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School District 78 Fraser-Cascade
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Hope Secondary, Boston Bar Elem-Secondary, Coquihalla Elementary, Harrison Hot Springs Elementary, Agassiz Elem-Secondary, Kent Elementary, Fraser Cascade Continuing Education, Silver Creek Elementary, Q’aLaTKu7em School, Two Rivers Education Centre, Fraser-Cascade Open Learning, Agassiz Centre for Education
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 78 (Fraser-Cascade) expects parents, students, and community members to raise concerns or pursue formal appeals. It draws on Policy 2.30 – Addressing Concerns and Complaints and Bylaw 21 – Student Appeals, which implements appeal rights under Section 11 of the School Act.
How the district frames complaints
SD78 frames complaints as concerns that should be raised in a constructive and respectful manner, with the goal of improving the quality of education. The district emphasises that concerns should be:
- addressed as close to the source as possible
- handled in a fair, objective, and timely way
- approached with opportunities for both staff and complainants to respond
The policy discourages anonymous complaints and reinforces the expectation that a structured process will be followed before escalation.
What the district tells parents
Informal resolution
Step 1: Staff member
Concerns should first be raised with the staff member involved.
Step 2: Principal or vice-principal
If unresolved, the principal or vice-principal arranges a meeting with the staff member and the complainant.
Step 3: District administration
If still unresolved, the matter is escalated to district leadership (e.g., Assistant Superintendent or Secretary-Treasurer).
At Steps 2 and 3, both staff and complainants may bring a support person. The district also provides information about parent advocacy resources.
Formal appeal process
If a decision significantly affects a student’s education, health, or safety and cannot be resolved informally, a formal appeal may be made to the Board under Bylaw 21.
Notice of Appeal
A written Notice of Appeal must include:
- student and parent/guardian information
- school placement (school and grade)
- the decision being appealed and when it was communicated
- the employee(s) responsible for the decision
- the grounds for appeal and the remedy sought
Board process
- The Board may require that informal discussions be completed before hearing the appeal
- The Superintendent or designate prepares a report for the Board and provides it to the appellant
- Both the appellant and district representatives present their positions
- The Board considers the matter under principles of fairness and objectivity
- A written decision must be issued within 45 days of receiving the appeal
The Board may refuse to hear an appeal if:
- the issue does not meet the statutory threshold, or
- required informal steps were not completed
What the district does not tell parents
- Timelines for informal steps: The policy does not specify how quickly staff or administrators must respond
- Decision clarity: It is not clearly defined when a matter becomes a “decision” that can be appealed
- Practical appeal guidance: While requirements are listed, there is limited plain-language explanation of how the process unfolds in practice
- External complaint options: The district does not reference the BC Human Rights Tribunal, Ombudsperson, or Teacher Regulation Branch
- Accessibility of process: Families may need to interpret policy documents to fully understand appeal procedures
Common issues covered
Appeals apply to decisions that significantly affect a student’s:
- Education
- Health
- Safety
This typically includes:
- suspensions or expulsions
- placement or program decisions
- exclusion for safety reasons
- other significant impacts on access to education
Step-by-step process
- Raise the concern with the staff member involved
- Escalate to the principal or vice-principal
- Escalate to district administration
- Submit a formal Board of Education appeal (Bylaw 21, Section 11)
- If eligible, appeal to the Superintendent of Achievement (Section 11.1)
Guiding principles
- Concerns should be addressed at the level closest to their origin
- Communication should be courteous, constructive, and fair
- Both complainants and staff are entitled to procedural fairness
- Informal resolution is expected before formal appeals
- The Board must issue a written decision within the statutory timeframe
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 or vice-principal]
D --> E{Resolved?}
E -- Yes --> Z
E -- No --> F[Escalate to district administration]
F --> G{Resolved?}
G -- Yes --> Z
G -- No --> H[Decision significantly affects education health or safety?]
H -- No --> Z2[No access to Board appeal]
H -- Yes --> I[Submit written Notice of Appeal]
I --> J[Superintendent prepares report]
J --> K[Board hears presentations]
K --> L[Board deliberates and issues decision within 45 days]
L --> M{Satisfied?}
M -- Yes --> Z
M -- No --> N[Appeal to Superintendent of Achievement]
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