DPAC September-October Update

General Updates

COVID-19 Updates:

COVID protocols are in place- ventilation and filters have been upgraded, all windows can now be opened, all faucets have been upgraded and sinks added to hallways. VSB has installed MERV-13 filters in all schools now and increased air flow. Generally, VSB is doing better than other BC districts in terms of facilities upgrades related to COVID-19. Portables are still a problem.
Several BC DPACs coordinated to speak to the Provincial Health Office to advocate for masks for K-12 and to return to providing notifications for COVID exposures in schools. Masks were successful.
Past exposures in schools are being posted on the Vancouver Coastal Health website, but notifications are no longer being circulated. DPACs continue to request greater transparency on COVID exposures.

Planning:

There is more planning being done this year than in many years, which DPAC will have to be on top of and provide input into.

The Ministry of Education has asked VSB to develop a Long-term Investment Plan, which it has done, but there is still a lack of clarity on how this related to the Capital Plan and the Long-range Facilities Plan.
VSB is also developing its Strategic Plan for 2021-2026 (Education Plan). Stakeholder engagement on the VSB Education Plan 2026 (Strategic Plan) is continuing this fall with a survey sent out to parents (students were asked for their input last spring). DPAC will
VSB hired Urban Matters last spring to conduct consultations for the development of an Anti-racism and Non-discrimination Framework for the District. The findings and recommendations should be available soon.
the VSB submission for funding. Enrollment decreased more than expected, so there will be less funding next year
Seismic mitigation projects are continuing. The Ministry has asked the VSB to provide a Long-range Facilities Plan, a Capital Plan and most recently a Long-range Investment Plan (see Oct. 4 meeting notes) which will form the basis of decisions on seismic upgrading going forward. NB: John Oliver no longer appears in the Long-range Investment Plan as a priority for seismic upgrades.
VSB is working with the City of Vancouver on a plan for childcare expansions. Currently, there are childcare facilities in 67 schools operating on a cost-recovery basis.

School programmes:

Safer schools: 9 liaison staff have been hired to replace the Student Liaison Officers who were removed from schools with the cancellation of the SLO programme (a joint Vancouver Police-VSB programme) last spring. The new staff are not in law enforcement but are categorized as youth and family workers.

Superintendent search:

Jan Unwin is the current acting Superintendent and the hiring process for the new Superintended is on-going. DPAC was consulted on the criteria for evaluating candidates.

DPAC updates:

DPAC also sends representatives to VSB’s multiple committees to make sure that parents have a voice at the table. Discussion and transparency are still limited, but better than many large urban school districts. DPAC continues to push for greater accountability between staff and trustees.
DPAC is continuing to advocate for more transparency around COVID-19 in schools and increasing safety standards. It is planning some information sessions on vaccines for children in the upcoming weeks.
DPAC has been advocated for more transparency in data from VSB for a long time and VSB is now publishing more data on its website. It breaks down enrolment in regular programmes well, but there is still lack of clarity on choice programmes. Facilities planning is still happening based on where kids go to school and not where kids live.
Last year, DPAC overscheduled General Meetings, so is scaling back this year to a smaller number of presentations and more focus on issues PACs come to DPAC with.
Next General Meeting (Oct. 28), the QE Annex PAC will be revisiting their proposal from last spring for DPAC to support a motion for No School Closures until December 2023

All parents are welcome to attend DPAC Meetings. Register here: http://vancouverdpac.org/2021-2022-school-year

Upcoming Meetings:

John Oliver PAC