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2026-2030 is a Critical Term

• the ‘OUR VSB Education Plan 2026’ ( Strategic Plan 2021 – 2026 ) is up for renewal, and that will require the leadership of Trustees with:
  • Passion,
  • Curiousity,
  • Lived Experience,
  • a Working Knowledge of the VSB and Education, and a,
• willingness to create a Corroborative Working Space that includes:
  • school-based teachers,
  • support staff,
  • school-based administrators,
  • District Leadership Team and District staff
  • Inherent Rights Holders,
  • Stakeholders,
  • Vancouver DPAC and PACs,
  • Parents,
  • Alumni,
  • Community Connection Partners and
  • Community members

We know it takes the continuing involvement of a ‘Village to Raise and Educate a Child’, now and in the future.

• While BC’s public (K–12) school system is officially co-managed with the Ministry of Education and Childcare, local school districts currently rely almost entirely on the Ministry for operating funding, curriculum, and directives, and on the Ministry of Infrastructure for seismic upgrades and new facilities.
• Still, sadly, the Ministry is failing to provide equitable, predictable and adequate funding.  This must change. I appreciate the tight fiscal realities at the provincial and federal levels, but our learners, especially priority learners, cannot wait; a ‘wait to fail’ approach is no longer acceptable or tolerable.
• With every party running fewer than nine candidates for the nine trustee positions, you can support your preferred slate and also vote to re-elect Christopher.
• Bring a parent’s perspective, financial expertise and a lifelong commitment to inclusive education back to the school board.

Whatever your party. Your independent voice.
Christopher JK Richardson.

Demand and Secure Seismic Upgrades and Rebuilds.

• Buildings that house our students must be seismically safe; however, the 2004 plan to upgrade or replace ALL seismically unsafe schools in Vancouver by 2020 did not happen, and the Ministry’s revised 2030 deadline (2025 in the rest of the Province) will not be met. 
• To compound the mess, the pace of provincial approvals has slowed to a trickle in recent years, and the existing neighbourhood school needs do not reflect where we have spaces.  Critical shortages exist downtown, in the University Endowment Lands, and in the River District, among others.  About 40 schools need attention, and little is being done.  The potential of ‘the Big One’ cannot be further ignored.

Being Welcome, Feeling Cared For and Having a Sense of Belonging at School.

• It is essential that all students are Welcome, know that they are Cared for and have a sense of Belonging at school throughout their K-12 journey.  Proactive access to counselling assistance should be available before social-emotional issues are in crisis; ‘waiting-to-fail’ is not okay.    

Locate Choice and ‘Targeted’ Programs in Each Family of Schools

• Refocusing on neighbourhood schools within each catchment will further reduce congestion at school drop-off and pick-up and provide other social benefits.  To achieve this, it is essential to offer specific choice and ‘targeted’ programs within each of the 18 ‘Families of Schools’, which focus on a nearby secondary school.  As a result, supports and opportunities will be available within their own neighbourhood catchments, and the need for District bussing will be greatly reduced.

Inclusion Must be More Than Placement

• Every learner deserves to belong, participate and succeed. I will advocate for timely assessments, appropriate learning supports and meaningful collaboration with students, families and educators.
• My focus is on removing barriers and ensuring that classroom supports and specialized options respond to each learner’s individual needs.
• Inclusion must be more than a placement. It must provide meaningful opportunities to learn and participate.

Additional School and Student Support

• Additional School and Student Support workers must be trained and assigned to ensure adequate continuity of support for students.
• Funding must be provided for the four unfunded disabilities or diverse abilities categories.
• District inclusion advisors must be available to support classroom and resource teachers to help address complex cases.
• As expressed in the MY STORY section, while the social rather than the existing medical model will provide for the equitable placement for most learners, some learners should be accommodated outside the mainstream classroom, as advocated by Garry Hornby. 

Restore the Past Community-Hub Model

• The VSB has traditionally offered support for learners from 9 AM to 3 PM.  Restore the past community-hub model and school should act as an additional community centre complementing the Vancouver Park Board’s offerings. 
• Many outside community groups offer programs that complement the VSB’s educational offerings.  We must further encourage these agencies that offer ‘Community Connections’ through programs and funding within our local neighbourhood schools.  The Ministry’s ‘Area Standards’ must anticipate these joint uses of facilities while minimizing disruptions. 
• The recent trend of building daycare facilities when we rebuild schools must continue.  In addition, before- and after-school (BAS) spaces are in critical shortage, causing parents not to send their children to catchment schools.     

Full Adequate, Equitable and Sustainable Funding by the Provincial Government

The Examination and Implementation of a Robust Community Connections Approach to Garner the Available Resources of the Community to Supplement Our Inadequate Funding from the Provincial, Civic and Federal Governments.

Commitment to Not Sell Surplus Land; however, long-term leasing may be necessary to top up underfunded capital projects of the Ministry of Infrastructure

The Implementation of a Universal Food Program

The Return of a Comprehensive Arts Program including Visual, Performing, Band &
Strings.

A Practical Approach to Equity, as Some is better than None as WE strive to Implement supports for ALL

A Cautious yet Responsible Approach to the Use of Digital Devices and AI

The Return of a Vancouver Public School Foundation

The Return of the “Ted Hunt” Student Emergency Fund those critical extras that make all the difference in the educational journey of a Student

Efforts to Ensure a Robust & Functional DPAC once again