Arrow Lakes School District No. 10

The board discussed several items including presentations on learning support services and middle years development, review of committee reports, and the monthly financial report. Key actions included the reading and adoption of the 2026-2027 annual budget bylaw and the adoption of the trustee elections bylaw. Additionally, the board decided against submitting five-year capital plans for major and child care projects, received updates on school grade configurations, and introduced notices of motions regarding child and youth protection, staff recruitment, and safe schools policies.

The board meeting included a Good News Report, an overview of the Emergency Services Program, and a presentation on the district's Learning Technologies program. The Secretary-Treasurer provided a monthly financial report and shared results from the interim budget survey. Updates were provided regarding the school board office renovation. The board appointed a Chief Elections Officer for the upcoming trustee election and passed a capital bylaw regarding minor capital funding. Additionally, notice of motions was provided for various policy amendments intended for future meetings.

The meeting agenda includes reports from the superintendent concerning the Emergency Services program and a technology update on digital citizenship. Financial business involves reviewing the monthly financial report and the upcoming budget survey. Key action items include the nomination of a Chief Elections Officer for trustee elections and the reading and adoption of a capital bylaw. Furthermore, the board is scheduled to hear notices of motion regarding amendments to various school policies concerning child protection, recruitment, safe schools, purchasing, and land disposal.

The regular meeting involved the adoption of the agenda and the approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on November 19, 2019. Key discussions included a financial update covering the November 30, 2019 Financial Report and the approval of the 2018-2019 Statement of Financial Information (SOFI) Report. The Chairperson reported on the composition of the SOGI Policy Committee and the Board agreed to donate $150 to local food hampers from the Trustee Fund. The Education Partnership Committee recommended writing a letter to the Ministry of Education regarding the Funding Formula Model Review. Under Old Business, the Board deferred approval of revisions to Policy 680: Transportation Assistance but approved new Policy 322: Physical Restraint and Seclusion. New Business included discussion of the 2020 Policy Committee Structure, authorization to write a letter to the Ministry advocating for small, remote, and rural districts, and approval of the annual Winter Holiday Board Office Closure dates.

The Education Partnership Committee meeting addressed several key areas. Presentations included an update on the Strategic Plan Progress and 2019-2020 Priorities. Policy matters involved a recommendation for a Special Policy Committee regarding Policy 301 (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity), recommended revisions for Policy 680 (Transportation Assistance), and a recommendation for approval of new Policy 322 (Physical Restraint and Seclusion). The Superintendent provided an update covering enrollment figures, the announcement of a new Child Care Centre for New Denver funded by the Minister of Child and Family Development, an update on the NSS Climbing and Bouldering Wall Project, resolution of bus driver shortages with new hires and a new bus delivery, a report on Professional Development days focusing on assessment and ergonomics, ongoing teacher professional learning in literacy and Indigenous Education, an article featuring the district in the Kootenay HUB publication, updates on the provincial funding model changes, confirmation of the Grade 6 Quebec Exchange program, and a discussion on rural recruitment challenges. A notice of date change for the December meeting was also confirmed.