Heather Grieve
Candidate for School Trustee 73 – TEA1
Contact Information
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Website: Click to View
Phone: 250-318-8321
Personal Information
Incumbent
Political Experience:
I have beenHonoured to serve as Chair of the Board of Education for School District No. 73 (Kamloops-Thompson). I’ve been a school trustee since 2018 and Board Chair since 2021. I was privileged to be the Chair of the British Columbia School Trustee Association Comprehensive School Health Working Group which concluded its work in February 2025.
Answers to Questions from the Public
Indigenous education: Approximately 20% of SD73 students are of Indigenous ancestry. What should the district’s priorities be for improving Indigenous student achievement and strengthening its relationships with local First Nations and Indigenous communities?
Heather Grieve Answered
The District has significant targeted funding for Indigenous education, and it’s really important that we continue to work closely with the Indigenous Education Council, which has representatives from the seven local First Nations. The IEC provides guidance on how those funds should be used to support Indigenous students.
We also need to continue looking at what the data is telling us about Indigenous student achievement. Graduation rates have increased, which is positive, but there is still a significant difference between Indigenous students receiving a Dogwood diploma and those receiving an Evergreen certificate. We also see differences in literacy and numeracy achievement, and we need to better understand what is contributing to those gaps and where we can provide additional support.
Knowing our students and understanding what they need to be successful is really important. The Indigenous Student Voice group has also provided incredibly valuable insight into some of the barriers and challenges Indigenous students are experiencing in our District. That student voice needs to be part of the conversation when we are looking at how we improve outcomes.
There is also an opportunity to look at an in-house Indigenous Education Worker certification program. Working with the IEC to determine whether that is something they support would be a great opportunity for consultation and collaboration, while also helping us build capacity within the District. We have had vacancies that have impacted some of the supports available to students, so finding ways to build that capacity is important.
Consultation and engagement are incredibly important in this work. Continuing to work with the IEC and the seven local First Nations, as well as students, families and staff, gives us a better understanding of what our students need and how we can make sure the targeted funding is having the greatest impact.
Parents and the community: How should the Board handle situations where parents, students, teachers, and the wider community strongly disagree about school policies or what should be taught in schools?
Heather Grieve Answered
School boards have an important role in governance and are responsible for overseeing educational programs, setting policy and making sure districts are meeting their responsibilities within the provincial education system. School boards do not determine the provincial curriculum. That is set by the Ministry of Education.
If there is a disagreement about what is being taught, that concern should go through the appropriate school and district processes so everyone has an opportunity to be heard and the concern can be addressed at the right level.
If the concern is about a school or district policy, that is different. Policies are something school boards have a role in, and the Board can review them, ask questions and consider whether changes are needed.
Trustees need to be willing to listen when families, students or community members have concerns and make sure those concerns are being addressed.
Growth and school capacity: As Kamloops continues to grow, how should the district deal with overcrowded schools, portable classrooms, catchment changes, and the need for new schools or major expansions?
Heather Grieve Answered
I believe the district needs to manage space pressures with students, families and finances in mind. Without new schools being built, we are left with limited options for managing capacity pressures. Adding portables where they are needed, considering catchment changes and exploring modular expansions at a couple of schools are all options we can consider to help ensure the best learning environment possible for students.
Catchment changes can be very difficult for students and families. I understand how difficult those decisions are, particularly when students are separated from some of their peers and the school community they know.
At the same time, every catchment change or additional bus route creates costs for the district that aren’t necessarily supported through additional provincial funding. That is why we need to continue advocating for permanent capital investment.
Our long-term planning also needs to consider the age and condition of our existing schools and the significant costs associated with remediation and upgrades. New permanent schools could provide greater flexibility to undertake renovations or replacements of ageing infrastructure without putting additional pressure on already crowded schools.
For me, it’s about balancing immediate capacity needs with responsible long-term planning, minimizing disruption for families, and making sure we advocate for the provincial investment our communities need.
Measuring success: At the end of your four-year term, what specific results should parents, students, and voters look at to determine whether you were successful as a school trustee?
Heather Grieve Answered
I would measure success by whether I listened, advocated effectively, made responsible decisions and remained accountable to students, families, staff and the community.
I have advocated for the capital investments our communities need. We have areas in our district that are growing and schools that are under pressure, and I was part of the advocacy that led to the first new school announcement for our District since 2000.
The last four years brought significant financial pressures, changing enrolment, rising costs, staffing changes and an accounting error. As a trustee, I don’t balance the District’s budget, but I have a responsibility to make informed decisions and vote for fiscal responsibility, including making difficult decisions. I have been transparent about our financial realities and supported a long-term plan that provides greater stability.
Transparency with our community is also very important to me. I requested that letters to the Ministry and other partner groups be publicly posted so people could see what we were communicating and asking for on their behalf. Correspondence is now available on the SD73 website.
I have worked hard to maintain strong, respectful relationships with our employee groups through difficult conversations and significant staffing changes. I have also been accessible and responsive to the people I represent. I listen, respond and follow up.
