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School District 41 Burnaby
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Burnaby Continuing Education, Burnaby Central Secondary, Burnaby North Secondary, Alpha Secondary, Cariboo Hill Secondary, Edmonds Community Elementary, Moscrop Secondary, Armstrong Elementary, Aubrey Elementary, Brantford Elementary, Brentwood Park Elementary, Buckingham Elementary, Cameron Elementary, Capitol Hill Elementary, Cascade Heights Elementary, Chaffey-Burke Elementary, Clinton Elementary, Confederation Park Elementary, Douglas Road Elementary, Gilmore Community Elementary, Gilpin Elementary, Glenwood Elementary, École Inman Elementary, Kitchener Elementary, Lakeview Elementary, Lochdale Community Elementary, Lyndhurst Elementary, École Marlborough Elementary, Maywood Community Elementary, Morley Elementary, Nelson Elementary, Parkcrest Elementary, Rosser Elementary, Ecole Seaforth Elementary, Second Street Community Elementary, Sperling Elementary, Stride Avenue Community Elementary, Suncrest Elementary, Twelfth Avenue Elementary, Westridge Elementary, Windsor Elementary, Montecito Elementary, Stoney Creek Community Elementary, Forest Grove Elementary, South Slope Elementary, Burnaby South Secondary, Burnaby Mountain Secondary, Taylor Park Elementary, Royal Oak Secondary Program, Byrne Creek Community Secondary, University Highlands Elementary, BC Provincial School for the Deaf Secondary, BC Provincial School For The Deaf Elementary, Fraser Park Secondary School Program, Maples School Program, Burnaby Online Program, Take A Hike Secondary Program, Burnaby Youth Hub Secondary Program, Outlook Secondary Program
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.
This page explains how School District 41 (Burnaby) expects parents, students, and community members to raise concerns or pursue formal appeals. The district provides a complaint pathway through its “Resolving Concerns, Complaints and Issues” process, followed by a formal appeal process governed by Policy 9 – Appeal of Decisions Bylaw under section 11 of the School Act.
SD41 uses a relatively streamlined escalation model, with a clear transition from informal resolution to Board-level appeal.
How the district frames complaints
SD41 frames complaints as a process of respectful, timely, and collaborative problem-solving.
The district emphasises:
- resolving concerns at the earliest possible stage
- mutual respect and courteous communication
- fair and judicious consultation
- timely attempts to resolve concerns
Parents and students are expected to work through escalating levels of discussion before requesting a formal appeal.
Complaint resolution (informal process)
SD41 provides a clear, linear escalation pathway.
Step 1: Staff member
Concerns should first be discussed with the employee most closely connected to the issue (typically a teacher).
Step 2: Principal
If unresolved, the concern is brought to the employee’s supervisor, usually the school principal, who will attempt to facilitate resolution.
Step 3: District administration
If still unresolved, the matter is escalated to district staff (such as a Director of Instruction or Assistant Superintendent), who participate in attempting to resolve the issue.
Step 4: Superintendent / Board office
If resolution is not achieved, the matter is communicated to the Superintendent’s office, and a written request for appeal to the Board may be submitted.
Formal appeal process (Policy 9)
If the issue remains unresolved, a parent or student may request that the Board hear an appeal of a decision that significantly affects the education, health, or safety of a student.
Importantly:
👉 Both making a decision and failing to make a decision may be appealed.
What can be appealed
Appeals are limited to decisions that significantly affect a student’s education, health, or safety.
Examples include:
- suspensions or exclusions longer than 5 days
- denial of access to a program or service
- other decisions with significant impact on the student
Filing an appeal
To begin an appeal:
- A written request must be submitted to the Superintendent asking that the Board hear the appeal
- The request should include relevant details and a summary of prior resolution steps
- The appeal should normally be submitted within 30 calendar days of the conclusion of the complaint process
Board review and hearing
Once an appeal is requested:
- The Board may convene within 30 days (or soon after) to hear the appeal
- Hearings are held in camera (confidentially)
- The Board may request participation from the complainant and others involved in earlier steps
Decision
The Board:
- considers the information presented
- makes a decision as soon as practicable
- provides the decision to the complainant
The Board may make any decision it considers appropriate, and the decision is final within the district.
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.
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: Contact Superintendent / submit written request for appeal
Step 5: Board review and appeal hearing
Step 6: Board decision
Step 7: Provincial appeal to the Superintendent of Achievement
Guiding principles
- Concerns should be resolved at the earliest possible stage
- Respectful and collaborative communication is expected
- Escalation is linear and relatively straightforward
- Appeals apply only to significant impacts on a student
- Timelines are defined for filing and hearing appeals
Official District Resources
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flowchart TD
A([Concern arises]) --> B[Step 1: Discuss with the employee 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/>Director of Instruction or Assistant Superintendent]
F --> G{Resolved?}
G -- Yes --> Z
G -- No --> H[Step 4: Contact Superintendent or Board office<br/>submit written request for appeal]
H --> I[Formal appeal available if the decision or failure to decide significantly affects the student's education, health, or safety]
I --> J[Submit written appeal request to the Superintendent]
J --> K[Appeal should normally be filed within 30 calendar days]
K --> L[Board may convene within 30 days to hear the appeal]
L --> M[Board hearing held in camera<br/>parties may be invited to participate]
M --> N[Board deliberates and makes a decision]
N --> O{Satisfied with Board decision?}
O -- Yes --> Z
O -- No --> P[Provincial appeal to the Superintendent of Achievement]
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