Jake Mouritzen

The Board discussed various items including student and delegation presentations on youth empowerment and the proposed French Language Advisory Committee. Strategic plan updates were provided by several schools focusing on literacy, numeracy, and well-being. Committee reports were received from the Education Policy Advisory Committee, the Audit Working Committee, and the Indigenous Education Council. Additionally, the Board initiated the first reading of the 2026-27 Annual Budget Bylaw and reviewed policies related to fundraising, volunteers, and community school societies.

The board meeting included a presentation on mural art and several committee reports, including the Education Policy Advisory Committee, Budget Advisory Committee, and updates from the BCSTA and Indigenous Education Council. The Board reviewed budget assumptions for the upcoming school year and discussed public concerns regarding funding, staffing, and transportation. Action items included the approval of a five-year school calendar, the adoption of a capital plan bylaw, revision of the school year meeting schedule, and various policy amendments concerning privacy, environmental stewardship, and the Board-Superintendent relationship. Additionally, the Superintendent provided an update on facilities and enrollment.

The Board focused on enrollment and facilities reviews, including decisions on program locations for Late French Immersion, school catchment area adjustments, and program reallocations. Key outcomes included maintaining the Late French Immersion program at Vedder Middle School, approving student transitions for Yarrow and Greendale catchments, and initiating a comprehensive catchment review for several elementary schools. The Board also approved reallocating Cheam Elementary's catchment, relocating North Side French Immersion programs, and reconfiguring Imagine High Integrated Arts and Technology Secondary School to a Grade 6-12 model. Additionally, Rosedale Traditional Community School will be reconfigured to a middle school starting in the 2027-28 school year.

The board discussed several items, including the 2026-2027 budget presentation, a barrier scan of education policies, and reports from the Education Policy Advisory Committee, Budget Advisory Committee, and the Indigenous Education Council. Additionally, the board addressed action items regarding trustee election bylaws and the Major Capital Funding Bylaw for A D Rundle Middle School.

The Board of Education meeting focused primarily on an Enrollment and Facilities Review. Key discussion topics included the relocation and configuration of the Middle School French Immersion programs, adjustments to school catchments for Watson, Unsworth, Tyson, Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt, and the North Side elementary schools related to the new East Side Elementary opening. The Board reviewed engagement summaries and community feedback regarding school stability, peer continuity, transportation, and equity. Additionally, the Board addressed the adoption of school calendar frameworks and approved various policy amendments, including those related to environmental stewardship, privacy, and the Board-Superintendent relationship.