This page explains how School District 19 (Revelstoke) expects parents, students, and community members to raise concerns or pursue formal appeals. The district provides a complaint pathway through Policy 8.3 – Inquiries and Concerns, followed by a formal appeal process governed by Bylaw 2.7 – Appeals under section 11 of the School Act.

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How the district frames complaints

SD19 frames complaints as a process of respectful communication and local resolution.

The district emphasises:

• addressing concerns at the lowest appropriate level
• respectful and professional communication
• resolving issues as early as possible
• maintaining clear communication between home and school

Parents and students are expected to follow the inquiries and concerns process before pursuing a formal appeal.

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Inquiries and concerns (informal process)

The district provides a staged, informal resolution pathway.

Step 1: Speak with the staff member involved

Concerns should first be discussed directly with the employee most closely connected to the issue (typically the classroom teacher or staff member).

Step 2: Escalate to the principal

If the concern is not resolved, it may be brought to the school principal, who will review the situation and attempt to facilitate a resolution.

Step 3: Escalate to district administration

If the issue remains unresolved, the concern may be taken to district-level administration (typically the Superintendent or designate), who will review the matter and attempt resolution.

The process is intended to resolve concerns collaboratively before escalation to a formal appeal.

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Formal appeal process (Bylaw 2.7)

If the concern is not resolved through the inquiries and concerns process, a parent or student may appeal a decision of a board employee that significantly affects the education, health, or safety of a student.

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What can be appealed

Appeals are limited to decisions that significantly affect a student’s education, health, or safety.

Examples may include:

• disciplinary decisions such as suspensions
• placement in educational programs
• promotion or graduation decisions
• access to educational services

Importantly:

👉 Failure to make a decision may be treated as a decision for the purpose of bringing an appeal.

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Filing an appeal

To begin an appeal:

• A written Notice of Appeal must be submitted to the Board
• The notice must generally be filed within 30 days of the decision being appealed

The Notice of Appeal must include:

• the student’s name and relevant details
• the decision being appealed
• the date the decision was communicated
• the employee responsible
• the grounds for appeal and the remedy sought

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Required prior steps

Before the Board will hear an appeal:

• The parent or student must first discuss the decision with the employee who made it
• The Board may refuse to hear an appeal if this step has not been completed

The Board or Superintendent may also direct further attempts at resolution before proceeding.

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Board review and hearing

Once an appeal proceeds:

• The Superintendent or designate may prepare a report for the Board
• The Board may consider written submissions or hold an oral hearing
• The parent or student may bring an advocate
• The Board may investigate further if needed

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Decision

The Board:

• considers the information presented
• may make interim decisions if necessary
• issues a written decision

The decision is communicated to the parties following deliberation.

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Grounds for refusal

The Board may refuse to hear an appeal if:

• it is filed more than 30 days after the decision
• required prior discussion steps were not completed
• the matter does not significantly affect the student’s education, health, or safety

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Provincial appeal

If the Board’s decision does not resolve the matter, the decision may be appealed to the Superintendent of Achievement under the School Act.

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Complete escalation pathway

Step 1: Discuss concern with the staff member involved
Step 2: Escalate to the principal
Step 3: Escalate to district administration
Step 4: Submit written Notice of Appeal to the Board
Step 5: Board review, possible hearing, and decision
Step 6: Provincial appeal to the Superintendent of Achievement

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Guiding principles

• Concerns should be addressed at the lowest appropriate level
• Informal resolution is expected before formal appeal
• Respectful communication is required throughout
• Appeals apply only to significant impacts on a student
• Failure to respond may be treated as a decision in the appeal process

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Official district source

• 2.7 Appeals Bylaw
• Inquiries / Concerns Policy
• 8.3 Inquiries and Concerns

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flowchart TD
    A([Concern arises]) --> B[Step 1: Discuss the concern with the staff member involved]
    B --> C{Resolved?}
    C -- Yes --> Z([Matter resolved])
    C -- No --> D[Step 2: Escalate to the principal]
    D --> E{Resolved?}
    E -- Yes --> Z
    E -- No --> F[Step 3: Escalate to district administration<br/>Superintendent or designate reviews the matter]
    F --> G{Resolved?}
    G -- Yes --> Z
    G -- No --> H[Step 4: Submit written Notice of Appeal to the Board<br/>Must generally be filed within 30 days of the decision]
    H --> I[Notice includes student details<br/>decision appealed<br/>date communicated<br/>employee involved<br/>grounds and remedy sought]
    I --> J[Board or Superintendent may require<br/>prior discussion with the employee who made the decision]
    J --> K{Prior discussion completed?}
    K -- No --> L([Board may refuse to hear the appeal])
    K -- Yes --> M[Superintendent or designate prepares report for the Board]
    M --> N[Step 5: Board review<br/>Board considers written submissions]
    N --> O{Oral hearing needed?}
    O -- No --> P[Board decides based on written submissions]
    O -- Yes --> Q[Board hearing<br/>parent or student may bring an advocate<br/>Board may investigate further]
    Q --> R[Board issues written decision]
    P --> R
    R --> S{Satisfied with Board decision?}
    S -- Yes --> Z
    S -- No --> T[Step 6: Provincial appeal to the<br/>Superintendent of Achievement]