Board Minutes – September 28, 2010
139
UPPER GRAND DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
September 28, 2010
The regular monthly meeting of Upper Grand District School Board was
held on Tuesday, September 28, 2010, in the Boardroom at 500 Victoria
Road North, Guelph, starting at 7:00 p.m.
The Chair, Trustee Borden, presided and all members were present
with the exception of Trustees Best and Edwards
OPENING PRAYER OR READING
Trustee Waterston presented two short poems as the opening reading.
CONDOLENCES
The Director reported that condolences were sent on behalf of the
Board to: Carolyn Alexander, a teacher at Salem, P.S. on the loss of her father;
Mauricio Perez De la Pac, on the loss of his partner, John Menzo, a retired
teacher at Guelph C.V.I.; Marilyn McCallum, a teacher at Laurelwoods, on the
loss of her mother-in-law; Amanda Leathem, the Principal of Kenilworth P.S. and
Scott Montgomery, a teacher at Elora P.S., on the loss of Amanda’s father; Mike
McNamara, Vice Principal at Mitchell Woods, P.S. on the loss of his mother-inlaw; Beth Burns, Principal of College Heights, and Ian Macpherson, a teacher at
Centennial C.V.I., on the loss of Beth’s father John (Jack) Burns, a former
principal at G.C.V.I. (1971-85); Arlene Quinn, who works in the Terry James
Resource Centre, on the loss of her father; and William (Bill) Foster, the C.U.P.E.
Local 256 President, on the loss of his sister.
GOOD NEWS
Dr. M.C. Rogers, Director of Education, highlighted AGood News@ as
follows:
Orangeville District S.S.
Bob Borden with the help of Senior Administration, helped Orangeville
District S.S. procure a lift for their stage. The following is a story about its first
use, as submitted by their teacher.
“In my years of teaching so far I have never experienced such joy and
emotion from a student before. It was a regular school day and as a special
education teacher I was more than thrilled about the new wheelchair lift for the
school. I thought to myself, let’s do gym class today on the stage so that we can
work on movement and stretching. Due to lack of spaces in the building I knew
that this was one place I could use each day for gym class if we wanted to.
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As we approached the stage and I unlocked the new lift I could see the
eyes of the student who is in the walker light up. As she sat down on the seat of
the lift she said to me, "Mrs. C, I can go up too, really? I am going to be able to
dance with my friends in gym class too!!!" and they let out a little yipee.
I had to bring myself together with tears building in my eyes, as the
students were all on the stage awaiting for one of their best buddies to finally join
them, and when she got off the lift they all gave her a cheer without direction
from me.
I can't thank all of the people enough who were involved with this process;
as the look on her face was worth more than a thousand words. Thanks for
making one of their dreams happen!!!!”
Erin D.H.S.
Erin D.H.S. was recently featured on the EQAO Website as a Case Study:
Schools on the Journey of Learning – OSSLT. EQAO staff visited several
secondary schools throughout the province, and chose 7 to feature on their
website, one of which was Erin D.H.S. The article highlights the staffs’ approach
to improving students’ achievement and narrowing the gender gap. The
complete article may be viewed by going to the EQAO website at
www.eqao.com.
Centre Dufferin D.H.S.
We received confirmation this month that the Upper Grand has received
approval for funding support in the amount of $456,430 for Centre Dufferin
D.H.S. for the 50kW solar photovoltaic system. Thank you to Paul Scinocca for
pursuing this government funding.
Aberfoyle P.S.
For the past two years Aberfoyle P.S. has participated in a “Community
Builders Program”. Grade 6, 7, and 8 students and teachers have worked with
the not-for-profit organization “Community Builders Youth Leadership” who
provides training and support for character education.
Selected student leaders attend Community Builder workshops to
understand more about people’s behaviour as it pertains to their underlying hurts,
mistreatment, and ultimately why “inclusion for all” is so important. Combating
racism, sexism, and other oppressions are the focus on Community Builders’
workshops, where student leaders receive training so that they can return to
school and lead similar workshops of their own to train the younger grades to
actively practice inclusion. They are proud to share what they’ve learned about
being a more inclusive community within the school, and beyond. They are role
models for their peers – in the classrooms and hallways, on the yard, on the bus,
and in their own families!
