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. 

Literacy and Continuous Learning

District Principal Tamara Malloff presented the 2023 Literacy Continuous Learning Report to the Board and introduced Principal Shellie Malloff and Teacher Carly Christy who shared examples of literacy learning from the Mount Sentinel Secondary Middle Years Program (MYP). The MYP is a Grade 7 and 8 middle school program within a high school context. It was developed in an effort to build community and develop supportive adult relationships with Mt. Sentinel’s youngest learners. 

Inclusive Education Supports

Director of Instruction Deanna Holitzki provided an overview of student special needs category designation based on the Ministry of Education and Child Care Special Education Policy Manual, and the process for determining inclusive education supports in SD8. 

Students with special needs are fully participating members of a community of learners and all students are entitled to equitable access to learning, achievement and the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of their educational programs. 

Students are supported according to their individual needs, and those supports may include materials adapted by the teacher, adapted assessment strategies, learning environment changes, seating changes, augmentative technology, software and hardware in the classroom, tools that support student function, and other accommodations based on the student's learning profile and Individual Education Plan (IEP)

Final Enrolment and Budget Update

SD8 currently has 4,777 students enrolled, which is 15 students more than the prior year and equates to a forecasted $48,165,597 operating grant from the Ministry of Education and Child Care. This means that provincial funding for students in SD8 in the 2023-2024 school year is expected to remain about the same as 2022-2023.

2023-2024 Capital Plan

The Board completed three readings of and passed the following resolutions: 

• An additional 2023/24 request of $195,000 for accessible playground equipment
• An additional 2023/24 funding request of $60,000 for bus purchases
• An additional 2023/24 funding request of $33,900 for Food Infrastructure Program (FIP)
• An additional 2023/24 funding request of $322,900 for Minor Capital (SEP)
• The District’s Capital Plan Bylaw No 2023/24-CPSD8-02

Policy Changes

• Policy 113: Board Evaluation and Monitoring was updated.
• The Board Rescinded the following policies:
• Policy 320: Student Attendance
• Policy 340: Communication 
• Policy 412: Independent Homeschooler
• Policy 440: Extra-Curricular and Co-Curricular Activities
• Policy 451: Physical Restraint and Seclusion in School Settings

All policies are available on our policies page.

Student Trustee Updates

2023-2024 Student trustees for SD8 are:

• Kootenay River Secondary - Tanjot Tiwana and Amber Parsons
• L.V. Rogers Secondary- Riordan Fisher and Angelia Thomson
• Salmo Secondary - Edwin Ludwar and Ellie Still 
• J.V. Humphries Secondary - Daisy Lamoureux and Micah Luchetta
• Mount Sentinel Secondary - Calvin Vander Horst and Cassidy Popoff

Student Trustee Fisher reported that the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day received huge support from students and staff at L.V. Rogers Secondary, and Elder Donna Wright played a prominent role. Student Trustee Fisher also reported that L.V. Rogers Secondary School rugby teams have now played in two away tournaments and hosted a third one October 11 at Lakeside Park in Nelson. Finally, the school raised over $2,000 at the Terry Fox Run.

Questions or Comments from the Public 

Lower Kootenay Band Education Committee Co-Chair Jared Basil introduced himself to the Board of Education and recognized the district’s participation in the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. Mr. Basil explained that his passion is education, and that his work on the LKB Education Committee focuses on providing students an extra layer of support to set them up for success in their grade-to-grade transitions, graduation and on creating opportunities for future generations. He expressed his hope for opportunities to engage and build healthy relationships through solid points of contact and communication channels including with SD8 and the SD8 Board of Education. 

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 engagement@sd8.bc.ca.