The following is a summary of motions carried by School District No. 5 (SD5) School Board of Trustees during their February 11 meeting.

Motions Carried

THAT a letter of support for the Cranbrook Pickleball Club be written by the Board of Education approving, in principle, the Cranbrook Pickleball Club’s Winter Facility project.

THAT the Warriors 10-12 Board Authorized Course be approved by the Board of Education.

THAT the draft BC Accessibility Plan be approved and subsequently posted on the District website.

THAT the spring of 2025 Sparwood Secondary School 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.

THAT the 2025-2026 Annual School Calendar be approved as amended.

THAT permission be granted for all the three readings of the Amended Annual Budget Bylaw to be passed at the February 11, 2025, public meeting of the Board of Education of School District No. 5 (Southeast Kootenay).

THAT the Board adopt the amended budget of the Board for the fiscal year 2024/2025 pursuant to section 113 of the School Act, RSBC, 1996, c.412 as amended from time to time (called the “Act”).

THAT the Board adopt the amended budget of the Board for the fiscal year 2024/2025 pursuant to section 113 of the School Act, RSBC, 1996, c.412 as amended from time to time (called the “Act”).

THAT the Board adopt the amended budget of the Board for the fiscal year 2024/2025 pursuant to section 113 of the School Act, RSBC, 1996, c.412 as amended from time to time (called the “Act”).

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT

From the Province

The British Columbia School Trustees Association (BCSTA) released a report based on input from 45 school districts in BC. The report, “One Province, One Plan: Substance and Overdose Safety in BC schools,” outlines the growing concern of substance use and overdose in public schools and calls on a pressing need for a “unified and province wide” approach.

The four key areas of focus recommended from this work are:

• Provincial Policy Development – support in developing a “cohesive guideline addressing substance use in schools”.
• Substance Use Resources – making resources available for schools, communities, and families across the province.
• Expansion of Foundry BC services – expanding the availability of mental and wellness service across the province.
• Funding – implementation requires that school are allocated “adequate and sustained” funding.

For more information on the report, visit https://bcsta.org

At the District Level

Planning and/or implementation for the following initiatives is ongoing:

• Designing new Fernie Elementary School.
• Designing and planning the Daycare and renewed elementary classroom spaces on the Mountain View Elementary site in Sparwood.
• Construction continues with the childcare facility on the Steeples Elementary site in Cranbrook.
• The Rocky Mountain Metis Association is working with the school district to formulate a cooperation agreement which could provide funding and purpose for additional childcare spaces in Cranbrook.
• The School District has secured a parcel of Crown land in Elkford with plans to develop childcare facilities and housing for teachers.
• Initial planning for the 2025-26 Budget is underway. Following adoption of the Amended Budget for 2024 full consideration is now focused on 2025-26.

Dates to Note:

• Budget Meeting of the Board – February 19;
• Committee Day – February 24;
• Professional Development Day – February 28;
• Yellow Day – March 7;
• Spring Break – March 17-28.

SD5

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