Dear Minister Miller,

Subject: Targeted Funding for Language Support of English Language Learner Students

At the British Columbia School Trustees Association’s 2024 annual general meeting, our
members, representing all 60 boards of education in B.C., passed the following resolution:

“That the BCSTA advocate to the federal government for targeted funding, provided to the
province and distributed to school districts to support programs for new immigrant and refugee
students who are English and/or French Language Learners.”

As you know, Canada continues to experience rising immigration levels, bringing many school aged
children who do not speak English or French into communities throughout British
Columbia. While we celebrate the diversity these new families bring, we are also aware of their
struggles in settling into their new lives. Specifically, these young students often need more than
language lessons; many require counseling and additional educational supports to succeed.
Unfortunately, the current funding levels do not meet these needs, leaving gaps that can impede
their development.

Boards of education make it a priority to ensure that children feel welcomed and supported so
they can thrive in their new schools, and increased support is necessary to meet these needs.
At this time, we call on the federal government to provide targeted funding to the province
focused for use in school districts in ways that will directly address the unique challenges faced
by new immigrant and refugee students.

Investing in these young people is part of investing in Canada’s future, and I thank you for
considering this request.

Sincerely,
Carolyn Broady
President
British Columbia School Trustees Association

Dear Minister Singh,

Subject: Capital Funding Acknowledging Projected Enrollment Growth

At the British Columbia School Trustees Association’s 2024 annual general meeting, our members representing all 60 boards of education in B.C. passed the following resolution:

“That the BCSTA advocate to the Ministry of Education and Child Care for a comprehensive review and reform of the school construction funding and approval process, ensuring a plan that acknowledges and funds projected enrollment growth.”

This resolution highlights the urgent need for a review and reform of the school construction funding envelope and approval process in relation to projected enrollment growth. With rapid development in many areas of the province, driven further by Bill 44’s zoning changes, our schools face increased pressure to accommodate an ever-growing student population.

Many districts rely on portables, which strain budgets and often lack essential facilities. While this temporary solution is unsustainable and fails to provide quality learning environments, the association does want to recognize that the shift towards modular builds is alleviating some of that pressure, both due to additional associated funding and the ease of construction and flexibility, which is appreciated in this time of substantive investments and rapid growth.
While these investments and updates in building methods are welcome, districts continue to struggle to plan effectively to ensure that facilities are ready when needed. We understand that the ministry is regularly considering these concerns while factoring in projected enrollment, and that the unprecedented enrollment growth being experienced in B.C., as well as other provinces, has created challenges.

Enclosed is a report from BCSTA’s Capital Working Group, titled Making Progress Toward Sustainable Schools: Next Steps, which outlines these recommendations and more in detail. We previously shared this report with members of your staff during meetings to discuss our AGM resolutions in May, and we urge your ministry to consider these recommendations when applying future updates to the funding process as part of your regular monitoring and adjustments for growth.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to continued collaboration.

Sincerely,
Carolyn Broady
President
British Columbia School Trustees Association

Dear Executive Director Holliss, Parliamentary Secretary Samson and Assistant Deputy Minister
Stanford,

Subject: Accessible and Affordable Internet Connectivity

At the British Columbia School Trustees Association’s 2024 annual general meeting, our
members, representing all 60 boards of education in B.C., passed the following resolution:

“That the BCSTA requests an update from the Federal and Provincial Governments on
the status of the expansion of internet connectivity in the province.”

BCSTA has long advocated for reliable and affordable internet for all communities in B.C. and
has raised this concern previously in 2018 and 2021. It remains critical that all levels of
government take continued action to ensure every student has access to consistent internet
connectivity to meet their education goals without hindrance.

Most recently, in 2021, BCSTA took a leading role in a national initiative led by the Canadian
School Boards Association (CSBA) to call for increased connectivity across Canada. At that
time, meetings with members of Parliament occurred to highlight the significant educational and
economic benefits of improved connectivity, and we have since seen significant investments
made by the Connected Coast project and Columbia Basin Broadband Corporation. While a
foundation for a connected B.C. has formed, gaps in high-speed internet connectivity remain
across B.C.

These remaining connectivity gaps continue to hinder students and families, and connectivity for
many First Nations schools remains a significant concern. The impact of these gaps is profound,
and we firmly believe that addressing them is essential in order to create a public education
system that is truly inclusive, allowing every student to thrive.

I understand that new contracts are being finalized and that work is underway at the local level
to connect communities to new and updated fibre-optic cable networks. Any additional
information you can provide from the provincial and federal levels of government regarding this
exciting upcoming work would be appreciated.

While much progress has been made in recent years, our members look forward to seeing a
fully connected B.C. that will benefit all students as soon as possible.

Thank you for your attention to this crucial matter.

