An overview of planned discussion items and major decisions of the Board of Education of School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake). For meeting agendas/minutes and schedule of upcoming board meetings, visit sd8.bc.ca/meetings.

Literacy Continuous Learning Report

District Principal Tamara Malloff presented the Literacy Continuous Learning Report 2026-2027 to the Board with support from Literacy Teacher-Coordinator Melanie Mobbs. Literacy is the ability to understand, critically analyze and create a variety of communication forms, including oral, written, visual, digital, and multimedia, to accomplish one’s goals. 

Literacy results improved sharply for students in grades 4 and 7, and early literacy is on track toward the target of 90 per cent of grade 3 learners proficient in 2028. Students in grades 10 and 12 show stable levels of literacy in the range of 70% proficient or higher, and SD8 is aiming toward an increase of about 10 percentage points for this group in 2028. 

Indigenous learners and students with disabilities or diverse abilities have lower literacy results than their SD8 peers. While Indigenous learners in SD8 have a higher level of literacy than the provincial average among Indigenous learners, the district has prioritized improving literacy among Indigenous learners and students with disabilities or diverse abilities 

Remembrance Day Ceremonies

Superintendent Smillie informed the Board that Remembrance Day ceremonies will be held at schools on November 10, 2026. Principals will invite trustees to attend.

Support for Inclusive Education

Assistant Superintendent Tichauer reported to the Board on support in SD8 for students with disabilities and diverse abilities. Students are supported according to their needs in their schools, and each designated student follows an annually updated Individual Education Plan.

Final Enrolment and Budget Implications

Secretary-Treasurer MacArthur presented the final enrolment and budget implications to the Board. Final enrolment for September 30, 2026 is 4,508 full-time equivalent (FTE) students, in line with projections. This is 115 FTE lower than in the 2025-2026 school year. The operating grant is estimated at $47.7 million, up from $47.5 million projected. The number of students with unique needs is 30 FTE above projected numbers. Funding and staffing are in place to support all students in the 2026-2027 school year, including those with unique needs.

Capital Bylaw

The Board approved Capital Bylaw No. 2026/27-CPSD8-02, which reflects an additional $250,000 from the Ministry of Education and Child Care for the Salmo Elementary HVAC upgrade. Projects include plumbing upgrades at Trafalgar Middle School ($1,000,000), HVAC upgrades at Hume Elementary ($463,000) and three buses.

Student Trustee Reports

Kootenay River Secondary – Student Trustee Catherall: Volleyball, swimming, cross-country and soccer teams are competing, with larger teams this year. Student Council has formed its team and is planning events, including a school barbecue. Grads are preparing early university applications, and the new Green Team is refurbishing the courtyard. Art Club and Green Team are partnering on a charity art auction in November with the theme “Climate Action Now.”

L.V. Rogers Secondary – Student Trustee Andersen: Students raised $2,600 for the Terry Fox Run, surpassing their $2,000 goal. The yearbook committee has formed, and the Anti-racism Working Group has doubled in size. Rugby has started their season. Universities from Alberta have come to the school, with B.C. universities coming next, and a grad parent meeting is about to happen. 

Mount Sentinel Secondary – Student Trustee Chevalier: Terry Fox Day raised about $450 with students running about 400 km collectively. Volleyball and cross country are underway.

J.V. Humphries Elementary-Secondary – Student Trustee Lamoureux: The Terry Fox Run, organized by the leadership class, raised about $800. The school held an Orange Shirt Day assembly. Primary students visited the Kaslo community garden, and the food class made pies from donated apples and sold them to the community. The English First Peoples class made bannock and shared Indigenous stories with their grade 2-3 buddies. The school’s goal this year is to increase K-12 cross-grade activities, with the senior and junior parliaments working together on school-wide events.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Board held in public is scheduled for November 10, 2026.

These highlights exclude confidential information such as business negotiations, personnel issues and legal matters. For other information or to provide feedback, please contact SD8 Communications & Public Engagement.