Across BC, the salary arbitration ruling is uniquely impacting the Burnaby School District with the potential to cost $9.4 million – an amount that is more than double the $4.2 million in cuts made for the 2025-26 budget year.

��ҹ���޸����糡 Chair Kristin Schnider:

“No one expected to be in this position. This has shaken the school district and has the potential to devastate delivery of education across Burnaby Schools.”

The Arbitrator ruled that as of July 1, 2022, beginning teachers, who are in year one, should have been paid one step higher than they were. This impacted more than 800 teachers.

There is one matter that is in dispute. If it is resolved in favour of the union, the District estimates the total cost to be $9.4 million.

In talks with government, Trustees have emphasized that the costs should have been fully funded at the time of the 2022 collective agreement if the provincial body – the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) – had accurately interpreted the collective agreement and given the District the correct direction.

“We’re not asking for a bailout,” said Schnider. “This follows provincial bargaining framework and we’re asking the government to uphold their end.”

Trustees have underscored to the provincial government that it should have covered the total cost through monies allocated for labour settlement and what’s called salary differential funding. (Salary differential is part of the ongoing operating grant provided by the Ministry that increases funding for districts with higher-than-average teacher salaries.)

Based on conversations with the Ministry, $4.6 million of funding that would have been generated through salary differential has been included in the current year’s financial projections. Currently, there is no guaranteed provincial commitment for any funding. The Board has asked the Ministry to submit a request within government for full funding of the $9.4 million.

“We know the province has its own fiscal challenges, but that does not negate provincial responsibility,” said Schnider. “We don’t want the impact of this to be felt by local Burnaby children in the classroom.”

Boards of Education are legally required to pass a balanced budget.

Learn More

Budget 2026-27 Process and Feedback
April 2026

Freshet News, April 15, 2026

Freshet News, October 15, 2025

Posted April 15, 2026

The post Unfunded Ruling Could Devastate District’s Budget appeared first on Burnaby Schools.

In addition to events and performances that are school or District-related, the theatre is also currently used by the community at large. Unfortunately, it is not financially viable for the school district to maintain usage of the theatre beyond school and District-related purposes. As a result, effective July 1, 2026, the theatre will no longer be available for community bookings.

��ҹ���޸����糡 Chair Kristin Schnider:

As a Board, we are extremely proud of the theatre’s lasting legacy and contributions to the performing arts in Burnaby. While we know this planned shift in how the Michael J Fox Theatre is used may be disappointing for some, the fiscal reality is that we cannot afford to manage the theatre for community usage beyond the current budget year.”

Recognizing the importance of the venue to the wider community, in January of 2025 the District announced jointly with the City of Burnaby that the two parties were in talks about the future of the theatre’s operations. The City of Burnaby continues to consider the feasibility of the City’s involvement with the theatre’s future.

Located on Burnaby South Secondary’s property, the Michael J Fox Theatre was operated by an independent, non-profit society when it opened in 1993. In January 2025 the District shared that, due to management changes within the Michael J Fox Theatre Society, responsibility for the theatre changed such that it rested solely with the Burnaby School District. The District’s primary fiscal responsibility is toward education for students.

The theatre will remain open for business in all the usual ways until the end of the District’s financial year, which is up to and including June 30, 2026.

Posted April 14, 2026

The post Michael J Fox Theatre Usage Changing appeared first on Burnaby Schools.

Parents and caregivers are invited to attend the presentation, which will be held at Burnaby North Secondary’s theatre on April 16 from 6:30 to 8pm, to learn about what the District is doing to support students to navigate AI and succeed in a world with it.

The evening, led by District Principal of Education Technology Lucky Saini and District Program Consultant Michelle Mactavish, will include an opportunity for families to ask questions.

District Principal of Education Technology, Lucky Saini:

AI is already having a global impact on education. We want to provide parents with an opportunity to learn about the journey we’ve begun in our District. We’re working to equip both educators and students with the skills to navigate AI’s potential – all while emphasizing��responsible use, academic integrity and student learning.”

PARENT INFORMATION SESSION: UNDERSTANDING AI IN EDUCATION

�ٲ��ٱ�:�� April 16, 2026
�վ�����:�� 6:30 – 8pm
Location: ��Burnaby North Secondary Theatre

Register and learn more .

Read More

Freshet News, April 15, 2026

Posted April 2026

The post AI in Education: Building Understanding appeared first on Burnaby Schools.

