[Vancouver, BC – January 15, 2025] – The British Columbia School Trustees Association (BCSTA) is pleased to announce the release of its Climate Action Working Group (CAWG) report, “Sustainability as Part of Board of Education Governance,” a comprehensive call to action for school districts in British Columbia to prioritize climate change mitigation and adopt sustainable, impactful strategies. This report urges school boards across the province to embrace climate action as a core part of their governance and into their strategic priorities, in alignment with the provincial CleanBC goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030.

As our planet faces mounting climate challenges, school districts are on the front lines, directly impacted by rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and the ever-growing need for sustainable practices in education. The BCSTA’s CAWG calls for urgent support to help school districts address these environmental challenges and meet critical emission reduction targets. This report provides actionable recommendations to guide schools and provincial ministries toward effective climate action.

Key Recommendations and Areas of Focus:

1. Enhanced Governance and Support for Climate Action

The report highlights the need to advocate for sustainable funding, promote leadership and collaboration with provincial ministries, and make climate action a strategic advocacy priority. Clear policies and strategies must be developed to enable school boards to meet the CleanBC emissions reduction target

2. Impact of Climate Change on School Districts

School districts are facing significant challenges from climate change, including rising costs for mitigation, impacts on student and staff health, and regional differences between rural and urban areas. The priority is advocating for predictable funding, educating boards on climate risks and mitigation strategies, and ensuring region-specific climate action plans to address these diverse challenges.

3. Recommendations for Future Planning

To strengthen climate action in education, the BCSTA advocates for increased and predictable funding, including emergency response funds, while educating boards on climate impacts, risk management, and mitigation strategies, with regular input from rights holders and partner groups, including students.

It is essential to ensure region-specific responses, addressing the unique needs of rural and urban areas, and building a comprehensive database of climate-related disruptions to support future advocacy is in place. Additionally, the BCSTA urges the province, ECC, and other ministries to develop a framework for assessing and measuring the impacts of climate change on schools, districts, and student outcomes.

4. Growth in Climate Action

Significant progress has been made in climate action among school districts. The number of districts adopting climate action plans has increased dramatically from 2 to 23 out of 60 districts. The BCSTA celebrates this progress and calls for continued growth, emphasizing sustainable building upgrades, energy-efficient transportation strategies, and incorporating climate action into district strategic plans.

As we approach the critical target of reducing emissions by 50% by 2030, the BCSTA calls upon all school boards, governments, and ministries to unite in this vital cause. The time to act is now, and the future of B.C. students depends on our commitment today.

“Climate action is not just an environmental responsibility – it is a fundamental duty to safeguard the health, well-being, and future of our students and staff. We must prioritize sustainability as a core element of governance in every school district, ensuring we create a resilient, green, and equitable future for all. The BCSTA is committed to advocating for the resources and support necessary to make this vision a reality,” – Carolyn Broady, President of the Board of Directors for the BCSTA.

For further information on the BCSTA’s Climate Action Working Group report and to access the full document, please visit: https://bcsta.org/news/reports/

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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 governance responsibilities and enhance student learning outcomes and student success, advancing the key priorities of K-12 public education throughout the province. 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.

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.