Orangeville District Secondary School
Trustee Borden reported the establishment of a Young Parent’s program
at ODSS in conjunction with Dufferin County. A classroom is provided for young
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mothers who wish to complete their education, with an adjoining room where
care is provided for their babies. Trustee Borden then read a letter from one of
the mothers expressing appreciation on behalf of those enrolled in the program,
for the opportunity provided to them through this program.
CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA
Trustee Schieck moved that the agenda be confirmed as printed.
The motion carried.
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Trustee Borden declared a conflict with item 13 on the agenda and that
Past Chair, Trustee Gohn, would assume the Chair for the discussion of the item.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING HELD
AUGUST 31, 2010
Trustee Borden presented the following amendment: the last paragraph
on page 127 regarding the ruling on the motion of deferral should be moved to
follow the recorded vote on motion #1 (top of page 128).
Trustee Bailey moved, seconded by Trustee Schieck, that the Minutes of
the Board meeting held August 31, 2010, be approved as amended, 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 Gohn 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 Busuttil moved, seconded by Trustee Schieck , that the Board rise
and sit in Committee of the Whole, with the Chairperson presiding.
The motion carried.
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BUSINESS OPERATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT
Trustee Busuttil moved that the minutes of the Business Operations
Committee held September 14, 2010 be received and considered.
The motion carried.
Trustee Moziar requested that motion 5 be considered separately.
Trustee Busuttil moved the adoption of recommendations 1a) and b), 2a),
b) and c), 3 a) and b), 4, 6, 7 and 8 as contained in the minutes of the
Business Operations Committee held September 14, 2010.
The motion carried
The recommendations are as follows:
THAT:
1.
a) the report entitled “Environmental Learning Centres – Project
Update, Westwood Public School, J.D. Hogarth Public School,
Rockwood Centennial Public School, Minto Clifford Public
School,” dated September 14, 2010,” CP:10-08, be received.
b) staff be instructed to proceed with the design work on the
Environmental Learning Centre at Westwood and pursue
approval from the Ministry for unspent PCS or NPP funding for
the project and, if obtained, proceed to construction
2.
a) the report entitled “King George Public School – Building Project
Report,” dated September 14, 2010, CP 10-02, be received.
b) the “King George Public School – Building Project Report,”
attached as Appendix “A:, dated September 14, 2010, CP 1002, be approved.
c) the existing King George Public School building be demolished
and a new King George Public School be constructed to
accommodate a JK-8 program with a target opening date of
September 2012.
d) The King George Public School Building Committee be
established and up to three (3) Trustees be appointed to the
Building Committee.
3.
a) the report Elementary Enrolment and Staffing Update dated
2010 09 14 be received.
b) the F.T.E. staff for elementary schools be set at 1187.4 for the
2010-11 school year.
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4.
6.
7.
8.
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the verbal report on Health and Safety, as presented by Ms. J.L.
Rose, Executive Officer of Human Resources, be received as
information.
the report entitled, “2009-2010 EQAO Primary and Junior
Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics,” dated
September 14, 2010 be received.
the report entitled, “2009-2010 EQAO Grade 9 Assessment of
Mathematics,” dated September 14, 2010 be received.
the verbal report on the College Avenue P.S. Property Disposition,
as presented by Mr. D. Cuomo, Manager of Planning, be received.
Trustee Moziar reported on her attendance at the information session and
tour of the Taylor Evans Woodlot held September 27, 2010, noting the depth of
knowledge of the teacher who leads the project.
Trustee Busuttil moved the adoption of recommendation 5 as contained in
the minutes of the Business Operations Committee held September 14,
2010, as follows:
5.
the verbal report regarding the Taylor Evans Woodlot Tour as
presented by Superintendent J. Wright, be received.
The motion carried.
Appointment of Trustees to King George P.S. Building Committee
Trustee Gohn moved that Trustees Moziar, Waterston and Busuttil be
appointed to the King George P.S. Building Committee.
The motion carried.
SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT
Trustee Busuttil moved that the minutes of the Special Education Advisory
Committee held September 8, 2010 be received.
The motion carried
POLICY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Trustee Gohn moved that the minutes of the Policy Management
Committee held September 14, 2010, received and considered.
The motion carried.
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Trustee Gohn moved the adoption of recommendations 1, 2 and 3 as
contained in the Minutes of the Policy Management Committee, dated
September 4, 2010.
