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UPPER GRAND DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
BOARD MEETING – TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2012
The regular monthly meeting of Upper Grand District School Board was
held on Tuesday, October 30, 2012, in the Boardroom at 500 Victoria Road
North, Guelph, starting at 7:00 p.m.
Trustee Bailey, Vice Chair, presided and along with Student Trustees
Sampson and Brown, all Trustees were present with the exception of Trustees
Borden and Gohn.
OPENING PRAYER OR READING
Trustee Moziar presented a poem by Robert Service as the opening
reading.
CONDOLENCES
Dr. Martha Rogers, Director of Education reported that condolences were
sent on behalf of the Board to the following: Rick Cade, a teacher at Kortright
Hills PS, on the loss of his father; Karen Clapperton, a teacher at Princess
Elizabeth PS, on the loss of her father; Jane Langeraap, a teacher at Palmerston
PS, on the loss of her mother; Tracey Mackie Vlietstra, a Child and Youth
Counsellor, on the loss of her step-father; Mike and Jill Ferenczi, on the loss of
their son, Brody Ferenczi, a former student of ODSS; Lori and Michael Brooks,
on the loss of their son Bradley Brooks, a student at ODSS; Corinne and David
Olien, on the loss of their daughter Melanie Olien, a student at ODSS; Diane
Goodwin, a Social Worker based out of Centennial CVI, on the loss of her father;
Deb Phillips, a teacher at Drayton Heights PS, on the loss of her mother and her
father; Dennis Weishar, a teacher at ODSS, on the loss of his father; Maureen
Cleary, a Core French teacher at Island Lake PS and Credit Meadows ES, on the
loss of her mother-in-law.
GOOD NEWS
Dr. Martha Rogers, Director of Education, highlighted the AGood News@ as
follows:
Sir Isaac Brock P.S. – Principal nominated
Principal Wendy Donaldson of Sir Isaac Brock Public School was
nominated for the Toronto Star's 2012 Honour Roll. This is the 4th Annual
Teacher Awards that are part of the Star's popular Classroom Connections
program. Classroom Connections provides educators with theme teachers'
guides on relevant subjects along with print or electronic copies of the
newspaper.
Wendy was nominated by her students, their parents and
colleagues from across the province. While not in the top 3, we are proud of
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Wendy who was one of approximately 175 educators from across the province
who was nominated for the award. Congratulations Wendy!
The Guelph Community Foundation’s 2012 Fall Community Grants
On October 4th, the Guelph Community Foundation’s 2012 Fall
Community grants were announced at the River Run Centre. Recipients
included: Laurine Ave P.S. received $3,023 to support the continued
development of an intermediate instrumental music program; Westwood P.S.
received $2,750 for the Primary Reading Buddies Program; Career Education
Council, Build Your Community, Build your Resume received $5,000; and
Scientists in School, Guelph Capacity Building Projects received $2,677.
Wellington Heights S.S. advance to boardwalk as runner-up to Layton Award
Wellington Heights Secondary School was a runner-up in the annual Jack
Layton Award for Youth Action in Sustainability. The school was recognized for
the efforts of grade 10 students in the Community Environmental Leadership
Program (CELP) who built a boardwalk at Luther Marsh. Established by
Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF), the award honours Jack Layton’s
optimism and hope for creating a more sustainable future. As a runner-up to the
award, the CELP program at WHSS will receive a certificate and $250 towards a
sustainability-related action project.
Twenty-one students were involved in the boardwalk project, assisted by
CELP teachers Dave Griffiths and Annalee Carberry. It was constructed over a
two month period in May and June of 2012. A key feature of the boardwalk,
designed by Griffiths, is a viewing platform for safely viewing and accessing the
marsh. Ms. Carberry and Mr. Griffiths secured funding for the boardwalk project
through a $3,000 Project FLOW grant from Resources for Rethinking.
WHSS students are regular visitors to Luther Marsh during the school’s
second semester. In May the marsh is also visited by Grade 4 students from
Mount Forest, Arthur, Alma, Fergus, Elora, Salem and East Garafraxa.
LSF is a national charity committed to promoting, through education, the
knowledge, skills, perspectives and practices essential to a sustainable
future. This year LSF selected one winner, four runner-ups and 11 honourable
mentions from over 150 successful sustainability-related action projects that
utilized at least one of LSF’s resources offered through Resources for
Rethinking.
Brant Avenue P.S.
Brant Avenue PS held a Sox for Fox campaign. Students were asked to
bring in "spare" change and put it in a sock in their classroom and then, as a
school, they weighed and counted the total. This year $123 was raised.