Priorities

Budget priorities align with and support strategic work, including:

• a focus on student outcomes, as reflected in the��Enhancing Student Learning Report, and
• long-term goals outlined in the overarching����ҹ���޸����糡 Strategic Plan��for the District.

Where We Spend Our Operations Budget

Most of the overall budget is allocated to specific needs, with the vast majority going toward instruction. The District is consistently below the provincial average on other expenditures.

All school districts across British Columbia are required to submit a balanced budget to the Ministry of Education and Child Care annually.

Gathering Feedback

Feedback is appreciated and used to help inform decisions. Ongoing consultation and engagement remain an important part of the work, including with partner groups: District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC); District Student Advisory Council (DSAC); Burnaby Teachers’ Association (BTA); CUPE Local 379; and Burnaby Principals’ and Vice-Principals’ Association (BPVPA); and the Indigenous Education Council (IEC).

In addition to the input gathered from families by DPAC through their own processes, individual parents and guardians and all people are welcome to submit their thoughts directly for the Board’s consideration. Details of how to do so can be found below.

Opportunities to Provide Input

A public meeting will be held on��Tuesday, April 14 at 7pm��at the��District Administration Office��with the option to attend either��in person or online. Kindly note that this public meeting is in addition to the meeting specifically for parents and guardians hosted by DPAC on��April 15 at 7pm, where the District will also make a presentation on budget proposals. Parents and guardians may attend either or both meetings.

All people are invited to do any of the following:

• Make a Presentation at the Public Meeting on��April 14
  To be added to the agenda,
  call 604-296-6900 Ext. 661004
  or email budget@burnabyschools.ca
  by Wednesday, April 8 at 9am

• Attend the Public Meeting on��April 14
  To attend the virtual meeting,
  call 604-296-6900 Ext. 661004
  or email budget@burnabyschools.ca
  by��Tuesday, April 14��at 9am

• Submit in Writing
  To submit your input in writing,
  email budget@burnabyschools.ca
  or mail a letter to:
  ��ҹ���޸����糡 Finance Committee
  4054 Norfolk Street, Burnaby BC V5G 0C3
  by Friday, May 15 at 12pm

Timeline for 2026-27 Budget Consultation & Finalization

A revised timeline will be going to the ��ҹ���޸����糡 for approval at their April 28 regular public meeting. The budget timeline allows for time to enact school staffing and other measures set out in the budget in support of a successful upcoming school year and to allow public consultation to be received.

Learn more and see the Public Budget Presentation and Preliminary Budget Report��HERE.

Updated April 14, 2026

The post Budget 2026-27 Process and Feedback appeared first on Burnaby Schools.

Known as the MHL, the Morley Hockey League is one of many ways across the District where staff work to build community outside of class time.

Blake Briscoe is the principal at Morley:

Imagine walking into a school gym and seeing a full-fledged hockey game in progress with the music pumping, a live announcer, a scoreboard, and screaming fans. This is the Morley Hockey League.”

The intramural floor hockey league was created by staff member Troy Closs in 2005, after being asked by his then-principal to consider a way to teach kids how to play cooperatively and support a positive school environment.

Closs, a Connect Worker in Burnaby Schools, says the idea was to capture imaginations.

“The league began with 12 players, so we basically had enough to play a game. Currently, we have 300 players and 14 teams. It has really taken off. To me, the reason kids keep coming back and why the numbers have grown so much is that in the MHL we have an atmosphere that attempts to mimic the excitement of a real NHL arena.”

Students work together on aspects of the league that go beyond the game, itself. They do live play-by-play and game interviews. There’s a large electronic scoreboard, music in between play, a huge flashing red and overhead light to indicate a goal, players are projected on the screen, younger spectators take part in sing-a-long songs, and there are mascots for the playoffs.

Closs says the league supports student leadership, emphasizes teamwork and enforces fair play – all while providing children with a first class and fun experience.

“The bells and whistles are what excites the students – that plays a big part in their desire to continue to play. “

The MHL runs four to five days each week. It’s also become an integral way to connect with community. Frequent guests of the MHL include members of the Burnaby RCMP, Burnaby Firefighters, Metro Vancouver Transit Police and Simon Fraser University’s men’s hockey team.

Throughout the District, engagement with partners strengthens the experience for students, enhances learning opportunities, and supports community connection.

Sheri Brattston is responsible for Out-of-School Time programs, which run after the school day. As the District Principal of Community Education and Child Care, her staff group includes Connect Workers, such as Closs, who are part of an integrated support team focused on building positive relationships with students, schools, and community members.

Brattston says, together, they work to create a healthy balance of opportunities for students.

