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School District 73 Kamloops/Thompson
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Beattie Elementary, Haldane Elementary, Ecole Lloyd George Elementary, Savona Elementary, Marion Schilling Elementary, South Kamloops Secondary, Kamloops School of the Arts, Heffley Creek Elementary, Westsyde Elementary, Westwold Elementary, Dallas Elementary, George Hilliard Elementary, Arthur Stevenson Elementary, Bert Edwards Science & Technology, Ralph Bell Elementary School, Rayleigh Elementary, Arthur Hatton Elementary, AE Perry Elementary, Kay Bingham Elementary, Norkam Secondary School, Valleyview Secondary, Barriere Elementary, Logan Lake Elementary, Parkcrest Elementary, Westsyde Secondary, Robert L Clemitson Elementary, Sa-Hali Secondary, David Thompson Elementary, Westmount Elementary, South Sa-Hali Elementary, Pinantan Elementary, Summit Elementary, Aberdeen Elementary, Dufferin Elementary, Juniper Ridge Elementary, McGowan Park Elementary, Blue River School, Clearwater Secondary, Vavenby Elementary, Raft River Elementary, Continuing Ed SD 73, Pacific Way Elementary, Logan Lake Elementary Secondary, Brocklehurst Secondary School, Chase Elementary-Secondary, Barriere Elementary-Secondary, Sun Peaks School, Twin Rivers Education Centre, @KOOL
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 72 Campbell River expects parents, students, and community members to raise concerns or pursue formal appeals. It draws on the district’s “How to Get Help with a Concern” guidance and its Board appeal process established under Section 11 of the School Act. The district encourages concerns to be addressed through a structured sequence of steps, moving from informal problem-solving to formal appeal.
How the district frames complaints
SD72 frames concerns as issues that should be resolved through open, honest, and respectful communication at the level closest to where the issue arose. The district emphasises that most concerns can be resolved by speaking directly with the staff member involved, and that escalation should proceed through a defined series of meetings.
Formal appeals are positioned as a later-stage process, available only after informal steps have been attempted and where a decision significantly affects a student’s education, health, or safety.
What the district tells parents
Informal problem solving
Step 1: Staff member
Parents and students are expected to begin by discussing the concern with the individual whose action or decision is at issue.
Step 2: School principal
If unresolved, the concern is brought to the school principal for further discussion.
Step 3: Associate superintendent
If the matter remains unresolved, it may be escalated to the associate superintendent.
Step 4: Superintendent
If still unresolved, a meeting with the superintendent may be requested.
Step 5: Board of Education appeal
For certain decisions, parents and students may appeal to the Board of Education. The appeal procedures are set out in the district’s governance policies and bylaws and must be accessed separately through the district’s policy documents or by contacting the board office.
Formal appeal process
Under Section 11 of the School Act, school boards must establish a process to hear appeals where a decision of an employee significantly affects a student’s education, health, or safety.
In SD72:
- Families are expected to complete the informal steps before filing an appeal
- Appeals typically arise from a decision made at the highest level of the informal process
- A written Notice of Appeal must be submitted once informal resolution has been exhausted
- The Board reviews whether the appeal meets the statutory threshold
- The Board considers principles such as fairness, evidence, and reasonableness when making its decision
The Board issues a written decision following its review. If the matter remains unresolved, a further appeal may be available to the Superintendent of Achievement under Section 11.1 of the School Act.
What the district does not tell parents
- Timelines for informal steps: The district does not specify how long staff or administrators have to respond at each stage.
- Clear decision points: It is not explicitly stated when a matter is considered a “decision” that can be appealed.
- Accessible appeal process: The full appeal procedure is not presented on the main parent-facing page and must be located separately in governance documents.
- Notice and hearing details: The guidance does not clearly explain how to file a Notice of Appeal or how Board hearings are conducted.
- External options: The district does not reference the BC Human Rights Tribunal, Ombudsperson, or Teacher Regulation Branch.
Common issues covered
While SD72’s parent-facing materials do not list specific categories, appealable decisions under the School Act typically include those that significantly affect:
- Discipline (e.g., suspensions or exclusions)
- Program or placement decisions
- Access to services or supports
- Other decisions impacting a student’s education, health, or safety
Step-by-step process
- Raise the concern with the staff member involved
- Escalate to the school principal
- Escalate to the associate superintendent
- Escalate to the superintendent
- Submit a Board of Education appeal (Section 11)
- If eligible, appeal to the Superintendent of Achievement (Section 11.1)
Guiding principles
- Concerns should be addressed at the level closest to where they arise
- Informal resolution is expected before formal appeals
- Communication should be respectful and collaborative
- Formal appeals apply only to decisions with significant impact
- The Board provides a written decision following review
Official district sources
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flowchart TD
A[Concern arises] --> B[Raise with staff member]
B --> C{Resolved?}
C -- Yes --> Z[Process ends]
C -- No --> D[Escalate to principal]
D --> E{Resolved?}
E -- Yes --> Z
E -- No --> F[Escalate to associate superintendent]
F --> G{Resolved?}
G -- Yes --> Z
G -- No --> H[Escalate to superintendent]
H --> I{Resolved?}
I -- Yes --> Z
I -- No --> J[Decision significantly affects education health or safety?]
J -- No --> Z2[No access to Board appeal]
J -- Yes --> K[Submit written Notice of Appeal]
K --> L[Board reviews appeal under Section 11]
L --> M[Board issues written decision]
M --> N{Satisfied?}
N -- Yes --> Z
N -- No --> O[Appeal to Superintendent of Achievement]
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