Centre Dufferin D.H.S. – Athletes
The O.F.S.A.A. Golf championship took place on Thursday October 11,
2012. Centre Dufferin athletes were very successful with one student finishing
3rd and another finishing 38th among the 107 students competing.
Congratulations to the athletes and to teacher Pauline Lloyd for making their
participation possible.
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Books
Trustee Lynn Topping applied for and received 9 boxes of free books from
First Book Canada. Thanks to Trustee Topping the following locations will be the
recipients of the free books:
Ontario Early Years 3 sites--Shelburne, Orangeville and Grand Valley;
Primrose E.S.;
Hyland Heights E.S.;
Centennial Highlands E.S.; and
Christmas Hampers Shelburne.
The Hundred Languages Group
This is a good news story about a “grass roots” initiative. A group of 20
educators (facilitated by Aaron Senitt, a kindergarten teacher at Priory Park
Public School), meets once a month to discuss their classroom practice. The
group includes both teachers and ECE’s from the Upper Grand District School
Board, student teachers, as well as ECE’s from the Ontario Early Years Centre
and Workside daycare. The group is using the book Authentic Childhood as a
springboard for discussions about the classroom environment, play-based
pedagogy, making children’s learning visible through documentation and
differentiating instruction in the classroom. This group currently remains strongly
committed to meeting on their own time. Their meetings rotate to different sites
around the board so educators can get a glimpse into each other’s classrooms.
CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA
Trustee Schieck moved that the agenda be confirmed as printed.
The motion carried.
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETINGS HELD
SEPTEMBER 25, 2012
Trustee Waterston moved, seconded by Trustee Topping, that the Minutes
of the Board meeting held September 25, 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.
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158
RATIFICATION OF BUSINESS TRANSACTED BY THE COMMITTEE OF THE
WHOLE IN CAMERA
Trustee Cooper moved, seconded by Trustee Busuttil 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 Topping moved that the Board rise and sit in Committee of the
Whole, with the Chairperson presiding.
The motion carried.
DELEGATIONS
King George Boundary Review
1.
Martina White
Ms. Martina White presented to the Board on behalf of 58 families from
the Victory PS Community regarding the impact of the King George Boundary
Review on their school. She noted a recent survey of these families indicated
95% would prefer to see portables used on site instead of moving children to an
out of area school. In addition 81% of those surveyed would consider switching
their children to the English track at Victory PS rather than move them to an out
of area school. Ms. White reviewed the details of the two proposed scenarios
developed by the staff committee, noting that in both scenarios, King George is
projected to be over capacity in 2017 due to growth in East Guelph. The UGDSB
enrolment Projections were also reviewed along with attrition rates, Ontario birth
rates, Guelph population growth for children 0-14 years and enrolment
conclusions drawn by the parent group. The parents are proposing that in all
projections, a reasonable capacity would result for both schools by simply cutting
Grade 6 (both FI and RT) without disrupting the community. Future fluctuations
could be managed with a Grade Shift if required.
In response to a question from Trustees, it was clarified that of the
students in grade 6, 22 are FI and 14 are RT in 2014 and that the numbers
increase over time out to 2019.
2.
Aaron Blair
Mr. Aaron Blair presented on behalf the Victory community. He noted a
meeting was held for Victory Parents with over 50 parents representing over 110
students participating. Mr. Blair indicated that the current scenarios developed
by the staff committee were not aligned with the community’s collective values as
a parent group. He then highlighted the parent core values as they relate to
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community, stability, safety, inclusion, academic achievement, involvement and
environment. The Feedback from parents to the proposed scenarios being
considered indicated the parent collective did not support either solution as it
stands, and that they want to help the board, but not at the expense of losing
their community. Mr. Blair provided information that illustrated three FI schools
(Victory, Paisley and McCrae) are currently overcapacity as well as the number
of student reductions that would be required for each school to achieve policy
capacity guidelines, which equates to 41 students for Victory PS. One
suggestion made by the parents in order to meet the required reduction at Victory
PS is to change the school to grades K-5 for both French and English tracks.
The community wants to help derive a solution but wants to be engaged in the
process and do not feel the input via email provides them with an appropriate
opportunity for discussion. The group would like to see the current proposals
amended to accommodate the recommendation provided by the Victory PS
Parent delegation, that consideration be given to adding options and having a
parental vote on the options prior to the December 18 th decision, that parents be
added to work with the special committee to provide additional input and that the
timelines be extended to allow a larger committee group to evaluate options.
In response to questions from Trustees, Mr. Blair referred to CMHA
research in support of their concerns around student safety and belief that
children are not as resilient as previously thought. It was also clarified that their
proposal did not include discussion with regular track families but that a broader
discussion with the families that could be potentially impacted by their suggestion
would be undertaken as a next step. Mr. Blair also explained that other
suggestions made at the meeting would include Paisley Road PS so were not put
forward.
