← Open Board Meeting May 27, 2026
like to call this meeting to order. With deep gratitude and respect, we are honored to be learning and unlearning on the ancestral and unseeded lands of the Hamaquiam, Tsukomisho-Kumeo, and TTsleil-Waututh.
Tonight's meeting is being broadcast live and the audio and video recordings will be available after the meeting ends. Our board has a strong commitment to ethical conduct and it is our responsibility to conduct ourselves in a safe and respectful manner. As a board of education of a school district, it is imperative that we model the behavior that we expect of students in our schools.
If members of the public online or here have questions, we will hold question period, which is item 10 on the agenda. And the link is available on our website and will be open until just after item 6 on the agenda, which is the student trustee report. There's an iPad available if you're in in the room tonight, or you can speak to a staff member if you don't have a device with you.
Earlier this month, communities across Canada marked Red Dress Day, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People. It is a reminder of our responsibility as a board and as a school district to learn, to listen and to reflect. Reconciliation is not a statement we make at the beginning of our meeting. It is the work that we must be that must be reflected in our decisions, in our relationships, and in the learning spaces and the daily actions that we all go through.
As we move through May, we are also mindful of several important recognition days. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. As a board, we are grateful to educators, staff, and school communities who help create spaces where students feel supported, included, and valued.
It's also extremely busy and meaningful month in our schools. Students and staff are entering the final stretch of the school year with performances, year-end projects, celebrations of learning and grad preparations and ceremonies all taking place across the district. Many trustees will have the honor of attending and speaking at grad ceremonies and school events. which I believe are some of the most joyful. Just this afternoon, Trustee Fraser and I attended a pedal party, which was at a local elementary school where they invite all of the incoming kindergarteners, their families, and then also ones that have just left to create this continuity and they invite everyone back and it was beautiful. I also participated in a bike race with teachers and I will say, did not come in last, but I came in second to last.
For students attending their grad ceremonies, we wish you all the best as you take the next steps, the important steps in life. On behalf of the board, I also want to thank VSB educators, support staff, and administrators for helping create caring, inclusive, and engaging learning environments for students each day. I'd also like to acknowledge we have a great crowd in the audience, including some of our VSB students, so it's always great to see participation. With that, let's begin our agenda. Tonight we are meeting here at the Education Center in the boardroom, and staff and trustees are here in person. We do have a couple regrets from Trustee Reddy and Trustee Chan-Pedley. And then I would like to first welcome Superintendent McGregor and Secretary-Treasurer Coughlin, and then ask that my peers on the board introduce themselves, starting with my right.
Josh Zhang, trustee.
Susie Ma, trustee.
Christopher Richardson, trustee. Alfred Chin, trustee.
Preeti Freedko, trustee.
Freddie Zhang, student trustee.
Janet Fraser, trustee, she, her.
Thank you, and it's good to have our student trustee here tonight. Before the meeting, the board had the opportunity to sit with the executive of the Vancouver District Student Council. And it was a great way to, I guess, end your year, but also share a meal. So thank you for joining us with your peers earlier today. Before we hear from Freddie and before we proceed, I just want to remind everyone about decorum. I ask you turn your cell phones off and focus on the tasks at hand. We have lots of discussions tonight. and i'll move to agenda two which agenda item two which is approval of agenda i will move that the agenda be approved as presented is there a seconder trusty ma thank you any objections we can approved by consensus okay wonderful thank you next item three adoption of minutes okay uh 3.1 3.2 and 3.3 meetings of april the 29th 2026 special board meeting of april the 30th 2026 And then 3.3, which is matters arising from the minutes.
Or is there a mover and seconder, actually? Let's start with the April 29th, 2026, and then the April 30th special board meeting of the 30th.
Sorry, Chair, are we on the motion on the screen that we're adopting both minutes?
And I'm willing to move that. Okay, perfect. Do we have to do them separately or are you okay to do them together? Okay, perfect. Thank you. Moved by Trustee Fraser, seconded by Trustee Ma. Any matters arising? Questions?
Sorry, Chair. We're moving.
And then we'll go to matters. Thank you.
Any other comments before we approve? Those in favor? Okay. Unanimous. Matters arising? Any matters arising? Okay, we'll move to item four. Thank you, Janet, for keeping me in line, and we'll go to the superintendent's update. Thank you, Chair. Next slide.
Please.
This is a favorite part for me of every board meeting, so the superintendents tribute. The Vancouver School District is pleased to recognize the Sarah McLachlan School of Music as an outstanding community partner whose longstanding collaboration has enriched the learning experiences of thousands of ESB students. This evening we are pleased to welcome. Marlo Holder, Operations Manager, Robin Lane, Community Engagement Coordinator, Andrea Unraw, Director of Programming, Kim Leary, Admissions Manager, and Sue Bowman, Board Chair. Since 2010, the School of Music has worked alongside VSB schools to provide three distinct streams of accessible, inclusive, and high quality music education opportunities. The first stream, the Artists in Residence program places School of Music instructors in elementary schools to deliver a series of classes over several weeks. These opportunities are especially meaningful for students who may not otherwise have access to music education beyond the classroom, helping to remove barriers and broaden participation in the arts. This year, the program has reached more than 460 students at Bruce, Grenfell, Renfrew, Strathcona, Shawquasset Crosstown, Thunderbird, and Ucpay. The program focuses primarily on percussion, incorporating hand drums, xylophones, as well as singing and movement. As one elementary principal shared, the program provides inclusive, engaging experiences that encourage our students to explore music, build confidence, and develop a sense of belonging. with instructors fostering positive supportive relationships that create welcoming environments for all learners. A second stream that was initiated in 2011 supports students from the Vancouver Alternative Secondary School. Through this partnership, students attend the School of Music site where they have access to a wide range of instruments, resources, and professional instruction. This year, programming was offered an amazing three days per week with different programs attending each day, including Cedar Walk, Foundations, Peak House, South Vancouver Learning Center, Spectrum, Sunrise Templeton, Take a Hike, Tupper Nova, Vinery, and West. And approximately 80 students participate annually exploring diverse musical disciplines such as band, percussion, turntablism, hip hop, electronic music, piano, guitar, and voice. Notably, two graduating students will continue their music studies at Vancouver Community College, which is a real testament to this opportunity for our students.
