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Vancouver School Board
Location
1580 West Broadway, Vancouver
British Columbia
Canada
District information
SuperintendentHelen McGregor
Schools111[1]
Budget$735 million
Students and staff
Students52,428 (2023–24)[2]
Staff7,000
Other information
Websitewww.vsb.bc.ca

The Vancouver School Board (VSB), officially the Board of Education of School District No. 39 (Vancouver), is a school district based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. A board of nine elected trustees governs this school district that serves the city of Vancouver and the University Endowment Lands.

Board of education

[edit]

The Vancouver Board of Education is composed of nine elected trustees and a student trustee.[4] Trustees of the Vancouver School Board are elected under an at-large system.

Key Information

Since 2022

[edit]
See also: 2022 Vancouver municipal election

As of November 2022, the trustees of the Vancouver School Board, listed by number of votes received during the 2022 Vancouver municipal election, are:

Name Party
Victoria Jung Independent[a]
Alfred Chien ABC Vancouver
Josh Zhang ABC Vancouver
Christopher JK Richardson Independent[b]
Preeti Faridkot ABC Vancouver
Jennifer Reddy OneCity
Suzie Mah COPE
Lois Chan-Pedley Green
Janet Fraser Green

2018–2022

[edit]
See also: 2018 Vancouver municipal election

As of November 2018, the trustees of the Vancouver School Board, listed by number of votes received during the 2018 Vancouver municipal election, are:

Name Party
Janet Fraser Green
Estrellita Gonzalez Green
Jennifer Reddy OneCity
Oliver Hanson Independent[c]
Fraser Ballantyne Independent[c]
Carmen Cho Independent[c]
Lois Chan-Pedley Green
Barb Parrott COPE
Allan Wong Vision

2017–2018

[edit]
See also: 2017 Vancouver municipal by-election

All positions on the school board were vacated on October 17, 2016, when the elected board was removed by provincial Education Minister Mike Bernier for failing to pass a balanced budget.[7] A by-election was held on October 14, 2017, for all trustee seats. The trustees elected during that by-election, listed by number of votes received, were:

Name Party
Janet Fraser Green
Judy Zaichkowsky Green
Estrellita Gonzalez Green
Joy Alexander Vision
Allan Wong Vision
Lisa Dominato NPA
Fraser Ballantyne NPA
Carrie Bercic OneCity
Ken Clement Vision

2014–2016

[edit]
See also: 2014 Vancouver municipal election

The trustees elected during the 2014 Vancouver municipal election served until they were removed by Education Minister Mike Bernier on October 17, 2016, for failing to pass a balanced budget.[7] Listed by number of votes received, they were:

Name Party
Patti Bacchus Vision
Joy Alexander Vision
Fraser Ballantyne NPA
Allan Wong Vision
Mike Lombardi Vision
Penny Noble NPA
Janet Fraser Green
Stacy Robertson NPA
Christopher Richardson NPA

Demographics

[edit]

The Vancouver school district is a large, urban and multicultural school district. As of 2019, the district provides programs to 54,000 students in kindergarten to grade 12, as well as over 2,000 adults in adult education programs.[8]

In 2014, there were 1,473 international students in Vancouver public schools.[9]

Seismic upgrading

[edit]

The Ministry of Education launched a seismic upgrading program in March 2005 to upgrade schools all over British Columbia. The program is quoted to cost a total of $1.5 billion. The following schools in the Vancouver School Board are supported to proceed with seismic mitigation in 2015: Killarney Secondary, David Thompson Secondary, Maple Grove Elementary, Lord Tennyson Elementary, Dr. Annie B. Jamieson Elementary, Eric Hamber Secondary, Point Grey Secondary, Renfrew Community Elementary, Sir Alexander Mackenzie Elementary, Waverley Elementary, Edith Cavell Elementary, Prince of Wales Secondary, Templeton Secondary, General Wolf Elementary, David Lloyd George Elementary, and Bayview Community Elementary.[10]

Elementary schools

[edit]
  • Admiral Seymour
  • Bayview
  • Britannia Elementary
  • Captain James Cook Elementary
  • Carnarvon
  • Champlain Heights
  • Charles Dickens
  • Chief Maquinna
  • David Livingstone
  • David Lloyd George
  • David Oppenheimer
  • Dr. A.R. Lord
  • Dr. Annie B. Jamieson
  • Dr. George M. Weir
  • Dr. H.N. MacCorkindale
  • Dr. R.E. McKechnie
  • Edith Cavell
  • Elsie Roy
  • Emily Carr
  • False Creek
  • Florence Nightingale
  • General Brock
  • General Gordon Elementary School
  • General Wolfe
  • George T. Cunningham
  • Graham D Bruce
  • Grandview ʔuuqinak’uuh
  • Grenfell
  • Hastings
  • Henry Hudson
  • J.W. Sexsmith
  • John Henderson
  • John Norquay
  • Jules Quesnel
  • Kerrisdale Elementary School
  • L'Ecole Bilingue
  • Laura Secord
  • Lord Beaconsfield
  • Lord Kitchener
  • Lord Nelson
  • Lord Roberts
  • Lord Selkirk
  • Lord Strathcona
  • Lord Tennyson
  • Maple Grove
  • Mount Pleasant
  • Nootka
  • Norma Rose Point School
  • Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary School
  • Queen Alexandra
  • Queen Elizabeth
  • Queen Mary
  • Queen Victoria Annex
  • Quilchena
  • Renfrew
  • Shaughnessy
  • Simon Fraser
  • Sir Alexander Mackenzie
  • Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith
  • Sir Guy Carleton
  • Sir James Douglas
  • Sir John Franklin Elementary School
  • wek̓ʷan̓əs tə syaqʷəm (formerly named Sir Matthew Begbie)
  • Sir Richard McBride
  • Sir Sandford Fleming Elementary School
  • Sir Wilfred Grenfell
  • Sir Wilfrid Laurier
  • Sir William Osler
  • Sir William Van Horne
  • Southlands
  • šxʷwəq̓ʷəθət Crosstown Elementary
  • Tecumseh
  • Thunderbird šxʷəxʷaʔəs
  • Trafalgar
  • Tyee
  • University Hill Elementary
  • Vancouver Learning Network Elementary
  • Walter Moberly
  • Waverley
  • χpey̓ Elementary (formerly named Sir William MacDonald from 1906–2017)

David Lloyd George Elementary School

[edit]

David Lloyd George Elementary School is an elementary school in the Marpole neighbourhood.[11] It holds approximately 427 students in grades K through 7.[12] The school opened in 1921 and was named after David Lloyd George, the British prime minister from 1916 to 1922. The sports teams are called the DLG Hornets and wear purple.

