Board Minutes – February 28, 2012
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UPPER GRAND DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
BOARD MEETING – TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012
The regular monthly meeting of Upper Grand District School Board was
held on Tuesday, February 28, 2012, in the Boardroom at 500 Victoria Road
North, Guelph, starting at 7:00 p.m.
Trustee Borden, Chair, presided and all Trustees were present, along with
Student Trustee MacDougall.
OPENING PRAYER OR READING
Trustee Schieck read two poems from The Friendship Book, 1970, by
Francis Gay as the opening reading.
CONDOLENCES
Trustee Borden, Chair, reported that condolences were sent on behalf of the
Board to the following: Alison Ray, a teacher at J.D. Hogarth PS, on the loss of
her mother, Margaret Ray, a former teacher with the UGDSB; Gary White, a
teacher at Elora PS and Nancy White, a teacher at Willow Road PS, on the loss
of Gary’s mother and Nancy’s mother-in-law; Sharon Colbourne, the Principal of
Alma PS, on the loss of her father; Kelly Culver, Controller of Finance at the
Board Office, on the loss of her father; David Walker, Head of the History
Department at GCVI, on the loss of his father; Deb Schaner, a teacher at ODSS,
on the loss of her father; Andrea Yurkiw, a teacher at Taylor Evans PS, on the
loss of her brother and on the loss of her mother; Wendy Houston, an
Educational Assistant at Centre Wellington DHS, and Jessica Upper, a teacher at
Salem PS, on the loss of Wendy’s partner and Jessica’s father, Randy Upper, a
teacher from GCVI (on LTD).
GOOD NEWS
Dr. Martha Rogers, Director of Education, highlighted the AGood News@ as
follows:
Paisley Road Public School
Paisley Road staff, students and parents are reaching out to needy
students. Through the efforts of the teacher/librarian and the school’s Social
Action Club, the school was able to send roughly 30 boxes of books, school
supplies and materials to schools in Sierra Leone. The goals of the club, as set
by the students are for one local and one global action. Locally the students will
become involved in the local Bracelets of Hope campaign.
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Centre Dufferin D.H.S.
Three Centre Dufferin students were presented with the Ontario Heritage
Trust Youth Achievement Award on February 25th at Queen’s Park.
CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA
Trustee Borden reported the following changes in the names and the
order of the Delegations, item 9 on the agenda:
1. Jeremy Urwin (replacing Lori-Ann Traxler)
2. Heather Mewhinney (replacing Julie McCann)
3. Rachel McLelland (replacing Elitsa Brown)
4. Daryl LeBlanc
Trustee Topping moved that the agenda be confirmed as amended.
The motion carried.
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING HELD JANUARY
24, 2012
Trustee Waterston moved that the Minutes of the Board meeting held
January 24, 2012 and the Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting
held immediately prior to the Board meeting be approved as printed.
The motion carried.
RATIFICATION OF BUSINESS TRANSACTED BY THE COMMITTEE OF THE
WHOLE IN CAMERA
Trustee Topping moved, seconded by Trustee Schieck, that the business
transacted by the Committee of the Whole in camera be now ratified by
the Board.
The motion carried.
MOTION TO RISE AND SIT IN COMMITTEE
Trustee Cooper moved that the Board rise and sit in Committee of the
Whole, with the Chairperson presiding.
The motion carried.
DELEGATIONS
Board Minutes – February 28, 2012
1.
46
Jeremy Urwin
Mr. Jeremy Urwin thanked the Trustees, Director Rogers and staff for
responding to the request from the community and providing the opportunity to
collaborate through the Feasibility Study process regarding French Immersion in
Rockwood.
2.
Heather Mewhinney
Ms. Heather Mewhinney, a mother of three children at Edward Johnson
PS, also thanked the Trustees and staff for the opportunity to collaborate with
them and build an FI program in Rockwood and noted that she is a parent
representative on the study group. She acknowledged the commitment of the
parents in attendance who represent an ever larger group and outlined the work
they undertook in circulating notice of the Town Hall meeting held last week,
resulting in approximately 45 member of the public attending along with several
Trustees, Mayor Chris White and others who do not have children affected by
any of the decisions. Ms. Mewhinney expressed disappointment that notice of
the meeting was not distributed to families through Eramosa PS or Rockwood
Centennial. A survey is being developed by the Task Force to gather input from
the community and it was explained that it will be distributed by the Board as a
mailer to postal codes within the area to ensure it is received by all families within
the catchment area. The group continues their commitment to work in the best
interest of the students.
3.
Rachel McLelland
Ms. Rachel McLelland thanked the Trustees who attended the Town Hall
meeting regarding the Feasibility Study for FI in Rockwood. She read letters and
statements from members of the community expressing concerns regarding the
decision to change the boundaries for Guelph/Eramosa FI students and
highlighting the impact of the decision on their families, including one family’s
necessity to relocate to Guelph and another’s not being able to enrol their child in
FI. Some requested that new enrolments in FI be permitted to attend King
George School until 2014 when a Rockwood FI Program might be ready as
Brisbane is not an option for their children at their time and therefore they would
not be eligible for the Rockwood Program in the future.
