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School District 64 Gulf Islands

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Continuing Ed SD 64, Salt Spring Elementary, Mayne Island School, Saturna Island Elementary Secondary, Galiano Community School, Fernwood Elementary, Pender Islands Elem-Secondary, Fulford Community Elementary, Gulf Islands Secondary, 64GO, Phoenix Place

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 SD64 handles parent concerns and complaints, based on Policy 2.40 Addressing Concerns and Complaints (adopted June 2024) and the Section 11 Appeal Procedures Bylaw.

How the district frames complaints

SD64 frames its complaints process around the principle that concerns should be dealt with at the point closest to where the concern first arises. Policy 2.40 states that the Board believes concerns and complaints should be dealt with in a manner that reflects mutual respect. The policy also affirms that staff should be protected from unnecessary, inappropriate, or malicious criticism, and that hearsay and rumour will be discounted in favour of considering facts directly related to the matter.

What the district does well

Right to advocate explicitly stated. Policy 2.40 specifies that any individual expressing a concern or a complaint may choose to be accompanied to any meetings by an advocate of their choosing.
DPAC and PAC identified as resources. The policy directs parents to the District Parent Advisory Council or local school Parent Advisory Council for advice regarding a support person or as a resource for their particular need.
Protection against hearsay. The policy commits to discounting hearsay and rumour in favour of facts directly related to the matter.
Clear sequential steps. The policy provides distinct step-by-step processes for school-level and district-level concerns.
Staff must respond. Personnel against whom complaints are made have an opportunity to respond.
Complainants kept informed. Persons who have brought forward concerns will be kept informed of the status of their inquiry in a timely manner.
Recently updated policy. Policy 2.40 was adopted in June 2024, reflecting current practice.

What the district does not tell parents

No timelines. The policy does not specify how long staff have to respond at any step of the process.
Inaction as appealable decision. The policy does not explicitly state whether a failure to make a decision constitutes a decision that can be appealed.
Categories of appealable decisions. The policy does not specify what types of decisions significantly affect the education, health, or safety of a student.
Human Rights Tribunal. The policy does not reference the BC Human Rights Tribunal as an option for complaints involving discrimination.
Teacher Regulation Branch. The policy does not reference the Teacher Regulation Branch for concerns about educator conduct.
Ombudsperson. The policy does not reference the BC Ombudsperson as an option if parents believe the process has been unfair.

Step-by-step process

For school-level concerns:

Step 1: Staff member. Take the matter directly to the teacher or staff person and discuss your concern regarding the action, policy, procedure, or practice.
Step 2: Staff member and principal. If step 1 does not resolve your concern, arrange a meeting between yourself, the staff person, and the principal or vice-principal. This meeting should focus on the issue.
Step 3: Principal. If step 2 does not resolve your concern, arrange a meeting between yourself and the principal or vice-principal.
Step 4: Associate Superintendent. If step 3 does not resolve your concern, arrange a meeting between yourself and the Associate Superintendent or designate.
Step 5: Board of Education. If the matter remains unresolved, you may appeal to the Board using the Section 11 Appeal Procedures Bylaw.

For district-level concerns:

Step 1: Person involved. Take the matter directly to the person involved and discuss your concern regarding the action, policy, procedure, or practice.
Step 2: Senior administration. If step 1 does not resolve your concern, arrange a meeting with the Associate Superintendent, Director of Instruction, or Secretary Treasurer.
Step 3: Board of Education. If the matter remains unresolved, you may appeal to the Board using the Section 11 Appeal Procedures Bylaw.
Step 4: Provincial appeal. If you are dissatisfied with the Board’s decision and it involves a matter covered by section 11 of the School Act, you may appeal to the Superintendent of Appeals.

Official district sources

Policy 2.40 Addressing Concerns and Complaints (PDF)
Policies and Administrative Practices
Bylaw and Policy Manual (includes Section 11 Appeal Procedures and Section 11 Appeal Form)

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flowchart TD
    A([Concern arises]) --> B{Type of concern?}

    B -- School-level --> C[Step 1: Discuss with staff member]
    C --> D{Resolved?}

    D -- Yes --> Z([Matter resolved])
    D -- No --> E[Step 2: Meet with staff member and principal]
    E --> F{Resolved?}

    F -- Yes --> Z
    F -- No --> G[Step 3: Meet with principal]
    G --> H{Resolved?}

    H -- Yes --> Z
    H -- No --> I[Step 4: Escalate to Associate Superintendent]
    I --> J{Resolved?}

    J -- Yes --> Z
    J -- No --> K[Step 5: Formal appeal to Board under Section 11 Bylaw]

    B -- District-level --> L[Step 1: Discuss with person involved]
    L --> M{Resolved?}

    M -- Yes --> Z
    M -- No --> N[Step 2: Escalate to senior administration<br/>Associate Superintendent, Director, or Secretary-Treasurer]
    N --> O{Resolved?}

    O -- Yes --> Z
    O -- No --> K

    K --> P[Submit written appeal under Section 11 Appeal Procedures Bylaw]
    P --> Q[Board reviews appeal and may hold hearing]
    Q --> R[Board issues decision]

    R --> S{Satisfied with Board decision?}
    S -- Yes --> Z
    S -- No --> T[Step 6: Provincial appeal to Superintendent of Achievement]

    T --> U([Process continues at provincial level])

Feedback

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