David Oppenheimer Elementary School

[edit]

David Oppenheimer Elementary School opened in 1959 and was named after one of the early mayors of the city, David Oppenheimer.[13] It is located at 2421 Scarboro Avenue, in the Victoria-Fraserview neighbourhood. As of 2016, the school principal is Rosie Finch; the school's sports teams are called the Orcas.[14]

General Gordon Elementary School

[edit]

General Gordon Elementary School is an elementary school that opened in 1912. It was named for British general Charles George Gordon, who was killed at Khartoum in January 1885. It is located at 2268 Bayswater Street. In September 2008, it was selected as one of three schools in a pilot provincially supported "Neighbourhoods of Learning" program.[15]

Lord Tennyson Elementary School

[edit]

Lord Tennyson Elementary School is a French immersion school opened in 1912, named after 19th-century British poet Alfred Tennyson, The 1st Baron Tennyson. It is located at 1936 West 10th Avenue. As of 2022, the school principal is Bruce Salle. Lord Tennyson is a feeder school for Kitsilano Secondary School, where graduates can continue their education in French Immersion.

Nootka Elementary School

[edit]

Nootka Elementary School opened in 1959 as Lord Beaconsfield Annex, but a growing student population led to school status being granted in 1963.[16][17] It is located at 3375 Nootka Street. As of 2025, the current school principal is Scott Hughes and the vice-principal is Amrit Hundal.[18]

Queen Alexandra Elementary School

[edit]

Queen Alexandra Elementary School opened in 1909 and was named for Alexandra of Denmark. It is located at 1300 East Broadway, at the intersection with Clark Drive.[19] It is near Vancouver Community College's Broadway campus, and is easily accessible from VCC–Clark station and Commercial–Broadway station on the SkyTrain. As of 2018, the school principal is John MacCormack.

Queen Mary Elementary School

[edit]

Queen Mary Elementary School opened in 1915. It is located at 2000 Trimble Street at 4th Avenue in the West Point Grey neighbourhood. As of 2020, the school principal is Megan Davies.[20] The school has a population of about 450 students from grade K-7. Queen Mary Elementary School is on a hill close to Locarno Beach. It has two buildings, a gravel field and two playgrounds. The main red building was a former town hall for the city of Vancouver. It is named for Queen Mary, the wife of George V.

Shaughnessy Elementary School

[edit]
Shaughnessy Elementary School

Shaughnessy Elementary School opened in 1920 as Prince of Wales Elementary and Secondary School. In 1960, the current Prince of Wales Secondary School was opened nearby, and the school was renamed after the surrounding Shaughnessy neighbourhood. The school is located at 4250 Marguerite Street, near King Edward Avenue and Granville Street.

Sir Richard McBride Elementary School

[edit]

Sir Richard McBride Elementary School opened in 1911, named after 19th-century politician Richard McBride. It is located at 1300 East 29th Avenue, near Knight Street. The school was built on a hill near a nursery and orchard known as Henry's Farm.[21] As of 2024, the current school principal is Carrie Sleep.[22]

χpey̓ Elementary School

[edit]

χpey̓ Elementary opened in 1906 as Sir William Macdonald Elementary School in honour of the Canadian tobacco manufacturer and major education philanthropist. Macdonald was unofficially rechristened "χpey̓" on October 24, 2017, following a 2-year VSB initiative to rename the school to better reflect "the Indigenous heritage and education history of the area" as well as "the District Aboriginal Focus School program".[23][24] The name, which means "cedar" in the henqeminem dialect of the Musqueam nation, was nominated by Chief Wayne Sparrow and Musqueam council members.[24] The change became official following a Musqueam renaming ceremony on June 1, 2018.[25] Because of its low enrollment and high seismic risk, χpey̓ was shortlisted for closure in 2015, but Vancouver City Council elected to keep it open until at least 2020.[26] χpey̓ is located at 1959 East Hastings Street in East Vancouver's Grandview-Woodland area, but since becoming a First Nations focus school in 2012, its catchment area has switched from local to district.[25]

List of elementary annexes

[edit]
  • Champlain Heights Annex
  • Charles Dickens Annex
  • Collingwood Neighbourhood (Bruce Annex)
  • Garibaldi Annex (Nelson Annex)
  • Henderson Annex (not enrolling since September 2016.)
  • Kerrisdale Annex
  • Maquinna Annex (not enrolling since September 2015.)
  • McBride Annex
  • Queen Elizabeth Annex (Jules Quesnel Annex)
  • Queen Victoria (Secord Annex)
  • Roberts Annex
  • Selkirk Annex
  • Sir James Douglas Annex
  • Sir Wilfrid Laurier Annex (not enrolling since September 2016.)
  • Tecumseh Annex
  • Tillicum Annex (Hastings Annex)

Secondary schools

[edit]

The VSB operates 18 secondary schools within Vancouver and the University Endowment Lands. Secondary schools in the district begin at Grade 8 and continue to Grade 12, where students graduate with their Dogwood Diploma.

List of secondary schools
School name Capacity Enrolment[27]
(2025) 		Notes
Britannia 1,025 559
David Thompson 1,550 1,410
Eric Hamber 1,700 1,750
Gladstone 1,600 936
John Oliver 1,700 1,094
Killarney 2,200 1,791
King George 375 538
Kitsilano 1,500 1,532
Lord Byng 1,200 1,068
Magee 1,200 857
Point Grey stəywəte:n̓ 1,050 816
Prince of Wales 1,100 936
Sir Charles Tupper 1,500 1,214
Sir Winston Churchill 1,850 1,918
Templeton 1,400 797
University Hill 950 785
Vancouver Learning Network – Secondary — VLN is an online school
Vancouver Technical 1,700 1,725
Windermere 1,500 895

Alternative program education sites

[edit]
  • 8J/9J Program
  • Aries Program
  • Byng Satellite Program (closed 2010)
  • Cedar Walk Program
  • East Side Program
  • Epic Program
  • Foundations program
  • Genesis Broadway
  • Genesis North East
  • Genesis South
  • Hamber House Adolescent Day Treatment program
  • Outreach Program
  • Pinnacle Program
  • Streetfront Program
  • Sunrise East Program
  • Take A Hike Program
  • The West Program
  • Total Education Program
  • Tupper Young Parents Alternative Program
  • Vinery Program
  • Waverley Annex Learning Hub – Spectrum
  • West Coast Alternative Program

