About the Board

The Board controls governance and policy

The Ministry of Education and Child Care sets the general direction for K-12 education, including the curriculum, funding amounts and the legal framework within which the Board operates. The Board is responsible for governing the school district in accordance with the policy direction established by government.

The structure of the school district mirrors the model of the Ministry of Education and Child Care. Trustees are the political wing and control governance and policy. Day-to-day operations of the school district are delegated to the Superintendent and other district staff, including the Secretary Treasurer and Assistant Superintendents. The Board sets overall direction of the District, and decisions are made by vote.

The respective responsibilities of each are detailed in the School Act, which outlines the primary functions of the Board, including

  • Setting local policy for effective and efficient operation of schools
  • Employing the staff necessary for school district operations
  • Establishing conditions of employment for employees
  • Preparing and approving the District’s operating budgets and capital plans
  • Hearing appeals from parents and students

In addition to regular board meetings, much of the work done by the Board of Education involves committees

Committees are essential in the helping the Board achieve its goals. Working through committee means assembling people, facilitating debate on important issues, and creating effective forums for decision making. 

Board Standing Committees

The Board of Education's two Standing Committees meet monthly from September to June. The Education Committee meets on the first Monday of the month, the Operations Committee meets on the second Monday of the month. All Trustees may attend either committee and the Board may choose to sit more formally as a Committee of the Whole.

Education Committee 

 Focused on education initiatives and issues, policy additions and amendments, and student learning and welfare programs. 

  • Trustees: Heather Grieve (Chair), Jo Kang, Kathleen Karpuk, Cara McKelvey, Shelley Sim 
  • Staff: Superintendent Mike St. John, Assistant Superintendents
Operations Committee

Focused on overseeing all non-educational issues such as the budget, monitoring financial management and reporting, legal and property issues, operations-related policies, and operations, facilities, transportation, human resources, and information technology.

  • Trustees: John O’Fee (Chair), Rhonda Kershaw, Cole Hickson, Diane Jules
  • Staff: Superintendent Mike St. John, Secretary-Treasurer Kim Morris 

Contractual Committees

Committees covered in contact with employee groups. Only those Trustees named, or their appointed alternate may attend.

KTTA Joint Labour Liaison Committee
  • Trustees: Cara McKelvey, Shelley Sim
  • Staff: John Wiedrick
CUPE Labour Management Committee
  • Trustees: Kathleen Karpuk
  • Alternate: Cole Hickson
  • Staff: John Wiedrick
Step 4 Grievance Committee

Trustees: John O'Fee

Select & External Committees

Members of the Board of Education also meet on an as and when needed basis in Select committees and as part of external committees. Trustees are to represent the Board as a whole on these Committees.

Accessibility Committee
  • Trustees: Heather Grieve
  • Staff: Assistant Superintendent Michelle Mattes 
Audit Committee
  • Trustees: Heather Grieve (Chair), Rhonda Kershaw, John O’Fee
  • Staff: Superintendent Mike St. John, Secretary-Treasurer Kim Morris, Tom McNulty (member at large) 
Blue River Community Engagement Committee
  • Trustees: Shelly Sim
  • Staff: Assistant Superintendent Michelle Mattes 
Board Award of Recognition Committee
  • Trustees: Cara McKelvey, Shelley Sim
  • Staff: Superintendent Mike St. John, Associate Superintendent John Wiedrick 
District Parent Advisory Council Committee
  • Trustees: Rotating trustees 
District Student Advisory Council Committee
  • Trustees: Shelley Sim, Jo Kang
  • Alternate: Cole Hickson
  • Staff: Assistant Superintendent Rick Kienlein
Indigenous Education Council Committee
  • Trustees: Diane Jules 
  • Alternate: Heather Grieve 
Legacy Grant Committee
  • Trustees: Cara McKelvey (Committee Chair), Heather Grieve, Jo Kang
  • Staff: Superintendent Mike St. John, Secretary-Treasurer Kim Morris, Director Robbie Tallon  
Literacy in Kamloops (LinK) Committee
  • Trustees: Cole Hickson
  • Staff: Assistant Superintendent Michelle Mattes 

Community Liaisons

District of Barriere
  • Trustee: Rhonda Kershaw
District of Clearwater
  • Trustee: Shelley Sim
District of Logan Lake
  • Trustee: Cara McKelvey
Village of Chase
  • Trustee: Diane Jules
Municipality of Sun Peaks
  • Trustee: Diane Jules
City of Kamloops
  • Trustee: Kathleen Karpuk, Heather Grieve, John O’Fee, Jo Kang, Cole Hickson

Elected Representatives

BC School Trustee Association
  • Trustee: Kathleen Karpuk
BC Public School Employers' Association
  • Trustee: Cole Hickson