An overview of discussion items and major decisions of the Board of Education of School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake). For meeting agendas/minutes and a schedule of upcoming board meetings visit SD8.bc.ca/meetings. 

Numeracy Continuous Learning Report

Director of Instruction – Innovative Learning Services Ben Eaton along with District Principal Tamara Malloff presented the Numeracy Continuous Learning Report 2022-2023. The report outlines how our SD8 learners are doing in numeracy and provides a description of the supports, resources, goals and actions that comprise SD8’s commitment to improving numeracy in K-12 learners across the district.

Mental Wellness 

Director of Instruction – Equity, Inclusion and Reconciliation Deanna Holitzki provided an overview of mental health and wellness initiatives available to SD8 students. With the goal to support all students, the district focuses on prevention, mental wellbeing, and reduction of stigma. 

Online Learning

District Principal Rob Simpson presented an overview including the history, present programs and future direction of Online Learning programs in SD8. These include the ELEV8 – DESK and ELEV8- Homelinks programs, the latter which includes some face-to-face instruction and learning. 

Starting in July 2023, SD8 will begin to offer programming to students throughout the province as a Provincial Online Learning School (POLS).This means that in 2023-2024, the district will be able to continue welcoming online learners locally and from across B.C. to its Elev8-DESK and Elev8 Homelinks programs under the new POLS model.

Projected Enrolment and Revenues

Secretary-Treasurer Johan Glaudemans provided a report on projected enrolments and revenues. On February 15 each year, enrolment projections are provided to the Ministry of Education and Child Care, which then releases funding allocations for next year by March 15. 

Information Technology Annual Report 

Manager of Information Muzzio presented the Information Technology annual report and highlighted priority projects around goals and technology implementation for next three years. The IT department is working towards tech equity, cohesive and centralized structures, growth of technological understanding among staff and students, privacy and data security, as well as being sustainable in terms of budget and environment. 

Student Trustee Updates

Student Trustee Sage Pillar, Mount Sentinel Secondary: Course selection is underway with WEG students joining in. A new smartphone plan is coming into place at the school after spring break. Basketball season just wrapped up and students had a wonderful time at the SD8 Student Symposium that took place in Nelson on February 22. 

Student Trustee Patton Gatto-Beebe, Kootenay River Secondary School: Students put on a marvelous play, The Addams Family Feud. Course selections are underway, with students choosing from an array of course options. Various presenters have also come into the school from the community including the Town of Creston Council. Grads are anxious about meeting scholarship application deadlines and working hard to get their applications in on time.  

Student Trustee Angelia Thompson, L.V. Rogers Secondary School: Global Intercultural Experiences Oaxaca departs February 15 for Mexico. Senior Boys’ basketball was recognized as Mallard’s Source for Sports Team of the Week. Students finished 4th at UBC Physics Olympics. Courtyard renovations continue, with a mural on the theme of social justice planned as well as new benches. 

Policy Changes

The Board approved the following policies: 

• Policy 111: Roles and Responsibilities of the Board of Education
• Policy 112: Governing Principles
• Policy 113: Board Evaluation and Monitoring
• Policy 114: Delegation of Authority
• Policy 115: Superintendent of Schools/CEO Roles and Responsibilities
• Policy 116: Superintendent of Schools/CEO Evaluation
• Policy 620: Budget Development, Monitoring and Reporting

All policies are available on our Board Policies page.

These highlights exclude confidential information such as business negotiations, personnel issues and legal matters. For other information or to provide feedback, please contact our Public Engagement Manager at 250-505-7005 or engagement@sd8.bc.ca