[28]

Special programs

[edit]

Mini-schools

[edit]

Mini-schools are enriched programs for highly motivated students. Mini-schools begin at grade 8, with approximately 500 total spots available. Each year over 1400 students apply for mini-schools, with admission based on district assessment results, grade 6 and 7 report cards, applications, and interviews.[30]

Mini-schools in the district include:[31]

  • Britannia Hockey Academy
  • Britannia Venture Program
  • Byng Arts Mini School
  • David Thompson Odyssey Program
  • Gladstone Mini School
  • Hamber Challenge Studio Program
  • Ideal Mini School
  • John Oliver Digital Immersion Mini School
  • Killarney Mini School
  • King George Mini School
  • Magee SPARTS
  • Point Grey Mini School
  • Prince of Wales Mini School
  • Synergy at Churchill
  • Templeton Mini School
  • Tupper Mini School
  • Vancouver Technical Flex Humanities Program
  • Vancouver Technical Summit Program
  • Windermere Leadership

Transgender policy

[edit]

In June 2014, the Vancouver School Board adopted a new policy regarding transgender children. It intends to support transgender and LGBTQ in allowing them be called by the name they identify with. They will also be able to use whichever washroom they feel most comfortable in.[32]

Notes

[edit]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Vancouver School Board

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from Grokipedia
The Vancouver School Board (VSB) is the public educational authority responsible for administering kindergarten through grade 12 schooling in the City of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, including the University Endowment Lands. It oversees approximately 52,000 students (as of 2025) enrolled in 89 elementary schools and 18 secondary schools, plus two adult education centres, in a highly diverse urban setting where students collectively speak more than 160 languages. Governed by nine trustees elected by Vancouver residents, the VSB manages district operations, policy, and budgeting under provincial oversight from the British Columbia Ministry of Education. The board has prioritized multicultural education and community engagement amid declining enrolment, which dropped from 51,758 students in 2011 to 47,386 in 2021 due to demographic shifts including lower birth rates. A defining controversy occurred in 2016 when the provincial government dismissed the entire board for violating the School Act by failing to adopt a balanced budget by the required deadline of June 30, despite repeated directives to address a multi-million-dollar deficit stemming from operational overspending. This rare intervention, which replaced elected trustees with an official trustee, underscored tensions between local fiscal autonomy and provincial financial accountability requirements, and was compounded by findings of trustee bullying and workplace harassment that eroded administrative effectiveness. The VSB traces its origins to the establishment of Vancouver's first public school in 1873, evolving into a formalized district amid the city's rapid growth following British Columbia's entry into Confederation in 1871. Today, it emphasizes responsive learning environments tailored to a multicultural populace, though challenges persist in infrastructure maintenance, such as seismic upgrades for aging buildings, and adapting to enrolment trends through facilities planning.

Governance and Administration

Historical Formation and Evolution

Public education in the area now known as Vancouver began with the establishment of Hastings Mill School in 1872, a one-room facility serving approximately 15-20 children of mill workers under teacher Julia Sweney, predating the city's formal incorporation by 14 years. The Granville School District, encompassing the region, was formed in 1873 with trustees R.H. Alexander and Jonathan Miller appointed to oversee rudimentary operations. The Vancouver School Board, officially the Board of Education of School District No. 39 (Vancouver), was established in November 1886, shortly after the Great Fire of June 13, 1886, which destroyed much of the nascent city incorporated just two months prior on April 6. This replaced the Granville District amid rapid population influx tied to the Canadian Pacific Railway's arrival, shifting from ad hoc local management to a centralized board structure under British Columbia's Public Schools Act of 1872, which mandated free, non-sectarian education with compulsory attendance enforced by 1876 amendments. Early evolution involved swift infrastructure expansion to accommodate growth from 1,000 residents in 1886 to 9,000 by 1889: East School opened January 26, 1887, at 522 Oppenheimer Street; West School, a four-room structure, in 1888 at Burrard and Barclay; and Central School in 1889 at Pender and Cambie, initially including a single high school room. By 1890, Vancouver High School formalized secondary education in an eight-room building at the same site, later relocating in 1905 and renaming to King Edward High School in 1909. The board's scope expanded through the early 20th century with new elementary and secondary schools, night classes introduced in 1909, and specialized programs for "slow learners" by 1910, amid a student population surge. Amalgamation with Point Grey and South Vancouver municipalities in 1929 integrated additional territories and schools, boosting enrollment. The Great Depression prompted severe cuts, including a $400,000 budget reduction ordered in 1933, leading to school closures and staff layoffs until wartime recovery. Post-World War II economic expansion in the 1950s drove enrollment peaks, ethnic diversification, and facility booms, followed by 1970s innovations like alternative programs (e.g., Chimo Place, The Vinery in 1973-74). By the 1990s, the board constructed a new administrative headquarters in 1999 amid ongoing modernization, reflecting sustained adaptation to demographic shifts and provincial policy changes.

Board Composition and Elections

The Vancouver Board of Education consists of nine trustees elected at large by qualified voters within the City of Vancouver, supplemented by one non-voting student trustee selected to represent student perspectives. The elected trustees hold collective responsibility for district policy, budgeting, and oversight of educational programs, operating without designated wards or geographic representation divisions. Trustees are elected for four-year terms during British Columbia's general local elections, which occur on the third Saturday of October in even-numbered years coinciding with municipal contests. The most recent election took place on October 15, 2022, resulting in the selection of nine trustees following a nomination period from August 30 to September 9. Voter eligibility aligns with provincial standards for local elections, requiring residency in the city, Canadian citizenship, and age of 18 or older, with administration handled by Elections BC. Candidates must meet statutory qualifications under the BC School Act, including residency within the district and no disqualifying conflicts such as employment by the board, and submit nomination papers during the designated window. Elections employ a first-past-the-post system where the nine candidates receiving the most votes are declared winners, with no runoff provisions. Post-election, the board internally selects its chair and vice-chair annually from among the trustees, as occurred on November 26, 2024, when Victoria Jung was re-elected chair and Janet Fraser elected vice-chair. The student trustee position, while non-voting, is filled through a separate annual process involving secondary school representatives to ensure youth input on board deliberations.

