New modular classrooms, seismic upgrade projects and possibly teacher shortages are some of the things students can expect when they head back to the classroom on Tuesday.
Seismic mitigation projects for Howard DeBeck and Alfred B. Dixon are underway, with both projects to be completed this December and in May, respectively.
Meanwhile, John G. Diefenbaker received provincial funding of more than $50 million in 2024 to be rebuilt to the latest seismic safety standards. The school will remain unchanged until the new project is completed.
As of July, the building permit application has gone to the City of Richmond for review, and the site is being prepared, according to the school district website.
A total of 35 schools in the city have been identified as high priority for seismic upgrading, to protect students and staff in the event of an earthquake, and so far 14 schools have already been upgraded.
Four schools -- R.C. Talmey elementary, Blundell elementary, Westwind elementary and Matthew McNair secondary -- are planned for upgrades in 2026, according to the district's 2026/2027 Five-Year Capital Plan.
Seismic mitigation for John T. Errington elementary as well as Hugh McRoberts and Steveston-London secondary are planned for 2027.
Richmond's Board of Education has also had to add prefabricated, or modular, classrooms to keep up with increasing student enrolment at the elementary level.
Construction for six modular classrooms for R.C. Talmey elementary will start soon, according to the Ministry of Infrastructure, and the $9 million project will add 150 new seats.
Awaiting election promises
As teacher prepare to go back to school, the possiblity of teacher shortages and lack of support weigh on those in the education system.
Richmond Teachers Association (RTA) President Liz Baverstock said teachers have seen their workload and "complexity in classrooms," such as what students need, increasing every year.
"We're still finding ourselves in a place where we don't have enough teachers," said Baverstock, adding this has been a challenge since 2017.
"I'm absolutely worried that despite everyone's best efforts to do as much hiring as possible, there are just not enough teachers within the province of B.C."
This could mean more support staff, like education assistants being pulled from classrooms where they are needed to help those with diverse learning needs or those needing extra help from an educator.
Baverstock noted the provincial government has yet to follow through on its election campaign promise to provide additional classroom support.
This included a counsellor in every school and an education assistant in every elementary classroom.
"Those are things that resonate with teachers — additional supports that can help students be their best in school each and every day," said Baverstock.
These are some of the big issues at the bargaining table that revolve around teachers' working conditions, which translates to the students' learning conditions, she added.
"We do think that the government can put more money towards education. We think they can find the funds. They have said that education is a priority for them, and so what we're looking for is a fair deal."
The provincial collective agreement for Richmond teachers expired on June 30.
Teachers will continue working under the same conditions while the bargaining team, the BC Teachers' Federation and the BC Public School Employers' Association, negotiates a new contract, explained Baverstock.
She told the Richmond News the provincial bargaining team goes back to the bargaining table on Sept. 8 and is still in the early stages of negotiating for a new and fair contract.
"We appreciate the fact that we have a very strong and prepared bargaining team. Right now, we just need to remain optimistic that if we have good-faith negotiations, a deal can actually be reached at the table."
More funds to invest in education and a fair deal for teachers to address cost-of-living pressures are some of the items they are asking for, for teachers, she added.
"We want something that gives time and resources to ensure students have the support they deserve, and with that, it improves the working conditions for teachers so that they have more time and energy to give back to their classrooms."
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