Board Meeting Highlights | October 21, 2025
The meeting was held at École Mission Central Elementary. Thank you, Mission Central, for accommodating the Board & guests.
Mission Arts Council Delegation RE: Rental Fees
The Executive Director of the Mission Arts Council, a non-profit society, appeared before the Board to request a reduction in rental fees for their upcoming Christmas Market fundraiser at HPMS. An
introductory presentation was provided. The Director noted that the annual percentage increase in rental fees has become difficult for the organization to sustain and was not accounted for in their budget. The Board of Education resolved THAT staff revert the rental fee to the 2024 rate, provided we are covering our staff and maintenance costs.
MSS Replacement Update Presentation
Follow the Project in our Engage MPSD "Have Your Say" Public Engagement Portal
https://engagempsd.ca/mss-replacement
School Growth Plans
This month, the Board was pleased to review Growth Plans from Albert McMahon Elementary, Riverside College, and E.S. Richards Elementary. Using the template provided is very appreciated by the trustees.
Student Trip to Japan - March 2026
L. Colosie, a Science teacher at MSS, brought a proposal in front of the Board. The purpose of this trip is to give students who have an interest in science, technology, engineering, applied science or mathematics (STEAM) an opportunity to learn about these topics in another part of the world. Students will also get added benefits from the cultural experience of travelling to another country.
The group will visit: Konnichiwa Tokyo, Tsukuba Space Center, Cyberdyne Studios, AIST-Cube, Team Lab Planet, Miraikan - National Museum of Emerging Science & Innovation, Unicorn Gundam statue, Fuji TV building observatory, Tokyo Disney, Kyoto, Otsuki, Yamanashi Prefectural Maglev Exhibition
Center, Nijo Castle, Kyoto International Manga Museum & Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kinkaku-ji temple (Golden Pavilion), Tenryu-ji temple, Arashiyama bamboo forest, and Gian district.
The Board of Education resolved
THAT the MSS Field Trip to Japan for 24 to 45 students in grades 11 and 12, from March 12th to March 20th, 2027, be approved.
Endorsement and Support of the Equity Scan
In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, the Board of Education resolved
THAT the Board endorses and supports the work highlighted in the
Q’pethet Ye Tel:exw, Gathering to Understand: A Framework for Creating a Culture of Equity in MPSD (Equity Scan).
The Equity Scan defines a collective and collaborative decision-making process for school districts to enter into a genuine and meaningful self-assessment dialogue about the experience of education for Indigenous learners and to respond in strategic ways to create conditions for success.
Policy Review
The following were approved in principle and added to the Engage MPSD "Have Your Say" Public Engagement Portal.
The 1-question surveys have now been published. Clicking the above links will take you directly into the individual surveys, where you can read the policy & provide feedback.
There’s still time to share your thoughts on several School District policies that may affect your child or family. October 24 is the last day to provide feedback before final review and approval on:
The
Student Appeals Bylaw feedback survey remains open until November 14.
The
Draft Use of School Sites Bylaw feedback survey will be open till December 19.
Your input helps us keep policies transparent, relevant, and in the best interests of Mission students. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback!
The Board of Education resolved:
Click the highlighted links to read the amended policies, filed in the Governance and Students and Instruction sections, respectively.
Information/Correspondence Items
The Board shared the DPAC Advocacy Letter within the
Agenda
Board Meeting Highlights | September 23, 2025
The meeting was held at Dewdney Elementary School. Thank you, Dewdney, for hosting the Board & guests and for the warm welcome, which included a student-made apple crumble, using the apples grown in their local orchard. The Board has appreciated visiting again.
Election of Board Chair and Vice Chair
Congratulations to the new Board Chair and Vice-Chair!
Tracy Loffler was elected and declared to the office of the Chair for the Board of School Trustees for School District No. 75 (Mission).
Shelley Carter was declared the Vice-Chair for the Board of School Trustees for School District No. 75 (Mission).
We would like to thank the outgoing Vice-Chair, Trustee Linda Hamel, for her dedication to the Board of Education and Mission Public Schools and congratulate Trustee Loffler and Trustee Carter on being re-elected into their roles.
Meet the Board and read their Bios HERE.