Recent Board Terms (2014–Present)

The 2014 municipal election on November 15 selected nine trustees for the 2014–2018 term, including Green Party's Janet Fraser, who topped polls in subsequent by-elections and internal leadership votes. The board, reflecting Vancouver's multiparty civic landscape with representation from Vision Vancouver, Non-Partisan Association (NPA), Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE), and Greens, prioritized seismic safety assessments amid rising retrofit costs estimated at over $200 million district-wide. Fiscal pressures mounted, with operating deficits averaging $15–20 million annually, prompting early discussions on property dispositions for revenue. Fraser assumed the chair role in October 2017, guiding the board through teacher bargaining disputes and a 2017 by-election triggered by a vacancy. An external review later highlighted internal governance strains, including interpersonal conflicts among trustees that delayed decision-making on enrollment stabilization. Enrollment dipped by approximately 1,000 students over the term, correlating with demographic shifts and private school competition, while per-pupil spending exceeded provincial averages by 10–15%. The October 20, 2018, election renewed the board with a diverse slate: Janet Fraser and Estrellita Gonzalez (Green Party), Lois Chan-Pedley (Green Party), Jennifer Reddy (OneCity), Barb Parrott (COPE), Allan Wong (Vision Vancouver), and Fraser Ballantyne, Carmen Cho, and Oliver Hanson (NPA). Fraser retained the chair until 2022, leading responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, including phased school reopenings in September 2020 and hybrid models that affected 50,000+ students. The term saw escalated deficits totaling $100 million by 2022, attributed to stagnant provincial funding and deferred maintenance, culminating in mandatory provincial oversight under the School Act for fiscal non-compliance. Workplace investigations revealed patterns of trustee-staff friction, with a 2018 Goldner report documenting bullying and harassment incidents that eroded administrative morale and contributed to superintendent turnover. Policy debates centered on equity initiatives versus core academics, with enrollment declining another 5% amid remote learning disruptions. The October 15, 2022, election installed a new board: Victoria Jung (69,027 votes), Alfred Chien (67,326), Josh Zhang (64,370), Christopher Richardson (64,048), Preeti Faridkot (63,807), Jennifer Reddy (44,534), Suzie Mah (42,379), Lois Chan-Pedley (41,356), and Janet Fraser (41,179). Jung, initially aligned with ABC Vancouver, assumed chair duties, focusing on deficit reduction through asset reviews and efficiency audits. By 2024, Jung resigned from ABC to sit independently amid party tensions, while the board advanced $40 million in property sales approvals to offset a projected $70 million shortfall. As of October 2025, the board continues under Jung's re-elected chair (with Fraser as vice-chair), emphasizing operational streamlining and seismic compliance, though provincial intervention persists due to accumulated debts exceeding $150 million. Student achievement metrics stagnated, with Fraser Institute rankings for district secondary schools averaging 5.5/10, linked to policy emphases on non-academic programs over instructional core.

District Profile

The Vancouver School Board (VSB) has experienced a sustained decline in enrollment since peaking at approximately 57,000 students in 1997, driven primarily by falling birth rates and demographic shifts in the youth population, despite overall city population growth of about 160,000 residents over that period. By 2011, kindergarten through Grade 12 enrollment stood at 51,758 students, dropping to 47,386 by 2021—a reduction of roughly 8.4%, or 4,400 students, over the decade. This trend reflects broader patterns, including a 25% enrollment drop on Vancouver's west side (west of Granville Street) between 2011 and 2021, aligned with a 28% decline in the youth population aged 5–12 and a 41% drop for ages 1–4 in the same area. Forecasts indicate continued pressure, with enrollment projected to fall to around 43,000 students by 2032, even as the district's population grows by an estimated 84,000 residents, resulting in surplus capacity of nearly 9,800 spaces as of 2023.
YearTotal Enrollment (K–12)
1997~57,000
201151,758
202147,386
2022–2348,580
2024–25~52,483
The district serves approximately 52,000 students across 89 elementary schools and 18 secondary schools, with breakdowns of 29,593 in elementary and 21,379 in secondary programs as of recent reporting. Demographically, VSB reflects Vancouver's urban multiculturalism, with students speaking 160 identified languages and 46% reporting a primary home language other than English. Around 18% of K–12 students are designated as English Language Learners (ELL), underscoring the district's role in supporting immigrant and refugee integration amid high linguistic diversity. Indigenous students number 2,244, drawn from nations across Canada, comprising about 4% of enrollment and highlighting the board's urban Indigenous focus. International students add 1,277 to the mix, though they represent a small fraction of the total.

Educational Performance Metrics

The Vancouver School Board's five-year graduation rate stood at 91% for the 2022/2023 cohort, consistent with the previous year and aligning closely with the provincial average of approximately 91.4%. This rate reflects steady performance over the prior five years, though subgroups such as Indigenous students experienced a decline to 51%, below the provincial figure of 63% for the same period. English language learners achieved 89%, exceeding the provincial average of 86%. Provincial Foundation Skills Assessments (FSA) for grades 4 and 7 measure literacy and numeracy proficiency, defined as meeting or exceeding expectations. In 2023/2024, VSB's overall proficiency rate for grade 4 was 81% (a decline from 83% the prior year), with grade 7 at 82%. Participation rates remained low, at 60% for grade 4 (up from 51%) and 52% for grade 7, potentially skewing results upward as non-participants—often from lower-performing or disengaged groups—opt out at higher rates than provincially observed. Literacy proficiency across these assessments exceeded provincial averages, while numeracy showed declines in grades 4 and 7 but improvement in grade 10 literacy (82% proficiency, down 2% from 84%).
MetricGrade 4 (2023/2024)Grade 7 (2023/2024)Notes
Participation Rate60%52%Increases from prior year; lower for Indigenous (33-39%) and diverse learners (37%).
Proficiency Rate (Literacy/Numeracy)81%82%Above provincial in literacy; gaps persist for subgroups (e.g., Indigenous at 42-60%).
Fraser Institute analyses of FSA data rank VSB's 29 elementary schools above the provincial average overall, with several achieving perfect 10/10 ratings based on test scores, gender equity in performance, and low rates of results below expectations. However, variability exists, with lower-rated VSB schools scoring around 7.6/10, reflecting uneven performance across the district. These rankings, derived empirically from Ministry-provided FSA results, highlight strengths in high-achieving schools but underscore challenges like subgroup disparities and declining numeracy trends observed province-wide.

