An overview of discussion items and major decisions of the Board of Education of School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake). For meeting agendas/minutes and a schedule of upcoming board meetings, visit sd8.bc.ca/meetings.
Assistant Superintendent Deanna Holitzki and District Principal Tamara Malloff presented the 2025–2026 Literacy Continuous Learning Report, outlining a unified three-year (2024–2027) plan for a 15% improvement in K–12 literacy by 2028. The plan emphasizes equity, culturally responsive instruction, and evidence-based practice. Ten strategic actions will guide implementation, focusing on early intervention, data-informed teaching, instructional leadership, and collaboration across schools to ensure every learner thrives.
Assistant Superintendent Holitzki presented an overview of the process for providing inclusive education supports and resources in SD8. Inclusive education means all students— including those with diverse needs and who meet the criteria for specific designations by the Ministry of Education and Child Care —are fully supported in their catchment area schools. The district provides equitable access to learning, individualized programming, and classroom supports such as Inclusion Support Teachers, Education Assistants, and assistive technologies to help students meet their Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals and graduate with dignity, purpose, and options for the future.
Superintendent Trish Smillie presented a district-wide schedule of Remembrance Day ceremonies happening in schools across SD8 on November 10, and encouraged Trustees to attend ceremonies at their local schools.
Secretary-Treasurer Cathy MacArthur presented the Final Enrolment and Budget Report to the Board.
Data from the B.C. Ministry of Education and Child Care “1701” student data collection and reporting process shows a decline of 52.375 (-1.1%) full-time-equivalent (FTE) students in SD8. Total enrolment for the 2025-2026 school year is 4,623.5 (FTE) students. The district’s total operating grant from the ministry remains about the same this year as last due to provincial funding protection and other factors.
Other take-aways from the 1701 process are that online learning has grown, in-person enrolment in standard schools has declined, and the number of Indigenous students and students with diverse learning needs has declined in SD8.
Enrolment in SD8 is expected to continue to decline in the future.
The Board appointed Vice-Chair Bremner to serve as the trustee representative (non-voting) on the Indigenous Education Council (IEC).
The Board elected Trustee Blackmore as Member at Large for the Kootenay Boundary Branch (KBB) of the British Columbia School Trustees Association (BCSTA). The branch includes representation from school districts 5, 6, 8, 10, 20 and 51.
Mount Sentinel Secondary School (MSSS)
Student Trustee Keyes reported that Mount Sentinel and Sequoia began the year with 295 students and strong engagement in academics, extracurricular activities, and a commitment to a positive, inclusive school culture. The student council hosted a pancake breakfast and spirit events, while athletics and clubs— including volleyball, cross-country running, Drama, Chess, the Green Team, and Pride clubs—are active. Grade 12 students are focused on post-secondary planning, scholarships, and campus tours.
The next Meeting of the Board held in Public is scheduled for November 4, 2025.
These highlights exclude confidential information such as business negotiations, personnel issues and legal matters. For other information or to provide feedback, please contact the Communications & Public Engagement Manager at 250-352-6681 or engagement@sd8.bc.ca.