September 10, 2025 | Board Meeting Highlights

Board Meeting Highlights 

Unofficial Summary of the Public Board Meeting, held September 10, 2025

The Board of Education                                                                  

Board’s Annual Work Plan 2025/2026 | The Board adopted the 2025/2026 Board Annual Work Plan. The document outlines Ministry and BCSTA obligations, along with policy timelines.

BCSTA Update | Chair Katrensky participated in a Board Chair call on Sept. 4. Topics discussed included the Ministry’s focus on student safety, new mandates regarding AEDs and naloxone kits in schools, board engagement with Indigenous Education Councils, the success of the Feeding Futures program, and efforts to expand childcare availability.  

District Updates

Indigenous Education Council | On Sept. 8, the District met with rights holders at the Quw’utsun’ Heritage Centre to formalize the Indigenous Education Council (IEC) and approve its Terms of Reference. Quw’utsun’ Education Director Roxanne Harris was elected IEC Chair and Malahat Chief Gordon Harry was elected Vice-Chair. The next meeting will be held Nov. 3. The IEC represents eight rights holder Nations.

2025 Enhancing Student Learning Report | The Board approved the 2025 Enhancing Student Learning Report, an annual review of the district’s planning, evaluation and growth strategies. Ministry data shows the district continues to rank among the top in the province. 

Finances and Budget

2024/2025 Audit Report and Financial Statements | The Board received a clean audit opinion from KPMG, the external auditors, confirming that the 2024/2025 financial statements revealed no issues of concern. The Board approved the 2024/2025 Audited Financial Statements for the year ending June 30, 2025 – to be posted on the Board Finance page of the district website soon. The Financial Statement Discussion and Analysis Report revealed that all revenue is fully utilized in regular programming, and the accumulated operating surplus is being strategically allocated to make long term investments in the district. 

Facilities Planning | The Board approved the Five-Year Capital Plan – Minor Submission, which includes projects at Saturna School, GISS, Fulford School, Mayne Island School, Galiano School and enhancements to school food programs. The Long-Range Facilities Plan 2024/25 – 2033/34 is available on the district website, and the Five-year Capital Plan – Minor submission can be viewed in the public meeting package.

Facilities – Summer Work Projects | Secretary Treasurer Jesse Guy reported on summer facilities projects, some of which are still in progress. These include office and washroom renovations at SSE, EV charger installations at Galiano and Pender Islands schools, playground replacement and gym floor resurfacing at SSE, electric bus replacement, and kitchen and equipment upgrades at GISS and Pender School. 

Policy Committee 

Approved Policy | Policy 2.90 Employee Conflict of Interest was adopted.