UPPER GRAND DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
BUSINESS OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
MINUTES
December 7, 2010
The Business Operations Committee of Upper Grand District School Board met
on Tuesday, December 7, 2010, in the Board Room at 500 Victoria Road North,
Guelph, Ontario commencing at 7:00 p.m.
Trustee Fairbairn, Chair, presided and the following Trustees were present:
Bailey, Borden, Busuttil, Cooper, Gohn, Moziar, Schieck, Topping and Waterston.
Present from the Administration were Superintendents Benallick, Boswell, Fyfe,
Morrell and Wright; J. Alder, Manager of Plant Operations; D.S. Cuomo, Manager of
Planning; M. McFadzen, Communications Officer; J.L. Rose, Executive Officer of
Human Resources; P. Scinocca, Manager of Capital and Renewal Projects, and Mr. J.
Shanks, Chief Information Officer.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Trustee Fairbairn reported that Heather Kepran will delegate on behalf of Kathy
Watts and that a “Trustees’ Response to Delegations” has been added as a new item 6.
The remainder of the agenda was renumbered accordingly. In addition, there are no
items for discussion in camera.
Trustee Busuttil moved that the agenda be approved as amended.
The motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the previous meeting, held November 9, 2010 were previously
approved by the Board on November 23, 2010.
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
Business Operations Committee Minutes, December 7, 2010
2
OPEN SESSION
DELEGATIONS
1. Karine Semina
Ms. Karine Semina, a parent of a grade 3 student at John McCrae P.S. spoke on
behalf of eight families. She expressed concerns regarding the change in boundaries
resulting from the Central Guelph Accommodation Review decision that now requires
students from the Westminster Woods neighbourhood to attend F.A. Hamilton P.S. The
families had been aware of the ongoing discussions and that their children were not
affected if the original recommendation to implement scenario U10 had been approved
at the August 31st Board meeting. No notice of the impact of the change in decision to
implement Scenario NS15 variation was given to the families until a letter was received
on November 27th. The families feel it was unacceptable that they had been excluded
from any consultation on the matter and oppose the decision. Concern was expressed
regarding the impact on the children and that insufficient time has been allowed for
transition planning. Parents chose the FI program at John McCrae based on its
reputation and culture and no information regarding the program that will be offered at
F.A. Hamilton has been provided to the parents. Trustees were urged to rethink,
reverse or delay the decision until they can ensure a seamless transition for the
children.
2.
Heather Kepran
Ms. Heather Kepran, a parent of a student at Laurine Avenue School, expressed
concerns regarding the temporary relocation of grade 7/8 students from King George to
Waverley Drive School. The major concern is that the walking route for the majority of
the students from Laurine Avenue to Waverley Drive is unrealistic and unsafe as it
would be along major arterial roads and requires crossing major intersections. In
particular there is concern children may attempt to cross Eramosa Road at Callender
which is situated at the bottom of a blind hill where there is no traffic light. She noted
that Laurine Avenue School has a culture of walking and many children in the
neighbourhood are required to walk younger siblings to school. It is anticipated that
many parents will drive their children to Waverley due to their concerns which will also
negatively impact the traffic around Waverley Drive School and create safety concerns.
Ms. Kepran urged Trustees to consider other alternatives when making their decision,
such as accommodating the students at Laurine Avenue for one year or providing
bussing for the students from Laurine Avenue School.
TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION OF KING GEORGE 7/8 REGULAR TRACK
STUDENTS FOR 2011/12
Ms. J. Wright, Superintendent of Finance reported that the report entitled,
“Temporary Accommodation of King George 7/8 Regular Track Students for 2011/12,”
was presented at the Board meeting on November 23, 2010 and was referred to this
Business Operations Committee Minutes, December 7, 2010
3
committee for consideration. On December 2, 2010, a meeting was held with parents at
Waverley Drive Public School . Copies of the summary of questions and answers as
well as the Comment Sheet Summary were distributed to Trustees.
Ms. Wright explained that the transportation consortium will develop
recommended walking routes to address the changes and post them on the on website,
taking into account safety issues such as unmarked or unlighted intersections. The safe
walking routes would then be measured to determine eligibility for bus transportation.
Ms. Wright noted that this is the first year the walking distance has been reduced to 3.2
km for grade 7/8 students (from 4.8 km.)
