The Vancouver Board of Education held its regular public meeting on May 27, 2026.

Watch the recording of the live stream.

Read the full agenda package.

Superintendent’s update

Superintendent Helen McGregor began her update with a tribute to the Sarah McLachlan School of Music, recognizing its longstanding partnership with VSB and its accessible, inclusive music programming for students across the District.

The update highlighted Red Dress Day, the National Day of Awareness and Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People, and the Grade 7 Moving Forward Ceremony, which celebrates Indigenous students as they transition from elementary to secondary school.

 Student creativity and career-connected learning were also key themes. VSB students participated in the Student Plant Communities Film Festival, the Vancouver District Film Festival and the 2026 Provincial Skills Competition, where students earned four gold, five silver and four bronze medals.

McGregor also shared examples of accessibility and inclusion across the District, including student participation in the inaugural OneAbility Games and the Eastside Life Skills event at Windermere.

The update concluded with information about family engagement, including the After the Bell podcast episode on Microsoft Copilot 13+ and an upcoming family information session with MediaSmarts on building better tech habits.

Board business

The Board received reports from its standing committees.

From the Education Plan Committee, the Board considered a recommendation related to school codes of conduct and personal digital devices. The Board voted to defer consideration of the motion and requested additional refinements to clarify key elements of the proposed direction.

The Board unanimously approved the 2026–2027 school fee schedules, following discussion at the Finance and Personnel Committee. The schedules include the District’s financial hardship clause, where no school-age student will be denied access to required courses, programs, or school resources due to financial hardship.

From the Policy and Governance Committee, the Board approved Policy 6: Trustee Remuneration and Expenses and rescinded the trustee remuneration and expenses guidelines previously set out in Appendix B of Policy 7: Board Operations.

The Board also approved Policy 18: Student Trustee, with an amendment to clarify support for one out-of-district conference opportunity per school year.

The Board also discussed the School Liaison Officer report. Staff shared that additional VSB-specific survey information is expected to be made publicly available by the end of June.

Student trustee report

Student trustee Freddie Zhang shared an update on student leadership and the work of the Vancouver District Students’ Council.

The report highlighted student-led activities across the District, including a 2016 throwback spirit day, mental health-focused art showcases, indoor track meets, Asian Heritage Month celebrations and Red Dress Day commemorations.

Zhang also shared that VDSC’s annual Arts Gala has launched, with this year’s theme focused on what comfort looks like for students. The report also highlighted preparations for the Student Leadership Grant Showcase, where students will share learning and impact from student-led projects.

Zhang also shared reflections from the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association Annual General Meeting, where students discussed policy, equity, student well-being, reconciliation and advocacy.

Zhang noted that elections for next year’s VDSC senior executive team have been completed. He shared that he has been re-elected for a second term as student trustee.

Trustee representative report

Trustee Janet Fraser provided a report from the City of Vancouver Urban Indigenous Peoples’ Advisory Committee meeting held on March 30, 2026.

Question period

Five public questions were submitted and addressed by the chair. Questions focused on education assistant absences and working conditions, elementary scheduling related to music, physical and health education and library/resource time, anti-racism supports for students, student voice in the personal digital device policy refinement process and Board meeting procedure.

Report on private session

The Board reported that private sessions included discussion of personnel, property, legal matters, business interests, bargaining matters and an appeal matter.

The Board also reported that it approved a revised Policy 14: School Closure during the May 27 private session. The Policies are posted on the VSB website https://www.vsb.bc.ca/board-policies-and-bylaws. 

• Policy 14 - School Closure in effect up to May 27, 2026
• Policy 14 - School Closure effective May 27, 2026