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SD5 Board Notes
The following is a summary of motions carried by School District No. 5 (SD5) School Board of Trustees during their March 11 meeting.
Motions Carried
THAT the Nature Based Wellness Board Authorized Course be approved by the Board of Education.
THAT the 2025-2026 Regular Public, Regular In-Camera and All Committees schedule be accepted.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
March 14, 2025 Announcement -Minister Bowinn Ma & District Management SD5:
“Amy Woodland Elementary School has long been a cornerstone of our community, fostering learning, collaboration, and growth for students and families. We are excited to announce that the Ministry has recognized the importance of continuing this legacy by providing funding for a new school building. With this support, the school district looks forward to continuing working closely with the Ministry of Education and Child Care and the Ministry of Infrastructure and other partners to create a modern, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment that benefits all Amy Woodland students for years to come.”
Minister Bowinn Ma: “Students, staff, families and community members in Cranbrook were devastated by the fire at Amy Woodland Elementary School and the disruption it caused. I am pleased to confirm that there is funding in Budget 2025 for the replacement of Amy Woodland Elementary and we are working with the school district on next steps.”
This is very exciting news for SD5. Additional communication will be provided as details of the project develop. One of the questions asked in recent social media was related to the work done, or focus on, Mount Baker Secondary School replacement. Discussions by the District and the Board with the Ministry of Infrastructure continue to focus on the replacement of Mount Baker Secondary as being a top priority.
From the Province (@ news.gov.bc.ca)
Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care, and Rohini Arora, parliamentary secretary for childcare, have released the following statement about the extension of the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement with British Columbia: “We welcome the Government of Canada’s continued investment in early learning and childcare here in B.C., as we are stronger when we work together…The federal government is committing more than $5.3 billion over five years.
“This investment will assist our government in supporting families throughout our province as we work to make childcare a core service people can rely on. Access to affordable and quality childcare is life-changing for parents and it’s good for our communities and our economy as a whole.”
From the District
Highlights from the Public Meeting include:
- In connection to the Community Consultation process for Budget 2025-26, the Teachers Association from SD5 made a presentation on behalf of their members. Our thanks to Co-Chairs Adrienne Demers and Larry Dureski.
- The design of the future Fernie Elementary School is moving forward. At this point, the Environmental Report and inclusion of Child Care Facility are in the review stages.
Ongoing work
- Construction work on the Steeples Elementary Child Care (pictured above) continues as they work on framing the walls and roof.
- District Principal Laura Lee shared work done by her committee on a proposed partnership with the Rocky Mountain Metis Society and the potential addition of a building/childcare spaces to a school in Cranbrook.
- Superintendent Viveka Johnson provided an update on the release of funds to support literacy with a focus on the early years for both literacy and numeracy. She will provide further information on the proposed Community of Practice coaching at our next meeting.
- We continue to celebrate our successes and the individuals contributing to the good work done at the school and district level.
Meetings to Support Education
March 11: Trustee Clark, Secretary-Treasurer Taylor and I met with a committee from Grasmere and the South Country to discuss potential use of the Grasmere School to support the community.
March 12: Subcommittee meeting with software venders to discuss potential software replacements for current applications addressing operating in Accounting and Human Resources
Spring 2025:
Community Engagement Nights; an opportunity to share and discuss the good work supporting the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning (FESL)
Developing an internal survey to assess Board of Education self-evaluation – everyone is on a learning path.
April 16: Board meets with the Mayor and Council to discuss issues of mutual interest.
April 29: Board meets virtually with Minister Lisa Beare; an opportunity to share our good work with the FESL and discuss current issues concerning education in each community of SD5.
Dates of Note:
March 16-29 Spring Break
April 4 Yellow Friday
April 11 Budget Meeting
April 18 Good Friday
April 21 Easter Monday
April 22 Budget Meeting
Paril 22 Grasmere Community Consultation Night
April 24-26 BCSTA AGM (Vancouver)
April 28 RSA Day (Pro-D Day)
April 29 Committee Day and Meeting with Minister Beare
e-KNOW file photos
SD5