TRUSTEES’ RESPONSE TO DELEGATIONS
Trustee Waterston expressed appreciation for receiving such thorough
presentations from the Victory PS Community. She informed the delegations
that the next step would be review and consideration of the information by the
Staff Committee.
Trustee Bailey thanked the presenters and also the Victory Community for
their additional individual comments and information that was sent to the
Trustees and staff for consideration by the Staff Committee.
PROGRAM COMMITTEE
A.
Minutes of October 2, 2012
Trustee Moziar moved that the minutes of the Program Committee held
October 16, 2012 be received and considered.
The motion carried.
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160
Trustee Waterston requested that recommendation 1 be considered
separately.
Trustee Moziar moved the adoption of recommendations 2, 3, and 4, as
contained in the Minutes of the Program Committee, dated October 2,
2012.
The motion carried.
The motions are as follows
2. the report entitled, “Mental Health and Addictions at the Upper Grand
District School Board – Year 2 Provincial Implementation”, be received.
3. the report entitled, “September 2012 OPSBA Board of Directors
Meeting”, dated October 2, 2012, be received.
4. the Student Trustee Report be received.
Trustee Moziar moved the adoption of recommendation 1 as follows:
1. the report entitled, “Safe,
2012/2013”, be received.
Equitable,
and
Inclusive
Schools,
The motion carried.
Trustee Waterston circulated and reviewed a proposed motion coming out
of the discussion on Safe, Equitable, and Inclusive Schools that took place at the
Program Committee meeting.
Trustee Waterston moved
THAT:
by the end of November 2012, a System Level Safe, Equitable and
Inclusive Education Steering Committee is formed that will include
parent and student representation.
this committee be chaired by staff and membership would include:
o Two trustees
o Staff representatives including: Special Education Advisory
Committee staff representative, Community Use of Schools
Representative, Equity lead, Aboriginal lead, Superintendent
responsible for Safe, Equitable and Inclusive Schools,
Program Department representative, Student Success
representative, Communications Department representative.
o two parent representatives: Parent Involvement Committee
representative, Special Education Advisory Committee
representative
o 1-2 student representatives.
this committee would receive reports, including information on
bullying prevention programs and bullying prevention plans in
schools, from our Safe, Equitable and Inclusive Working
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161
Committee, Character Education Committee, and Whole School
Approach Committee and provide feedback.
this committee would receive feedback from community groups on
the Board’s policies related to Safe and Inclusive Schools and
Equity.
this committee would receive updates on Ministry initiatives related
to Safe, Equitable and inclusive schools and be advised of any
resulting changes to our Board’s Safe and Inclusive Schools and
Equity Policies.
The motion carried
BUSINESS OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
A.
Minutes of October 16, 2012
Trustee Fairbairn moved that the minutes of the Business Operations
Committee held October 16, 2012 be received and considered.
The motion carried.
Trustee Fairbairn moved the adoption of recommendations 1, 2, 3, and 4,
as contained in the Minutes of the Business Operations Committee, dated
October 16, 2012.
The motion carried.
The motions are as follows:
THAT:
1. a) the report entitled “Shelburne Public School (New) Project Approval
Report, Construction Tender and Final Project Budget,” dated
October 16, 2012, CP:12-12, be received.
b) a Final Project Budget of $7,034,504.85 outlined in Appendix A in
the report CP:12-12, be approved, and that the contract for the
Shelburne Public School (New) building project be awarded to the
low tenderer, Tambro Construction Ltd.
2. a) The report entitled, “Lee Street Public School Concept Design
Report,” dated October 16, 2012, CP: 12-13, be received;
b) The Concept Design report for the Lee Street Public School
building project, including the Preliminary Budget of $8,162,499.69
as outlined in Appendix A of CP:12-13, be approved;
c) The construction model for the Lee Street Public School building
project be Lump Sum Tender.
3. a) The report entitled, “Planning Department – Work Program,” PLN:
12-22, dated October 16, 2012, be received;
b) Trustees approve the “Schedule of Boundary Reviews – Revised,”
as shown in Appendix 1 of PLN: 12-22;
c) Board staff be directed to implement the boundary reviews and
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162
other processes scheduled for 2012/13, as outlined in PLN: 12-22.
4. a) The report entitled, “2012 Partnership Report,” dated October 16,
2012, PLN: 12-24 be received.
b) Trustees approve the “Schedule of Partnership Space,” as shown
in Appendix 1 of PLN: 12-24.
c) Staff be directed to advise the Partnership List of available
Partnership Space or Co-Build opportunities identified on the
Schedule of Partnership Space.