The third stream provides after-school programming at the School of Music site, open to both elementary and secondary VSB students. And this year, more than 470 students have participated. Through this offering, students receive professional instruction, collaborate across musical disciplines, and work with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities all at no cost. Across all programs, consistent feedback highlights the strong relationships School of Music instructors build with students, with staff, and school communities. Their patient, encouraging, and joyful approach fosters inclusive environments where students feel safe, supported and connected special recognition is extended to instructors robin and carmichael whose dedication and positive connections have had a lasting impact in classrooms and school communities across vsb the impact of this partnership is perhaps best reflected in the words of a grade 7 student and i will say in quotes the sarah mclaughlin school of music is an inclusive community where everyone is treated with dignity and I feel a true sense of belonging. I am incredibly grateful to my piano teachers for their dedication and for the valuable musical knowledge they have shared with me. My experiences at School of Music have deepened both my passion for music and my confidence in myself." From the words of students. And I have many more quotes that we couldn't fit in this evening or I would be speaking all evening and we're gonna share them with you because we thought it was important. So this longstanding partnership really reflects a shared commitment to student well-being, equity and engagement by bringing high quality arts experience directly into schools and by providing accessible programing at their site. The Sarah McLachlan School of Music continues to create meaningful opportunities that inspire students and have a lasting positive impact, evidenced by the many thoughtful reflections, some of which you've heard this evening. On behalf of the Vancouver School Board, We expend our sincere appreciation to the Sarah McLachlan School of Music for their generosity, expertise, and ongoing commitment to supporting VSB students. And I'm gonna come and join you at the front as I explained and make the presentation. Thank you.
i'd like to say our sincere appreciation to each of you and a round of applause okay and we're gonna invite all of the supporters that are here with you this evening to come up and have a photo as well if you don't mind so come on up those of you that are here representing schools and programs across the district and we'll take some photos together thank you
Thank you for that. For those in the audience, just took some group photos and then I will continue on with my highlights. Thank you so much.
Next slide, please. So the chair mentioned this in her introduction. May 5th marked the National Day of Awareness and Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People. The red dress symbolizes more than a thousand Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people who have gone missing or are being murdered within Canada. Red Dress Day also serves to encourage action towards safety, equity, and reconciliation.
On the slide, you can see some of the artwork that was on display and created by students. Resources for educators were shared by the Indigenous Education Department and schools around the district honored this day in many different ways. some with symbolic displays, others with art, workshops, and memorial walks. Here at the Education Center, the student gallery displayed for the earlier part of the month student artwork from various schools to honor the missing and murdered while demonstrating learning and allyship. Next slide. On May 20th, 26, students and families gathered to celebrate an important milestone, the Grade 7 Moving Forward Ceremony. The event celebrates indigenous students as they are making a meaningful transition from elementary to secondary school. It celebrates not only what the students have achieved, but the bright futures and endless possibilities that await them. It was a truly exciting and special evening. I'm always very eager to attend, and I was thankful for Chair Young, Vice Chair Fraser, and Trustee Richardson, who also participated in a wonderful evening. It finished with a family gathering and meal. Next slide. This month, students from both elementary and secondary schools each had the chance to participate in a film festival. On May 4th, the second annual Student Plant Communities Film Festival was held at Tupper Secondary. The festival is organized by teachers who are passionate about place-based learning. Designed with elementary students in mind, the festival promotes digital literacy, while fostering students appreciation and respect for nature. The student created films educated the audience on the many uses of local plants. Students shared uses for teas, medicines, and even some plants whose dense branches are used to create fishing hooks and spears. So you can see some images on the screen there. On May 14th, secondary students had the chance to showcase their films at the Vancouver District Film Festival. Steven Renshaw and Oriana DiNucci, two Vancouver film industry professionals, picked their favorite films in 15 different categories, ranging from best picture to best costume design.
And I have to say, both of these events truly showcase the tremendous creativity and dedication of ESB students. Next slide. The 2026 Provincial Skills Competition, and we'll provide more details next month, but congratulations are in order to all vsb students who participated in this year's skill skills competition the competition brought many students into the spotlight as they demonstrated the complexity and talents involved in skilled careers vsb students took home four gold five silver and four bronze medals in a range of categories including workplace safety fashion technology architectural computer-aided design and drafting cad carpentry and many others And what I need to tell you is we currently have students representing VSB at the Skills Canada National Competition, which is happening right now in Toronto. So we will provide you some updates about our students and their opportunity to demonstrate their skills. Next slide. Accessibility at VSB. From May 13th to 17th, several VSB students participated in the inaugural One Ability Games at the Richmond Olympic Oval. The games are an accessible event that invites K-12 students to participate in various adaptive sports, often for the first time. Students also had the chance to learn from competitive athletes from the inclusive sport community, which is an awesome experience. At the games, students participated in various accessible sports, including lacrosse, soccer, wheelchair and adapted basketball, athletics, floorball, sitting volleyball. And on Friday, in some lovely images there on the screen of students really enjoying themselves, on Friday, May 22nd, Associate Superintendent Allison Ogden and myself had the pleasure of attending the Eastside Life Skills event hosted at Windermere. It was a fully accessible and inclusive event that gathered life skills classes together from a variety of high schools. It featured a musical performance, a silent disco, which is something you need to experience if you haven't yet, a trivia game, and a sports day activity that were organized in collaboration between Windermere staff, but also a whole group of student leaders from Windermere. Very impressive. The success of this event reflects the dedication of the staff organizers and the enthusiasm for every student who came ready to celebrate together. I have to say I walked the plank to escape the sharks to support the event. So it was a lovely, lovely afternoon. And as a district, we are dedicated to continually improving accessibility and removing barriers to provide greater equity and inclusion for everyone. Next slide, please. In the April episode of our podcast, After the Bell, we feature teachers who are passionate about supporting sustainability and inspiring students.