Infrastructure and Fiscal Management

Seismic Upgrading Initiatives

The Vancouver School Board participates in the Province of British Columbia's Seismic Mitigation Program, launched in 2005 to assess and upgrade public schools vulnerable to earthquakes due to construction predating modern building codes. The program classifies school buildings by seismic risk levels—low, moderate, or high—based on engineering assessments using guidelines from the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC, prioritizing high-risk structures for retrofitting, partial upgrades, or full replacement. For the VSB, which manages 109 active school sites as of earlier assessments, approximately 65 were initially identified as potentially requiring major intervention, including demolition and rebuilding in severe cases. Provincial funding has supported VSB projects, with the government committing $1.5 billion over 15 years initially, escalating to over $2.9 billion spent or approved province-wide by 2024 for high-risk schools. Notable VSB completions include the seismic replacement of Eric Hamber Secondary School, finished in September 2024, accommodating more students in a structure designed to current standards; and reopenings of two other schools in 2022 with $39.1 million invested for upgrades. The VSB's 2025-2026 Five-Year Major Capital Plan outlines six ongoing seismic projects in design or construction phases, aiming to expand the number of seismically safe schools, though prioritization favors certain areas amid resource constraints. Despite progress, challenges persist, with a 2015 assessment indicating an additional 15 years minimum for full VSB compliance, and as of 2024, over 20,000 secondary students attend high-risk high schools like Killarney Secondary, highlighting uneven distribution of upgrades that critics argue overlooks equity in rapidly growing east-side communities. The VSB integrates seismic work into broader capital planning, balancing it against enrollment pressures and maintenance backlogs, but full mitigation remains a long-term effort dependent on provincial approvals and funding cycles.

Property Holdings and Revenue Challenges

The Vancouver School Board (VSB) maintains an extensive real estate portfolio comprising 223 properties valued at approximately $9.5 billion as of July 2025, encompassing active school buildings, closed facilities, vacant lots, parking areas, and ancillary structures. Fewer than half of these assets support ongoing educational operations, reflecting historical land acquisitions from periods of higher enrollment and urban expansion, now resulting in surplus holdings amid demographic shifts. Fiscal pressures stem from chronic underfunding relative to rising operational costs, including maintenance and seismic retrofitting mandates, compounded by provincial per-student funding models that fail to fully account for fixed expenses in high-cost urban areas like Vancouver. The VSB's 2024-2025 annual budget projected an operating deficit of $1.79 million, balanced only through drawdowns from prior-year accumulated surpluses, a practice sustained over the past decade. Property-derived revenues, such as lease payments and sale proceeds, constitute a critical supplement, yet their realization is hampered by regulatory requirements under British Columbia's School Act, which mandates public consultations and prioritization of educational reuse before disposition. To mitigate these challenges, the VSB employs a land asset management strategy emphasizing the identification and monetization of surplus sites via outright sales, long-term ground leases, or joint developments, aiming to fund capital priorities without eroding operational budgets. Notable examples include the December 2024 approval of a 99-year lease on underutilized school land for a mixed-use rental and commercial project, yielding $8.5 million in upfront capital revenue, and ongoing evaluations of sites like Queen Elizabeth Annex and Queen Elizabeth Elementary for surplus declaration to enable redevelopment or sale. However, implementation faces obstacles, including a January 2025 British Columbia Supreme Court ruling that reduced a developer's rent arrears on the VSB-owned Kingsgate Mall property by nearly $8 million, underscoring vulnerabilities in lease enforcement and valuation disputes. Criticism of portfolio stewardship has intensified, with developers like Ryan Beedie alleging that the board's reluctance to pursue collaborative ventures—for instance, rejecting proposals to co-develop or subdivide high-value sites—has forfeited tens of millions in potential revenue, prioritizing preservation over pragmatic utilization amid Vancouver's escalating property market. Community pushback against perceived "short-sighted" disposals, as voiced in parental campaigns against field sales at schools like Bruce Elementary, often delays or derails transactions, perpetuating reliance on depleting reserves rather than sustainable income streams. These tensions illustrate a core dilemma: leveraging land wealth for fiscal stability without undermining public trust in the district's long-term educational mandate.

Budgetary Pressures and Deficit Management

The Vancouver School Board (VSB) has encountered persistent budgetary pressures stemming from escalating operational costs, including staff compensation, facility maintenance, and special education requirements, which outpace provincial funding allocations designed primarily on a per-student basis. High living costs in Vancouver contribute to enrollment declines among lower-income families, exacerbating revenue shortfalls despite some provincial enrollment growth trends, as independent school choices and demographic shifts reduce public system participation. Deferred maintenance burdens, estimated at $700 million, further strain capital budgets amid seismic upgrade mandates and aging infrastructure. Fiscal years have shown accumulating deficits, with the VSB reporting an $8.3 million operating shortfall in 2023, depleting limited accumulated surpluses accumulated from prior periods. The 2023-24 budget projected deficits ranging from $1.7 million to $3 million across planning iterations, while 2024-25 and 2025-26 financial plans explicitly reference a structural deficit requiring ongoing reserve drawdowns to maintain balanced bylaws under the School Act. Provincial grants constitute the majority of revenue—approximately 85%—yet fail to fully offset urban-specific cost premiums, leading to annual gaps projected to persist without formula adjustments. Deficit management has relied on drawing from accumulated surpluses, a practice sustained for over a decade but now approaching exhaustion, prompting warnings of unsustainable fiscal paths. The board approved the 2024-25 budget on May 1, 2024, incorporating limited cuts such as reduced consumable supplies funding, while advocating for increased provincial support amid broader B.C. district shortfalls totaling millions in layoffs and program reductions. Strategies include property portfolio reviews for potential monetization—given holdings valued in billions—and school closure considerations to align capacity with enrollment, though community opposition has delayed implementations. Critics attribute part of the pressures to delayed efficiencies in asset management and resistance to consolidations, independent of funding appeals.