The motion carried
The recommendations are as follows:
THAT:
1. Policy 315 Privacy Protection and Information Access, be approved.
2. Policy 106 Trustee Honoraria, be approved as revised.
3. Policy 308 Selection of Architects be approved, as revised.
INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORTING AS AT AUGUST 31, 2010
Ms. J. Wright, Superintendent of Finance, introduced and reviewed the
report entitled “2009 2010 Interim Financial Reporting as at August 31, 2010,”
dated September 28, 2010 including Appendix A. She explained it is the final
Interim Financial Report to the Trustees for this year using the new Ministry
recommended format. The forecast is based on transactions recorded as of
August 31st and many invoices are subsequently received that impact the 20092010 financial position, as well as many adjustments and accruals. A surplus of
approximately $2M is predicted. The actual enrolment from October and March,
and the summaries of Revenue and Expenditures were reviewed in detail.
Trustee Bailey moved that the report: 2009 2010 Interim Financial
Reporting as at August 31, 2010 (Finance #2010-23) dated September 28,
2010, be received.
The motion carried.
COMPLIANCE AUDIT COMMITTEE - ELECTION
Trustee Borden absented himself from the discussion of this item and
Trustee Gohn assumed the chair.
Ms. J. Wright, Superintendent of Finance, introduced and reviewed the
report entitled, “Compliance Audit Committee – Election,” dated September 28,
2010. She explained that amendment under the Municipal Elections Act, which
received Royal Assent in December 2009, requires School Boards to appoint an
audit committee to hear and decide on applications for compliance audits for the
next four years. The Compliance Audit Committee membership shall not include
Board employees or officers, Board members or candidates. The Committee will
consider any application by an elector for a review of a candidate’s election
campaign finances, will grant or reject the application, and if granted, the Board
will appoint an auditor to conduct a compliance audit.
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Trustee Moziar moved
THAT:
1. the report: Compliance Audit Committee (Finance #2010-36) dated
September 28, 2010, be received
2. the Board appoint Dan Cremasco, Mark Whitcombe and Rick Woolfrey
to its Compliance Audit Committee.
The motion carried.
Trustee Borden resumed the chair for the remainder of the meeting.
RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
Ms. J. L. Rose, Executive Officer of Human Resources, introduced and
reviewed her report, “Resignations and Retirements,” dated September 28,
2010, as distributed at the meeting.
Trustee Schieck moved
THAT:
1. the report, “Resignations and Retirements,” dated September 28,
2010 be received; and
2. the Board approves the Executive Officer of Human Resources’
decisions as outlined in the report “Resignations and Retirements,”
dated September 28, 2010 (Appendix A and B).
The motion carried.
BOARD CORRESPONDENCE
Chair Borden presented a written report of correspondence received
during the past month.
Trustee Busuttil noted the letter of resignation from Lori McNeil-Chong, a
member of SEAC, attached to the September SEAC minutes.
Trustee Busuttil moved that the Board Chair be directed to send a letter of
appreciation to Lori McNeil-Chong for her volunteer service on the SEAC
Committee.
The motion carried.
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Trustee Bailey moved that the Board Correspondence dated September
28, 2010 be received.
The motion carried.
TRUSTEE QUESTIONS AND REPORTS
Healthy Food for Healthy Schools Act
Trustee Schieck raised the issue of Ministry regulations regarding the
serving size for food such as pizza, served at school. It was reported that the
Healthy Food for Healthy Schools Act is being implemented in September 2011
and that School Boards will be required to put policy in place to support it. The
legislation sets nutritional standards for food sales in elementary and secondary
schools and address such things as fat content, serving size, etc. There will be
impacts on school cafeterias, vending machines and fundraising. Superintendent
Fyfe is leading the policy development for this Board and explained this is a year
of awareness and that a group has been struck that is working with the health
unit in providing information to schools.
Management of Life Threatening Allergies in the Classroom
Trustee Moziar raised the issue of the restriction of peanuts and peanut
products in schools in the broader context of a wide spectrum of dietary allergy
concerns. Superintendent Benallick acknowledged the schools are experiencing
an increased number of students with life threatening allergies such as peanuts,
dairy, strawberries, cantaloupe and bananas. It was explained that there is a
health services policy in place that addresses life threatening allergies. Some
preliminary work is underway in revisiting the allergy section of the policy. Every
attempt is made to restrict the allergen in school and specifically the classroom of
the child. Increased communication and continued due diligence to ensure a
safe environment for all children is required. Teachers visually scan and
investigate contents of lunches. In addition, management plans for the children
with life threatening allergies are developed between the school and parent and
often the child with the allergy is asked to wear the Epipen on their body.
