The Vancouver School Board held a Policy and Governance Committee on the evening of Wednesday, April 19, 2023. For meeting details, view the agenda package or watch the live stream.

The meeting began with a review of the sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression policy. The current policy, written in 2018, includes language, terminology and practices that are now outdated, and proposed changes reflect a modernization of the policy. The committee unanimously moved to forward an amended policy 17 to the Board for its approval.  

Next, the committee reviewed a draft child care policy. Staff explained that input was received from various stakeholders as well as from members of the policy and governance committee during previous meetings. There was discussion from the committee about exploring Board operated child care programs rather than third party child care operators. Committee members moved to forward the draft child care policy to the Board for approval. 

Finally, the committee received an update about progress to implement a revised  Student Liaison Officer program. Staff shared that a number of meetings have been held with the Vancouver Police Department thus far and reminded committee members that the VPD will provide staffing and funding for this program. The next step in the process will be to create a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the VPD and the District, a draft of which will be shared with the Policy and Governance Committee in the coming months.

The next Policy and Governance Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at 7:00pm. 

Keep up to date with the District’s committee and Board meetings; see the calendar for meeting dates, agendas and livestream links. All recordings of meetings are housed on the District’s YouTube channel. Minutes from committee and Board meetings are also posted online.