Educational Programs and Schools

Elementary Schools Overview

The Vancouver School Board (VSB) operates 89 elementary schools, including 11 annexes, serving students from Kindergarten through Grade 7 across Vancouver, British Columbia. These schools deliver a core curriculum aligned with British Columbia's provincial standards, prioritizing foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, science, social studies, and physical education, with three annual report cards using a four-point proficiency scale that incorporates First Peoples Principles of learning. Classrooms emphasize evidence-based instructional practices, including direct phonics-based reading instruction mandated by provincial guidelines since 2023 to address literacy gaps identified in international assessments like PISA, where Canadian students have shown stagnation or declines in reading proficiency. Specialized choice programs supplement the regular stream, allowing parental selection based on availability and catchment priorities; these include Early French Immersion (starting in Kindergarten), Mandarin Bilingual programs, Indigenous-focused education integrating local Coast Salish knowledge systems, Montessori methods at select sites, and fine arts initiatives emphasizing music, visual arts, or drama. Such programs constitute a minority of placements, with most students attending neighborhood schools under attendance area boundaries that have undergone periodic reviews to manage imbalances, though a district-wide hold on major boundary changes was implemented as of 2023 amid enrollment shifts. International student enrollment, capped and fee-based, adds diversity but represents under 3% of total elementary capacity, primarily in designated programs. Elementary enrollment forms the largest segment of VSB's approximately 50,000 total students, but has contributed to district-wide declines, with K-12 figures falling from 51,758 in 2011 to 47,386 in 2021—a 8.5% drop driven by demographic factors like aging populations and out-migration to suburbs, despite some countervailing immigration inflows. Forecasts project an additional 5,000-student reduction by 2033, concentrated in elementary grades due to low birth rates (British Columbia's fertility rate averaged 1.4 children per woman from 2015-2022, below replacement levels), leading to surplus capacity in over 20 schools and prompting efficiency audits rather than uniform expansions. This trend contrasts with provincial data suggesting potential stabilization from urban density growth, highlighting forecasting uncertainties tied to housing affordability and family mobility patterns. Operating capacities vary, with many schools designed for 300-500 students but averaging 250-350 amid underutilization, as detailed in annual district reports.

Secondary Schools Overview

The Vancouver School Board operates 18 secondary schools serving grades 8 through 12, enrolling approximately 21,379 students as of recent district data. These schools deliver a standard curriculum compliant with British Columbia's provincial learning outcomes, focusing on core subjects including mathematics, sciences, languages, social studies, and physical education, while integrating technology and career-life skills preparation. Neighbourhood-based assignment predominates, with options for specialized programs to accommodate diverse learner needs and interests. Key offerings include enriched pathways such as Mini-School programs at select schools, which target proficient and motivated students with accelerated academics, leadership development, and extracurricular integration, requiring consistent high performance for admission. Advanced Placement (AP) courses enable credits transferable to post-secondary institutions, alongside International Baccalaureate (IB) programs at designated sites emphasizing inquiry-based learning and global perspectives. French Immersion and fine arts streams provide bilingual or creative specialization, while computer studies and applied skills programs address emerging workforce demands. Alternative secondary options, including the Vancouver Alternate Secondary School, cater to students needing flexible pacing, smaller cohorts, and behavioral or emotional supports, facilitating graduation through individualized plans rather than traditional structures. Distributed learning via the Vancouver Learning Network supports online and blended formats for independent learners. Overall, secondary enrollment reflects district-wide pressures from urban demographics, with capacities varying by school—such as Windermere Secondary's 1,500-student limit against 1,061 enrolled in 2023/24—prompting ongoing management of space and resources.

Alternative and Specialized Programs

The Vancouver School Board operates Alternate and Alternative Programs designed for students requiring enhanced educational, social, emotional, and behavioral supports in smaller class settings. These programs, totaling 19 across the district, emphasize a culture of belonging and personalized learning to address individual needs. Junior Alternative Programs serve Kindergarten through Grade 7, while Senior Alternative Programs target Grades 8 through 12, often incorporating self-paced academic structures. Examples include Spectrum, a Grade 10-12 program offering flexible subject delivery, and Vinery, an Grades 8-9 initiative focused on individualized core academics. Specialized programs within the district provide enriched or linguistically focused curricula for eligible students, typically through choice applications open to Vancouver residents. French Immersion options include Early Immersion (Kindergarten-7, enrolling 5- and 6-year-olds with at least half the school day in French), Late Immersion (Grades 6-7 for 10- and 11-year-olds post-Grade 5), and secondary continuation (Grades 8-12) to build advanced verbal and thinking skills. Mandarin Bilingual programs (Kindergarten-7) deliver core curriculum in English alongside Mandarin Language Arts for bilingual proficiency. Montessori Elementary programs, available at Tyee, Maple Grove, and Renfrew schools, apply Montessori principles in a rich, child-centered environment open to all Vancouver residents. Indigenous Focus programs (Kindergarten-7) prioritize educational excellence, critical thinking, and engagement in a culturally supportive setting. Fine Arts programs (Kindergarten-7) offer specialized instruction in visual and performing arts as district choice options. The International Baccalaureate (IB) program, a two-year diploma track for Grades 11-12 at Britannia Community Secondary, King George Secondary, and Sir Winston Churchill Secondary, requires strong academic standing and emphasizes global perspectives through languages, humanities, sciences, mathematics, extracurriculars, and community service, granting extra credits toward graduation.

Mini-Schools and Selective Admissions

Mini-schools within the Vancouver School Board (VSB) are specialized, enriched programs embedded within regular neighbourhood secondary schools, designed to provide accelerated and challenging curricula for students demonstrating high academic potential and motivation. These programs target Vancouver residents who consistently perform at proficient levels and seek opportunities beyond standard coursework, emphasizing preparation for post-secondary education through unique courses, project-based learning, and leadership development. The origins of VSB mini-schools trace to the late 1970s, evolving from broader alternative education initiatives amid demands for differentiated instruction in a public system constrained by neighbourhood catchment areas. The Point Grey Secondary School Mini School, established in 1979, exemplifies early responses to community needs for enriched programming, marking a shift toward selective, talent-focused options within comprehensive schools rather than standalone alternatives. By the 1980s, mini-schools proliferated as a mechanism to accommodate high-achieving students without fully segregating them from regular peers, though they maintain distinct cohorts for core subjects. Admissions to mini-schools are competitive and merit-based, requiring applicants to first register intent via the VSB's online District Registry, where grade 7 students rank up to three preferred programs from among approximately 18 options district-wide. Individual applications, submitted November to December for the following September intake, typically include grade 6 and 7 report cards, proof of Vancouver residency, a photograph, and sometimes additional elements like essays, interviews, auditions, or placement tests tailored to the program's focus—such as arts portfolios for Byng Arts Mini School or aptitude assessments for computer science tracks at Killarney Secondary. Cross-boundary applications do not require special permission forms, broadening access, but acceptance hinges on demonstrated readiness, with roughly 1,400 applicants vying for about 600 seats annually, resulting in acceptance rates below 50%. Programs vary by school and theme, including humanities-focused inquiry at Ideal Mini School, leadership and problem-solving at Windermere Secondary, venture entrepreneurship at Britannia, and domain-specific options like the hockey academy or Odyssey math/science at David Thompson Secondary. Core features across mini-schools involve smaller class sizes for enriched content—often accelerating grades or integrating senior electives early—while students integrate into the host school's extracurriculars and non-mini classes for electives. This structure fosters peer communities of similarly capable students, though critics have noted disparities in access tied to preparation resources, with empirical data showing persistent oversubscription without evidence of systemic randomization to address equity gaps.

