October 23, 2024

The recent BC provincial election results underscore the diverse representation and inclusive nature of our locally elected school trustees. These trustees, who form boards of education, are not just governing leaders but also the most direct link to the educational system in our communities. They are essential partners in fostering a healthy democracy and building exceptional communities. In the recent provincial election, the British Columbia School Trustees Association (BCSTA) was pleased to see a past president of BCSTA elected to represent the riding of Ladysmith-Oceanside in the Legislature. Additionally, voters chose four current trustees from various regions and across the political spectrum to represent their ridings provincially.

We know that today’s students are tomorrow’s parents, workers, and leaders, and we rely on them to make our communities vibrant and our economy strong. The work of trustees is to ensure that local districts deliver on this future. Their deep knowledge of the education system and the intersecting issues, such as childcare and school food programs, ensures that trustees who have stepped from school boards to the Legislature can carry on this critical work for students and their communities.

Among those who have made the step to be elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in this election is BCSTA’s past president, Stephanie Higginson. Stephanie was elected as the BC NDP MLA in the riding of Ladysmith-Oceanside. Stephanie served her community as a school board trustee for eight years. During her tenure as a trustee, she was vice-chair and chair of the Board of Education for Nanaimo-Ladysmith Public Schools. Additionally, Stephanie will now bring both her provincial and local experience on advocacy and the intricacies of the education system to her new role.

Provincial advocacy for public education is one of the primary roles of the BCSTA. In addition, the BCSTA provides coordination, education, and support for boards across the province and ensures that professional development and advocacy align with improving student achievement, the key work of locally elected boards of education. This provincial-level work serves individual communities through their boards of education, ensuring their unique needs are met. When trustees are elected to provincial office, BCSTA’s work provides the foundation to build upon to support students, families and school system staff across the province. This past election, voters in four ridings chose trustees to represent them in the Legislature and carry the mantle of public education to this provincial level.

Coquitlam School District Trustee Jennifer Blatherwick was elected as the BC NDP MLA in the riding of Coquitlam-Maillardville. Jennifer was serving her second term as a trustee for the Board of Education for the Coquitlam School District. During her tenure, Jennifer served on the Finance and Audit Committee and was the chair of the Childcare Task Force.

West Vancouver School District Trustee Lynne Block was elected as the BC Conservative MLA in the riding of West Vancouver-Capilano. A lifelong educator, Lynne was elected to the Board of Education for the West Vancouver School District in 2018 and was re-elected in 2022.

Abbotsford School District Trustee Korky Neufeld was elected as the BC Conservative MLA in the riding of Abbotsford West. Korky is a long-serving trustee for the Board of Education for the Abbotsford School District, having dedicated over 13 years to his community in that position. During his tenure, Korky also held the position of chair of the board.

Chilliwack School District Trustee Heather Maahs was elected as the BC Conservative MLA in the riding of Chilliwack North. Before she was elected as an MLA, Heather was the longest-serving current member of the Board of Education for the Chilliwack School District.

The results of this election have introduced five new representatives who will serve their ridings at the provincial level. Their extensive experience in the educational system will be reflected in their work. The BCSTA will continue to advocate for our priorities, ensuring that education matters not only to these newly elected representatives but to everyone involved in the education system and relevant ministries.

[Vancouver, BC – October 7, 2024] – The British Columbia School Trustees Association (BCSTA) is pleased to announce its proactive engagement with the Conservative Party of British Columbia, the Green Party of British Columbia, and the New Democratic Party of British Columbia to uncover each party’s strategy for addressing the critical issues impacting British Columbia’s public education system ahead of the 2024 election.

BCSTA has presented critical questions to each party focused on three key priorities: Recruitment and Retention of Staff, Capital and Deferred Maintenance Funding, and Inclusive Education and Student Success. The responses from each party will provide valuable insight into their plans and commitments toward improving public education in B.C.