In the episode, we also hear from two students from John Oliver Secondary who share how they put their classroom learning about sustainability into action. So once again, involving students and sharing their work is important to us. Our next episode, which airs tomorrow, will cover Microsoft Copilot 13 Plus. Copilot 13 Plus will be introduced for students in grades eight to 12, age 13 or older, very soon. This episode will address what Copilot 13 is, why the tool was chosen for students, and what families can do at home to support their children's digital literacy. In my last update, following our district's focus on digital literacy in June, we are facilitating a family information session online in collaboration with Media Smarts on the topic of building better tech habits. This session complements previous digital literacy sessions hosted partnerships with safer schools together and the white hatter so i really do encourage you to listen to the podcast if you have not done so yet and we'll be sharing the information about that learning opportunity out to families in the next little while And that is the end of my update this evening, trustees. Thank you, Chair.
Thank you. I do just want to remind everyone listening, if you go to our podcast and hit the follow button, you will not be disappointed. I have it, and it alerts me when we have a new VSB podcast up. So a great listen. We'll move now to item five. We have committee reports. We'll start with our education plan committee. Report of May the 6th, 2026. Trustee Chen?
Yes, Chair. The report of the May 6th, 2026 Education Plan Committee is in the agenda. I move receive of the report. Great.
you is there a seconder trustee fraser okay thank you any comments questions there are no objections we'll move receipt by consensus okay thank you very much we'll now go to 5.1.2 which is matters arising trustee chen yes chair we have recommendations from the education plan committee regarding the school codes of conduct personal digital device
I will move that the board defer consideration of the motion at this time and request that additional refinements be made to clarify key elements of the proposed directions in order to support informed board decision-making.
Any comment? Trustee Ma, go ahead. Thank you very much, Chair. Glad that we are going to be talking about deferring consideration of this motion. I think it has broad implications, particularly for our youth in our high schools. I have a question though, through the chair to the mover. It says that we are deferring consideration of the motion at this time and requesting that additional refinements be made in order to support informed board decision-making. Is there a timeline contemplated in terms of when we will see this again?
That is directed through me to the mover of this. Okay, that is for Trustee Chen. Was there a comment to the question from Trustee Ma?
I guess we have to wait for more information from the staff and also from all the stakeholder group. Last time on the Education Plan Committee, I think we hear lots of voices differently, right? So I guess what we have to do is wait for a final report, I believe, and then to go to the Education Committee to discuss again.
Trustee Ma and then Trustee Richardson.
I guess the thing is, if we're going to go forward with this, then if we're going to defer consideration, Under my understanding, there are no more Education Plan Committee meetings for this school year. So my assumption then is that this will come back in the fall to our first Education Plan Committee meeting. Is that correct?
So one of the things that as staff being contemplating this item is you currently have. We currently have student codes of conduct that are in place and will be implemented for the fall. That communication is happening in the month of June and in that meeting staff talked about further actions that are going to be taken around personal digital devices during next school year. So one of the thoughts we had as staff or a recommendation could be that we could bring an update again in the spring, once we've been able to implement some of the new strategies that were proposed. I know there's some potential collaborations with the VDSC and other groups around continuing to provide education to students. So if that's helpful for the board, not much will change. It is the end of the school year, as we just heard. and the Code of Conducts will be implemented again for September. So to update the board of anything new in that period of time, we really wouldn't have anything new to share with you with a very short turnaround before the September meeting. Thank you, Chair. Trustee Richardson.
Thank you, Chair. And the superintendent has really fleshed out the fact that although at this point the motion from the committee is to proceed as is but that a great number of issues were raised and just in terms of if this was be brought forward to the secondary level and I think it is staff's intention it sounds like to further monitor that and deal with some of the questions and to gather further information to enable it would be this our following board to deal with this and should there be any changes or refinements that it would enable that to occur in the, I guess the September 2027 school year. So I'm speaking in favor of this motion, believing that there will in fact be some response to the collective discussion that was held at committee and enable further input to be made. Thank you.
Seeing no other hands, I will comment. I think this is a great example of kind of democracy in action. We brought a motion to a committee. I will fully admit that I don't know what I don't know because participating in the committee where we sat around the table and talked to different interest holder groups and students and who all have very different lived experience with. personal digital devices i think it was a extremely informative educational experience because going into this and having an idea and then being humbled by what i hear around a table i think is is part of the work that we all do so i support this motion because What it does is it continues the conversation. The summary of the feedback that you can find on page 16 of 35 of tonight's package shows the discussions and the agreements and disagreements and a lot of the information from the participants. And I think that that is part of a great part of our job where we... often learn and are humbled by what we hear. So I'm in alignment. I don't think that decision needs to be made. And I'm looking to Pedro de Silva, who I often reminds me of the importance of listening to students and and doing the work and not having an idea of what how things should be so. I've had many conversations around this topic and I thank all the work that happened at committee.
Because it was a good learning experience for me. So seeing no other hands, I will go to. vote those in favor okay it passes unanimously thank you we'll move on to 5.2 oh sorry trustee Chen are there any other matters arising there's no other matter rising great thank you okay 5.2 Trustee Fraser, I'm looking to you to report out on Finance and Personnel Committee.
Yes, thank you, Chair, and I will move receipt to report from the May 13th, 2026 Finance on Finance and Personnel Committee meeting as in the agenda.
He moved by Trustee Fraser, seconded by trustee Richardson thank you are there any comments okay we'll go to those and I guess and if there are no objections we'll move receipt okay wonderful thank you matters arising trustee Fraser yes thank you chair we have a recommendation for the Finance and Personnel Committee regarding the school fee schedules for 2026 2027
And I will move the recommendation that the board approve the school fee schedules for the 2026-2027 school year.
Thank you, Trustee Fraser. Seconded by Trustee Zhang. Appreciate that. Any discussion? Trustee Fraser.
Chair, I can say that this came to the committee meeting. There were a number of questions asked, and it was clarified that... and again in the report here that all fee schedules contain our school district's financial hardship clause and that my understanding is that the school staff are very thoughtful and careful in the way that they meet with families who may have challenges in paying the school fees and that there is no stigmatization around that and the intent is to have students have the most robust public education possible and while i personally would love to live in a system with no school fees we're in a situation where this is the manner in which we provide more resources to students in our schools thank you and that is starts on page 17 of 35 for those following seeing no other comments we'll go to a vote those in favor okay unanimous support thank you very much
Trustee Fraser, are there any other matters rising no thank you great thank you the next item is the policy and governance committee report of may the 13th oh wait uh sorry that is what we thank you i'm so we are on 5.3 yes thank you 5.3 uh pausing governance committee Trustee Chan-Pedley is not here to move receipt, so procedurally. Okay, Trustee Ma, if you wouldn't mind. Well, I'm going to look to you.