4. Daryl LeBlanc
Mr. Daryl Leblanc read a letter from a parent in Eden Mills indicating that
she will be taking her daughter out of FI in 2014 when the program moves to
Erin. He then indicated the community is not asking to re-open the review, but
wanted to express their concern that the redirection of new enrolments to the FI
program to Brisbane for the next two years will hinder the goal of building a
program in Rockwood. In order to address the concern and assist in establishing
the FI Program in Rockwood, it was suggested that new FI enrolments be given
the option of attending King George as a temporary holding school if FI in
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Rockwood is deemed feasible. Feedback from the community has indicated that
while supportive of FI in Rockwood, for many, Brisbane is not an option in the
interim. The result is that a significant cohort of potential students has been
removed from a potential program in Rockwood. Mr. LeBlanc respectfully
requested that Trustees consider placing a motion for this change.
TRUSTEES’ RESPONSE TO DELEGATIONS
Trustee Borden thanked the delegations for their presentations and the
positive way in which they are working together with staff.
Trustee Moziar acknowledged and applauded the work of the community
in laying the groundwork for an FI program in Rockwood for those coming after
them even when it will not directly benefit their own children. She also referred to
the process that would be required to reconsider the issue of providing the option
for new FI enrolments from Guelph/Eramosa to attend King George PS until
2014.
Trustee Busuttil thanked the delegations and in response to her question,
it was clarified that the Feasibility Study group is developing a survey for
distribution to the community. The committee will then analyse the responses
and draft a report that will include recommendations for consideration by
Trustees in June.
Trustee Schieck thanked the parents for coming out again this evening
and clarified that a Trustee would need to give a notice of reconsideration in
order to have new FI enrolments attend King George as a holding school for 2
years.
Trustee Bailey expressed appreciation to the community for reaching out
to Trustees and that he was heartened to see so many community members in
attendance at the public meeting last week. He eagerly awaits the results of the
feasibility study.
PROGRAM COMMITTEE
Trustee Moziar moved that the minutes of the Program Committee held
February 7, 2012 be received and considered.
The motion carried.
Trustee Moziar reported on a recent visit to Westwood Public School,
along with Superintendent Kelly, to observe music and math classes in operation.
She conveyed congratulations to the teachers noting in particular the manner in
which the development of problem solving skills was being addressed in the
grade 6 math class.
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Trustee Moziar moved the adoption of recommendations 1, 2 and 3 as
contained in the Minutes of the Program Committee, dated February 7,
2012.
The motion carried.
The motions are as follows:
THAT:
1.
the presentation entitled, “Elementary Mathematics: Energized be
received.
2.
the presentation entitled, “What’s New @ Your School Library”, be
received.
3.
the Student Trustee presentation be received
SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Trustee Waterston moved that the minutes of the Special Education
Advisory Committee held February 8, 2012 be received and considered.
The motion carried.
Trustee Waterston moved that Heather Clemmer, Easter Seals
Representative to SEAC, be granted a leave of absence until the fall of
2012.
.
The motion carried.
POLICY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Trustee Gohn moved that the minutes of the Policy Management
Committee held February 7, 2012 be received and considered.
The motion carried.
Trustee Moziar moved the adoption of recommendations 1 and 2 as
contained in the Minutes of the Policy Management Committee, dated
February 7, 2012.
The motion carried.
The motions are as follows:
THAT:
1.
Policy 508 Educational Field Trips, as amended be approved
2.
Policies # 1520 Child Care in Schools, # 3910 School Sites, # 4010
Employment Equity, # 5018 Admission to Regular Day School, #
5212 School Contractual Agreements with External Organizations,
and # 5304 Student Accident Insurance be rescinded
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LONG-TERM FINANCING REPORT 2012
Ms. Janice Wright, Superintendent of Education, introduced and reviewed
the report entitled, “Long Term Financing,” dated February 28, 2012. Ms. Wright
then highlighted the details of the Loan Agreement, the schedules outlining the
list of projects and the amortization schedule, and the proposed Bylaw required
under section 7 of Ontario Regulation 41/10 to authorize a loan from the Ontario
Financing Authority in the principal amount of $7,678,682.
Trustee Waterston moved
THAT:
4. the report Long Term Financing, (Finance #2012-03), dated February
28, 2012 be received.
5. By-law number 2012-1, attached as Appendix A, authorizing the Board
to enter into the Loan Agreement be approved.
The motion carried.
SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION SELECTION COMMITTEE
Dr. Martha Rogers, Director of Education, explained that as a result of
some assignment changes for the Superintendents, the process to recruit a
Superintendent of Education has commenced to fill the current vacancy. A
request was made for three Trustees to serve on the selection committee, and
due to the large response, an election was held.
