Inside 23
Art Education Enhancement Support
In attendance:
Jim Elwood, Art Teacher, Mount Boucherie Secondary School
Raquel Steen, Assistant Superintendent
Supporting teachers and students in creative Art Education.
Over the past few years, Jim Elwood, teacher at Mount Boucherie Secondary School, has had the honour of having an open visual art block in his schedule to work directly with schools, classes and even individual students. This has provided Mr. Elwood the opportunity to go into classes (Kindergarten to Grade 12) to guide
teachers through everything from his Indigenous Art Lessons to co-designed art lessons, including technical help with kilns to the basics of working with students in pottery. This work has been very well received from students and teachers and Mr. Elwood has been honoured to share and guide this project.
Introductions
The Board of Education congratulated the following staff members new to the District:
Joanne Boot – Payroll Manager
Colin Mayer – Vice-Principal at École George Elliot Secondary School
The Board of Education also recognized the following staff members in their new roles:
Julie Loveridge-Marks – Vice-Principal at École Kelowna Secondary School
Rita Miller – Vice-Principal and Mar Jok Elementary School
Declarations
1. National Allergy Awareness Month
The Central Okanagan Board of Education declared the month of May, 2025 as ‘National Allergy Awareness Month’ in Central Okanagan Public Schools.
2. Mental Health Week: May 5 to 11, 2025
The Central Okanagan Board of Education acknowledged the week of May 5 through to May 11, 2025 was ‘Mental Health Week’ in Central Okanagan Public Schools.
3. National AccessAbility Week: May 25 to 31, 2025
The Central Okanagan Board of Education declared the week of May 25 through to May 31, 2025 as ‘AccessAbility Week’ in Central Okanagan Public Schools
4. Pride Month
The Central Okanagan Board of Education declared June as ‘Pride Month’ in Central Okanagan Public Schools.
Action Items
1. Central Okanagan Public Schools Superintendent of Schools/CEO 2025/2026 Budget Recommendations Report
The Board of Education approved the Central Okanagan Public Schools Superintendent of Schools/CEO 2025/2026 Budget Recommendations.
2. Trustee Indemnity for the 2025/2026 Fiscal Year         The Board of Education set the Trustee Indemnity, in accordance with the most recent BC Consumer Price Index of 2.5% for the period July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 thereby setting the stipend at:
Trustee: $25,564
Vice-Chair: $27,000
Chair: $29,181
Information Items
The Board of Education reviewed the following:
1. Level 4 and 5 Field Study Summary – 2024/2025
2. Level 4 and 5 Field Study Summary – 2025/2026
3. General Statement – April 23, 2025
4. Video Surveillance – Annual Report to the Board
5. 2025/2026 Estimated Ministry of Education and Child Care Grant Funding
6. Financial Update – March 31, 2025
7. COPAC Executive – 2025/2026
The Board Chair congratulated the members of the Executive of the Central Okanagan Parent Advisory Council for the 2025/2026 school year.
Advocacy
The Board Chair provided an update on the BCSTA Motions passed at the recent BCSTA Annual General Meeting on April 24 – 26, 2025. A Motion on Adequate Funding for Costs in Childcare and a Motion on Teaching Critical Thinking in K-12 were brought forth and both were passed unanimously.
Items of Special Mention
The Board Chair, Trustees and the Superintendent of Schools/CEO, spoke of the following:
– Attendance at various meetings and events throughout the District, including School Community Learning Plan Conversations at Canyon Falls Middle, Helen Gorman Elementary, École OKM Secondary and École Kelowna Secondary. Other events included retirement celebrations, assemblies, concerts and Track and
Field Meets.
– Trustees, the Superintendent of Schools/CEO, Secretary Treasurer/CFO and senior staff participated in the new George Pringle Secondary final beam signing ceremony. This event marked a significant milestone of the installation of the final beam in the steel structure.
– Congratulations were extended to grade 12 Rutland Senior Secondary student, Jaydin Schultz, who was the winner of the Secondary School Senior Math Contest held at the University of British Columbia-Okanagan, and also to Mount Boucherie Secondary School students Grace McCulloch who won the High School Short Film Award: Sunflowers at the 2025 Student Okanagan Film Festival, and Tyler Rubis who has been nominated for his film Recipe For a Break at the 2025 BC Student Film Festival in the category of Senior Narrative Comedy.
– The École George Elliot Secondary School Senior Band students performed and inspired the younger students at Davidson Road Elementary, Oyama Traditional and École Peter Greer Elementary. – Congratulations to the volunteers, students and staff on their organization of another very successful Mount Boucherie Secondary School Walk for Mental Health held on May 8th. Over 2,200 people gathered at Mount Boucherie to raise awareness and money for Foundry Kelowna, a mental health resource operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association for youth aged 12-24. They are well on their way to surpassing their $15,000 goal.
– On Monday, April 28th the National Day of Mourning was recognized with a ceremony at the Dease Road site under the flagpole. Mr. Pat Mullin, who lost his life while at work in Central Okanagan Public Schools on August 15, 2001, was honoured.
– On May 7th the Faisons Un Boeuf French Music Celebration was held at Evangel Church where elementary and middle school French Immersion students celebrated French music and culture. A concert was performed by LeFloFranco and students cheered on their school in a fun competition of dancing, sing-along
music videos and more.
– A number of our current and past students, as well as a staff member, were honoured at the City of Kelowna Civic and Community Awards night. Congratulations to all of the nominees and winners for their commitment to excellence in the arts, athletic and community service. The Board of Education will honour the winners at a future Board Meeting.
Next Public Board Meeting
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 6:00 pm
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 6:00 pm
Board Standing Committee Meetings
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
4:00 pm Finance and Planning Committee
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
4:00 pm Policy Committee (Cancelled)
6:00 pm Education and Student Services Committee