I didn't know I was doing that until the last minute, so I will chair right now. So the report of the May 13th, 2026 Policy and Governance Committee is in the agenda and I move receipt of the report.
Seconder? Trustee Richardson, thank you. Any questions, comments? Okay, there are no objections. We'll move receipt by consensus. Okay, thank you. 5.3.2, matters arising.
hand the chair back to you because I need to speak on the motion that's coming up thank you okay so we will go I'd like to ask for someone to move that the board approved policy six trustee remuneration and expenses and further that the board rescind trustee remuneration and expenses Guidelines set out in Appendix B of Policy 7 Board Operations. Moved by Trustee Richardson, seconded by Trustee Freedcoat. Thank you very much. I'd like to open discussion. Trustee Richardson, would you like to open? Sorry, is your...
Thank you, Chair. And I hadn't realized that I would, so I have prepared remarks. The matter of remuneration of board members is... is an interesting issue in that it could be seen as a conflict in the sense that we are discussing our own remuneration. But I think that this report clearly indicates that the committee has examined the various matters in terms of what others are doing in terms of remuneration. and have looked at what other similar districts are doing. And in favour of this, I think there was a great deal of thought to it. I guess we probably should turn this over to someone who is not moving forward or seeking to gain re-election to eliminate this, but I think that this report reflects the fact that this is a getting elected is is a choice but that to encourage people to to perform this function that it is appropriate that they be appropriately remunerated and therefore this reflects a that careful deliberation and I would seek approval of the report as circulated estima
i'm going to try to move a motion so i would like to move that we postpone consideration of the approval of policy 6 until the december 2026 board meeting tech is there a seconder
I'll second for discussion.
Okay, Trustee Ma.
Yeah, the reason why I'd like to postpone consideration of this motion is sort of echoing what Trustee Richardson had just talked about, that we are right now, this motion in front of us contemplates giving increases to the Chair and to the Vice Chair salaries, remuneration, I should say. for starting in September. And I believe that the new board should be responsible for looking at this and... Okay, somebody pointed to the motion. So are you asking me if this is what I wanted to move?
I'm sorry, keep speaking to your... We're working in the back end to get the appropriate... I believe staff are working to get it up there. You can continue. Thank you very much.
So... think it's important for the new board to look at this draft and to say is this the direction that the new board wants to go in terms of the remuneration and i think for us to do this now seeing that it's almost the end of our term doesn't seem to be right and so i would urge people to defer and to postpone this until december
Sorry, we're a little delayed when we edit, and that's why it says December 202, but it's coming.
Thank you.
We'll just wait for one moment for it to update because it's molasses uphill at this point. It's a little slow.
Trustee Ma, I'd like to ask if that looks...
I think it should say that the Board postponed consideration of the approval of Policy 6.
Of approval of? Of the approval of Policy 6. Okay.
Wonderful. Thank you. I'm going to go to Trustee Zeng, who would like to speak to the motion on the floor.
The amendment. OK, thanks chair through the chair. My personal concern is not about the timing of such a motion or the timing of any changes to the policy. I think it's. It's probably fair and adequate that the changes come. Public meetings with basically full transparency. Where all the constituents of the trustees can see, what led up to the decision making and what kind of process was followed and what kind of discussion was had leading up to a decision on anything, but on remuneration specifically, I think transparency is probably the most important aspect, not the timing.
Trustee Fraser. I'm a little confused about something you said, Trustee Maher. My understanding is that the trustee remuneration increases by the CPI every September, but the increase would not apply until this board, until the new board is elected. So I think you said that the increase would come in September, but I don't think that's correct. Do you have a question for Trustee Ma or is that a statement? Can you clarify if you said that the increase for trustees will come in September? Because my reading of the policy is that it would come with the new board.
So my answer to that question is the graph that was given in the supporting documents shows September 1st.
That's on page 24 of 35 of the agenda package.
Okay, I'm going to make a quick comment on this. I think it's absolutely inappropriate for the board to set its own remuneration. It creates a clear conflict of interest as members are effectively deciding their own pay. I think it undermines public trust and accountability. And since compensation decisions should be made independently, they made independently to ensure their fair. and that they're transparent and that they're aligned with the organization's best interests rather than personal interests. And so I will not support this. Are there any other comments before we go to...
Yes. Sorry, maybe I'm misunderstanding approval.
I'm getting a lot, sorry. I don't see any hands. Would you please clarify the policy? Thank you very much.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to clarify for trustees the policy language that we have included and also the September 1 date that Trustee Ma was referring to. So first of all, in policy, page 25 of 35 of the agenda, the timing of the review of trustee remuneration is contemplated as being during the last year of each board term. that's when the board will conduct a formal review of trustee remuneration. The implementation clause is on page 26, 2.3, decision and implementation timing. And this states, any changes to trustee remuneration resulting from the review shall be approved by board motion, apply only to the subsequent board term, and not take effect during the term in which the review is conducted. So if this policy was in effect and this board was conducting a review, this board could not determine their own compensation or changes to the base compensation. The only change that is automatic and it's included in the current policy is effective September 1, the base compensation is incremented by CPI. And that is so what we've disclosed for the public on page 29 is the current level of trustee remuneration. So that is as of September 1, 2025. Those are the levels of trustee remuneration in the school district. This policy does not contain any specific recommendations with respect to trustee remuneration effective September 1, 2026. or any changes to trustee remuneration in the current term. So if this policy was adopted today, the board will then have to actually initiate the review, approve new levels of compensation, and those would only apply to the trustees that get elected in October.
Question to you, Secretary, Treasurer, then should this be postponed? It would be another term. before changes would be made?
If this policy was not adopted by this board, but it would be deferred to a future board and the policy is drafted would be adopted by the next board, then the next review of remuneration would happen in 2030. and those changes to remuneration would be implemented for the term starting in 2030.