To read the full responses from the Conservative Party, Green Party, and New Democratic Party of British Columbia, which include additional K-12 considerations relevant to their platforms on public education in B.C., please visit:

Conservative Party of British Columbia Response

“Child care spaces: Our government will streamline approval processes and reduce red tape, ensuring that schools can quickly respond to community needs for additional child care spaces. We will also partner with school districts to unlock extra childcare space capacity within both existing and newly-built school properties,” said Aisha Estey, President, Conservative Party of British Columbia.

Green Party of British Columbia Response

“The BC Greens will work with education partners to develop province-wide inclusive education policies, orders, and legislation that support diverse learning needs and promote equitable access to education for all students. We plan to create an ongoing, sustainable funding model for organizations that are responding to the diverse needs of students,” via the official BC Greens response to BCSTA.

British Columbia New Democratic Party Response

“We are also taking action by expanding our Integrated Child and Youth (ICY) teams to 20 school districts by next year. Working closely with districts, these teams make it easier for young people and their families to connect to the care they need, where and when they need it, putting the needs of each child at the centre,” via the official NDP response to BCSTA.

Championing Public Education: BCSTA’s Call to Action for the 2024 Election

“As the province gears up for the 2024 election, BCSTA is taking action to ensure that public education remains a top priority in election discourse and policy discussions. Our organization is committed to advocating for the concerns of all 60 school boards and trustees across the province, emphasizing the urgent need for focused dialogue on the future of education. Understanding each political party stance on the challenges facing our education system is essential knowledge that empowers voters to make informed decisions and advocate for meaningful change in public education across British Columbia. Advocacy is a collaborative effort, and we hope that the community advocates for the future of B.C.’s public education this 2024 election,” said Carolyn Broady, President of the Board of Directors for the BCSTA.

To learn more about BCSTA and the 2024 election, please visit: https://bcsta.org/2024-election/

Please contact Monique Atwal, Manager of Advocacy and Public Relations at matwal@bcsta.org for any questions or media inquiries.

About BCSTA

Since 1905, the British Columbia School Trustees Association (BCSTA) has been dedicated to serving and supporting public boards of education across British Columbia. As a non-profit organization, our mission is to assist school boards in their governance roles, advocate for effective educational policies, and foster collaboration among trustees. We provide resources, training, and support to help school boards fulfill their responsibilities and enhance student learning outcomes. Our commitment is to ensure that every student in B.C. benefits from strong, effective leadership in their local education system. Through our efforts, we aim to strengthen public education and contribute to the success of schools and communities throughout the province.

[Vancouver, BC – September 17, 2024] – The British Columbia School Trustees Association (BCSTA) has taken significant steps in its advocacy plan leading up to the 2024 election. This plan underscores BCSTA’s commitment to improving public education across British Columbia through strategic advocacy on pivotal issues.

At BCSTA’s 2024 Annual General Meeting, trustees from all 60 school boards across the province approved a series of resolutions aimed at addressing critical areas in public education. BCSTA has now formally communicated the following priorities to key government officials through detailed advocacy letters.

Recruitment and Retention of Staff

Eliminate Employment Barriers: BCSTA called on the Minister of Education and Child Care, alongside the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, to address the significant challenges faced by Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) and Education Assistants (EAs). These challenges include the high costs of education and training, limited access to training programs, insufficient financial assistance and a lack of professional development opportunities. Addressing these barriers is essential to building a more diverse and inclusive workforce, enhancing student outcomes, and strengthening the overall public education system.

Human Resources Capacity in Rural and Remote Communities: BCSTA is calling on the provincial and federal governments to address and improve human resources capacity in rural and remote districts, especially in northern regions. BCSTA stresses the growing challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified staff in these areas, which have long struggled with shortages. BCSTA calls for targeted support to alleviate these issues and provide necessary relief.

Capital and Deferred Maintenance Funding

BCSTA has provided the provincial government with a detailed appeal concerning capital and deferred maintenance funding. The primary requests outlined in the letter include:

Increased Annual Facilities Grant: BCSTA urged the Ministry of Finance to enhance the Annual Facilities Grant. This funding is vital in managing the growing costs of deferred maintenance, improving facility accessibility, ensuring student safety and extending the lifespan of school infrastructure.

