Role of the Board

POLICY: 2

ROLE OF THE BOARD

As the elected community representatives, the Board of Education of School District No. 37 (Delta) is responsible for the development of goals and policies to guide the provision of educational services to students attending schools and programs within the Delta School District No. 37, in a manner consistent with the School Act, other legislation and in consideration of the values of the electorate.

Specific Areas of Responsibility

  1. Strategic Planning

    1.1 Provide input and overall direction for the District by establishing the mission, vision, values, guiding principles and strategic direction.
    1.2 Approve the District’s Strategic Plan.
    1.3 Set District goals and monitor key results and progress contained in the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning (educational goals) and other results in the strategic plan.
    1.4 Approve other plans as required by the School Act
    1.5 Annually evaluate the effectiveness of the District in achieving established goals and desired results.

  2. Accountability to Community, Indigenous Communities, and the First Nations rights-holders on whose Traditional Territories our schools are situated.

    2.1 Make informed decisions that consider community values and represent the interests of the entire District.
    2.2 Establish processes and provide opportunity for focused community input.
    2.3 Establish and maintain an Indigenous Education Council.
    2.4 Report District outcomes to the community at least annually.
    2.5 Develop appeal procedures and hold hearings as required by statute and/or Board policy.
    2.6 Model a culture of respect and integrity.
    2.7 Promote school programs, needs and desires to the community.
    2.8 Promote the successful operation of Parent Advisory Councils in schools within the District.

  3. Accountability to Provincial Government Legislation

    3.1 Act in accordance with all statutory requirements to implement educational standards and policies.
    3.2 Perform Board functions required by governing legislation and existing Board policy.

  4. Advocacy

    4.1 Consider the priorities and focus for advocacy, key messages and advocacy mechanisms.
    4.2 Provide input and decisions to the British Columbia School Trustee Association and the British Columbia Public Sector Employers’ Association.
    4.3 Advance Board/District positions and priorities through local/community and provincial elected officials and organizations as deemed appropriate.
    4.4 Act in accordance with all statutory requirements of governing legislation through a co-governance model of public education.
    4.5 Perform Board functions required by governing legislation and existing Board policy.

  5. Policy

    5.1 Approve policies for the District and evaluate their attainment.
    5.2 Monitor administrative procedures to ensure the effective operation of the District.

  1. Board/Superintendent Relations

    6.1 Select the Superintendent.
    6.2 Provide the Superintendent with clear corporate direction.
    6.3 Delegate, in writing, administrative authority and identify responsibility subject to the provisions and restrictions in provincial legislation and regulations.
    6.4 Respect the authority of the Superintendent to carry out executive action and support the Superintendent’s actions which are exercised within the delegated discretionary powers of the position.
    6.5 Annually review Superintendent performance.
    6.6 Upon recommendation of the Superintendent, approve the appointment of the Secretary-Treasurer.

  2. Board Development

    7.1 Annually evaluate the Board’s performance and effectiveness.
    7.2 Engage in professional development to ensure accountability, transparency and effective leadership.

  3. Fiscal Accountability

    8.1 Approve budget guiding principles and decision-making criteria, establish priorities at the outset of the budget process, and approve the process and timeline for budget deliberations.
    8.2 Approve the annual budget, which aligns with the Strategic Plan, by bylaw and allocation of resources to achieve desired results.
    8.3 Approve extraordinary budget adjustments when necessary.
    8.4 Monitor the fiscal management of the District through receipt of a semi-annual variance analysis and year-end projections, and approve the amended budget by bylaw.
    8.5 Approve the appointment of the Auditor and the terms of the audit engagement on an annual basis and approve the appointment of the Banker.
    8.6 Annually review the Audit Report and management letter and approve the Audited Financial Statements.
    8.7 Approve the annual five-year capital plan and long-range facilities plan.
    8.8 Within provincial parameters, provide direction regarding the mandate for employee negotiations.
    8.9 Ratify memoranda of agreement with employee bargaining units.
    8.10 Approve short-term borrowings.
    8.11 Review and monitor all accumulated surpluses and reserve funds to ensure financial health and stability.
    8.12 Provide for adequate budget consultation processes with the community, Indigenous communities and other partner groups.
    8.13 Regularly monitor the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Plan.
    8.14 Approve by bylaw, the acquisition and disposition of district land and buildings
    8.15 Approve rental rates for District facilities

Additional Responsibilities

  1. Approve annual local school calendars in accordance with legislation.
  2. Approve Board Authority Authorized Courses.
  3. Approve the naming and renaming of District facilities, land and portions therof.
  4. Approve school catchment areas.
  5. Approve the “Board Annual Work Plan”.
  6. Provide for recognition of students, staff and community members, including Indigenous communities and First Nations on whose traditional territories our schools operate.
  7. Approve contracts and agreements as required by legislation.
  8. Review the student enrolment and staffing report.
  9. Approve changes to student fee schedules in excess of the Vancouver C.P.I.
  10. Approve District partnerships and associated contracts.
  11. Approve student transportation service levels
  12. Provide for Child Care as required by legislation.
  13. Approve other matters as required.