Trustee Ma. OK, thank you very much for that clarification. So how does the information on agenda package 26 of 35, where it looks at benchmarking and it looks at the chair's remuneration and the vice chair's remuneration, how does that impact on the september uh cpi and going forward like does the board then does the new board then have to debate that and they can change that 30 and that 50 15 or is it set in stone if we pass this um this motion not this motion but the the the other motion um so if the policy is adopted those percentages are then
part of the policy, so set in policy, which the policy can be amended by the board in the future. So in terms of application of this policy, this is like if the board wishes to be very clear that this policy will only apply to the next board, you can absolutely amend the approval of policy motion to state that any changes to trustee remuneration would only apply to the board that will be elected in October 2026.
Would anyone who has not spoken like to ask a question or speak?
Okay. Is there anyone at all who, any more questions before we go to the vote? Trustee Fraser.
Just to make a comment that I do think it's appropriate that the outgoing board makes the changes to the remuneration because it's very difficult to set your own pay level. So this is setting it for the next board. That's a common, from what I understand, that's a common practice in school districts in BC. And so that is, I've heard from other trustees that this is what they do. I think that this is appropriate if the new board that will be elected in October can change policy or act beyond policy or make decisions as they wish. But I think this would take the remuneration looking at the local districts and set an appropriate level.
So we're just speaking to what we see on the board right now. so sorry i was ahead of the uh ahead of the motion i am not in support of postponing i guess i guess that i was speaking to not postponing okay any other comments before vote okay uh those in favor of what's uh on the table right now trustee ma those opposed trustees zhang richardson chan friedcoat uh fraser and young okay we now go it was it uh it was not
supported so we'll go back to the original motion on the table um is there any additional discussion or comments trust trust email go ahead okay so so as publicly elected school trustees we should be very cautious about giving ourselves large raises because we are stewards of public trust These proposed significant self-approved pay increases undermine credibility with our voters, parents, and school staff. It's not right to pass this policy that would see the chair getting 30% more than other trustees and the vice chair getting 15% more than other trustees. The current remuneration sees a differential of about 8% more for the chair and 6% for the vice chair. We just passed the budget where we all agreed that our district is underfunded. Education funding has been frozen province-wide. We just made difficult decisions that cut the district teacher librarian position, youth and family workers, staffing to support vision impaired, and hospital homebound support. We should not be prioritizing ourselves over students. I ran to take on trustee work because I believe in public education and I want our classrooms properly funded. While I understand that there is more work involved in being the chair and the vice chair, these positions should be viewed and taken on as an honor to serve the public. As the public elected us to office, the public should also have a say in whether trustee remuneration should increase. Also, This is not the time to review this policy right before our fall civic elections. This issue should be dealt by the new board. And it's for these reasons that I'm going to be voting in opposition to this motion. When I went home and I thought about this some more when I saw it on the agenda, it really upset me and I didn't run for office to get an increase in pay. I think this sets up the new board because of the huge increases possibly that it actually will further politicize the board and we are supposed to be working as a team and I cannot vote in favor of this.
Trustee Zeng.
Thanks. So through the chair, I will just say that I think one of the most direct ways that we can motivate and create an incentive structure to have more qualified, more competent and effective leadership and governance in our democratic institutions is to raise their pay. That way the pay is more competitive and it becomes a more of an attractive position for more talented more motivated individuals. That being said, the other on the other side of the equation in the draft policy, it does differentiate quite a bit between the chair and the rest of the trustees, which is somewhat understandable because in the role of the chair, you do have to take on quite a bit more responsibility. And for example, your name is signed on every public letter that the school board issues. And et cetera and et cetera. I think through our discussion, we've established that the way that the policy is set up, in effect, it is not voting in higher pay for us existing trustees immediately, and that if you change the policy, it only applies to the next elected board. The logical conclusion from what I said earlier is that we if this is all done in public and then there's transparency with the decision-making process as we are uh demonstrating right now to me i see no problem with the process and the policy the way that we've brought brought it out so i guess that's all i see any other comments trustee fraser
So I would say that this is done in public. This has been published for committee. We've had discussion at committee. The original differentiation for chair and vice chair was 40 and 20%. And after the discussion at committee, it was reduced to 30 and 15%. I've been the chair and the vice chair, and it is a lot more work than being a trustee. I think that it is an honor to serve. but it also is time. And I don't think we should undervalue the time of people who are doing this work. I want the next board to be successful. I want the vice chair and the chair to be successful. I think this is one element in supporting the success of the next board. They will be elected by the people of Vancouver and from amongst themselves, they will elect a chair and vice chair and the board as a whole. can make any changes they wish to remuneration policy. So I think we, as our board, we can set them up well, but once they are elected as the board, they have the power to act as they wish.
Trustee Richardson, did you have something to say?
Thank you, Chair. I speak in favor of this motion. I think, in fact, we can this isn't the time and the place to talk about the fact that the government has frozen funding which is in fact cutting our funding i think this this is a separate matter this is recognizing a fact that has been long understood around this table that the responsibilities maybe i would suggest the responsibilities of all trustees are the same but it is the time commitment to encourage people to step forward and put their name forward for chair and vice chair. This is simply a recognition of that. So the base salary is not being touched. What we're simply recognizing is that the differential, which has long been apparent or long been present, needs to reflect reality. So I think that it is the responsibility of this board to set the next board up for success. and although it pains me that that the decisions that we had through the budget process to make cuts this is a separate matter and i believe that this reflects what is right for this board as we move forward and i would encourage my fellow trustees to support this motion as presented
Okay, seeing no other comments, I'd like to just comment. For school trustees, I think that remuneration should be fair and competitive to attract and retain capable, dedicated individuals who reflect the communities we serve. And we heard other trustees comment on what it means to attract good and talented folk. Grounding compensations in principles of equity helps ensure people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds can afford to participate, rather than limiting the roles to those with independent means. And those sitting around this table have very different means. In considering any increases, I think ultimately trustees are acting as stewards for future boards. So setting a level of compensation in good faith and trusting that those who will follow in our footsteps will carry the same responsibilities and deserve to be supported to do the work effectively, which is why I will be supporting this motion. Those in favor. Oh, trustee Ma, go ahead.
So this moved...