Key Policies

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Guidelines

The Vancouver School Board adopted Policy 17 on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression on September 24, 2018, with amendments approved on May 1, 2023. The policy commits the board to fostering a safe, inclusive, and equitable learning and working environment, free from discrimination or harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, in alignment with the BC Human Rights Code and Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It emphasizes protecting the confidentiality of gender-diverse students' information, supporting self-identification in gender and sexual orientation, and integrating representations of 2SLGBTQ+ identities, families, and cultures into school curricula, resources, and activities. Key definitions in the policy include sexual orientation as enduring patterns of emotional, romantic, and sexual attractions to men, women, both, or neither; gender identity as an internal, personal sense of being male, female, both, or neither, potentially differing from biological sex; and gender expression as outward presentation through behavior, clothing, or pronouns. The board requires staff professional development on inclusive practices, anti-oppression education, and addressing homophobic or transphobic behaviors, while promoting prompt investigation of related complaints. Earlier foundations trace to a 2004 stand-alone policy addressing these topics, followed by 2014 updates specifically supporting transgender students through self-identification and facility access. Administrative Procedure 174, adopted May 2, 2023, operationalizes Policy 17 by directing staff to engage 2SLGBTQ+ communities via advisory committees, establish Gender and Sexuality Alliances in schools, and appoint a SOGI lead per school. Students hold rights to define and express their gender identity, including use of preferred names and pronouns in school interactions, participation in sports and activities consistent with that identity, and access to washrooms or change rooms matching their identity, with single-stall options available for privacy. Staff must respect privacy by avoiding disclosure of gender-related information without consent, using legal names only in private or parental communications, and involving guardians in support plans while prioritizing student confidentiality; inadvertent misgendering requires minimal correction without public emphasis. Discrimination incidents follow reporting protocols under related procedures, with counselors trained to assist 2SLGBTQ+ students and families. These guidelines align with British Columbia's SOGI 123 resources, mandated for curriculum inclusion on sexual orientation and gender identity since December 31, 2016, which provide training modules, videos, and inclusive teaching tools to reduce discrimination. A 2024 provincial evaluation of SOGI 123 reported decreased violence and bias across student groups, including heterosexual students, based on self-reported surveys. Implementation has drawn criticism from parents and trustee candidates, who argue it promotes gender transition without adequate parental notification or empirical scrutiny of outcomes like desistance rates in youth gender dysphoria, leading to protests, school board disruptions, and electoral pledges to limit its use since 2018.

Indigenous Education and Reconciliation Efforts

The Vancouver School Board maintains an Indigenous Education Department that provides year-round programs and services tailored to elementary, secondary, and alternative program students who self-identify as Indigenous or whose parents/guardians have identified them as such. These offerings include support for academic skill development in environments accommodating the complexities of Indigenous identity, as part of non-traditional mini-school formats. The department is led by a Director of Instruction, Chas Desjarlais, and a District Principal, David Delorme, among other staff focused on Indigenous student success. Key initiatives stem from the Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement, initially spanning 2016 to 2021, which formalized commitments from the VSB, parents, community partners, and the Ministry of Education to shared goals for Indigenous student outcomes. This agreement has been renewed, emphasizing improved academic and personal success for Aboriginal students through collaborative strategies. Progress under prior frameworks included heightened awareness of Aboriginal cultures among students and staff, alongside routine cultural celebrations district-wide. Pedagogical efforts prioritize school leadership that fosters holistic development for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students, incorporating authentic Indigenous resources evaluated for cultural accuracy and integration of Indigenous concepts, knowledge, and perspectives. Reconciliation-specific projects include the erection of a 44-foot Reconciliation Pole and two 20-foot Welcome Figures at VSB headquarters in 2019, carved to symbolize unity ("nə́c̓aʔmat ct - 'we are one'") and ongoing learning about shared history. Artistic and educational projects encourage students to explore colonial history and envision collective futures. In 2023, nine VSB schools received grants to develop Indigenous foodscapes on school grounds, linking land-based learning to curriculum and traditional knowledge systems. Annually, the board observes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, aligning with Orange Shirt Day to honor residential school survivors through school activities, curated reading lists from the Indigenous Education department, and commitments to truth-telling processes. The VSB's Equity and Anti-Oppression Framework explicitly incorporates Indigenous ways of knowing and learning, framing reconciliation as a continuous district responsibility.

Kindergarten Class Size Policy

The Vancouver School Board limits kindergarten class sizes to a maximum of 20 students, as outlined in the district's Memorandum of Agreement on Class Size and Composition. This policy applies district-wide.

Controversies and Criticisms

School Closure Proposals and Community Backlash

In response to persistent budget deficits and declining enrollment, the Vancouver School Board (VSB) has pursued school closure proposals as part of its Long Range Facilities Plan (LRFP), aiming to consolidate underutilized sites and generate revenue through land sales or redevelopment. Enrollment in Vancouver public schools dropped by approximately 1,500 students between 2019 and 2023, exacerbating operational shortfalls estimated at $10-15 million annually, prompting reviews of facilities with low utilization rates below 60%. One such site, Queen Elizabeth Annex, was approved for closure effective June 30, 2023, following public consultations that highlighted community concerns over lost neighborhood access. A focal point of recent proposals is Sir Guy Carleton Elementary School, shuttered since a 2016 fire damaged its structure, with enrollment prior to closure averaging under 100 students. On January 30, 2023, the VSB approved preliminary catchment boundary adjustments contingent on its permanent closure, but deferred final decisions amid fiscal reviews. The process restarted on October 1, 2025, with renewed public engagement to assess permanent decommissioning and potential redevelopment of the 2.5-acre site near Kingsway and Joyce Street into residential units, which could yield up to $20 million in proceeds. VSB officials cited structural irrepairability and alignment with enrollment forecasts projecting further declines to 45,000 students by 2030 as justifications, emphasizing that closures target surplus capacity rather than program cuts. Community backlash has intensified, with parents and residents organizing rallies and petitions against perceived "short-sighted cash grabs" that prioritize revenue over educational infrastructure. On October 21, 2025, over 100 parents protested at Vancouver City Hall, decrying the rezoning of school lands—including basketball courts at multiple sites—for higher-density development, arguing it erodes community green spaces and future school capacity amid housing pressures. Critics, including local advocacy groups, contend that selling assets undervalues public holdings—estimated at $9.5 billion across 223 properties—and fails to address root causes like provincial underfunding, with one trustee facing public rebuke in May 2025 for dismissing parental emails as "spam" during consultations. Supporters of the proposals counter that without action, deficits could necessitate broader cuts, as evidenced by the VSB's reliance on accumulated surpluses to balance budgets since 2015. Ongoing engagements, including virtual forums through December 2025, reflect divided stakeholder views, with final board votes pending integration of feedback into the LRFP.