 

Legal Reference:             Sections 65, 74, 74.1, 75, 75.1, 76.1, 76.3, 76.4, 77, 79.2, 82, 82.1, 84, 85, 86, 96, 112, 112.1, 113, 145, 147, 158 School Act

Revised:  June 2026

APPENDIX A – BOARD ANNUAL WORK PLAN

September
Regular Board Meeting Agenda Items
o Review Strategic Plan, Vision and Enhancing Student Learning reports
o Receive Auditor’s Report and approve Audited Financial Statements
o Truth and Reconciliation Day
o World Teachers’ Day
o Introduction of New Administrators

Events
o None

October
Events
o BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting

November
Regular Board Meeting Agenda Items
o Elect Board Chair, Vice-Chair (Inaugural Meeting)
o Review committee/representative appointments

Events
o BCSSA Conference
o BCPSEA Symposium
o BCSTA Trustee Academy

December
Regular Board Meeting Agenda Items
o Approve Public Interest Disclosure Report
o Review Board Policies
o Approve IB Fees

Events
o None

January
Regular Board Meeting Agenda Items
o Circulate Budget development process and budget calendar to stakeholders and rightsholders
o Approve District 3-Year Calendar (as applicable)
o Receive International Student Program Report
o Approve appointment of Auditors

Events
o BCPSEA Annual General Meeting

February
Regular Board Meeting Agenda Items
o Approve Amended Budget for current year

Events
o BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting

March
Regular Board Meeting Agenda Items
o None

Events
o None

April
Regular Board Meeting Agenda Items
o Approve Audit Plan
o Receive input re: Budget decisions
o Approve Budget and Accumulated Operating Surplus Plan for upcoming year
o Approve Multi-year Budget Report
o National Day of Mourning

Events
o District Science Fair
o BCSTA Annual General Meeting

May
Regular Board Meeting Agenda Items
o Approve Crossing Guards Program Proposal
o Approval of Student Fees for the upcoming school year

Events
o Student Recognition Ceremony
o Indigenous Recognition Ceremonies

June
Regular Board Meeting Agenda Items
o Canada Wide Science Fair/District Science Fair Report
o Approve Capital Plan
o Approve upcoming year’s Board meeting schedule
o Student recognition and presentations (e.g., Science Fair award recipients, Heritage Fair Report,
school sports teams accomplishments)
o Receive Indigenous Presentation and Youth Reporters for the Environment/DYSN Reports
o Review Board Annual Work Plan

Events
o Long Service/Retirement Recognition Awards Ceremony
o Student Awards
o Valedictory and Awards Ceremonies
o National Indigenous Peoples Day


Ongoing

  • Hear appeals, as needed
  • Respond to media requests on governance matters
  • Ratify Memoranda of Agreement with bargaining units
  • Receive Educational and Operational Highlights reports
  • Attend liaison school or PAC functions, upon request
  • Approve disposition and acquisition of buildings and land
  • Attend trustee development/orientation sessions
  • Declare facilities surplus to school needs
  • Attend internal/external committee meetings and report to the Board
  • Meetings with elected officials
  • Guide and approve District Strategic Plan (as applicable)
  • Approve Capital Bylaw  month can change
  • Approve Board Authorized Courses (as applicable)

    Other Items

  • Audit and Finance Committee (September/December/April/June)
  • Superintendent’s Growth Plan Update (October/February/May)
  • CUPE Learning Improvement Fund (October)
  • Superintendent’s Annual Performance Review (June)
  • Board Self-Evaluation (June)
  • Review Motions for BCSTA AGM & Provincial Council and BCPSEA AGM
  • Receive Ministry Funding Announcement (March)
  • Receive Enrolment Report
  • Receive Pay Transparency Act Report
  • Receive Education Partner, public input for upcoming year budget (February)

Policy 2
Delta School District 37
Board Policy Handbook
June 2026

Policy 2