OK, I when I say I don't see any other hands and I'm going to speak because the chair usually speaks last and is not part of debate. Usually it's just a comment at the end. I will trust him. You are the queen of process, so I know that you understand that and I will let you speak now, but please in future respect the process. Thank you chair.
So I just like to rebut what some of my fellow trustees have said so. I don't believe that offering more pay attracts better people. I think that people run for office because they want to be involved in education and shaping our school district and supporting students and parents and the staff. And I didn't apply to be a trustee. I didn't look at the remuneration amount. I applied because I wanted to be a part of the system. Somebody else talked about amount of time. that the chair and the vice chair puts in. Yes, they do put in a lot of time, but I know that other trustees also put in time. And when we talk about time, what constitutes? Are we talking about hours? Are we talking about the quality of engagement that we have with the parents and the public and students? And are we saying in effect that because we're contemplating this huge differential, are we saying that base level trustees don't put in the time? We know that there are trustees that don't attend every meeting. So are we going to then say that we're going to start keeping track? Well, we do keep track of attendance. And are we then going to say, you know, if you miss so many meetings that you get a less remuneration. So I think the value of time and the amount of time should not be seen as a reason for this and another person another trustee said that this is separate from the budget and that the budget is one thing and this is another thing but money is money and it comes out of operations and when we're talking about cuts to the system and dollars not in the classrooms for trustees to say well we deserve this much more pay. I'm sorry, but my money goes back into the classroom because that's where the support is needed. Thank you.
Trustee Fraser, I gave Trustee Ma the opportunity to speak, so I am grudgingly giving you the opportunity to speak. Go ahead.
So I appreciate that some trustees may not run and may not look may not run. when they run may not consider the remuneration available, but that's not the case for all trustees. You have to have the time to be a trustee and you have to have your other life, your other work, your other employment, your other responsibilities fit around being a trustee. So I think for some trustees, the amount that you get paid to do the job is very important. And I think some people do not run for trustees because they are not able to make that work for their life. The income is not sustainable for the amount of time they have to commit to the work. I can also speak to the role of the chair and the vice chair. There is a policy about the role of the chair and the vice chair, and that outlines the work that they do and the additional responsibilities that they hold. We did have the opportunity through discussing this at policy and governance, the remuneration, there was discussion about having a sort of attendance-based payment and the discussion at committee was that that would be impractical. So it is certainly something that a future board can consider. This board did consider it and stuck with the base pay for trustees.
Okay, I recognize that I didn't follow my own process. So now I have a list of other trustees who'd like to speak and I'm going to allow it. So we're gonna go to trust, okay, Trustee Freedcoat and then Trustee Zeng.
Thank you, Chair. I wasn't gonna speak, but after listening to everyone's comments, I just have a couple of questions for Secretary Tresher. So every time there's a, There's a new board that's going to come. It has been a practice that before the election time, the previous board decide on the trustee remuneration rate.
Vancouver does not have that policy in place currently. The review of the record up to the last two boards only shows that the existing remuneration, which I could not find any records that showed how the base remuneration was determined. It was just incremented by CPI every September. That was the only policy that existed. So in recent history, the base remuneration for trustees in Vancouver has not been reviewed. And this practice that is contemplated in this policy has not existed in Vancouver, but it does exist in other school districts in British Columbia.
Thank you. Just want to make a comment. When I'm looking at how much each trustees in different district makes, I mean, you can look at the amount of enrollment and how much the trustees are making. It is a service to the community. At the same time, I do want to echo what Trustee Fraser has said about there's a lot of things that the trustees are spending their time on. And, you know, these are the things that motivate them to run for office. And this is not for the current board. This is for the future board. So, you know, I am in favor of this motion. Trustee Zhang, would you like to speak?
Thank you. Are there any last comments before we go to a vote?
OK. I just want to bring us back to equity and one of the guiding principles of the board, which is why I will be supporting this. All those in favor. Trustee Zeng, Richardson, Chen, Freedcoat, Fraser and Young, those opposed. Trustee Ma. OK, the motion carries.
That was 5.3 point. One. Nope. So we are going to 5.3.3 on the agenda tonight. Matters arising, and I'm looking at Trustee Ma. Do you have more matters arising?
Yes, I do, Chair. So we have a recommendation from the November 12th, 2026 Policy and Governance Committee regarding Policy 18, Student Trustee. And I will move that the board approve board policy 18 student trustee.
Thank you. That is page 31 of 35 on the agenda and I see trustee Richardson has seconded trustee Ma. Would you like to speak on on the emotion? No.
Any comments trustee Fraser?
Thank you chair and in having a conversation with the student trustee, I think there is a. small error in the uh section 6.3 it says the student trustee will be supported in attending one district conference opportunity per school year and i think that was carried out that was incorrectly carried over from the previous uh or the previous policy it should be one out of district conference so sorry it should be what one out of district one out of district okay because 6.2 references conference opportunities in general. So I'm not sure how we handle that.
Trustee Ma, we'll take your suggestion.
So I think what we need to do is that the motion should read that the board approve board policy 18 student trustee with the amendment to 6.3 to insert
out of after the words attending one i will second that amendment thank you is there any comment on the amendment that we've added OK, we would go to it'll come up in hopefully this business day and then we'll let's go to if everyone's OK with us moving forward to approve the amendment so we can go to the original. It's coming.
As soon as we see it up there, we'll go to the vote.
okay we have the amendment up we'll vote all those in favor of the amendment that we see in red okay uh we're voting on the amendment it is approved unanimously thank you now we'll go to the original motion which we as amended which we see as uh on the screen that the board approved policy 18 trust student trustee with section 6.3 being amended to include out of district Okay, any further comment on the policy 18 or the amended motion as seen? Okay, wonderful. Let's go to a vote. Those in favor?
it passes unanimously thank you well now um any additional matters arising trustee ma um i'd like to hand the chair back over to you i have a question please thank you so in the agenda package tonight there was a report from the committee talking about the slo report and i know it's a report but i have a question about what is the process going forward with this report?
Do you have a page we can refer to?
20 of 35. Thank you. And that was a committee report from Policy and Governance, correct? That's correct.
So it's a report, but there's no matters arising. And I know that when we had the committee meeting, there was discussion about it coming back with some other refinements. And I'd like to ask through the chair, if the superintendent can comment on that. Thank you. Superintendent.
