Complaints and Concerns

If You Need Support:

Confederation of Parents’ Advisory Councils of Saanich (COPACS)
2125 Keating Cross Road,
Saanichton, BC V8M 2A5

Confederation of Parents’ Advisory Councils of Saanich (COPACS) executive members are available to support parent advisory councils, students, parents and guardians in communicating effectively within the School District’s existing framework when they have queries or need support.

All COPACS executive members follow a Code of Conduct that respects confidential information as well as the rights of all individuals.

For contact information check the COPACS page on the school district website at http://copacs.sd63.bc.ca or call the provincial BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils’ Advocacy Project toll-free line at 1-888-351-9834.

All inquiries are strictly confidential.

Steps to follow if you have a concern as a parent or student:

The Board recognizes that from time to time students or parents (or guardians) may have concerns regarding the operation of the School District. Student or parent (or guardian) complaints concerning schools, personnel, programs or procedures will be dealt with in a fair, respectful and timely way. The procedures that the Board has enacted to deal with concerns are described in the following policies:

• Policy 1360 “Complaints regarding Personnel, Programs or Procedures”
• Policy 1110 “Parent/Student Appeals Bylaw”

Step 1
Teacher or Other Employee
The best place to solve a problem is at the source. Parents may wish to check BCCPAC’s “Speaking Up” resource at Click here to access the parent resource document Speaking Up

Step 2
Principal or Supervisor
An important part of the work of a school principal or CUPE supervisor is to attempt to resolve concerns raised by parents or students.

Step 3
Assistant Superintendents or Secretary-Treasurer
The Assistant Superintendents are responsible for Student Services (Marlene Dergousoff) and Instructional Services (Nancy Macdonald). They will attempt to facilitate a solution to the issue. The Secretary-Treasurer (Joan Axford) supports matters that relate to CUPE employees.

If the matter is not resolved at Step 1, 2 or 3, a parent or student may formally appeal a decision using the procedures of Policy 1110. At any time, you may contact the Superintendent of Schools or a Trustee for assistance with this process.

Step 4
Superintendent of Schools and Board Chair
The parent or student submits a Notice of Appeal (attachment to Policy 1110). NOTE: To be appealed, a decision must be a decision of an employee and it must significantly affect the health, education or safety of a student.

Step 5
Mediator
Where both parties agree to mediation, an independent mediator acceptable to both parties will be appointed.

Step 6
Board of Education
If mediation is not agreeable or is unsuccessful, an appeal may go to a Board hearing for a decision. Procedures are outlined in Policy 1110.

Step 7
Provincial Process
If the Board’s appeal decision meets the criteria of government (see Policy 1110 Appendix B) the parent or student may appeal to a provincial Superintendent of Achievement.

We Invite Your Participation

Many opportunities are available for parents to be involved in education at school, district and provincial levels.

Parent Advisory Councils

Every school in the district has a Parent Advisory Council (PAC) that meets regularly. All parents and guardians are entitled to belong and participate in the school PAC. We encourage you to attend PAC meetings and contribute to the discussion. Meeting dates are announced in school newsletters.