5. memo PLN:12-23 entitled, “King George PS JK-8 FI boundary Review
– Report #2” be received.
6. the report, Resignations and Retirements (Appendix A and B) dated
October 16, 2012, be received.
B.
Announcements
Dr. Martha Rogers, Director of Education, reported that earlier this
evening, In Camera, Trustees approved the following appointments of staff to the
Principal/Vice-Principal Eligibility Lists as follows:
Elementary Principals:
Elementary Vice-Principals:
Tracey Kuchma
Mike Anderson, Jane Bibby, Darren
Hale, Natasha Skerritt, Julie Young
Paul Richard, Jennifer Meeker,
Chad Warren
Secondary Principals:
Subsequently the Elementary Vice-Principal Transfers and Appointments
were announced as follows:
Name
Transfer/
Appointment
From
To
•
Kim Kowch •
Transfer
•
Kortright Hills P.S. •
P.S.
Rockwood Centennial
•
Natasha Skerritt
•
Appointment
•
Curriculum Leader •
Island Lake P.S.
•
Julie Young•
Appointment
•
Sir Isaac Brock (teacher)
•
Kortright Hills P.S.
*Note: Natasha Skerritt will be a .5 Vice-Principal at Island Lake P.S. and
(Acting) .5 School Effectiveness Framework Lead
SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
A.
Minutes of October 10, 2012
Trustee Waterston moved that the minutes of the Special Education
Advisory Committee held October 10, 2012 be received.
The motion carried.
Board Minutes – October 30, 2012
B.
163
Membership
Request for Leave of Absence
Trustee Waterston reviewed a letter requesting a leave of absence for a
maximum of this school year from Laurie Whyte, the SEAC representative from
FASworld Canada (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders).
Trustee Waterston moved that the Board grant the request for a leave of
absence to Laurie Whyte, the Special Education Advisory Committee
representative for FASworld Canada for the current school year.
The motion carried.
Letter of Resignation
Dr. Martha Rogers, Director of Education, reviewed a letter from Alison
Morse, Provincial Coordinator – Special Education, Easter Seals Ontario,
submitting the resignation of their representative to SEAC, Heather Clemmer.
The organization does not have a replacement volunteer to nominate at this time.
Trustee Waterston moved that the Board accept the resignation of
Heather Clemmer, the Special Education Advisory Committee
representative for Easter Seals Ontario.
The motion carried.
Letter of Appointment
Dr. Martha Rogers, Director of Education, reviewed a letter received from
Sarah Cannon, Executive Director, Parents for Children’s Mental Health, as
circulated at the meeting. The organization is requesting representation on
SEAC and proposed Carole Craig as their nominee. It was noted the
organization meets the criteria for representation as there is a local chapter that
pays dues to a provincial organization.
Trustee Fairbairn moved that the Board accept Carole Craig as member of
the Special Education Advisory Committee, representing Parents for
Children’s Mental Health for a term ending December 1, 2014.
The motion carried.
C.
Motion – Tabled June 26, 2012
The motion from SEAC tabled at the June 26, 2012 Board meeting to
address safe, equitable and inclusive schools was brought forward for
consideration. It was noted that the motion is now redundant as the issue has
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164
been addressed by the motion approved previously this evening under the
Program Committee Report.
Trustee Fairbairn moved that the Board:
by the November 2012 SEAC Meeting, form and convene a Bullying
Prevention and Intervention Committee which will include
parents/caregivers
conduct an audit of all UGDSB schools to determine which schools
have Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plans that comply with all of
the requirements of Policy 503
institute measures to make sure that all schools have Bullying
Prevention and Intervention Plans that comply with Policy 503
instruct the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Committee to conduct
a review of, and provide recommendations for both Policy 503 and
Policy 504
instruct the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Committee to review
the audit of School Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plans and
provide recommendations for improving meaningful school compliance
by the November 2012 SEAC Meeting, provide the SEAC with a
compliance/audit plan to make sure that the Board complies with all
other current and future Board policies and Ministry regulations
review the compliance/audit plan with SEAC twice per year with
emphasis on policies and regulations that affect special education
The motion was defeated.
Trustees directed the Chair or Vice-Chair to send a letter to SEAC
advising them of the action taken and providing a copy of the motion as approved
by the Board.
POLICY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
A.
Minutes of October 2, 2012
Trustee Busuttil moved that the minutes of the Policy Management
Committee held October 2, 2012 be received and considered.
The motion carried.
