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School District 70 Pacific Rim

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SD 70 Continuing Ed, Alberni District Secondary, Ucluelet Secondary, Alberni Elementary, John Howitt Elementary, Maquinna Elementary, Wickaninnish Community School, Wood Elementary, Ucluelet Elementary, Bamfield Community School, Tsuma-as Elementary, Eric J Dunn Elementary, Kackaamin Family Development Centre, Eighth Avenue Learning Centre, Choices DL

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 70 (Pacific Rim) expects parents, students, and community members to raise concerns or pursue formal appeals. The district provides a structured complaint pathway through Administrative Procedure 1600 – Complaints Against Staff or Volunteers, followed by a formal appeal process governed by Policy 115 and the Appeal of Decision by an Employee procedure under section 11 of the School Act.

SD70 uses a strictly sequenced escalation model with both informal and formal stages, supported by detailed procedural requirements and documentation expectations.

How the district frames complaints

SD70 frames complaints as issues that should be resolved at the source through respectful, solution-focused communication.

The district emphasises:

resolving concerns at the level closest to the issue
following a step-by-step escalation process
ensuring each step is given a chance to resolve the matter before escalation
maintaining confidentiality and respectful dialogue
allowing access to advocates or support persons at any stage

Importantly, the district explicitly instructs that senior staff and trustees remain at arm’s length until later stages, reinforcing the structured nature of the process.

Complaint resolution (informal process)

SD70 provides a clearly defined escalation pathway.

Step 1: Employee

Concerns must first be discussed directly with the employee involved.
Parents are expected to identify the issue, share concerns, and attempt to develop a solution.

Step 2: Immediate supervisor

If unresolved, the concern is escalated to the employee’s supervisor (typically the principal or manager), who facilitates further discussion and problem-solving.

Step 3: District senior manager

If still unresolved, the matter is referred to a district-level administrator (e.g., Director of Instruction or Assistant Superintendent), who reviews the issue and attempts resolution.

Step 4: Superintendent

If unresolved, the concern is escalated to the Superintendent.
At this stage:

the concern must be submitted in writing within 30 days
the Superintendent provides a written decision

The district emphasises that earlier steps must be completed before escalation, and concerns may be redirected backward if this has not occurred.

Formal appeal process

If the concern remains unresolved and the decision significantly affects the education, health, or safety of a student, a formal appeal may be made to the Board.

The district’s formal appeal procedure is unusually detailed and structured.

What can be appealed

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

Examples include:

long-term suspensions (over 10 days)
program placement decisions
graduation or promotion decisions
refusal to offer an educational program
other decisions deemed significant by the Board

Filing an appeal

To begin an appeal:

A formal Appeal of Decision by an Employee form must be submitted
The appeal must normally be initiated within 30 days of the decision
Appeals follow a structured four-step formal process, beginning at the school level and escalating upward

Appellants:

have the right to be heard and access relevant information
may be accompanied by a support person or advocate
are protected from reprisal for filing an appeal

Board review and hearing

If the appeal proceeds to the Board level:

An Appeal Committee (minimum four trustees) reviews the appeal
The Committee may:
- refuse to hear the appeal (e.g., out of scope or premature)
- proceed to a hearing
If a hearing is held:
- it occurs within 14 instructional days
- both parties present information
The Committee makes a recommendation to the Board
The Board makes the final decision in camera

Decision

The Board:

issues a written decision with reasons
must do so within 45 days of receiving the appeal
confirms the right to further appeal

The decision is final within the district.

Provincial appeal

If the Board’s decision does not resolve the matter:

A further appeal may be made to the Superintendent of Achievement
The appeal must typically be filed within 30 days of the Board decision

Complete escalation pathway

Step 1: Discuss concern with employee
Step 2: Escalate to immediate supervisor
Step 3: Escalate to district senior manager
Step 4: Submit written concern to Superintendent
Step 5: Formal appeal (multi-step process)
Step 6: Board Appeal Committee and decision
Step 7: Provincial appeal to Superintendent of Achievement

Guiding principles

Concerns must follow a strict sequential process
Each step must be completed before escalation
Senior decision-makers remain deliberately removed until later stages
Formal appeals are highly structured and document-driven
Appellants have rights to representation, information, and protection from reprisal
Timelines are defined at key decision points (Superintendent, Board, provincial appeal)
The process emphasises procedural integrity over flexibility

Official district sources

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%%{init: {'theme': 'base', 'themeVariables': { 'primaryColor': '#fbfaf3', 'primaryBorderColor': '#e69632', 'lineColor': '#000000'}}}%%

flowchart TD
    A([Concern arises]) --> B[Step 1: Discuss with employee involved]
    B --> C{Resolved?}

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

    E -- Yes --> Z
    E -- No --> F[Step 3: Escalate to District Senior Manager]
    F --> G{Resolved?}

    G -- Yes --> Z
    G -- No --> H[Step 4: Submit written concern to Superintendent within 30 days]
    H --> I[Superintendent reviews and issues written decision]
    I --> J{Resolved?}

    J -- Yes --> Z
    J -- No --> K[Step 5: Formal appeal if decision significantly affects education, health, or safety]

    K --> L[Submit Notice of Appeal to Secretary-Treasurer within 15 school days]
    L --> M[Appeal Committee reviews and may refuse or proceed to hearing]
    M --> N{Hearing required?}

    N -- No --> O[Appeal Committee recommends decision to Board]
    O --> P[Board reviews and issues final decision]

    N -- Yes --> Q[Appeal Committee holds hearing within 14 instructional days]
    Q --> R[Committee recommends uphold or overturn decision]
    R --> P

    P --> S[Board issues written decision within 45 days]
    S --> T{Satisfied with Board decision?}

    T -- Yes --> Z
    T -- No --> U[Step 6: Provincial appeal to Superintendent of Achievement within 30 days]

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

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