The Vancouver School Board held its first Policy and Governance Committee of the 2023 calendar year on the evening of Wednesday, February 8, 2023.  

The meeting began with a report on the Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA). The purpose of PIDA is to establish “whistleblower” protection for all public sector employees. School districts across the province are required to develop and implement a policy to be compliant with PIDA by December 31, 2023. District staff are currently working on an administrative procedure which has been reviewed by a working group. A final draft of the District’s PIDA policy will be presented to the Policy and Governance Committee on March 8 for further feedback prior to being adopted by the Board.  

Next, two referral motions were brought forward from the Board meeting on January 30, 2023. The first motion is to combine the Finance and Personnel Standing Committees and the second motion is to rename the Student Learning and Well-Being Committee to the ‘Education Plan’ Committee. Both referral motions are brought forward as opportunities for the Board to review and adjust the standing committees as needed. 

Following, the committee heard a report on the District’s Childcare Policy Development. Staff noted work is currently underway with the City of Vancouver, childcare providers and Vancouver Coastal Health to support existing operators in re-licensing space to expand the number of school age care programs available for families. 

The second part of the report noted the Ministry of Education and Childcare requirement for all school districts in the province to establish and implement a childcare policy effective July 1, 2023. The purpose of this policy affirms the District’s longstanding commitment to working with non-profit societies and/or associations that deliver quality, accessible and affordable childcare within District facilities. An opportunity for stakeholder representatives to provide feedback on the District’s draft childcare policy will be provided at the next Policy and Governance Committee on March 8.  

Lastly, the committee heard an update on the reimagined School Liaison Officer (SLO) program. The committee heard that work is currently underway with the Vancouver Police Department on a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which will be an important component of the reimagined SLO program.

The next Policy and Governance Committee is on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at 5:00pm. For meeting details, view the agenda package or watch the live stream.