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Home Page > Parents : Working Together

Working together to solve problems

Parents, principals, teachers and support staff working together create a strong team for a student's education.

Sometimes, however, things don't work as smoothly as we would like and parents find that they are concerned about something at school. This may be related to the education their child is receiving, discipline at the school or health and safety issues.

When that happens, parents can use a step-by-step approach to solve the problem.

As your elected representatives, trustees are always available to parents and members of the public to discuss concerns, but they do not become officially involved in decision-making until after there has been an attempt to solve the problem at the school and district staff levels.

Occasionally parents are hesitant about discussing problems because of a concern that it will have repercussions for their children. We assure you that this will never be the case. We are committed to dealing with all people in a respectful and dignified manner with a sincere desire to solve problems.

Further information

The B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils has a guide for parents - Speaking Up! A parent guide for advocating for students in public schools

Step-by-step appeal process

Parents should use this step-by-step process when working to solve problems at school:

• • The first step for parents is to talk to the teacher about your concerns. Because school life is filled with human interactions, differences between teachers and some students will occur and it is important that parents hear both sides. Experience has shown that the majority of problems can be solved at this step.

• • If consultation with the teacher does not bring about a solution, then discuss your concerns with your school principal.

• • If you feel you have thoroughly discussed your problem with staff at the school, and you still have concerns, contact the Office of the Assistant Superintendents at 250-741-5335.

• • The next step, if you are still dissatisfied after discussions with an Assistant Superintendent, is to contact the Office of the Superintendent of Schools, 250 741-5231.

• • Beyond the Superintendent, the Board of Education has a formal appeal process for parents who have an unresolved complaint which significantly affects the education, health or safety of a student. See the Parent Student Appeals Policy No. 3560 and Procedure No. 3560P.

• • An amendment to the School Act passed in the spring of 2007 now allows parents or students to appeal a decision of a Board of Education to a provincial Superintendent of Achievement in certain specific circumstances.

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