Trustee Busuttil moved the adoption of recommendation 1, as contained in
the Minutes of the Policy Management Committee, dated October 2, 2012.
The motion carried.
The motion is as follows:
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165
THAT:
1. Policy 605 Cooperative Education and Other Forms of Experiential
Learning be referred back to the policy review committee for
clarification and necessary changes.
RESIGNATIONS AND RETIREMENTS
Ms. Jennifer Rose, Executive Officer of Human Resources, introduced
and reviewed the report, “Resignations and Retirements,” dated October 30,
2012, as distributed at the meeting. She noted it is a nil report regarding
teaching and administration staff.
Trustee Schieck extended thanks to the long service employees and
moved that the report, “Resignations and Retirements,” dated October 30,
2012 (Appendix B) be received.
The motion carried.
BOARD CORRESPONDENCE
Trustee Bailey reviewed a written report of correspondence received
during the past month and a copy of an email from Cheryl Fayle, Career
Education Council, extending thanks for the support of the Career Pathway
Dufferin and sharing positive comments received from teachers regarding the
event.
Trustee Cooper moved that the Board Correspondence report dated
October 30, 2012, be received.
The motion carried.
TRUSTEE QUESTIONS AND REPORTS
Taylor Evans PS Visit
Trustee Moziar reported on the recent visit she and Superintendent
McDonald made to the JK/SK Kindergarten at Taylor Evans PS. She noted it
was the first year of FDK at that school.
Summit on Children’s Mental Health
Trustee Moziar reported on the Summit on Children’s Mental Health that
she attended along with Trustee Fairbairn. She has asked that more information
be provided to the Program Committee to ensure that the valuable information
available is shared with Trustees and staff so that all can benefit from the most
recent research.
Trustee Fairbairn also reported on the excellent conference. He was
impressed with the high level of participation and is excited that things will be
taking place to address these serous issues.
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166
Trustee Bailey extended thanks to OPSBA, ETFO and OSSTF for their
support of the symposium.
Request to attend Educational Computing Organization of Ontario (ECOO)
Conference
On behalf of Trustee Borden, Trustee Bailey reported that at the
September 25th meeting, the Board had approved the financial allocation for
Trustee Borden to attend one day of the ECCO Conference. Trustee Borden
was unable to attend the session so the professional development funding was
not required.
Macdonald Stewart Art Centre Annual General Meeting
Trustee Bailey reported on his attendance at the Macdonald Stewart Art
Centre Annual General Meeting held yesterday.
DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS
Trustee Fairbairn moved that the November October 2012 schedule for
Board and Standing Committee Meetings be approved as follows:
Program Committee
Business Operations Committee Meeting
Regular Board Meeting
-
November 6, 2012
November 13, 2012
November 27, 2012
The motion carried.
The list of dates of future meetings was reviewed and the following
additions and changes were noted:
- Supervised Alternative Learning (SAL) Wellington Heights - Thursday,
November 8, 2012, 9:30 a.m., CANCELLED
- International Baccalaureate Committee – Monday, November 5, 2012,
2:00 p.m. Board Room and Monday, November 19, 2012, 2:00 p.m.,
Board Room.
- Environmental Committee, Monday, November 19, 2012, 4:00 p.m.,
Board Room
- Wednesday, November 14, 2012, Me to We Day, Kitchener Auditorium
- November 19-23, 2012, Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week.
- Upper Grand Learning Foundation – Monday, November 26, 2012, 5:30
p.m., Room 4.
Trustee Fairbairn, Superintendent McDonald and Student Trustees
Sampson and Brown will attend the Me to We Day event at the Kitchener
Auditorium.
Anyone interested in obtaining a So What T-shirt for Bullying Awareness
Week should contact Trustee Fairbairn.
The remainder of the meetings are as follows:
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167
Monday, November 5, 2012
-
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
-
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
-
Monday, November 12, 2012
-
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
-
Monday, November 26, 2012
-
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
-
Supervised Alternative Learning
(SAL) Orangeville, 1:30 p.m.
Policy Management Committee
Board Room, 3:00 p.m.
Supervised Alternative Learning
(SAL), Guelph, Room 8,
9:00 a.m.
Audit Committee, Room 9,
5:00 p.m.
Chairs’ Committee - (Cancelled)
Special Education Advisory
Committee, Board Room,
7:00 p.m.
Parent Involvement Committee,
Room 9, 7:00 p.m.
Student Senate, Board Room,
5:00 p.m.
Trustee Fairbairn moved that the Dates of Future Meetings dated October
30, 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 Cooper moved, seconded by Trustee Schieck, 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 Busuttil that the Board
adjourn and this meeting now close at 8.25 p.m.
The motion carried.