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School District 27 Cariboo-Chilcotin
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GROW Continuing Education Centre, Forest Grove Elementary, Horsefly Elem-Jr Secondary, Marie Sharpe Elementary, 100 Mile House Elementary, Likely Elem-Jr Secondary, Big Lake Elementary, 150 Mile Elementary, Lac La Hache Elementary, Chilcotin Road Elementary, Mountview Elementary, Columneetza Junior Secondary, Anahim Lake Elem-Jr Secondary, Peter Skene Ogden Secondary, Cataline Elementary, Naghtaneqed Elem-Jr Secondary, Horse Lake Elementary, Mile 108 Elementary, Nesika Elementary, Tatla Lake Elem-Jr Secondary, Dog Creek Elem-Secondary, Alexis Creek Elementary/Secondary, Lake City Secondary, Nenqayni Treatment Centre, Graduation Routes Other Ways, Skyline Alternate School, PSO Outback Storefront
Complaints process overview
Note: Policies and procedures may change over time. This review reflects the information available as of March 2026 and was compiled to the best of my understanding. Readers should consult the original district policies and bylaws for the authoritative and most up-to-date procedures. If you notice errors, please provide feedback via the form below.
School District 27 Cariboo-Chilcotin
Click here to see which schools are in this district
This page explains how SD27 expects parents, students, and community members to raise concerns or pursue formal appeals. The district provides an informal resolution pathway through its Communication Protocol, followed by a formal appeal process governed by Bylaw B2706 – Appeals under section 11 of the School Act.
How the district frames complaints
SD27 frames concern resolution as a collaborative process, stating that its aim is for families to resolve concerns in a single step at the school level. The district emphasises respectful communication, mutual listening, and action plans with follow-up dates. The Communication Protocol provides a visual escalation ladder — from school principal through district office, superintendent, Board of Education, and ultimately the Superintendent of Achievement — with resolution checkpoints at each level.
The formal appeal process under Bylaw B2706 is grounded in explicit principles of administrative fairness, including the right to be heard, the right to an advocate, the right to obtain all information that led to the decision, and the right to an impartial review with a built-in mechanism to protect against retribution. SD27 also includes a formal anti-reprisal clause: no employee or trustee may discharge, suspend, expel, intimidate, coerce, or otherwise penalise a person for filing an appeal or assisting in the investigation of one.
Common issues covered
The bylaw applies to any decision of a Board employee that significantly affects the education, health, or safety of a student. For the purposes of the bylaw, “decision” includes the failure of an employee to make a decision.
Step-by-step process
Step 1: Raise the concern directly The district encourages parents and students to speak directly with those involved — typically the classroom teacher, staff member, administrator, or school counsellor. The Communication Protocol advises families to clarify the issues, identify possible solutions, bring a support person if desired, and establish a plan of action with follow-up dates.
Step 2: Escalate to the principal If the concern remains unresolved, it may be brought to the school principal or department supervisor, who arranges a meeting with all those involved to plan a resolution.
Step 3: Contact the district office If school-level resolution is unsuccessful, the concern may be raised with the district office to involve a district representative, and then to the district superintendent if necessary.
Step 4: Pre-appeal dispute resolution Before filing a formal appeal, the Board encourages families to utilise the dispute resolution steps outlined in Board policy. If these steps do not resolve the concern, an appeal is normally from the decision of the highest supervisory officer who dealt with the matter during dispute resolution.
Step 5: Submit a written Notice of Appeal The parent or student begins the formal appeal by presenting a written Notice of Appeal to the Secretary-Treasurer within 15 school days after being informed of the decision, or from the date of completion of the dispute resolution steps, whichever is later.
The Notice of Appeal must include: the student’s name, address, phone number, date of birth, and school placement (including grade level and homeroom teacher); the name, address, and phone number of the person making the appeal; a description of the decision being appealed; the date the appellant was informed of the decision; the name of the Board employee who made the decision; particulars of the effect on the student’s education, health, or safety; the action requested or relief sought; a summary of the steps already taken to resolve the matter; and whether the appellant requires any special accommodation to proceed with the appeal (such as interpretation services).
Step 6: Pre-hearing preparation Upon receipt of the Notice of Appeal, the Superintendent is notified. If the appellant has not yet met with the Superintendent during dispute resolution, the Superintendent may require a meeting, and a report of that meeting — which may include recommendations about whether to refer the dispute to an outside mediator — is included in the materials prepared for the Board. The Superintendent or designate prepares a report for the Board, and a copy must be provided to the appellant at least 48 hours before the hearing. The appellant must provide copies of any documents or written submissions at least 24 hours before the hearing.
