School board chairs from across B.C. were given an audience with MLAs in Victoria to discuss education issues on Oct. 18.

Lee-Ann Tiede, chair of the Central Okanagan Board of Education, was one of 56 board chairs given the opportunity to participate in a day of advocacy on behalf of the BC School Trustees Association.

In her report on the meeting to school trustees at the general affairs committee meeting on Nov. 1, Tiede said the trustees were united on three key messages presented to the MLAs.

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On staffing and retention, there was discussion about the rules for certification and how they must change, and for the province to consider a student loan forgiveness program.

Concerning deferred school maintenance costs, the current backlog buildup of delayed maintenance requirements is unsustainable and raises the potential for unsafe learning environments for teachers and students.

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Tiede said she added a fourth talking point for the MLAs regarding escalating student enrolment, what she called a giant problem that not all school districts face to the extent currently being experienced in the Central Okanagan.

Tiede said while her school district is grateful for the support already given to build new schools, add on to existing schools and reduce portables, the reality is Central Okanagan public schools are operating at 107 per cent capacity while enrolment is growing annually at the elementary and middle school levels.

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Tiede said this year saw an increased headcount of nearly 700 new students, including more than 470 newcomers to Canada.

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