Thank you. There was a request by trustees to see VSB only information from the survey, and that is something that we are working with the organization who completed the report to bring. Our goal is to make that publicly available by the end of June.
Thanks. Thank you. And that will be available where? we currently on our website have posted the report already if you search for slo report it's publicly available it's also in the committee meeting that came this evening and we would post the update with vsb specific data to the same location thank you thank you trustee ma yeah so is there going to be an opportunity for us to comment on the report at the end of june because we have a report that's already in the public eye
but we know that there's going to be an updated report at the end of June. So will trustees get another opportunity to discuss that report?
So anything you'd like added to committee or to public board meetings can be sent to agenda setting and we'll add it to the appropriate place as we meet to set agendas. Tomorrow actually is our next agenda setting meeting. If you have a request for topics to be added, feel free to send those, as you know, the usual avenues.
Well, can I speak, Chair? Yeah, please go ahead. So I guess the issue for me is that at the Policy and Governance Committee meeting, there were different stakeholders there that talked about some of the concerns about the report. Policy and Governance Committee. And I would like to have an opportunity as a group of all nine of us, hopefully, to discuss the refinements when they're released at the end of June. And I don't see when there would be that opportunity other than to submit, and it's probably too late now for June because the date for submission for it to be an agenda item has passed. Is that correct?
So I guess it depends on when we get the... the data as well so uh if you would like to i will we don't have the date do we or when in june that data will come back um we hope it's in june okay so um i i think the best course of action would be to send a request it will go to agenda setting um is it too late i'm looking at you secretary treasurer
uh for for tomorrow because if it's not possible it would be then put on the next one chair i think what is going to happen is because uh the superintendent just said it would be the end of june and because our full board meeting is going to be in the middle of june it then will go to the first meeting in september so would i be able to move that now to ask it to be added to the agenda as a notice of motion?
Just send the email to agenda setting and it will be added. It can be, it'll be reviewed and whether it's going to policy and governance committee or whether it is on the agenda or will it need to be a notice of, we'll deal with the process of that. Just send a note to be.
Yeah, I just want to make sure that, you know, if there needs to be a deadline for it to be a notice of motion, that I know that, and if it doesn't, then, you know, as I say, I request that it be dealt with in September.
So, Trustee Ma, you're looking to discuss the content of the new data, but it's in the form of a motion. Why you would include it as a notice of motion? Help me understand the process that you're referring to.
Okay, what I want is, at the end of June, when the data comes out, I want the board, the full board, to have an opportunity to review and to discuss. And whether that be in September, whether that be in October, I would like that to happen.
Got it. We can feel free to send that to agenda setting. We'll put it on there. Thank you. To discuss. Trustee Richardson.
Thank you, Chair. Along that line, rather than having it sent through agenda setting, This is it's. It is unusual that not unusual, but in this this report there was a clarification that was requested. Could could we not just agree that once the report is received that it would be placed on the next policy and governance agenda as an item which would then allow stakeholders in addition to trustees to comment? Should should there be a need to comment?
We most definitely can do that. I think Trustee Ma's request, if I'm not mistaken, is that it happens at a public board meeting, which is the difference between, which is, I guess, different than the process I had originally thought, but that is the wish of Trustee Ma, I believe. Go ahead.
Well, since the agenda setting committee gets to decide where it's dealt with, you know, that's up to the agenda setting committee, right? So whether you would like to have it go to policy and governance first, or whether you want it to go to the full board, that would be up to the agenda setting committee, right?
Was that a question or would you like me to respond? Okay. Any, okay, so where are we here? We are at number six on the agenda. Is there any comment? Okay, we'll move to, Freddie, thank you for being with us tonight and for your patience as we get through board business. I would like to ask that you present your report.
Thank you, Chair. As we head into the final stretch of the school year, something that's really stood out to me is how student leadership across the district continues to grow both in size and purpose. Over the past month, I've had the chance to see students create spaces for connection creativity, advocacy, learning, fun, and care. One example of this was VDSC's district-wide 2016 Throwback Spirit Day. What started as a fun idea quickly became something bigger, with schools across the district participating, leaning into nostalgia, and also sharing at the same time. School student councils have also been leading initiatives that reflect issues students care about and create positive change. Schools have held mental health-focused art showcases, indoor track meets, Asian Heritage Month celebrations, and Red Dress Day commemorations honoring missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. These projects happening across different schools show the importance of student leaders learning from one another and sharing ideas across the district.
This month also included an opportunity that was personally meaningful to me. On May 7th, I attended the City of Vancouver's proclamation of Child and Youth Mental Health Day, alongside elected officials and representatives from organizations including Vancouver Coastal Health, Family Smart, the First Nations Health Authority, and Crisis Centre BC. Mental health continues to be a topic that students frequently raise through VDSC meetings, and it has shaped much of our work this year, including through the Mindfulness Minute toolkit shared with schools. Being part of the city's proclamation was a reminder that this work extends beyond schools and that student voice has an important role in conversations about youth well-being and support.
Another highlight this month has been the launch of VDSC's annual arts gala. This year's theme, What Comfort Looks Like for Students, has already inspired submissions ranging from visual art and writing to music and performance pieces. What makes the gala special is that it gives students an opportunity to share experiences and perspectives in creative ways. Once submissions close, district-wide voting will open, and we're looking forward to seeing the different ways that students interpret this theme.
Looking ahead, VDSD is also preparing for the Student Leadership Grad Showcase. Throughout the year, the fund has supported student-led projects across the district. and help turn ideas into initiatives within school communities. These grants make student-led initiatives more accessible across schools, and the showcase offers students an opportunity to present their learning through their project process, reflect on what they have learned, and share the impact their work has had on their communities. It's a celebration of student learning, and we are very grateful to the board for continuing to support these invaluable opportunities. This month also marked an important transition within VDSC as elections for next year's senior executive team were completed actually just yesterday. Over the upcoming weeks, we will work through the incoming team through transition planning to set them up for success in the next school year.