Trustee Bailey moved that Trustees Fairbairn, Gohn and Waterston be
appointed to the Superintendent of Education Selection Committee.
The motion carried.
Trustee Topping moved that the ballots be destroyed.
The motion carried.
RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
Ms. Jennifer Rose, Executive Officer of Human Resources, introduced
and reviewed the report, “Resignations and Retirements,” dated February 28,
2012, as distributed at the meeting.
Trustee Schieck extended thanks to the long service employees and
moved that the report, “Resignations and Retirements,” dated February
28, 2012 (Appendix A and B) be received.
The motion carried
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BOARD CORRESPONDENCE
Chair Borden presented a written report of correspondence received
during the past month.
It was clarified that a letter from OPSBA sent to all Members of Parliament
regarding the private members Bill C-300 addressing suicide prevention, item 5,
was provided as information in order to advise Trustees of their position on the
issue.
Trustee Moziar moved that the Chair be directed to write a letter to the
Members of Parliament within the UGDSB area, in support of the private
members Bill C-300, addressing suicide prevention.
The motion carried.
Trustee Borden clarified that item 2, was received in response to the letter
sent to Chairs of the coterminous boards and private schools seeking support for
Career Pathways and that the issue is one of funding and not program.
It was reported that the report from the Transportation Task Force as
referred to in item 4 has not yet been received.
Trustee Busuttil moved that the Board Correspondence report dated
February 28, be received.
The motion carried.
TRUSTEE QUESTIONS AND REPORTS
OSTA/AECO Fees
The issue of payment of $1,400 in membership fees to the Ontario
Student Trustees’ Association (OSTA/AECO) was discussed. Student Trustee
MacDougall reported on the benefits of participation in the conferences put on by
OSTA/AECO and noted that membership fees enable the Association to offset
the costs of the speakers and related conference costs. Conference registration
fees are reduced for Student Trustees from member boards, but non-members
are also able to attend.
It was suggested that the Student Trustees be provided with the budget
figures for the past year and asked to determine for themselves how they wish to
direct the funds.
As the government has mandated the position of Student Trustees it was
suggested that as done in the past, a letter be sent to the government to review
the position that because Student Trustee positions are mandated by the
Province, financial support should be provided to support them.
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Trustee Schieck moved that the Board approve the payment of $1,400 in
membership fees to OSTA/AECO.
The motion was defeated.
Trustee Bailey moved that the Chair and Student Trustees be directed to
co-author a letter to the government regarding the issue of funding of
OSTA/AECO, with a copy sent to Student Voice.
The motion carried.
DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS
Trustee Moziar moved that the March 2012 schedule for Board and
Standing Committee Meetings be approved as follows:
i. Program Committee – Tuesday, March 6, 2012
ii. Business Operations - Tuesday, March 20, 2012
iii. Regular Board Meeting - Tuesday, March 27, 2012
The motion carried.
The list of dates of future meetings was reviewed and the following
additions and changes were noted:
Tuesday, March 6, 2012 – Property Committee, 4:00 p.m., Room 9
Thursday, March 22, 2012 – Public Information Session Re: Lee
Street School Boundary, 7:00 pm. – 9:00 p.m. Ken Danby School
Monday, March 26, 2012, Learning Foundation, 5:30 p.m., Room 3
Monday, March 26, 2012, Parent Involvement Committee (PIC),
7:00 p.m., Room 9
OPSBA Labour Relations Symposium Date correction – It is
scheduled April 29-31, 2012.
The remainder of the meetings are as follows:
Monday, March 5, 2012
-
Supervised Alternative Learning (SAL)
Orangeville,1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
-
Policy Management Committee
Board Room, 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
-
Supervised Alternative Learning (SAL),
Guelph, 9:30 a.m.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
-
Special Education Advisory Committee,
Board Room,7:00 p.m.
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Monday, March 19, 2012
-
Board Workshop Re: King George
Boundary, Board Room, 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
-
Chairs’ Committee, Trustees’ Lounge,
5:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
-
Supervised Alternative Learning (SAL)
Wellington Heights, 9:30 a.m.
Monday, March 26, 2012
-
Dufferin District School Council,
Princess Elizabeth PS, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Spring Break
March 12-16, 2012
OPSBA Labour Relations Symposium
Sheraton Centre Hotel, Toronto
March 29-31, 2012
Trustee Busuttil moved that the Dates of Future Meetings dated February
28, 2012 be received.
The motion carried.
MOTION TO RISE AND REPORT TO THE BOARD
Trustee Topping moved that the Committee of the Whole rise and report
to the Board.
The motion carried.
RATIFICATION OF BUSINESS
Trustee Moziar moved, seconded by Trustee Fairbairn, that the business
transacted by the Committee of the Whole be now ratified by the Board.
The motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
Trustee Waterston, Seconded by Trustee Bailey that the Board adjourn
and this meeting now close at 8:35 p.m.
The motion carried.