Board of Education Approves Public Consultation on Draft Plan to Balance Enrolment 

The Chilliwack School District is exploring options to balance school enrolment and capacity over the next decade. At a public board meeting on Tuesday, January 27th, the Board directed District staff to begin a formal public consultation on a draft plan to address capacity challenges at some Chilliwack public schools. 

Public consultation runs from January 28 – April 10, 2026. Students, families, staff, and community members will have opportunities to provide feedback on the draft proposal before the Board makes any decisions. The draft plan and information on upcoming engagement opportunities is available at: Let's Talk.

“District staff have engaged with school communities over the past year and presented us with a well-informed draft plan. Now it’s important that the Board of Education hears feedback on the proposed solutions,” said Board Chair, David Swankey.

A final decision is expected by June 2026. Any approved recommendations would be implemented in September 2027.

From January 2025 to early January 2026, District staff had 37 meetings with nearly 600 people including school staff, students, parents, and community partners to hear feedback on early ideas. The meetings involved 11 school communities. A What We Heard Report summarizes those conversations.

Between 2016 and 2021, Chilliwack was the second fastest growing municipality in Canada. By 2035, the city’s population is expected to reach 132,000. This growth, combined with limited available land, is putting pressure on Chilliwack schools, especially at the middle and secondary school levels.

In 2023, the provincial government announced that it would build a new elementary school on Chilliwack’s east side, adding space for 500 K-5 students. Construction will be completed in Spring 2027, and the new school will open in September 2027.