Finally, from May 21st to 24th, I had the privilege of attending the Ontario Student Trustees Association Annual General Meeting. Throughout the conference, students from across the country discussed topics including policy, equity, student wellbeing, reconciliation, and advocacy. One theme that stood out to me was the importance of continuing to strengthen the incorporation of student voice and agency into decision-making processes. I appreciated the opportunity to bring many of these ideas back to our general meeting yesterday for further discussion. I am truly grateful for these opportunities for professional development and networking with other student trustees. As the school year wraps up, VDSC's focus continues to be on strengthening student voice and agency across the district by building leadership capacity, sharing ideas across schools, and ensuring student perspectives continue to inform decisions. I would like to thank the board for its continued support of student leadership in its many forms. The work shared in this report will not be possible without that support. Thank you.
Thank you, Freddie. This was a very thorough, long report this month. and it had lots of great information. Thank you to all the students that participated. Are there any questions or comments for Freddie?
Trustee Fraser.
Yes, thank you, Freddie. I see that you had the privilege of attending an out-of-district conference recently. And I'm curious, it was the Ontario Students Trustees Association. I understand there are student trustees across Ontario, but I'm wondering if there were other student trustees from other provinces or were you the only one attending from outside Ontario?
Yeah, thanks for your question through the chair. I was really privileged to be the only student trustee attending from outside Ontario. And it also made me think about just how valuable the opportunity is for for student voice and leadership to be incorporated in our district and how unique these opportunities are.
Great. Thank you, Freddie.
Seeing no other comments or questions, I would like to acknowledge the work that you do and also the future work you will be doing. If you would like to share the good news with everyone.
Yeah, I'm very pleased to share that I've been reelected for a second term in the next school year, and I'm really excited to be continuing this work, both as a part of VDSC and at this table.
Thank you. I think it's really important, too, there's continuity because it is an election year, so you'll be working with a different... group of trustees around the table and so you are exceptionally I guess important to the continuity and so thank you for for all the work you're doing and for your future efforts we appreciate you the online link for submitting questions will now be closed and we are at number seven on the agenda which is reports from trustee representatives Trustee Fraser has included one, page 35 of the agenda package tonight, and that was from the City of Vancouver's Urban Indigenous Peoples Advisory Committee that was held on March the 30th. Thank you, Trustee Fraser, for including that information in the package.
Sections eight and nine, we have no new business tonight. or notices of motions, notices of motion on the agenda. And so we are going to take a recess right now and then we'll come back for items 10, 11 and 12 on the agenda. We will reconvene in. OK, we'll reconvene in 10 minutes. Thank you.
Thank you.
Welcome back. Thank you for your patience with us as we go through some of the questions that were submitted through our online portal. It is 8 49 p.m. We received five questions to go over and I would like to summarize them and give answers. A friendly reminder to those submitting questions to make their best attempt to keep it to governance, board-based questions, and happy to follow up with those that have submitted operational questions. There was a question about unpaid absences for EAs or educational assistance. So staff have access to leave provisions under their collective agreement for a range of personal, family, medical, or other reasons. At a system level, the board continues to prioritize frontline supports. This year's budget included an increase of 23 full-time equivalent student support assistant positions or SSAs. The district also continues to provide training related to inclusion, safety, and student support.
Our second question was raised about cuts to music and PE education for students.
There's currently information on social media that is simply inaccurate. and we've been getting some emails about it. All VSB students will continue to learn the full BC curriculum, including physical education, arts education, which includes music, drama, art, dance, and other required subject areas taught by qualified teachers. Families with concerns about specific schools and their schedules are encouraged to contact their principal.
A student raised a question about bullying and racism and other types of supports that are available to them. We take incidences of bullying and racism very seriously. Concerns are addressed at a school level as a first step where staff can investigate, intervene, and put supports in place. I have asked staff to follow up directly with the student. If students or families have concerns, we encourage them to contact their school. I also would like to say that there is a erase reporting tool that lets you send a secure and anonymous confidential message to your school or school district if there are concerns, which I believe is a provincial, yes, which is a provincial service that is offered. Next, we have a question about student engagement, specifically around the personal digital device policy that we discussed earlier tonight. So the superintendent shared earlier that staff will, bring a report to a committee meeting in the spring. So board committee, all of our standing committees currently have student representatives via the VDSC or the Vancouver District Student Council.
And I believe if a student isn't able to make it, that you have other students in place to fill in. I also would like to just remind those that tonight's meeting, we approved the revised student trustee policy highlighting the importance of student voice at the governance level.
And lastly, there was a question about the chair's right to close every debate. This is not Robert's rules, but as a common courtesy, the chair, myself in this situation, allows for other trustees to speak before sharing my own thoughts with the board. It is merely courtesy, but then that allows, I usually ask, If anyone else would like to speak, then I speak, and then I ask the mover to close debate. And this is how I choose to chair meetings. And that is our last question for the night. So before we adjourn, I would like to go to item 11 on the agenda, which is report on private session. Okay.
That the board authorized the board chair to report to the May 27th 2026 public meeting that at the private session of April the 29th, 2026, the board discussed personnel, property, legal matters, and business interests. 11.2, that at the special private session of April the 29th, the board discussed bargaining matters and that the special private session of April the 29th, Trustee Freecoat recused herself from the meeting due to a potential conflict of interest. 11.3, that at the special private meeting, May the 25th, the Board discussed an appeal matter. 11.4, that at the private session of May the 27th, 2026, the Board discussed personnel, property, legal matters, business interests, bargaining matters, and approved a revised Policy 14 school closure. And that at the private session of May the 27th, 2026, Trustee Freedcoat recused herself from the meeting due to a potential conflict of interest. Item 12 on tonight's agenda. Before we adjourn, I would like to invite those who are visiting with us tonight to visit the Ayers annual year-end exhibition, Ayers is Artists in Residence. Incredible work from elementary schools across the district who work with professional artists and have created some absolutely exceptional pieces of art from magazines to using things found in nature to paintings, you name it. Absolutely incredible. And that's at the end of the hall. matters on tonight's agenda have been completed and if there are no objections from trustees I will adjourn by consensus thank you kindly Oh trustee Fraser I see your hand up I thought there was going to be a comment on the private one of the private meetings
you trustee fraser um uh a comment on 11.14 about the revised policy 14 that that is available through our website for those who would like to keep up to date uh search policy 14. okay thank you trustee fraser for that reminder it is 8 55 and the meeting is adjourned