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 go to our Meetings and Minutes page.

New Board of Education

All nine trustees elected on October 15 of this year took their oaths of office before Provincial Court Judge Craig Sicotte, witnessed by Nelson City Police Chief Constable Donavan Fisher and RCMP Constable Robert Siu. Also present were SD8 Superintendent Trish Smillie, Chief Election Officer and Secretary-Treasurer Johan Glaudemans, senior staff from SD8, and members of the public and media.

Chair, Vice-Chair Elections and Committee Chair Declarations

The Board of Education elected Chair Lenora Trenaman and Vice-Chair Dawn Lang to lead the board for the 2022-2023 school year.  

Trustee Chew was declared the British Columbia School Trustees Association (BCSTA) representative for the Board and Trustee Nazaroff was declared the British Columbia Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) representative. Trustee Shunter was declared the BCSTA alternate. Trustee Blackmore was declared Chair, Education Partner Advisory Committee. Trustee Etheridge was declared Chair, Operations & Finance Partner Advisory Committee. Trustee Bremner was declared Chair, Policy Partner Advisory Committee. 

Early Years Report

District Principal Naomi Ross presented the Early Years Report 2022-2023 to the Board. This is one of six continuous learning reports that make up the Enhancing Student Learning Report published each June.

The Early Years Report follows the B.C. Early Learning Framework (ELF) based on the premise that every child is capable and full of potential. The ELF focuses on a child’s early learning years from age 0 to 8 and provides a foundation for success in the years that follow. Key aspects of the ELF are the important role of families; collaboration between school, district and community; inclusive learning environments; play; relationships; and Indigenization.

The Early Learning Report itself details social, emotional and literacy data from the past year. It aims to develop a repository of data that can inform programs, approaches and depict the district’s success in meeting provincial educational goals and outcomes.   

Student Trustee Updates

Student-Trustee Patton Gatto-Beebe from Kootenay River Secondary reported that Leadership classes and the current student council are working diligently to reinforce school spirit. The Remembrance Day ceremony was hosted successfully by Grade 12 students.  

Student-Trustee Natasha Holland from Mount Sentinel reported on a Grade 12 trip to Selkirk College in the previous week which provided possible career paths after graduation. In the following week the school will host the West Kootenay volleyball finals and community volunteers and support has been a big factor in making the event possible.

Student-Trustee Riordan Fisher for L.V. Rogers Secondary reported about a revamp of the school courtyard to make it look better and more useful. He also highlighted a Physics 12 trip to a UBC open house in Vancouver. 

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 250-505-7005 or engagement@sd8.bc.ca

About School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake):

School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) provides educational services to numerous diverse communities in the East & West Kootenays, including Crawford Bay, Creston, Kaslo, Meadow Creek, Nelson, Salmo, Slocan, South Slocan, Winlaw, Wynndel and Yahk. Its dedicated team focuses on providing the best possible educational opportunities for over 4,700 students and their families. Its mission is to focus on excellence for all learners in a nurturing environment.