Times Chronicle Staff

The following are school board briefs from the April 27 meeting.

School board sees deficit

The March 2022 financial statement shows a deficit of $614,752. 

Total revenue for the nine months ending on March 31 was $21.78 million. Total expenses for the same period was $22.39 million.

In other budget news, the district will receive an estimated operating grant of $29.08 million for the 2022/23 school year.

Capital funding in the amount of $2.07 million has been approved for the 2022/23 school year. These funds are to be utilized for HVAC upgrade projects at OSS ($1.31 million) and Osoyoos Elementary ($400K).

In addition to these upgrades, the district is also being funded for the purchase of two new fleet buses ($335K).

Feedback on the budget from partner groups include: increase custodial hours and keep daytime custodians; maintain focus on mental health, maintain the healthy school coordinator position; discuss how math results can be improved; and provide more support for psychological assessments.

Grad ceremonies set

With the lifting of COVID restrictions, the district’s three secondary schools and YouLearn.ca are planning for in-person graduation ceremonies in June.

YouLearn.ca’s will be held on Thursday, June 23 from 6:30-8 p.m. Osoyoos Secondary’s will be held on Wednesday, June 29 at 5 p.m. in the gymnasium. Ceremonies for SOSS in Oliver will be held on Tuesday, June 28 at 7 p.m., and SESS in Keremeos will be held on Wednesday, June 29 at 5 p.m. in the gym.

Kindergarten registration

Registration is now open in all schools for parents to register their children who will be age 5 by Dec. 31, 2022. These will be children born in 2017.

Parents must bring their child’s birth certificate and medical card for registration purposes.

Field trips

On May 30 to June 1, Southern Okanagan Secondary School will be taking approximately 100 Grade 9 students to Gardom Lake Bible Camp.

This trip was supposed to be their Grade 7 grad trip that was fundraised with the goal to create positive relationships, leadership opportunities, building community and problem solving.

The lead educators are Tracy Harrington and Stacey Smith.

On April 8/9, Osoyoos Secondary School took approximately 40 Grade 9/10 students to Science World in Vancouver. This trip, led by teacher Julie McTaggart, was to enhance skills and curriculum learned in science and humanities class.

Remuneration

The board has authorized remuneration amounts for its trustees.

Trustees are paid a basic amount of $10,227. An additional amount of $2,375 is paid to the board chair, and $594 to the vice-chair.

Daily amounts are $100 for a half day (up to four hours), and $175 for a full day (more than four hours).

New sexual harassment policy 

School District No. 53 is reviewing a new sexual harassment policy for students.

The board’s rationale is it recognizes that all students have the right to learn in a safe environment free of sexual harassment and assault.

Superintendent of Schools Bev Young said the policy is not prompted by any incident nor is there any indication that there has been an increase in sexual harassment among students in the district.

“It is a proactive measure of the board to take a stand on sexual harassment of any kind and to send a message that this will not be tolerated and that kids are encouraged to report.”

The district encourages any student who feels they are being subjected to sexual harassment to seek assistance from a trusted adult. 

The policy applies to all students on school premises and during organized activities that are off school property.

Students who engage in sexual harassment will be subject to suspension and/or expulsion and may also be required to attend training or counselling.

If an investigation reveals that a complaint was not made in good faith, discipline ranging from an apology to a suspension will be applied.