Sincerely,
Carolyn Broady
President
British Columbia School Trustees Association

Dear Minister Singh,

Subject: Neurodiverse Training in Public Education

At the British Columbia School Trustees Association’s 2024 annual general meeting, our
members representing all 60 boards of education in B.C. passed the following resolution:

“That the BCSTA request the Ministry of Education and Child Care to fully fund
neurodiverse awareness training for employees currently working in the education
system and that they work with the Provincial Government, and the Ministry of Post-
Secondary Education and Future Skills, ensuring post secondary institutions are
including neurodiverse awareness training into the curriculum for education professions.”

This resolution highlights a crucial step in enhancing our education system’s capacity to support
all students. By increasing neurodiverse awareness training availability for teachers, support
staff and early childhood educators, and ensuring that training is embedded in post-secondary
education programs for future educators, we can build a more inclusive and understanding
environment in our schools where every student can succeed without the need to conceal their
differences. Ensuring neurodiverse students feel understood and accepted requires that all
school staff be equipped with the knowledge and skills to support neurodiverse learners
effectively.

In May, we had a productive discussion with the staff at the Ministry of Education and Child
Care about the importance of this resolution. We appreciate the ministry’s recognition that
workforce training focused on neurodiverse awareness is vital. As part of our discussions, we
elaborated on the importance of highlighting to deans of teaching institutions across the
province the importance of integrating this training into future programs, and we are copying
them to this letter accordingly, along with Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future
Skills Lisa Beare. While boards of education desire for this training to be fully funded, we do
understand that access to additional funding may be limited, and other possible opportunities for
training were explored as part of our discussions. These options include potential collaboration
with the BC Teachers’ Council and CUPE BC to include expanded professional development
and training programs in the area of neurodiversity awareness.

We look forward to continuing our collaboration on this important issue and appreciate your
ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive education system across the province.

Sincerely,
Carolyn Broady
President
British Columbia School Trustees Association

Dear Minister Singh,

Subject: New Funding to Make Existing Playgrounds Accessible for All Children

At the British Columbia School Trustees Association’s 2024 annual general meeting, our
members representing all 60 boards of education in B.C. passed the following resolution:

“That the BCSTA advocates to the Ministry of Education and Child Care to provide new
funding to enable Boards of Education to collaborate with their district accessibility
committees to make existing playgrounds accessible for all children.”

Districts across the province are diligently working through their accessibility committees to
meet the requirements of the Accessible British Columbia Act. However, ensuring that existing
playgrounds are accessible for all children remains a concern that requires specific attention.

While Parent Advisory Councils have done commendable work raising funds for accessibility-related
equipment and adjustments to existing playgrounds, the delays in fundraising and
installation have a profound impact on children. The existing process leaves some children with
limited or no playground access, which contradicts the principles of B.C.’s Human Rights Code.
Barrier-free access for all students cannot be overlooked.

While the Ministry of Education and Child Care has established funding for new playgrounds to
ensure they are fully accessible, upgrading existing playgrounds remains a point of concern.
Additional funding is crucial to ensure that all schools have playgrounds that meet the needs of
every student.

We urge the ministry to allocate new funding to support these essential upgrades. Your
attention to this matter will help us create more inclusive environments for all children in B.C.

Thank you for considering this request on behalf of BCSTA’s membership.

Sincerely,
Carolyn Broady
President
British Columbia School Trustees Association

Dear Minister Singh,

Subject: Anti-Bullying Measures

At the British Columbia School Trustees Association’s 2024 annual general meeting, our members representing all 60 boards of education in B.C. passed the following resolution:

“That the BCSTA advocate to the Provincial Government and the Ministry of Education and Child Care to update their definition of bullying to recognize power imbalance in alignment with Public Safety Canada definitions and that the ERASE program be updated to align with this change.”

On behalf of the BCSTA’s membership, I want to express our appreciation for your ministry’s ongoing efforts to address bullying in schools. I also want to use this opportunity to further advocate for a critical update to the provincial definition of bullying as part of this work.

In May, we met with Assistant Deputy Minister Jennifer McCrea and her team members, during which we learned more about the upcoming refresh of the ERASE program. We were pleased to hear that the ministry is reviewing the content to make it more succinct and that there has been broad consultation with youth across the K-12 sector.
We are thankful for the opportunity to have shared our motion with your staff, and we look forward to seeing the updated content. Updating the ERASE program to reflect definitions of bullying will significantly enhance its effectiveness and relevance, and we trust your staff will consider the voice of boards of education as part of this work.
BCSTA is committed to supporting these efforts and is ready to collaborate with the ministry to ensure that our schools remain safe and inclusive environments for all students.

Thank you for your continued dedication to this important work.