Step 7: Board hearing and decision The Board decides the appeal based on oral and/or written submissions, and for oral hearings, determines the order and time allotted for submissions. Trustees may question the parties. When questioning is complete, the parties leave and the Board deliberates in closed session. The Board must make a decision within 45 days of receiving the Notice of Appeal. Written reasons are provided as soon as practicable, and appellants with rights under section 11.1 are advised of those rights at the time of notification.
The Board may also make interim decisions pending final disposition, request further information from either party, adjourn to obtain additional information, or invite submissions from any person whose interests may be affected.
Step 8: Provincial appeal to the Superintendent of Achievement If the Board’s decision does not resolve the matter, and the decision falls within the scope of section 11.1 of the School Act, it may be appealed to the Superintendent of Achievement.
Grounds for refusal
The Board may refuse to hear an appeal where the appeal was not commenced within the 15 school day timeline, where the parent or student has refused or neglected to discuss the decision with a person directed by the Board, or where the Board determines the decision does not significantly affect the education, health, or safety of the student. However, the Board may hear an appeal despite defects in form or technical irregularities, and may relieve against time limits.
Conflict of interest protections
The Secretary-Treasurer is responsible for receiving and managing appeals, but if the Secretary-Treasurer participated in dispute resolution steps or is the employee whose decision is being appealed, another staff member must be designated. Similarly, any Board employee who participated in making the decision being appealed, attempted to mediate it, or investigated it may not participate in the Board’s deliberations on the appeal.
Timelines
| Stage | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Filing the Notice of Appeal | Within 15 school days of the decision or completion of dispute resolution, whichever is later |
| Superintendent’s report provided to appellant | At least 48 hours before the hearing |
| Appellant’s documents provided to the Board | At least 24 hours before the hearing |
| Board decision | Within 45 days of receiving the Notice of Appeal |
Guiding principles
- The appeal process is grounded in principles of administrative fairness.
- Families have the right to be heard, to speak on their own behalf or through an advocate, and to receive clear and complete reasons for any decision.
- Families have the right to obtain all information that led to the initial decision or is being considered in an appeal.
- The right to an impartial review is explicitly guaranteed.
- A built-in mechanism protects against retribution for filing an appeal.
- A failure to make a decision may be treated as a decision for the purpose of an appeal.
- The Board may relieve against time limits and hear appeals despite technical irregularities.
- The Superintendent’s report may recommend referral to an outside mediator.
Official district source
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flowchart TD
A([Concern arises]) --> B[Step 1: Discuss directly with the person involved<br/>teacher, staff member, administrator, or counsellor]
B --> C{Resolved?}
C -- Yes --> Z([Matter resolved])
C -- No --> D[Step 2: Escalate to the principal or supervisor<br/>meeting arranged with all those involved]
D --> E{Resolved?}
E -- Yes --> Z
E -- No --> F[Step 3: Contact the district office<br/>to involve a district representative]
F --> G{Resolved?}
G -- Yes --> Z
G -- No --> H[Step 4: Contact the district superintendent]
H --> I{Resolved?}
I -- Yes --> Z
I -- No --> J[Step 5: Submit written Notice of Appeal<br/>to the Secretary-Treasurer<br/>within 15 school days of the decision<br/>or completion of dispute resolution]
J --> K[Notice must include:<br/>student name, address, phone, DOB, placement<br/>decision appealed and date communicated<br/>employee who made the decision<br/>effect on education, health, or safety<br/>relief sought and steps already taken<br/>any accommodation needs]
K --> L{Secretary-Treasurer reviews<br/>timeliness and eligibility}
L -- Board may refuse if --> M([Appeal refused<br/>outside time limit, or<br/>prior discussion refused, or<br/>does not significantly affect<br/>education, health, or safety])
L -- Appeal proceeds --> N[Superintendent prepares report for the Board<br/>copy provided to appellant at least 48 hours<br/>before the hearing]
N --> O[Appellant provides documents<br/>at least 24 hours before the hearing]
O --> P[Step 6: Board hearing in closed session<br/>oral and/or written submissions<br/>trustees may question the parties<br/>Board may request further information<br/>or make interim decisions]
P --> Q[Board issues decision within 45 days<br/>of receiving the Notice of Appeal<br/>written reasons provided as soon as practicable<br/>appellant advised of s. 11.1 appeal rights]
Q --> R{Satisfied with Board decision?}
R -- Yes --> Z
R -- No --> S[Step 7: Provincial appeal to the<br/>Superintendent of Achievement]
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