The Vancouver School Board's work is divided among standing committees.

Following each committee meeting, recommendations are forwarded to the full board for approval. Board meetings are open to the public, except for in-camera sessions held in keeping with the School Act to discuss personnel or confidential financial or other matters. 

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• 2024-2025 Trustee Appointments - VBE Standing Committees, School Liaisons and Other Trustee Representatives

Committees Summary

Policy and Governance Committee

The purpose of the Policy and Governance Committee is to ensure the Board Policy Handbook is kept current. The four trustee members of the Committee and stakeholder representatives work together to ensure effective governance and advocacy is in place for the Board of Education by reviewing the policy framework for the organization and make policy recommendations to the Board. Responsibilities of the Committee include:

A.2 Assess and make recommendations regarding Board governance structures.

A.3 Ensure Board Policies are reviewed at least once in a four-year term and that compliance with legislation, regulations and legislative mandate is maintained.

A.4 Review and make recommendations to the Board on the school district's compliance with legislative requirements.

A.5 Annually review and recommend an Advocacy Plan to the Board that supports the achievement of the Board’s strategic objectives.

A.6 Review matters referred to the committee by the Board and make recommendations as requested.

Advocacy Subcommitee

The primary purpose of the Advocacy Subcommittee shall be to act in an advisory capacity to the Policy and Governance Committee and the Board. Advocacy subcommittee work plans shall be created annually based on the Board’s annual plan for advocacy and meetings will be scheduled as needed through the agenda setting process. The full terms of reference for the Advocacy Subcommittee can be found here. 

Facilities Planning Committee

The purpose of the Facilities Planning Committee is to review and provide recommendations to the Board in regard to facilities matters. The four trustee members of the Committee and stakeholder representatives work together to address key facilities-related processes such as capital planning, the Long Range Facilities Plan, student enrolment, and matters referred by the Board of Education. Responsibilities of the Committee include:

B.1 Review and provide recommendations to the Board regarding assigned facilities planning matters. 

B.2 Annually review and make recommendations to the Board regarding the five-year capital plan and the spending plan for the annual facilities grant.

B.3 Review and make recommendations to the Board regarding the long-range facilities plan.

B.4 Review and make recommendations to the Board regarding catchment areas for schools and District programs.

B.5 For the purpose of naming and renaming schools, provide recommendations to the Board, adhering to the guidelines and direction set by the Board at the beginning of any potential school naming or renaming process.

B.6 Review matters referred to the Committee by the Board and make recommendations as requested.

Education Plan Committee

The purpose of the Education Plan Committee is to review student learning and well-being indicators, and where warranted, provide recommendations to the Board. The four trustee members of the Committee and stakeholder representatives work together to review key documents supporting the Education agenda including the Strategic Planning Accountability Report, the Student Learning Accountability Report and the Student Well-Being Accountability Report. Responsibilities of the Committee include:

C.1 Review and make recommendations to the Board regarding matters related to the development and implementation of the Education Plan.

C.2 Review and make recommendations to the Board regarding the annual Framework for Enhancing Student Learning Report.

C.3 Review and make recommendations to the Board regarding proposed Board Authority Authorized Courses.

C.4 Review and make recommendations regarding the implementation and cessation of District programs.

C.5 Review and make recommendations to the Board regarding annual school learning plans.

C.6 Review and make recommendations to the Board regarding school calendars.

C.7 Review matters referred to the Committee by the Board and make recommendations as requested.

Finance and Personnel Committee

The purpose of the Finance and Personnel Committee is to assist the Board in being fiscally responsible and to review and monitor the school district’s human resources management strategy to ensure that human resources plans and initiatives will enable the school district to achieve its strategic objectives. The four trustee members of the Committee and stakeholder representatives work together to monitor financial results, and provide input regarding the budget development process. Responsibilities of the Committee include:

D.1 Assist the Board in being fiscally responsible by managing its financial resources effectively and efficiently. 

D.2 Annually make recommendations to the Board regarding its submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services.

D.3 Provide input regarding the budget development process, review budget assumptions and budget priorities that provide a framework for the preparation of the annual budget.

D.4 Review quarterly financial statements and make recommendations for increasing value for money including reducing costs, increasing revenue, eliminating or reducing resource allocations where commensurate results are not being achieved, disposal of assets, and increasing benefits without increasing costs.

D.5 Make recommendations to the Board regarding the approval of school fees and fees related to programs that charge fees.

D.6 Review and provide input regarding ongoing, appropriate staff recognition, and acknowledgement.

D.7 Review and monitor the school district’s human resources management strategy to ensure that human resources plans and initiatives will enable the school district to achieve its strategic objectives.

D.8 Review matters referred to the Committee by the Board and make recommendations as requested.