THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT 68

MINUTES OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS COMMITTEE MEETING

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

5:00 P.m. - 6:00 P.m.

ONLINE MICROSOFT TEAMS MEETING

Trustees

• T. Rokeby, Chair
• M. Robinson, Vice-Chair
• T. Harris
• G. Keller
• L. Lee
• C. Morvay
• L. Pellegrin

Absent

• N. Bailey
• T. Brzovic

Staff

• R. Gray, Superintendent/CEO
• M. Walsh, Secretary-Treasurer
• G. Robinson, Ex. Dir. Communications
• J. Poulin, Assistant Superintendent
• M. Olsen, Assistant Superintendent
• K. Steel, Director of Instruction
• K. Funke-Robinson, Director of Instruction
• B. Hancock, Director of Instruction

Absent

• K. Matthews, Manager Admin. Services

Representatives

• CUPE Representative: Jeff Virtanen
  NDTA Representative: Megan Simmer

  NSAA Representative: Lisa Frey 

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

The Chair will call the meeting to order. 

The southeastern part of Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the lower Fraser River are the traditional territories of the Coast Salish Peoples. For thousands of years, the Coast Salish people have lived in, travelled and fished the waterways of the Salish Sea.

The hul’q’umi’num language is the language of this land.  Hul’q’umi’num traditionally, and to this day, unites the Snaw Naw As, Snuneymuxw and Stz’uminus peoples as one family and on whose territories we stand today.

We also give thanks to the ancestors, hereditary leaders, matriarchs and creatures big and small for looking after the rich resources and cultural teachings of this land.

The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm.

2.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

There were no additions. 

3.

DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA

There were no deletions. 

4.

CHANGE IN ORDER

There was no change in order. 

5.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

• SD26/02/11-01
  IT WAS MOVED BY Trustee Lee
  IT WAS SECONDED BY Trustee Morvay

  That the Agenda be approved.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

The minutes of January 14, 2026, were approved as presented.

7.

PRESENTATIONS

7.1

Dover Bay Student Leadership Team

Re:  Free Public Transit for Students

Dover Bay Student Leadership Team recently advocated to the Regional District of Nanaimo for free public transit for students.  The leadership team shared their presentation to the RDN with the committee. 

8.

SENIOR STAFF REPORTS

8.1

Brett Hancock, Director of Instruction

District Programs Update

• Learning Alternatives 
• Career Technical Centre (CTC) 

Director of Instruction Brett Hancock, along with Learning Alternatives Principal Chad Jobe and CTC Principal David Travers, presented updates on the district’s Learning Alternatives and Career Technical Centre programs. Supporting information sheets are attached to the agenda.

8.2

District Learning Team

Re:  Enhancing Student Learning Report Review, Completion Rates

The District's Learning Team provided an update to the district's Enhancing Student Learning Report that was submitted to the Ministry of Education and Child Care in September 2025.  An information sheet is attached to the agenda.  

8.3

Mark Walsh, Secretary-Treasurer

Re: Annual Route Review

Mark Walsh outlined the current state of bussing in the district.  While there are increasing service challenges, staff are not recommending changes pursuant to Policy 301. An information sheet is attached to the agenda. 

8.4

Mark Walsh, Secretary-Treasurer

Re: Policy 701- Child Care Services and Early Years Program - Consultation Feedback

Mark Walsh advised that Policy 701 - Child Care Services and Early Years Program did not receive any feedback during the consultation period.  The amended Policy was recommended for adoption.  An action sheet is attached to the agenda. 

• SD26/02/11-02
  IT WAS MOVED BY Trustee Robinson
  IT WAS SECONDED BY Trustee Morvay

  The Strategic Directions Committee recommends that the Board of Education of School District No. 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) adopt Revised Policy 701 - Child Care Services and Early Years Program Policy.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.5

Mark Walsh, Secretary-Treasurer

Re:  Trustee Elections Bylaw No. 2 - Amendment

Mark Walsh outlined recommended changes to the Trustee Election By-Law. The changes will apply for the October 2026 trustee election. An action sheet, together with the amended By-Law, is attached to the agenda. 

• SD26/02/11-03
  IT WAS MOVED BY Trustee Lee
  IT WAS SECONDED BY Trustee Harris

  The Strategic Directions Committee recommends that the Board of Education of School District No. 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) read the amended draft Trustee Elections Bylaw No. 2 for a first and second time and then circulate a notice of third reading for 30 days, utilizing the consultation process as per Board Governance, Section 210 - Policy Development.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.6

Mark Walsh, Secretary-Treasurer

Re:  Amended Annual Budget/Quarter 2 Report

Mark Walsh and Taunia Sutton presented the district's Amended Annual Budget and Second Quarter Financial Report.  An action sheet, together with the budget reports, are attached to the agenda.

• SD26/02/11-04
  IT WAS MOVED BY Trustee Morvay
  IT WAS SECONDED BY Trustee Lee

  The Strategic Directions Committee recommends that the Board of Education of School District No. 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) give the School District No. 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) 2025-2026 Amended Annual Budget Bylaw all three readings at one meeting on February 25, 2026.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
• SD26/02/11-05
  IT WAS MOVED BY Trustee Morvay
  IT WAS SECONDED BY Trustee Lee

  The Strategic Directions Committee recommends that the Board of Education of School District No. 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) adopt the Amended Annual Budget of the Board for the fiscal year 2025-2026 at the Board of Education meeting on February 25, 2026.

  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8.7

Mark Walsh, Secretary-Treasurer

Re: Ministry 3 Year Enrolment Projections

Mark Walsh presented the three-year enrolment estimates, which is a requirement of the Ministry of Education and Child Care. An information sheet is attached to the agenda.

9.

CORRESPONDENCE REFERRED FROM THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING

There was none. 

10.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

There was no unfinished business. 

11.

NEW BUSINESS

There was no new business. 

12.

FOR INFORMATION 

N/A

13.

QUESTION PERIOD

Question Period is intended to enable the public to obtain clarifying information regarding a current agenda item.

Individuals wishing to ask questions of the Board upon completion of Committee and Board sessions shall do so in writing on the form provided which includes their name, street address and email address.  The individual will be asked to verify his/her self and be afforded the opportunity to read out their own question.  Each individual shall be limited to one follow-up question upon receiving a response. Forms are available in the information rack near the entrance of the Board Room.

If the meeting is being held online, individuals wishing to ask questions of the Board shall type their question in the Q&A compose box on the right side of the screen and then select send. Your question will be read by the Board or Committee Chair.

Questions and responses will be included in the video of the meeting and the meeting minutes and will be part of the public record.

There were no questions. 

14.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 7:47 pm