TRUSTEE BUDGET PRIORITIES FOR 2023/24
As the Board transitioned into the 2023/24 Budget process, trustees updated their key priorities to maintain alignment with the District’s Vision 2030 and 2021-2024 Strategic Plan. Trustees wish to acknowledge the important work that lies ahead as the District continues on its mission to inspire and nurture thriving, future-ready learners, and takes further steps to achieve its Vision 2030 to become an innovative, inclusive community where all learners belong, and everyone soars.
- Trustees wish to maintain specific initiatives that support Vision 2030. This includes supports with an emphasis on Graduation for All, Powerful and Inspiring Learning Environments, Strong Foundations in Literacy and Numeracy, Engaged, Empowered and Healthy Workforce, and Strong Governance and Stewardship of Resources.
- Trustees prioritize a commitment to improving student success, equity, and inclusivity of outcomes for all learners as foundational to the Vision 2030 and the ongoing realization of the District’s strategic plan. Trustees prioritize innovative and individualized inclusive learning environments in which all students are connected, engaged, thrive, and have the opportunities to reach their full potential and experience success in an ever-evolving technological world and workforce.
- A key priority of trustees is to continue the long-term plan for improving literacy and numeracy rates with Indigenous students, particularly at the Grades 1–4 levels. Trustees recognize that additional and continued efforts are critical to responding to differences in strengths and needs, and achieving equity for young Indigenous learners, in particular to ensure they develop the literacy and numeracy skills required to graduate with dignity, purpose, and options, and leave school more confident and curious than when they first entered.
- Trustees recognize the need for continued learning, understanding and appreciation of the valuable diversity within the District. In particular, trustees prioritize the need to ensure an antiracist learning environment and also to continue to embrace Indigenous histories, cultures and Principles of Learning.
- Student physical and mental wellness: Trustees prioritize the promotion of student physical and mental wellness as a core competency. This is a collective responsibility rooted in compassionate, inclusive, robust, and nurturing learning environments and relationships. As such, trustees prioritize a system-wide approach to physical and mental health promotion; strengthening and expanding the work already being done in schools to promote student physical and mental wellness. Placing priority on preventative, universal and targeted learning opportunities and supports for all students; in combination with an emphasis on building student agency and the development of social emotional, mental health literacy and physical health competencies equips Delta students to thrive.
- Trustees recognize and support the school district’s role in the ChildCareBC Vision for providers and partners of all kinds to work together with the government to deliver early learning and child care on school grounds.
- Trustees place a focus on employee wellness encompassing support and programs that help to improve social, emotional, mental, and physical health and well-being, and create a culture that ensures employees have the resources they need to be successful, empowered and engaged at work. In turn, this will help ensure that students receive the best education and experiences possible.
- The District’s emphasis is on spending in the classroom, but the District also seeks an operating approach of overall balance. Where sound judgment or circumstances suggest a temporary or longer-term increase in administration costs to support the delivery of strategic goals and/or ensure long-term sustainability, trustees may deem it acceptable to increase administration spending.
- Trustees prioritize that Sustainability and Energy Management practices permeate decision making to reduce and manage the District’s environmental footprint and increase sustainability, ensuring the District continues to work towards the requirements of the Climate Change Accountability Act, Carbon Neutral Government Regulation and Clean B.C. 2030 targets. This will include projects that incorporate green practices and/or support student-led Environmental Stewardship Programs.
The Trustee Priorities can be found on page 11 of the 2023/2024 Multi-Year Budget Report.