Mr. Dennis Cuomo, Manager of Planning reported that he participates in a group
with representatives from Wellington Catholic District School Board, the Health Unit and
the City of Guelph that addresses active and safe routes to school. They are proposing
that the group walk along the recommended route and identify potential obstacles and
hazards and try to determine ways to mitigate any problems. The group would be
prepared to undertake this initiative once the route to Waverley Drive School has been
identified by the consortium.
The consortium was asked to review the
Eramosa/Callender crossing point.
Recommendation #1
Trustee Moziar moved that this Committee recommend to the Board that
effective September 2011, the regular track 7/8 students from King George
Public School be temporarily accommodated at Waverley Drive Public School,
until construction of the new King George School is completed.
The motion carried.
TRUSTEES’ REPONSE TO DELEGATIONS
It was clarified that this recommendation will go forward to the Board meeting
scheduled December 14, 2010 and is not official until approved by the Board.
Trustee Busuttil reported that an Ad Hoc Transition Committee will begin to meet
starting in January and will involve the school principal and parents of children who will
attend the F.A. Hamilton FI Centre. Delegates were also assured that when the
U.G.D.S.B. creates programs, they will have qualified staff and excellent resources in
place. The concerns expressed by the delegate have been heard and input into the
transition was invited.
Trustee Waterston reassured the delegate from Laurine Avenue School that,
while it might be difficult in the beginning, things will work out and parents and students
will adjust to the walk to Waverley Drive School. The parents would be able to walk with
their children to determine safe routes, and the students can develop walking groups.
Another option might be to look into available City bus routes.
Business Operations Committee Minutes, December 7, 2010
4
(NEW) KING GEORGE PUBLIC SCHOOL CONCEPT DESIGN REPORT
Mr. Paul Scinocca, Capital Projects Manager, introduced and reviewed the report
entitled, “(New) King George Public School Concept Design Report,” dated December
7, 2010. The Building Committee was established in accordance with Policy 309 and
has worked with the Architects and board staff to develop a concept design and site
plan for consideration by the Board. The design development was based on the
approved building program which was to construct 504 pupil places to accommodate a
JK to Grade 8 program. The Ministry’s Space Template, the Projected Expenditure
Budget, the Architect’s Building Program Summary, the Concept Drawings and the
Architect’s Cost Estimate as included in Appendix A were reviewed in detail.
Mr. Scinocca reported that some details in the plans may need to be adjusted
due to grading issues. He noted and explained new technologies that are being
investigated to advance the Board’s plan for sustainability.
Recommendation #2
Trustee Bailey moved
THAT:
a) The report entitled, “(New) King George Public School – Concept Design
Report,” dated December 7, 2010, CP:10-11, be received.
b) The concept Design report for the (New) King George Public School building
project, including the Preliminary Budget of $8,850,826.56 as outlined in
Appendix A of CP:10-11, be approved.
c) The construction model for the (New) King George Public School building
project be Lump Sum Tender.
The motion carried.
RESIGNATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND RETIREMENTS
Ms. J. L. Rose introduced and reviewed her memo “Resignations and
Retirements (Appendix A and B)”, dated December 7, 2010, as circulated at the
meeting.
Recommendation #3
Trustee Schieck acknowledged the long service employees and moved that this
Committee recommend to the Board
THAT:
a)
the report, “Resignations and Retirements” dated December 7, 2010 be
received; and,
Business Operations Committee Minutes, December 7, 2010
b)
5
the Board approve the Executive Officer of Human Resources’ decisions
as outlined in the report “Resignations and Retirements,” dated December
7, 2010 (Appendix A and B).
The motion carried.
HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT
Ms. J. Rose, Executive Officer of Human Resources, provided a verbal report
highlighting the Health and Safety activities for the past month. She reported that Mr.
Jim Bowie, Occupational Health and Safety Officer has been working with the
committee to develop a Workplace Violence and harassment training program for use
by Board staff. He has also met with the Fire Prevention officer regarding potential fire
code issues in a secondary tech shop. The Confined Space assessments has been
completed for 25 locations and specific training is being scheduled to commence in
January 2011.
Recommendation #4
Trustee Gohn moved that this Committee recommend to the Board that the
verbal report on Health and Safety, as presented by Ms. J. Rose, Executive
Officer of Human Resources, be received as information.
The motion carried.
OTHER BUSINESS - Nil
ADJOURNMENT
Trustee Bailey moved that this Committee adjourn at 9:50 p.m. to report to the
Board.
The motion carried