BCSTA recently received several letters from Minister Jennifer Whiteside of the Ministry of Education and Child Care in response to a number of motions from our annual general meeting.
Continue Reading “Advocacy: Ministry Responses to AGM Motions”
Tracy Loffler Elected Interim Vice-President
BCSTA’s board of directors has elected Tracy Loffler as the association’s interim vice-president.
Continue Reading “Tracy Loffler Elected Interim Vice-President”
Advocacy: Funding for Exempt Compensation Grids
[Sent October 13, 2022]
President Broady to Minister Robinson and Minister Whiteside:
“Currently, British Columbia’s school districts face significant unfunded cost pressures related to salary increases for exempt staff, which redirect much-needed funding away from classrooms.”
Media Release: Election Delivers 158 New Trustees to B.C.’s Boards of Education
[Vancouver, B.C. – October 17, 2022] One hundred and fifty eight new school trustees will be joining boards of education across B.C., according to an analysis of preliminary election results by the B.C School Trustees Association.
Continue Reading “Media Release: Election Delivers 158 New Trustees to B.C.’s Boards of Education”
Media Release: Joint Statement on Support for SOGI
[September 16, 2022] The Ministry of Education and Child Care and K-12 education partners have provided a statement on support for SOGI.
Continue Reading “Media Release: Joint Statement on Support for SOGI”
Advocacy: Budget 2023 Feedback
[Sent June 29, 2022]
President Broady to members of the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services:
“As you will recall, the presentation I provided on behalf of the British Columbia School Trustees Association focused on the need for additional capital funding, new money for unfunded cost increases and funding to support inclusive education.”
Advocacy: Annual Report on Deferred Maintenance
[Sent June 22, 2022]
President Broady to Minister Whiteside:
“In response to the lack of additional funding and on behalf of our member boards of education, we ask that the Ministry of Education and Child Care provide BCSTA with an annual report on school building deferred maintenance.”
Advocacy: Capital Cost Sharing
[Sent June 22, 2022]
President Broady to Minister Robinson and Minister Whiteside:
“Our association’s membership has raised concerns over current requirements surrounding capital cost-sharing. These requirements instruct boards of education to use operating funds towards supported capital projects, placing additional financial stress on districts.”
Advocacy: Capital Funding Announcements
[Sent June 22, 2022]
President Broady to Minister Whiteside:
“A simple solution to the problem outlined above is to approve capital projects earlier than March, allowing districts increased time and flexibility to plan and coordinate subsequent work. Our ask is that the Ministry of Education and Child Care set the first of February of each calendar year as the deadline to approve capital projects.”
Advocacy: Gender Inclusive Washrooms
[Sent June 14, 2022]
President Broady to Minister Whiteside:
“In alignment with your ministry’s mission to support marginalized students, we ask that you reinforce the views of our members and factor universal washrooms and change rooms into plans for upcoming new and seismically upgraded schools. We also request that you provide supplemental funding to update current buildings to meet that standard.”