MSS Australia Trip Review
L. Colosie and two of her students presented about their experience from the June 2025 student trip to Sydney and Cairns, Australia.
MSS Replacement Update
After a busy Summer, staff presented a brief update. A preferred proponent has been selected, and final details are being worked on, so the contract can be signed next month. Announcement to be made after the contract has been signed.
The scope of the project is within the budget approved by the province. Read more details at:
Long Range Facilities Plan Update
The project is advancing. Staff are working with a consultant. The previous survey indicated a general desire for restructuring. Open houses will be held in January to get further feedback from the community. Detailed reports will be brought to the board in October.
The Role of the Superintendent Policy
The Board of Education resolved THAT the Role of the Superintendent Policy be fully approved. You can read the policy here:
The policy can be found under Governance >> Board Policies >> District Administration
Preliminary School Opening Report
The Superintendent is pleased to report that Mission schools had a successful launch of the school year. While enrolment is falling in the Metro region, it is essentially flat in Mission at this time. The district is fully staffed and we have approximately 130 TTOCs. We are still recruiting at universities. Official enrollment numbers will be finalized after September 30th.
Summer Online Learning Report
As with the previous two years, summer online learning’s new model has allowed hundreds of students to complete courses that they otherwise would have failed or had to take the following year.
152 students, 89% (of 170 initially enrolled, including both school-age students and adult learners), activated their enrolment in the program.
Out of those, 138, or 91% of students, successfully completed their courses.
Report on purchase in excess of $1 million
In accordance with the Board Purchasing and Procurement Policy, the Mission Central HVAC Upgrade contract of more than $1 million was approved by the Secretary-Treasurer and Superintendent, and was reported to the Board.
Project start date: July 2025
Tentative completion date: August 20, 2026
School Growth Plans
To date, the Board is pleased to have reviewed Growth Plans from:
-
Fraserview Learning Centre
-
Silverdale Elementary
-
Mission Senior Secondary, and
- Cherry Hill Elementary School.
Curriculum Plans for 2025-26
The Assistant Superintendent provided a preliminary overview of the upcoming plans of the Curriculum Department for building teacher capacity and supporting students. The Curriculum Team is focusing on literacy & numeracy, with a commitment to equity.
Quarterly Report ending June 30, 2025
Enhancing Student Learning Report
The Board of Education resolved THAT the 2024-2025 Enhancing Student Learning Report be approved and submitted to the Ministry of Education and Childcare before October 1, 2025.
Strategic Plan Priorities
The Board discussed their strategic priorities for the year, determining to continue focusing on:
- LITERACY, NUMERACY, SAFETY
- TECHNOLOGY FOR STUDENTS
- EXPAND HALQ'EMEYLEM
- EXPAND EARLY LEARNING/Before and After-School Care
- EXPAND STUDENT VOICE
Financial Statements, Financial Statement Discussion and Analysis
The Board of Education resolved THAT the audited School District No. 75 (Mission) June 30, 2025 Financial Statements be accepted;
AND THAT the School District No. 75 (Mission) June 30, 2025 Financial Statements Discussion and Analysis report be approved.
Minor Capital Plan Submission 2026/2027
The Board of Education resolved THAT the 2026/2027 Minor Capital Project Funding request report be approved and submitted to the Ministry of Education:
|
BUS |
$
435,549 | (Replacement of 2 buses that are in need of replacement due to age and kilometres) |
|
CNCP | $ 2,115,000 | (Upgrading the air handling unit at Dewdney Elementary, replacing two failing boilers at Hatzic Elementary, and an air handling unit at Hatzic Middle School) |
|
PEP | $
200,000 | (Replacing aging and failing playground equipment at Christine Morrison Elementary) |
|
SEP | $ 1,045,000 | (Fraserview and Hatzic Elementary as needing roofing replacements on a few sections of each school) |
|
Total |
$ 3,795,549 |
|
Executive Compensation Disclosure Report 2024-2025
The
Board resolved THAT the Public Sector Executive Compensation Report for 2024-2025 be approved and submitted to the BC Public School Employers’ Association, along with an Attestation Letter signed by the Board Chair.
