will be seamlessly integrated into the overall build.
Steeples Strong Start and Child Care Centre Grand Opening, February 3
A Grand Opening Celebration was held for the new facility at Steeples Elementary School (pictured above). Community child care providers and support organizations were in attendance and displayed information on the community’s support for day care. The celebration was also attended by trustees, district staff, Cranbrook City counsellors and media.
In addition to the facility at Steeples, the final work on the day care for Jaffray Elementary/Jr Secondary is nearing completion. Providing affordable day care in all of the communities of the school district is our goal. We hope to gather once again and celebrate the opening of this opportunity for the community of Jaffray and South Country.
Public Board Meeting February 10
The Board authorized the travel for one student who hopes to compete in a track and field completion in Oregon. Due to the difficult political circumstances in the US, student travel for groups has been restricted to Canada. The student in this request will be travelling with a parent.
Two BA (Board Approved) courses have been approved for secondary schools in the district: Strength and Conditioning, Leadership and Performance 10 and Teen Development and Caregiving 12.
The Board approved the Amended Annual Budget for 2025/26. The budget is largely determined by student enrollment. The best estimate for the 2026/27 year is being conducted now, fueled largely by the registration of new kindergarten students. The work of the next few months will be to ensure that the educational needs of all students will be addressed for the next cycle.
An official count of enrollment occurs at the end of September. The budget for that year is adjusted accordingly – the amended budget.
The Draft Annual School Calendar for 2026-20027 has been posted on the website for input. Suggestions or comments can be submitted to Jane Nixon on or before March 3, 2026.
Learning Together No. 20 January 2026
Great read again this month and can be accessed online sd5.bc.ca.
- Superintendent Johnson on: FESL, Development Instruments and Strategic Planning.
- Warriors Leadership at Mount Baker Secondary.
- Early Learning and Child Care.
- News for District Teachers.
- The Food Guide.
- Transformative Learning and the Design Labs.
- Outdoor Education.
—Doug McPhee, Board Chair
e-KNOW file photo
School District No. 5