“We’ve all heard the phrase, ‘it takes a village.’ Our Out-of-School Time community partners help extend the school’s reach into the neighborhood and strengthen the school’s role as a hub of support.”

Another example of community partnerships that are elevating student experiences after the school bell goes is at Edmonds Community School. They have an almost decade-long partnership with what’s now known as the Burnaby Football Club.

The Out-of-School Time program with Burnaby FC creates meaningful opportunities for students who would otherwise have multiple barriers to access a high-level soccer program. There are currently 36 children participating, ranging from 7 to 11 years old.

Connect Worker Dave Kumar has been working with the after-school soccer program since he came to Edmonds eight years ago.

“One of the most powerful outcomes has been seeing former participants return to our schools as coaches, referees, and mentors. This speaks to the lasting impact of having trusted adults who invest in students and equip them with the skills and confidence to give back to their community in positive and meaningful ways.”

In addition to working on soccer skills, students in the program develop problem solving, teamwork, and social-emotional skills.

Kumar says, in some cases, the program has even helped participants get scouted and pursue their sporting dreams.

“Because of barriers, these students wouldn’t necessarily have the chance to share their skills with professional coaches, and we’re fortunate to have that opportunity for students. We’ve had a few who have been successful in achieving university scholarships through soccer.”

Recently, Kumar, Brattston, and Closs presented about the programs and related opportunities – along with Edmonds’ principal Guy Hamilton – at a ��ҹ���޸����糡 public meeting.

After their presentation, Board Chair Kristin Schnider spoke about the importance of these kinds of opportunities.

“Public education is a wholistic system that is not just the bell-to-bell, it’s all of the other supports in between. When you support a child to feel connected and part of a community – they’re excited to go to something like the football club or Morley Hockey League – they learn better.”

There are more than 430 Out-of-School Time programs across Burnaby Schools that are run in partnership with over 50 providers.

Posted April 2026

The post Building Community Beyond the Bell appeared first on Burnaby Schools.

The Grade 5/6 class at Confederation Park Elementary, whose posters were displayed in their school, worked on the project after watching new District-wide videos focused on accessibility, barriers, inclusion, and disability.

The videos were shared by the District with schools this fall to help staff and students to engage with accessibility throughout the school year and to build awareness. These learning opportunities are part of supporting the school district’s commitment to creating inclusive and accessible learning environments for all.

Another part of this commitment involves working with community to help inform our work. The District has advisory and working committees to gather information about accessibility and assist in identifying barriers in the District. Feedback is encouraged through a variety of ways, with information about how to do so found here.

Watch the video series on accessibility, barriers, inclusion, and disability below and scroll down to learn more about what’s happening in Burnaby Schools.

Learn More

Accessibility in Burnaby Schools
Honouring Deaf Identity Through Connection and Culture – September 2025
BCSD Receives Proclamation Celebrating Deaf People – September 2025
��ҹ���޸����糡 for Accessibility and Inclusion – June 2025
AccessAbility Contest Win: Student Designs – June 2025
District Hosts Record-Breaking Provincial Event – May 2025
Empowering Education: Learning About Accessibility – May 2025
More than Words: Connection and Story – February 2025
Deaf Awareness Flags Flown for First Time at Schools – October 2024
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Showcase Draws Record Numbers – May 2024
Forward Together: AccessAbility Week – May 2024
Burnaby School District Accessibility Plan 2023-2026
Breaking Down Barriers: New Plan Toward Greater Accessibility – December 2023Student Presenters Shine: Many Earn Top Honours – April 2023
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Pride Showcased at Event – April 2022
Students and Staff Shine: Awards and Competitions – July 2021
Deafblind Student Publishes Book Accessible for All Children – January 2021
Student’s Personal Quest Before Losing Sight Leads to School First – June 2019
Inspiring Academy Award Winning Actress Visits Burnaby School – March 2019

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Posted March 2025

The post Students Showcase Accessibility Learning appeared first on Burnaby Schools.

Offered for the first time in Burnaby Schools, District-led Spring Break Camps had a focus on joyful learning, while supporting the needs of families. Opportunities for students ranged from practical skills, including cooking and sewing, to sports and academic enrichment, such as robotics. The week-long camps, with the option available to book both weeks, were for children and youth in Grades 4 to 8. The nearly 240 registrants took part in 13 different camps located at Burnaby North and Moscrop Secondary schools.