Student Leadership Conference
Student Trustee Vander Vlugt reported on his participation in a recent
leadership conference attended by 200 students from U.G.D.S.B. and the
Wellington County Catholic District School Board.
Professional Development for New Trustees
Director Rogers and Chair Borden will be participating in a Webinar with
OPSBA early next week on the topic of professional development for New
Trustees. Trustees provided their feedback and personal insight as to what they
found or would have found important information to have when elected as New
Trustees.
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Newspaper Article – K-W Record
Trustee Schieck noted a recent article in the K-W Record regarding the
powers of School Board Trustees. A copy of the article will be circulated to
Trustees.
DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS
A revised list of dates of future meetings was circulated at the meeting, and are
as follows:
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
- Parent Involvement Committee
Annual Fall Event, John F. Ross, 7:00 p.m.
- Policy Management Committee,
Board Room, 3 p.m.
- Supervised Alternative Learning for Excused
Pupils (SALEP), 1:00 p.m., Centre Peel
- Supervised Alternative Learning for Excused
Pupils (SALEP), 1:00 p.m., Centre Peel
- Secondary Principal Eligibility (Shortlist),
1:00 p.m., Room 6
- Secondary Vice-Principal Eligibility
(Shortlist), 1:00 p.m., Room 10
- Budget Liaison Committee, 4:00 p.m.,
Room 9
- Chair’s Committee, 5:00 p.m.,
Trustees Lounge
- Elementary Vice Principal Eligibility
(Shortlist), 8:30 a.m., Room 4
- Supervised Alternative Learning for Excused
Pupils (SALEP), 9:30 a.m., (Guelph)
- Special Education Advisory Committee
(SEAC), 7:00 p.m., Boardroom
- Elementary Principal Eligibility (Shortlist),
8:30 a.m., Room 4
- Parent Involvement Committee (PIC),
Room 9, 7 p.m.
- Architect Selection Committee (Interviews),
8:30 a.m. – All Day
- Architect Selection Committee (Interviews),
Morning – if required.
- Official Opening, Westminster Woods P.S.,
7 p.m.
- King George Building Committee, Room 8,
3:00 p.m.
- Secondary Principal Eligibility (Interviews),
Room 4 – 8:30 a.m.
Board Minutes – September 28, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
148
- Secondary Vice-Principal Eligibility
(Interviews), Room 4 – 1:00 p.m.
- Elementary Vice Principal Eligibility
(Interviews), Room 4 – 8:30 a.m.
- Elementary Principal Eligibility (Interviews),
Room 4 – 1:30 p.m.
- Supervised Alternative Learning for Excused
Pupils (SALEP), WHSS, 9:30 a.m.
- King George Building Committee,
Board Room, 3 p.m
- King George Building Committee,
Board Room, 3 p.m
Monday, October 25, 2010
Municipal/Trustee Elections
In addition, the following information was noted:
• Dufferin/Orangeville Trustees will be advised as soon as the date
for the SALEP meeting for Dufferin (originally scheduled October
4th) has been determined.
• Accessibility Workshop - October 5, 2010, 5:00 p.m., Room 9
• Chairs Committee – October 12, 2010 – Cancelled
• Student Discipline Committee - October 12, 2010, 5:00 p.m., Board
Room.
Trustee Topping moved that the October 2010 schedule for Board and
Standing Committee Meetings be approved as follows:
i. Program Committee be held on Tuesday, October 5, 2010
ii. Business Operations be held on Tuesday, October 12, 2010
iii. Regular Board Meeting be held on Tuesday, October 26, 2010
The motion carried.
Trustee Busuttil moved that the revised Dates of Future Meetings dated
September 28, 2010 be received.
The motion carried.
MOTION TO RISE AND REPORT TO THE BOARD
Trustee Moziar moved that the Committee of the Whole rise and report to
the Board.
The motion carried.
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RATIFICATION OF BUSINESS
Trustee Bailey moved, seconded by Trustee Topping, that the business
transacted by the Committee of the Whole be now ratified by the Board.
The motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
Trustee Waterston moved, seconded by Trustee Gohn, that the Board
adjourn and this meeting now close at 8:18 pm.
The motion carried.