Upcoming public meetings

 SD83 has several upcoming meetings which the public is invited to attend:

Monday, May 7 at 6 p.m. at the DESC – Trustee Information Session. With the election of a new board taking place in October, this session is aimed at giving those interested in running a look at the roles and responsibilities of being a school board trustee.

Earlier this year it was announced by the Minister of Education that School District No. 83 (North Okanagan-Shuswap) will be represented by a five member board.

Final Approved Trustee Variation - 5 Trustees• North Shuswap/Sorrento/Carlin – one trustee

•  Salmon Arm – two trustees

• Sicamous/Malakwa/Enderby/Grindrod – one trustee

• Armstrong/Spallumcheen/Falkland/Silver Creek/Ranchero – one trustee

Official Trustee Mike McKay’s complete report is available here .

Tuesday, May 22 at 6 p.m. at the DESC – Board of Education meeting. Topics include decisions on preliminary budget and transportation review.

Completed
Wednesday, May 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Downtown Activity Centre
Approximately 65 people attended the School District No. 83 (North Okanagan-Shuswap) an Information & Feedback Session on the Downtown Activity Centre (DAC) on May 2.
Official Trustee Mike McKay presented information about the reasons why the school district is considering selling the DAC and answered questions from those in attendance. The presentation made by the district is available here: PUBLIC CONSULTATION – DAC – May 2018
Background
In October 2015, the board received approval by the Minister of Education to initiate proceedings for the sale of the DAC. At that time, the board decided not to sell the property (this building was closed as an elementary school in 2003). Currently, much of the building is leased, as well as, being home to the Salmon Arm Storefront program. While it is fully utilized, it is no longer justifiable for the school district to continue using operating funds to keep the building operating.
In 2013 Clause 12.05 in the final 5 year lease agreement with SAPCLA (the tenant which the district leases the building to for $1 a year) states that: “The Tenant shall ensure that all sub-lessees associated with this lease are advised as the terms of this lease, and specifically the term of the lease, the non renewal of the lease, and the need to have completely vacated the property prior to the end date of the lease.”
This was recently extended until December 31, 2018.
The district’s draft plan includes:
  • proving information, gathering and reviewing feedback from the meeting and preparing the documents necessary if the sale process is to proceed
  • repurposing part of the main floor at DESC to facilitate Storefront School students and staff
  • taking the steps required to make a capital program request to the Ministry for a new elementary school in downtown Salmon Arm. Funds from current property sales would contribute to such a project. The district owns an appropriate site for an elementary school on the field directly behind the DESC. (Please note to renovate the DAC, and bring it to current building standards so it could be used as a school, are estimated at more than $8 million.)

Tuesday, April 10 at 7 p.m. at the DESC – Public Consultation meeting on the disposal of excess property on Okanagan Ave.

propertyforsale

Ministry requirements for disposal of school district land – Disposal Information Checklist

Wednesday, April 11 at 6 p.m. at library of Shuswap Middle School –

The Transportation Department in School District No. 83 provides daily school bus service for approximately 3,000 students. The district has 46 buses serving 34 routes, along with transportation for field trips and special events. The school district covers a large geographical area, making it challenging to provide transportation services to meet all students’ needs. District buses travel approximately 6,300 km each day.

The Board of Education of School District No. 83 provides bus service to eligible riders as its main priority. At times, bus service may be provided to courtesy riders if it does not have a negative impact on services for eligible riders.

A review was undertaken to outline the courtesy rider issues the district currently faces and provide recommendations to ensure that the district is providing the best services possible to eligible riders in the district.

A report and recommendations arising from the review are now available.

This report was presented at the SD83 District Parent Advisory Council meeting in April. It is scheduled to be presented for consideration at the May 22 meeting of the board.

The report is available here: Transportation Review

Monday, April 16 at 6 p.m. at the DESC – A Public Budget Consultation for the 2018-19 Preliminary Budget was held. The 2018-19 Preliminary Budget was presented and public input sought on district funding priorities.

The complete preliminary budget presentation by Secretary-Treasurer Nicole Bittante, as well as two presentations for the budget committee to consider, can be found here: https://sd83.bc.ca/budget-process/