SD8 Vaccine Mandate Paused Until Further Notice

At a meeting on March 28, the School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) Board of Education directed Superintendent Trish Smillie to pause the Proof of Vaccination Regarding COVID-19 Administrative Procedure pending further changes to public health orders and further information from BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA).

For unvaccinated SD8 staff and contractors this decision means they no longer face a deadline after which unpaid leaves or rapid testing are required. All SD8 staff and contractors can continue to work as they normally would, in keeping with provincial and federal health and safety guidelines. This pause follows a Board of Education decision on March 3 to extend the implementation date of the vaccine mandate by a month, from March 11 to April 11. 

“This decision allows our board more time to consider evolving COVID-19 data and changes to public health directives expected in the coming days and weeks,” said Board Chair Lenora Trenaman.

“Our staff and contractors will continue to work together every day to ensure our students thrive, and our families and school communities are healthy and supported,” said Superintendent Trish Smillie.

The Board could bring the Administrative Procedure back into effect at a later date, or remove it entirely depending upon future changes to provincial health orders and directives. The purpose of the Proof of Vaccination Procedure is to safeguard the health and safety of employees and students from COVID-19. 

For more information:

Trish Smillie, Superintendent of Schools/Chief Executive Officer
School District No.8 (Kootenay Lake)
trish.smillie@sd8.bc.ca

About the Board of Education of School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake):

The Board of Education of School District No. 8 provides educational services to numerous diverse communities in the East & West Kootenays, including Crawford Bay, Creston, Kaslo, Meadow Creek, Nelson, Salmo, Slocan, South Slocan, Winlaw, Wynndel and Yahk. Its dedicated team focuses on providing the best possible educational opportunities for over 5,400 students and their families. Its mission is to focus on excellence for all learners in a nurturing environment.