Sincerely,
Carolyn Broady
President
British Columbia School Trustees Association

Dear Deputy Minister Richards,

Subject: Communication from British Columbia Emergency Management System

At the British Columbia School Trustees Association’s 2024 annual general meeting, our
members representing all 60 boards of education in B.C. passed the following resolution:

“That the BCSTA request Ministry of Education Child Care work with the Ministry of
Emergency Management and Climate Readiness to ensure that the British Columbia
Emergency Management System includes school districts in communications related to
evacuation orders and alerts.”

In May, I met with staff from the Ministry of Education and Child Care’s System Liaison and
Supports Division to discuss the critical issue of emergency communications as identified by our
membership. On behalf of the BCSTA, I am writing to request that the Ministry of Emergency
Management and Climate Readiness work with the Ministry of Education and Child Care to
ensure that school districts are included in all vital communications outlined in the above
resolution.

Several school districts were excluded from key communications regarding evacuation orders
and alerts during forest fires that took place before April 2024. Given that school districts serve
multiple municipalities, regional district areas and First Nations communities, timely
communication is essential to ensure the safety of students, staff and the broader community.
Including school districts in Emergency Operations Center (EOC) discussions and ensuring they
receive timely information is crucial for an effective response during disasters. This collaboration
will enhance preparedness and responsiveness in emergency situations.

We urge your ministry to prioritize this integration to ensure all school districts are fully informed
and able to participate effectively in emergency response efforts. A similar letter will also be sent
to the Union of BC Municipalities to advise them of the content of this letter.

Thank you for your attention to ensure school districts are appropriately included in the British
Columbia Emergency Management System.

Sincerely,
Carolyn Broady
President
British Columbia School Trustees Association

Dear President Mandewo,

Subject: Communication from British Columbia Emergency Management System

At the British Columbia School Trustees Association’s 2024 annual general meeting, our
members representing all 60 boards of education in B.C. passed the following resolution:

“That the BCSTA request Ministry of Education Child Care work with the Ministry of
Emergency Management and Climate Readiness to ensure that the British Columbia
Emergency Management System includes school districts in communications related to
evacuation orders and alerts.”

I am writing to inform you about a recent communication BCSTA sent to the Deputy Minister
Tara Richards of the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness regarding a
matter of significant concern to school districts across the province.

In our letter, BCSTA requested that the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate
Readiness work closely with the Ministry of Education and Child Care to ensure that school
districts are fully included in communications related to evacuation orders and alerts as part of
the British Columbia Emergency Management System.

This request stems from recent experiences during the forest fires, where several school
districts were not adequately informed about evacuation orders and alerts. Given that school
districts serve diverse communities, including multiple municipalities, regional district areas and
First Nations, timely and comprehensive communication is essential to safeguarding students,
staff and the broader community. Our membership believes that integrating school districts
more fully into Emergency Operations Center (EOC) discussions and ensuring they receive
timely information will significantly enhance our collective ability to respond effectively to
emergencies.

During meetings in May with the Ministry of Education and Child Care, it was suggested that
BCSTA make you aware of this request, as it involves not only school districts but also the
municipalities they serve. Your awareness and support of this initiative is vital as we work
towards a more coordinated and effective emergency management system across B.C.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with
you on issues that impact the safety and well-being of our communities.

Sincerely,
Carolyn Broady
President
British Columbia School Trustees Association

Dear Minister Beare and Minister Singh,

Subject: Eliminate Barriers of Employment for Early Childhood Educators and Education
Assistants

At the British Columbia School Trustees Association’s 2024 annual general meeting, our
members representing all 60 boards of education in B.C. passed the following resolution:

“That the BCSTA advocate to the Ministry of Education and Child Care and the Ministry of
Post Secondary Education and Future Skills, to address the education of, recruitment and
retention barriers for Early Childhood Educators, and Education Assistants.”

I am writing on behalf of our association’s membership to bring forward a concern regarding the
education, recruitment and retention of Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) and Education
Assistants (EAs). These professionals are essential to public education, as they critically
support children and youth, creating a base for lifelong learning and success.

During our meetings in May 2024 with ministry staff to discuss a variety of motions and our
subsequent discussions with the BC Public School Employers’ Association’s board of directors
this summer, we discussed the challenges that ECEs and EAs face. These include the high cost
of education and training, access to training programs, limited opportunities for financial
assistance and insufficient professional development. The rewarding nature of this work also
needs to be highlighted more frequently, and we support, and will take part in, promoting the
positive impact of ECEs and EAs on young learners.

The barriers identified above are not only preventing the entry of new professionals into these
crucial roles but are also severely affecting the retention of current staff. By removing these
barriers, we can foster a more diverse and inclusive workforce, enhance student outcomes and
strengthen our public education system. We urge your ministries to take decisive action to
address these issues and collaborate to develop strategies to support ECEs and EAs across the
province.

We look forward to working together to ensure that our education system remains strong, and
that the workforce is well-supported.

Sincerely,
Carolyn Broady
President
British Columbia School Trustees Association