b'June 2023 Provincial Budget Codes of ConductREPORT CSBA B.C.s provincial budget was released in February of 2023The Ministry of Education and Child Care and BCSTA are to but fell short of covering increased education costsundertaking a joint initiative supporting boards in updating for districts. BCSTA presented to the Select Standingtheir codes of conduct policies and procedures. A national Committee on Finance and Government Services on behalfscan was taken to see what other provinces and local Report Canadian School Boards Association of B.C.s boards of education regarding their needs for thegovernments have in place to inform this work. The goal is to theupcoming school year on May 31. The presentation focusedto ensure all 60 school districts have updated policies with on the areas of increased funding support for inclusivea minimum set of requirements. The ministry has posted education, additional funding to offset unfunded costthe codes of conduct guidelines online to assist boards in increases and the need for increased capital funding. reviewing and updating their trustee codes of conduct.Rural Outreach improved consistency across the province. Alignment withLocal ElectionsProvincial Bargaininginternational trends in assessment practices informed the BCSTA President Carolyn Broady and CEO Suzanne Hoffmanrationale for change.On October 15, 2022, over 150 new school trusteesThe final provincial collective agreement between the BC visited several districts in Northern B.C. (Prince Rupert, Coastwere elected. They joined boards of education acrossPublic School Employers Association and the BC Teachers Mountains and Nisgaa) to assess and better understandIndigenous Education B.C. alongside approximately 250 returning trustees. AsFederation can be viewed here. The agreement covers the unique issues facing rural, remote and isolated schoolmost elected trustees were incumbents, B.C.s boards ofapproximately 49,000 teachers in B.C.s 60 public school districts. Issues highlighted by trustees and district leadershipRevised How Are We Doing reports are online and maskededucation retained steady leadership. Some noteworthydistricts. A summary of the teacher agreement follows:teams included recruitment and retention, access toreports will be posted on the Student Success website. Givenchanges included the election of B.C.s first openly Effective July 1, 2022 qualified teachers and support staff, improving studentthe over-representation of Indigenous learners among Adulttransgender school trustee and two trustees under 25. achievement and ensuring meaningful transitions out ofDogwood recipients, districts are encouraged to closelyBCSTAs efforts to attract more candidates in the months$427 to each step of the salary grid and 3.24% K-12. The association is establishing terms of reference forexamine their data and consult with local First Nationsleading up to the election included publishing a guide for Effective July 1, 2023 the development of a network to better facilitate high-qualityon strategies to reduce the number of Adult Dogwoodstrustee candidates, a video and other resources aimedBy the annualized average of B.C. Consumer Price Index awarded to Indigenous learners. BCSTA continues to createat increasing interest in school trustee elections and supports that could lead to improvements in recruitmentover twelve months starting on March 1, 2022 and retention in remote areas of the province, with theand operationalize a work plan with the First Nationsexplaining the role of a trustee in a corporate board.Education Steering Committee (FNESC), as outlined in theCost of Living Adjustment to a minimum of 5.5% and a goal of addressing overall challenges of creating equitable opportunities for all learners. memorandum of understanding signed in April 2022. TheGovernment News Highlights maximum of 6.75%commitment of BCSTA and FNESC is to support boards of Effective July 1, 2024 Premier David Eby was sworn in on November 18, taking Bylaw Review education as they work to improve educational outcomes forover from John Horgan, who resigned due to ongoingBy the annualized average of B.C. Consumer Price Index Indigenous students.Prior to AGM 2024, BCSTA will be undertaking a thoroughheath concerns. As part of Premier Ebys cabinet shuffle,over twelve months starting on March 1, 2023 In support of the provinces commitment to truth,Rachna Singh was installed as the new minister of review of its bylaws. An ad hoc Bylaw Review Committee reconciliation and anti-racism, starting July 1, 2023, studentsCost of Living Adjustment to a minimum of 2.0% and a has been established, and work will begin shortly to reviewmust complete at least four credits in Indigenous-focusededucation and child care. Minister Singhs mandate lettermaximum of 3.0%and update bylaws and revisit how BCSTAs businesscoursework to graduate with a B.C. Certificate of Graduationhighlighted the need for new and expanded schools,40,000+ K-12 support staff are also covered by 69 local meeting (AGM) is conducted. The group reports directly to(Dogwood Certificate) in English or French. Details on dataimproved services for children with learning differences,agreements ratified under the Provinces Shared Recovery the board of directors. The committees goal is to providespecifications and transition timelines for the new Indigenous- supporting boards of education in their work, taking stepsMandate. All public sector employees are receiving the recommendations for updates to the associations bylawsfocused graduation requirement are available here.Atoward reconciliation and more. high end of the wage increase this year. Additional details to reflect the membership needs and supports for studentparent brochure has also been provided to create supportB.C.s government has made several commitments toregarding support staff be found here.success. An emphasis will be placed on decolonization,conversations about the Indigenous-focused graduationsupport students and families in the province over the diversity, equity and inclusion. requirement. It is available in eight languages, which can bepast year. BCSTA and our member boards of education, found here, along with other resources. through our co-governance relationship with the Ministry of K-12 Student Reporting Education and Child Care, have advocated for and supported Advocacy Day the work in these areas. We look forward to supporting their Policy Support Materials implementation and building upon these initiatives. The Ministry of Education and Child Care has provided moreBCSTA continues to plan for an advocacy day this fall. TheFamilies will save big as child care fees cut as much as details on changes to K-12 Student Reporting Policy forevent will take place during our regular meeting of board$550 more per montheducators and families for the 2023/24 school year. Whilechairs and is scheduled for October 19, 2023. All 60 boardNew funding helps make back-to-school more affordable letter grades, percentages and descriptive feedback willchairs in B.C. will join our board and staff in Victoria to meet continue for grades 10-12, grades K-9 will benefit from using awith Members of the Legislative Assembly. Leading up tofor families that need it mostprovincial proficiency scale to communicate student learningadvocacy day, BCSTA will work with board chairs and vice-and provide regular feedback. These revisions to policy willchairs on how to effectively raise educational issues locally, better align with the redesigned curriculum and establishprovincially, and federally. An advocacy kit and other resources will also be created in advance of this event.bcsta.org'