2025 – 2026 Borrowing Resolution
A standard operating resolution is required every year. We have not had to use these funds yet. The
Board resolved THAT the Superintendent and Secretary-Treasurer be authorized to borrow on behalf of Mission Public School District (School District #75) from the Scotia Bank for the 2025-2026 operating year, up to:
a) $1,500,000 in an Operating Line of Credit
b) $750,000 in a revolving term / Scotia leasing.
The Employee Use of Technology Policy
After extensive discussion with the Committee of the Whole, the
Board resolved THAT the
Employee Use of Technology Policy be approved in principle. The approved-in-principle policy is now forwarded to employees, the educational community, and the general public using the Engage portal.
Please read the policy and answer the one-question survey.
Catchment, Cross Boundary, School of Choice, Program of Choice Policy
This amendment only affects DISTRICT PLACED STUDENTS. To minimize the number of students being transported to a non-catchment school, the Board of Education resolved THAT the following amendment to the
Catchment Areas, Cross-Boundary, Schools of Choice, and Programs of Choice Policy be
approved in principle, and forwarded to partner groups, Siwal Si'wes, and Leq'á:mel, Semá:th, Máthxwi, Sq'éwlets and Qwó:ltl'el First Nations for feedback:
Change:
Cross Boundary
From:
School District Cross-Boundary Placement
The School District may find it necessary to enroll a student in a school other than the neighbourhood school due to the availability of special programs or enrollment restrictions. While such placements
shall
be expected to remain for the duration of the current school year, whenever possible students will be returned to their neighbourhood school,
effective the start of the next school year. If a family would like to remain at their non-catchment school, they will need to complete a cross-boundary request in accordance with applicable procedures.
To:
District Placement
The School District may find it necessary to enroll a student in a school other than the neighbourhood school due to the availability of special programs or enrollment restrictions. While such placements
may remain in place for the duration of the current school year, whenever possible students will be returned to their neighbourhood school
when a space becomes available. If a family would like to remain at their non-catchment school, they will need to complete a cross-boundary request in accordance with applicable procedures.
Please provide your feedback within the 1-Question Survey.
Student Appeals Bylaw
The original
Student Appeals Bylaw has been restructured into a current Bylaw format and updated, considering a review of the legislation, regulation, and the resources provided by the Ministry.
THAT the draft updated Student Appeals Bylaw No. 2025-04 and the reports to the Committee of the Whole and the Board be placed on the Engage Portal and circulated to education partners, Siwal Si'wes, and Leq'á:mel, Semá:th, Máthxwi, Sq'éwlets and Qwó:ltl'el First Nations to solicit feedback on the draft bylaw.
Motion RE SD75 Indigenous Cultural Safety, Humility, and Competency Guide
The Board of Education resolved
THAT the Board of Education
formally commits to reading and reviewing the
Ey kw'ese te shxweli - Welcome To This Place: A Siwal Si’wes guide for Mission School District Staff Members AND the
MPSD Indigenous Cultural Safety, Humility, and Competency Guide annually at the September public board meeting. This action will ensure the Board's ongoing understanding and demonstrate a sustained dedication to fostering a safe, inclusive, and culturally-aware learning environment for all students and staff.
And THAT the Board of Education
formally amends the Trustee Code of Conduct Policy to include a new section. This section will require all trustees to annually read and review the district’s
Ey kw'ese te shxweli - Welcome To This Place AND the
MPSD Indigenous Cultural Safety, Humility, and Competency Guide as an integral part of their professional and ethical duties.
Trustee Code of Ethical Conduct
*Amended
Informational Items shared within the
Agenda:
-
Sacred Teaching for 2025-26
Read more here: Slálem Turtle La tortue Lexwsthe’it Truth La vérité
- 2025-2026 Board Work Plan
-
Administrative Procedures & Policies: numbers were stripped, and documents on the website have been updated
-
Summary of the BCSTA IEAC Meeting in Mission
-
MPSD Letter and Response from the Ministry of Transportation and Transit RE: Mission Bridge safety
-
Foundation Skills Assessments (FSA) are coming to Grades 4 and 7 between October 1 and November 10, 2025.
Staff provided information and the Board issued a Letter to Parents. Find more information here.
