| School District 43 (Coquitlam) Board of Education Passes 2026/27 Budget | School District 43 (Coquitlam) Board of Education Passes 2026/27 Budget
Coquitlam, BC (April 29, 2026) – The Board of Education of School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) unanimously approved the 2026/27 Annual Budget Bylaw at its regular public meeting held on Tuesday, April 28.
Development of the 2026/27 budget was guided by a comprehensive and transparent process that included an early public input session on February 17, presentation of the preliminary budget on April 14, an opportunity for additional public feedback on April 21, and a final presentation and approval on April 28. Throughout this process, the Board emphasized its commitment to meaningful engagement, guided by the principle of 'you talk, we listen.'
The budget reflects the Board of Education's strategic priorities as outlined in Directions 2025, which sets out three core goals: achieving student success, enhancing learning through technology, and fostering a sustainable educational organization.
In developing the budget, the Board carefully considered the diverse perspectives and needs of the district's many partner groups. Deliberations were shaped by ongoing inflationary pressures and rising external costs, requiring difficult decisions to mitigate the impacts of grant underfunding. Despite these challenges, the Board remained focused on maintaining critical supports for vulnerable students while maximizing available resources to support student learning and well-being.
School District 43 continues to demonstrate strong student achievement, with outcomes consistently ranking among the highest in Metro Vancouver and across the province. This success is supported by teaching excellence, strategic leadership, and sound financial management.
Board Chair Michael Thomas expressed appreciation to Secretary-Treasurer Nita Mikl, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Patricia Bigonzi, and their teams for their work in preparing the budget. “The Board of Education is committed to responsible financial stewardship and open, transparent decision-making," said Thomas. “This budget reflects our careful approach to balancing fiscal responsibility with the need to maintain a stable, high-quality public education system that serves students, staff, and our communities now and into the future".
Superintendent Nadine Tambellini highlighted the value of collaboration during the budget process, noting the strong relationships between the Board and its partner groups. “This budget is the result of thoughtful collaboration and meaningful dialogue with our education partners and community," she said. “By listening carefully throughout the process, the Board has approved a financially sustainable budget that continues to support student success and positions the district well to meet both current and future needs."
School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) is the third-largest school district in British Columbia, serving approximately 32,000 students across 71 schools. The district serves the communities of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore, and Belcarra.
| Hoff, Ken | 4/29/2026 11:29 AM | | | | Message from Minister of Education and Child Care Lisa Beare | Dear Parents and Caregivers, 
As we continue to support the community of Tumbler Ridge, I know that school safety is weighing heavily on many of your minds. As a mom, I feel it too. Every single day our children walk out the door, we just want to know that they will be okay.
What happened was devastating. Our hearts are with the entire Tumbler Ridge community. Every school district has a Safe School Coordinator, as required by the Ministry of Education and Child Care, who leads district-wide safety planning, including detailed safety protocols and regular lockdown drills. Districts also receive ongoing provincial support, expert guidance and comprehensive training to help ensure strong, consistent safety practices across all schools. Schools across British Columbia are safe places for parents to send their kids to and for students to learn in.
While nothing can lessen the pain of what occurred, I am deeply grateful that the safety procedures in Tumbler Ridge, alongside quick, courageous actions of all teachers, school staff, and students, prevented the situation from being far worse.
Districts and schools have emergency responses in place, and staff are trained to initiate them when needed. This kind of planning and practice happens in communities across the province. It is taken seriously, reviewed regularly, and designed to protect students and staff should the unthinkable occur.
The ministry of Education and Child Care works closely with the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness and Safer Schools Together—provincial experts in prevention, crisis, and trauma response—to provide school districts with clear guidance and ongoing support for their safety planning. This coordination ensures that schools are prepared and that best practices are shared province-wide.
I also know that many of you, and your children, have questions about what happened. Some kids may be feeling anxious or may want to talk about their own safety. It is normal for children to experience emotional reactions after hearing about or experiencing a traumatic event—even when they remain safe. Parents can watch for signs that a child may need extra support, such as worry of fear about safety, trouble concentrating, sadness, withdrawal or increased irritability, shifts in sleep or appetite, and physical complaints like headaches or stomach-aches.
If you are looking for support on how to have these difficult conversations in an age-appropriate and trauma-informed way, resources are available on the Expect Respect and a Safe Education (erase) website and on this dedicated provincial website to support people through Tumbler Ridge tragedy.
I also want to acknowledge the heightened anxiety many 2SLGBTQIA+ students, staff, and families are feeling amid the rise in harmful rhetoric. Schools must continue to be safe, welcoming places where every student belongs. If your child or someone you know experiences threats or harassment, please us the Report It tool and connect with a teacher, principal, or school staff member. At a time when British Columbians are coming together to support a grieving community, it is unacceptable to use this tragedy to target and harm vulnerable children. You will have likely heard from your local school District with a further safety update. In the meantime, please contact your school principal if you have questions about safety protocols in place at your school. We will continue working to ensure our schools remain places of safety, care, and belonging for every student. Sincerely, Lisa Bear, Minister
 Letter of Support from Minister Beare.pdf
SD43 Emergency Information page, including Emergency Procedure Information for Parents and an SD43 Emergency Responses poster.
| Hoff, Ken | 2/23/2026 1:58 PM | | | | A message from Superintendent Nadine Tambellini | To our SD43 Families,
Over the past week, our school district has faced several threats to specific sites, leading us to activate our safety protocols. Whether you were directly impacted or not, these events have weighed heavily on our entire community. I want to take a moment to acknowledge that - the stress, the worry, and the emotional toll this has had on our students, our staff, and our families. Please know that I see and I feel it too.
From the moment these incidents occurred, the safety and well-being of your children was paramount. I am deeply grateful for the steady, compassionate, and brave response from our district and school teams. Their calm presence and unwavering commitment to your children made a difference in moments that were challenging for all of us.
I want to thank you for your trust, your patience, and your steady support. Your partnership is central to our strength as a community.
We understand that events like this cause uncertainty, anxiety, and a wide range of emotions. If you or your children are feeling unsettled, please know this: you are not alone. We are here to support you and your children. Our schools are caring places with staff ready to help, listen, and ensure that both students and families feel safe and supported.
I also want to extend heartfelt appreciation to the RCMP and the Port Moody Police Department. Their partnership, vigilance, and dedication to our schools’ safety have brought reassurance during a difficult time, and we are grateful for their continued efforts in understanding and resolving these incidents.
As we move forward, transparency and clear communication will remain deeply important to us, and we will continue our close collaboration with our police partners. Because the RCMP and Port Moody Police hold primary responsibility for public safety and the investigation of incidents like these, the school district cannot share information that pertains to their active investigations. Today’s RCMP statement includes the following important note: “These types of incidents aim at creating fear within our community, we can confirm to date no evidence has been identified to corroborate these alleged threats.”
I remain confident that our staff and students are safe. While these events are disruptive and unsettling, it is essential that we continue to trust our police partners and follow routine, precautionary protocols so they can carry out their work safely and effectively on behalf of our entire community.
Thank you for your compassion, your resilience, and your continued support of our schools and of one another.
Moments like this remind us of the strength, care and unity that defines our SD43 community.
Kind regards,
Nadine
| Hoff, Ken | 2/6/2026 3:58 PM | | |
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