This page explains how School District 43 (Coquitlam) expects parents, students, and community members to raise concerns or pursue formal appeals. The district provides a complaint pathway through Administrative Procedure 380 – Resolution of Student or Parent School Concerns, followed by a formal appeal process governed by Policy 13 – Appeals Regarding Student Matters under section 11 of the School Act.

SD43 uses a structured, step-by-step escalation model, with the Assistant Superintendent acting as the final staff-level decision-maker before a matter can proceed to the Board.

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How the district frames complaints

SD43 frames complaints as a process grounded in open communication and good faith problem-solving.

The district emphasises:

• direct, early communication between families and school staff
• resolving concerns as quickly as possible
• encouraging all parties to understand each other’s perspectives
• working toward mutually satisfactory outcomes

Parents and students are expected to follow the full resolution process before accessing a formal appeal.

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Resolution of concerns (informal process)

SD43 provides a clear, linear escalation pathway depending on where the issue originates.

Teacher or classroom-level concern

Step 1: Teacher
Discuss the concern directly with the teacher whose decision or action is being questioned.

Step 2: Principal
If unresolved, escalate the concern to the school principal.

Step 3: Assistant Superintendent
If still unresolved, escalate to the Assistant Superintendent or designate.

At this point, the Assistant Superintendent represents the final staff-level decision-maker.

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Principal or school-level concern

Step 1: Principal
Discuss the concern directly with the principal.

Step 2: Assistant Superintendent
If unresolved, escalate to the Assistant Superintendent or designate.

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District-level concern

Step 1: District personnel
Discuss the matter with the personnel involved.

Step 2: Assistant Superintendent
If unresolved, escalate to the Assistant Superintendent.

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Across all pathways, the process converges at the Assistant Superintendent, who provides the final staff-level resolution.

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Transition to formal appeal

If the concern remains unresolved after the Assistant Superintendent’s involvement, the matter may be referred to the Board under Policy 13.

Importantly:

👉 A failure to make a decision may be treated as a decision for the purpose of appeal.

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What can be appealed

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

Examples include:

• suspensions longer than five days
• placement in educational programs
• promotion or graduation decisions
• denial of an Individual Education Plan
• disciplinary transfers
• refusal to provide an educational program to an eligible student

The Board retains discretion to determine whether a matter meets this threshold.

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Filing an appeal

To begin an appeal:

• The matter must first be appealed in writing to the Assistant Superintendent
• Administrative Procedure 380 must have been followed
• If unresolved, a written Notice of Appeal is submitted to the Secretary-Treasurer

The appeal should normally be filed within approximately 30 days of the Assistant Superintendent’s decision.

The Notice of Appeal must include:

• the decision being appealed
• the date of the decision
• how the decision significantly affects the student
• the remedy sought

Parents and students may receive assistance from the district in completing the appeal form.

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Screening and admissibility

Before proceeding, the appeal may be reviewed to determine whether:

• the matter significantly affects the student
• the complaint process was properly followed
• the appeal was filed within a reasonable time

An alternate Assistant Superintendent may be assigned to review whether the appeal meets the required threshold.

The Board may refuse to hear an appeal if these conditions are not met.

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Board review and hearing

If the appeal proceeds:

• The Board decides whether to proceed by written submissions or an oral hearing
• The Assistant Superintendent submits a report
• The appellant has the opportunity to respond
• All materials are shared between parties, subject to privacy protections

If an oral hearing is held:

• it takes place in camera (confidentially)
• both parties present their positions
• Board members may ask questions
• cross-examination is generally not permitted

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Decision

In making a decision, the Board considers:

• whether the decision significantly affects the student
• whether it aligns with legislation and policy
• whether the process was fair
• whether the evidence supports the decision
• whether the decision is reasonable in the circumstances

The Board:

• issues a written decision with reasons
• must do so within 45 days of receiving the appeal

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Provincial appeal

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

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Complete escalation pathway

Step 1: Discuss concern with teacher, principal, or relevant staff
Step 2: Escalate to principal (if applicable)
Step 3: Escalate to Assistant Superintendent (final staff-level decision)
Step 4: Submit written appeal to Assistant Superintendent
Step 5: Submit Notice of Appeal to Secretary-Treasurer
Step 6: Board review (written submissions or hearing) and decision
Step 7: Provincial appeal to the Superintendent of Achievement

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Guiding principles

• Concerns should be addressed directly and early
• The Assistant Superintendent is the final staff-level decision-maker
• The full resolution process must be followed before appeal
• Appeals apply only to significant impacts on a student
• The Board uses a structured, fairness-based decision framework
• Decisions must be issued within a defined timeline (45 days)

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Official district sources

• SD43 Administrative Procedure 380 – Resolution of Student or Parent School Concerns
• SD43 Policy 13 – Appeals Regarding Student Matters

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flowchart TD
    A([Concern or disagreement arises]) --> B[Step 1: Discuss with teacher or staff member]
    B --> C{Resolved?}

    C -- Yes --> Z([Matter resolved])
    C -- No --> D[Step 2: Escalate to principal]
    D --> E{Resolved?}

    E -- Yes --> Z
    E -- No --> F[Step 3: Escalate to Assistant Superintendent or designate]
    F --> G{Resolved?}

    G -- Yes --> Z
    G -- No --> H[Assistant Superintendent provides final staff-level decision]

    H --> I[Formal appeal available if decision or failure to decide significantly affects education, health, or safety]

    I --> J[Submit written appeal to Assistant Superintendent first]
    J --> K{Resolved at Assistant Superintendent level?}

    K -- Yes --> Z
    K -- No --> L[Submit written Notice of Appeal to Secretary-Treasurer]

    L --> M[Appeal should normally be filed within about 30 days of Assistant Superintendent decision]
    M --> N[Secretary-Treasurer reviews appeal and may request alternate Assistant Superintendent review]

    N --> O{Meets significance and process requirements?}

    O -- No --> P[Board may refuse to hear the appeal]
    O -- Yes --> Q[Board decides whether to proceed by written submissions or oral hearing]

    Q --> R{Written submissions or hearing?}

    R -- Written --> S[Assistant Superintendent submits report<br/>appellant responds in writing]
    R -- Hearing --> T[In camera Board hearing<br/>both parties present<br/>Board asks questions]

    S --> U[Board reviews information and deliberates]
    T --> U

    U --> V[Board issues written decision with reasons within 45 days]
    V --> W{Satisfied with Board decision?}

    W -- Yes --> Z
    W -- No --> X[Provincial appeal to the Superintendent of Achievement]