A group of students from across the District came together at Burnaby Central Secondary to explore aspects of policing, as they contemplate a possible career in law enforcement. The opportunities at the annual week-long Burnaby RCMP Youth Academy included taking part in mock investigation scenarios and learning defensive tactics. Specialized policing areas were also highlighted through visits from the Explosives Disposal Unit and Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Services, and Integrated Forensic Identification Services.

A group of 16 students from across the Burnaby School District participated in a Spring Break welding camp. This opportunity for hands-on learning and career exploration is offered to students in Grade 8 to 12 who would benefit the most and might not otherwise get the opportunity to attend such a program. It is put on by the British Columbia Institute of Technology in partnership with the District and the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation.

Schools often offer a chance for field trips – some of which take place over academic breaks. Students from Burnaby North Secondary were among those who had the chance to go on a school-organized trip to Europe. The 23 students and three teachers went for 10 days over Spring Break. Their cultural experiences and learning opportunities included travel in Czechia, Austria, Switzerland and Lichtenstein.

Posted March 2026

The post Adventurous Learning Over Spring Break appeared first on Burnaby Schools.

Work by students at Royal Oak in their school garden – supported by Education Assistant Sally Vanin with the Learning Pathways program – was featured by BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation. Read the article . Since starting the garden in 2022, youth in Grades 10 to 12 at Royal Oak have been growing produce and herbs that they use in their Foods class. The learning projects go beyond plants: teaching resilience, responsibility, and reinforcing the students’ abilities to both provide for themselves and make contributions to community.

The Garden Crew at Brentwood Park Elementary has been making bin markers for their plant space that will soon also have an outdoor library. The group of 20 Kindergarten to Grade 7 students in the lunchtime club started by designing models of a structure to contain the library shelves, which will hold books and seeds. With the support of an adult volunteer, the children began construction. Some students have also been making posters to let people know about the new space, which is intended to connect community in an outdoor environment.

Montecito Elementary is one of the latest schools to do a Stream of Dreams project. With funding from the Parent Advisory Council, children created colourful hand-painted fish. The project is one of the ways for students to build awareness of environmental connection and how they can help support sustainability.

Learn more

See more examples of sustainability efforts across the Burnaby School District  here. Additionally, the District has a Sustainability Strategic Plan that sets out goals, objectives and specific actions to mobilize our efforts. Read the plan here.

Posted March 2026

The post Inspiring Pathways to Engage With the Environment appeared first on Burnaby Schools.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE 3-YEAR CALENDAR

Please note that the annual calendars linked above highlight that there are still three professional development days where dates are still to be determined.

Learn more about the public feedback process that preceded Board approval��here.

Posted March 2026

The post Approved Three-Year School Calendar 2026-2029 appeared first on Burnaby Schools.

Wrestlers from Burnaby North, Burnaby Central and Cariboo Hill Secondary schools took gold in their weight categories. After earning the top spot in the province, all three athletes will be competing for Canada at the upcoming Pan Am Games.

Athletes competing in wrestling for Burnaby North, Moscrop, and Cariboo Hill Secondary schools collectively earned a bronze and two silver medals in their weight categories. A number of wrestlers from Byrne Creek, Burnaby South, Moscrop and Cariboo Hill Secondary schools also earned a spot to compete at Provincials.

In table tennis, Burnaby North Secondary’s Girls Doubles team took home the gold. As a team, the Burnaby North girls captured silver. The school’s table tennis athletes also took bronze in the Mixed Doubles and Girls Singles competitions. Moscrop Secondary’s boys table tennis athletes captured three bronze medals in Singles, Doubles and as a team.

In team results, Burnaby North Secondary’s Boys and Girls ski team placed third at the Provincial Ski and Snowboard Championships. Several athletes earned a spot to compete at Provincials in other sports,��including Burnaby North’s curling team, which finished nineth in BC.

In Senior Boys basketball, Byrne Creek Community School made it to Provincials and played in the 3A championship category, finishing 11th place in BC. After winning the banner, Cariboo Hill Secondary competed in the 2A category, placing 16th at Provincials.

At Provincial invitational tournaments, Burnaby South Secondary’s basketball teams had one first and two second place finishes. The Junior Girls team won, earning the top spot by nine points in the championship game, capturing the provincial title. , the Junior Boys team took silver. The Burnaby South Grade 9 boys basketball team also placed second.

At the elementary level over the winter sports season, children enjoyed basketball competition. With several playdays hosted by high schools, it was also a chance for the student-athletes to experience athletics in a secondary school environment.

Posted March 2026

The post Celebrating Student-Athletes’ Winter Achievements appeared first on Burnaby Schools.