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School District 85 Vancouver Island North
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A J Elliott Elementary, Alert Bay Elementary, Fort Rupert Elementary, North Island Secondary, Sea View Elementary School, Eagle View Elementary, Port Hardy Secondary, Sunset Elementary, Cheslakees Elementary, Eke Me-Xi School
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 85 (Vancouver Island North) expects parents, students, and community members to raise concerns or complaints and how formal appeals are handled. It draws on Policy PM1-12 – Complaints and Bylaw #2 – Appeals Bylaw, which implements appeal rights under Section 11 of the School Act.
How the district frames complaints
SD85 frames complaints as matters that should be resolved quickly and amicably through respectful, direct communication between the individuals involved. The district emphasises addressing concerns at the lowest level possible before escalating.
The policy focuses primarily on complaints about staff conduct, district practices, or operational issues, and distinguishes these from other types of complaints that are handled under separate procedures.
What the district tells parents
Informal resolution (complaints process)
Step 1: Staff member
Concerns should first be raised directly with the employee responsible in an attempt to resolve the issue at its source.
Step 2: Immediate supervisor
If unresolved, the complainant may be asked to submit the concern in writing and bring it to the employee’s supervisor.
The supervisor will:
- review the complaint
- make a decision
- communicate the decision
- advise the complainant of the right to escalate
Step 3: Superintendent or Secretary-Treasurer
If the issue remains unresolved, the matter may be escalated to the Superintendent or Secretary-Treasurer.
If the complaint involves the Superintendent, escalation may proceed directly to the Board.
Step 4: Board office review
At the Board level, the matter may result in:
- the issue being returned to a previous level
- the original decision being upheld
- the decision being changed
In some cases, concerns may be brought directly to senior leadership without following earlier steps.
Formal appeal process
If a decision significantly affects a student’s education, health, or safety, a formal appeal may be initiated under Bylaw #2.
Filing an appeal
- A written Notice of Appeal must be submitted to the Board
- The notice must include:
- student and parent/guardian information
- the decision being appealed and when it was communicated
- the employee responsible
- the reasons for the appeal
- the remedy requested
- steps already taken to resolve the issue
The Board may require further discussion with staff before proceeding with the appeal.
Appeal hearing
- The Board may consider written submissions or hold an oral hearing
- Appellants may bring an advocate or support person
Board decision
- The Board deliberates in private
- It may:
- uphold the decision
- modify the decision
- set the decision aside
- A written decision is typically issued within 45 days
If unresolved, a further appeal may be made to the Superintendent of Achievement under Section 11.1 of the School Act.
What the district does not tell parents
- Timelines for complaints: No timelines are provided for Steps 1–4 in the complaints process
- Decision clarity: It is not clearly defined when a complaint becomes a “decision” that triggers appeal rights
- Secretary-Treasurer role: Including the Secretary-Treasurer in escalation may create perceived conflicts where issues relate to resourcing
- Return to earlier steps: The Board may send matters back down the chain, potentially extending timelines without clear limits
- Anonymous complaints excluded: The blanket exclusion of anonymous complaints may deter reporting in situations involving power imbalance or fear of retaliation
- External options: The district does not reference the BC Human Rights Tribunal, Ombudsperson, or Teacher Regulation Branch
Common issues covered
The complaints policy applies broadly to concerns about:
- staff conduct or behaviour
- district operations or practices
- school-level concerns involving employees or volunteers
Separate processes apply to:
- allegations of child abuse or neglect
- personal or sexual harassment complaints
- challenges to learning resources
Formal appeals apply to decisions that significantly affect a student’s:
- education
- health
- safety
Examples include:
- suspensions longer than ten school days
- exclusion due to safety concerns
- program placement decisions
- grade promotion or graduation decisions
- refusal to provide an educational program
- denial of or failure to consult on an IEP
Step-by-step process
- Raise concern with staff member
- Escalate to supervisor (written complaint may be required)
- Escalate to Superintendent or Secretary-Treasurer
- Board office review
- Submit formal Board appeal (Bylaw #2, Section 11)
- If eligible, appeal to Superintendent of Achievement (Section 11.1)
Guiding principles
- Concerns should be addressed at the level closest to their origin
- Complaints are expected to be resolved through discussion and escalation
- Anonymous complaints will not be considered
- Formal appeals apply only to decisions with significant impact
- The Board must issue written decisions within statutory timelines
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[Submit complaint to supervisor]
D --> E[Supervisor reviews and decides]
E --> F{Resolved?}
F -- Yes --> Z
F -- No --> G[Escalate to Superintendent or Secretary-Treasurer]
G --> H{Resolved?}
H -- Yes --> Z
H -- No --> I[Board office review]
I --> J{Returned to earlier step?}
J -- Yes --> D
J -- No --> K[Decision significantly affects education health or safety?]
K -- No --> Z2[No access to formal appeal]
K -- Yes --> L[Submit Notice of Appeal]
L --> M[Board hearing or written submissions]
M --> N[Board decision within 45 days]
N --> O{Satisfied?}
O -- Yes --> Z
O -- No --> P[Appeal to Superintendent of Achievement]
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