Equitable Capital Funding: BCSTA is advocating for a significant increase in capital funding to address the pressing needs for replacing and renovating aging school facilities, particularly in remote, rural, and disaster-prone regions.

Maintenance Support for Portables: BCSTA has requested that additional maintenance funding be allocated to school districts that rely on aging portables to accommodate enrolment growth.

BCSTA emphasizes the critical need for these funding increases to tackle the unsustainable backlog of maintenance issues, which jeopardizes student safety and hampers learning environments.

Additionally, BCSTA has called on Minister Singh regarding capital funding for projected enrollment growth and is calling for a comprehensive review and reform of the school construction funding and approval process to better align with rapid population growth.

Funding for Temporary Resident Registrations: BCSTA has also contacted The Honourable David Eby, Premier of British Columbia, regarding the funding of temporary resident student registrations and is calling on the Ministry of Education and Child Care to provide funding for students who enrol after September 30th. Students who enrol after September 30 are not counted by government and these costs are unfunded and downloaded to the district. This funding gap has significant implications for school board budgets and requires immediate action to ensure equitable resource allocation.

Support for Rural and Remote Communities: BCSTA is calling on the government to establish a Northern, Rural, and Remote Teacher Bursary in support of rural and remote communities. This initiative will address the severe teacher shortages in these areas by providing targeted financial support to attract students to educational opportunities in remote areas.

Inclusive Education and Student Success

BCSTA has advocated for targeted federal funding to support programs for new immigrant and refugee students who are English and/or French Language Learners. This support is crucial as British Columbia experiences rising immigration and migration levels, which increases the demand in districts to support these students’ success.

Additionally, BCSTA has advocated for fully funding neurodiverse awareness training for current and future education professionals. This training is essential for fostering a more inclusive educational environment and ensuring that all students receive the support they need.

BCSTA has proposed new funding to ensure playgrounds are accessible for all children. Fully funding support for students with special education designations will address the funding shortfalls currently impacting school districts.

These issues are central to public education and improving both learning and working conditions across our communities. BCSTA is committed to these priorities during the 2024 election and beyond, with a continued emphasis on the need for staff, increased inclusivity and necessary investments in our public education system.

It is vital that the community unites and votes for candidates who recognize that investing in education is investing in the future.

“At BCSTA, our commitment to enhancing public education is unwavering. We are calling on the government to address the critical staffing shortages by improving recruitment and retention strategies, especially in rural and remote areas. We also stress the urgent need for increased funding to manage deferred maintenance, support new capital projects, and address the financial gaps in temporary resident registrations. Moreover, fostering inclusivity remains a cornerstone of our advocacy, and we urge full funding for programs supporting neurodiverse students and accessible education for all children. These steps are essential to creating a robust, equitable, and inclusive education system for every student across British Columbia,” said Carolyn Broady, President of the Board of Directors for the BCSTA.

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For a comprehensive review of BCSTA’s full advocacy efforts and letters, please visit: https://bcsta.org/advocacy/ 

Please contact Monique Atwal, Manager of Advocacy and Public Relations at matwal@bcsta.org for any media inquiries.

About BCSTA

Since 1905, the British Columbia School Trustees Association (BCSTA) has been dedicated to serving and supporting public boards of education across British Columbia. As a non-profit organization, our mission is to assist school boards in their governance roles, advocate for effective educational policies, and foster collaboration among trustees. We provide resources, training, and support to help school boards fulfill their responsibilities and enhance student learning outcomes. Our commitment is to ensure that every student in B.C. benefits from strong, effective leadership in their local education system. Through our efforts, we aim to strengthen public education and contribute to the success of schools and communities throughout the province.

To learn more about BCSTA and the 2024 election, please visit: www.bcsta.org.

Learn more about why Education Matters in our upcoming provincial election and download BCSTA’s Provincial Election Advocacy Kit for boards here.