Professional Development

The BVTU Professional Development Committee shall consist of 10 members: the elected PD representative from each school/job location (Silverthorne, Twain Sullivan, Houston Secondary, Telkwa Elementary, District Learning Centre, Muheim Elementary, Walnut Park Elementary, & Smithers Secondary), plus the PD Treasurer and PD Chairperson.

The committee’s role is to look for opportunities to encourage and provide professional development for its members and to ensure equitable management of funds. This may include working with SD54, with the understanding that attendance is strictly by choice — it cannot be required.

Each job location must submit a ratified School Professional Development Policy before the end of October each year. This plan must include the school’s cycle, funds allocation, and which year in the cycle the school is at. Each cycle runs September through end of June. Summer approvals apply to the following cycle.

Amount eligibility is based on percentage of full-time. A teacher in a 0.5 position is eligible for 0.5 of the funding. Teachers employed at multiple schools have funding split by percentage between locations.

Honorarium: When a BVTU member presents a half-day or more workshop on a Pro-D day, a gift of no more than $50 (non-monetary) will be given in recognition of their contribution.

Extra funds: Once a teacher has used their Pro-D allotment, there is no recourse to further funds from the BVTU Pro-D committee or school committees.

Only pre-approved expenses listed on the PD approval form will be paid.

Eligible coverage includes: Registration fees (excluding organization membership fees unless included in registration — confirmation of registration and amount paid required, reimbursed after the event); transportation including gas, flights, cancellation insurance, parking, taxi, and car rental (receipts required — but not mileage). A reimbursement of $150.00 per leave request may be claimed for use of personal Rewards Miles; taxes, insurance, and airport fees reimbursed at dollar value.

Any requests for more than 2 TTOC days from the Pro-D allotment must be decided by the district Pro-D committee. TTOC days do not carry over to the following year.

Schools will roll over their year-end balance (credit or deficit) from one year to the next.

A brief write-up about the conference, speaker, or topic must be submitted with receipts to receive reimbursement. Teachers are encouraged to provide a brief report at the staff meeting following attendance at any conference for which Pro-D funds were used.

University credit courses, programs, and courses required for job eligibility will not be funded due to tax implications. If a course increases employability or wage potential, it will not be funded. Summer conferences may be applied for based on availability of Pro-D funds.

Pro-D funds are a shared pool among teachers on staff. Portions cannot be transferred between teachers or schools. TTOCs may apply to the District Committee for up to $250 in funding.

The committee will adjudicate any disputed requests. A legitimate request may be refused if a school’s funds are low and the teacher has regularly accessed funds — this ensures equitable access for all staff.