Administrative Bullying and Workplace Toxicity

In 2016, allegations emerged of a toxic workplace environment at the Vancouver School Board (VSB), primarily involving harassment and bullying directed by elected trustees toward administrative staff, including Superintendent Scott Robinson. On October 7, 2016, an open letter from the British Columbia Ministry of Education highlighted "troubling allegations regarding trustees and a workplace that has become toxic for staff," prompting senior management, including the superintendent, to take indefinite leaves of absence amid reports of intimidation and fear for job security. An external investigation commissioned by the VSB and conducted by employment lawyer Roslyn Goldner, released in redacted form on March 3, 2017, confirmed that bullying and personal harassment had occurred, creating a toxic work environment marked by uncivil, disrespectful, and rude behavior from certain trustees toward staff. The report attributed the toxicity to the board's partisan composition—dominated by Vision Vancouver-aligned trustees—and inconsistent leadership, which fostered an atmosphere where administrative employees reported feeling humiliated, threatened, and pressured, particularly during budget-related deliberations in fall 2016. A concurrent WorkSafeBC investigation detailed specific instances of staff intimidation and public humiliation, validating claims of psychological harm and workplace harassment under occupational health standards. The fallout included Superintendent Robinson's resignation on March 31, 2017, following the reports, which he linked to the sustained harassment by trustees. Dianne Turner, a former superintendent from Delta, was appointed as interim administrator on October 14, 2016, to stabilize operations amid the dysfunction. The provincial government ultimately dismissed the entire VSB trustee board in July 2017, citing ongoing governance failures rooted in the toxic dynamics, and appointed a sole trustee to oversee reforms. These events underscored systemic issues in trustee-staff relations rather than isolated administrative misconduct, with no subsequent public investigations documenting similar patterns of bullying originating from VSB administration toward subordinates.

Wage Disputes and Labor Tensions

In April 2025, the Vancouver School Board (VSB) terminated its living wage supplement program ahead of schedule, resulting in pay reductions for over 200 non-union employees, including bus drivers and other support staff. Hourly wages for affected bus drivers fell to $19.65, constituting up to a 25% cut for some workers previously receiving the stipend to meet or exceed British Columbia's living wage threshold of approximately $27.20 in Metro Vancouver. The board justified the change by noting that base salaries for all district staff now surpass the living wage rate without supplemental payments, aiming to redirect funds amid persistent budget shortfalls driven by enrollment declines and provincial funding limitations. The decision intensified labor tensions, with CUPE Local 15—representing custodial, maintenance, and other support workers—voicing opposition during March 2025 bargaining updates, where members criticized perceived impediments to fair proposals and ratification processes. Advocacy groups like Living Wage BC condemned the move as undermining prior commitments to equitable pay, while employee backlash escalated to include reported threats and bullying against administrative staff, prompting VSB chair Victoria Jung to notify police on May 15, 2025, to ensure staff safety. Analyses from the Fraser Institute attributed the program's origins to political pressures for above-market wages, estimating annual costs exceeding $1 million for stipends that distorted labor markets and exacerbated VSB's fiscal deficits, which reached $6.5 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year. No formal strikes materialized, but the episode highlighted broader dissatisfaction, as evidenced by a September 2024 union survey revealing that 75% of Vancouver Teachers' Federation members felt undervalued by the employer, with one-third intending to depart within five years amid stagnant compensation relative to inflation and housing costs. These tensions reflect ongoing challenges in collective bargaining under British Columbia's public sector framework, where binding arbitration can resolve impasses but has not been invoked in recent VSB disputes.

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  116. https://www.vsb.bc.ca/page/4964/school-closures
  117. https://www.vsb.bc.ca/page/4896/queen-elizabeth-annex
  118. https://vancouversun.com/news/parents-push-back-vancouver-school-board-weighs-condo-plan
  119. https://www.vsb.bc.ca/page/83820/proposed-closure-of-sir-guy-carleton-elementary-school
  120. https://www.vsb.bc.ca/page/61416/public-engagement
  121. https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/vancouver-parents-organize-rally-to-save-land-from-school-closure-development/
  122. https://educationnewscanada.com/article/education/level/k12/3/1139331/vancouver-school-board-trustee-faces-backlash-after-post-referring-to-parents-concerns-as-spam-.html
  123. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vsb-bullying-report-1.4008311
  124. https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/report-says-bullying-led-to-a-toxic-work-environment-at-vancouver-school-board
  125. https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016EDUC0142-001962
  126. https://www.vsb.bc.ca/_ci/p/23147
  127. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/worksafe-report-details-vsb-bullying-harassment-1.4038459
  128. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/vancouver-school-board-superintendent-announces-resignation-after-worharrassment/article35211139/
  129. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vsb-bullying-report-1.4014440
  130. https://vancouversun.com/news/vancouver-school-bus-drivers-face-pay-cut
  131. https://www.livingwagebc.ca/vancouver_school_board
  132. https://media.vsb.bc.ca/media/Default/medialib/open-special-board-meeting-agenda-2025-apr-30.cef39279997.pdf
  133. https://cupe15.org/vsb-information-bulletin-important-bargaining-update-march-20-2025/
  134. https://educationnewscanada.com/article/education/category/transportation/148/1141068/vancouver-school-boardmay-15-2025-police-notified-as-tensions-grow-over-vancouver-school-board-wage-cuts.html
  135. https://www.fraserinstitute.org/commentary/vancouver-school-boards-living-wage-gimmick-came-real-costs
  136. https://thetyee.ca/News/2024/09/16/Third-VSB-Teachers-Plan-Leave/
  137. https://bcpsea.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/00-Slinn-article-Conflict-without-Compromise.pdf
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