School District 72 are continuing to plan to host the Vancouver Island School Trustees Association (VISTA) in October.
"I think it's one of the most really important pathways in our strategic plan, and they are going to call it Pathways to Success. It's going to be looking at student-centred learning, and we're attempting to showcase some of the programs and some of the opportunities that exist currently to get our district," said Craig Gillis, vice-chair, on behalf of trustees and organizers Jan Gladish and Joyce McMann. "We haven't yet confirmed with our speakers and our session facilitators or leaders, but we've got a dream team, and knowing the commitment of these educators, I'm sure that they will be very willing to be part of our program."
The trustees will share a meal to help them connect and share ideas. Gillis said they have recognized how important this is, saying talking to other people in similar positions will help get a "pulse" for the district.
While the speakers have yet to be confirmed, Gillis said they will be people raised in the SD72 community.
"They've emerged as major leaders within the community, and we're hoping to give them the opportunity to share with others the pathway that they took, some of the things that worked well for them in our education system and maybe some of the things that we need to pay attention to in the future."
The second day of the event will focus on advocacy. Gillis said advocacy is dear to the heart of all Vancouver Island trustees' hearts.
"We know that we need to be a clear and unanimous or collaborative voice in terms of advocating for a lot of the funding needs that we feel are not being addressed within our districts and within our province."
The board will host the two-day meeting from Oct. 3 to 4 at the Robron Centre.
