UPPER GRAND DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BOARD MEETING – TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013 The regular monthly meeting of Upper Grand District School Board was held on Tuesday, October 22, 2013, in the Boardroom at 500 Victoria Road North, Guelph, starting at 7:15 p.m. Trustee Bailey, Chair, presided and along with Student Trustees Brown and Hong, all Trustees, with the exception of Trustee Borden were present. Trustee Cooper participated via teleconference. OPENING PRAYER OR READING As the opening reading, Trustee Schieck read a poem by William Wilfred Campbell entitled Indian Summer. CONDOLENCES Trustee Bailey, Chair, reported that condolences were sent on behalf of the Board to the following: Shelley Peterson, a teacher at College Heights SS, on the loss of her mother-in-law; Diana Scott, retired teacher from John F. Ross CVI, on the loss of her mother; Kathy Dickson, office co-ordinator at Island Lake PS, on the loss of her father; Wayne Tarzwell, administrative assistant at Continuing Education, on the loss of his mother; Jennifer Beaton, a teacher at College Heights SS, on the loss of her father-in-law; and the family of James Pronk, a bus owner-operator, who was recently killed in a car accident. GOOD NEWS Dr. Rogers highlighted the “Good News” as follows: Willow Road PS In September, students were encouraged to raise money for the Terry Fox Foundation. The primary grades were put into “Tree Houses” and the intermediate students were put into “Colour Houses” where the teams would compete and the teams with the highest scores overall would win a trophy. All students were pumped up about raising the most money and winning either their “Tree House” activities or their “Colour House” activities. The initial goal for the school was to raise $4,500, however, the end result was close to $5,400. Over the past 2 years, Willow Road PS has raised close to $11,000. Westwood PS On September 26, 2013, the students at Westwood PS participated with other school age children in the National School Day Terry Fox walk for Cancer Research. These students were part of the Westwood PS team that helped raise BOARD MINUTES – OCTOBER 22, 2013 167 over $2,000 for cancer research by bringing in 3 Toonies 4 Terry. Westwood PS has made a commitment to carry on Terrys’ dream. With this years’ contributions, the staff and students have brought their 17-year total to over $29,000. LEAF Conference develops student leaders to take environmental action CELP is a four credit, one semester, interdisciplinary program offered to students from Centennial CVI, John F. Ross CVI, Guelph CVI and Centre Wellington DHS. Run entirely by grade 10 student leaders from CELP (Community Education Leadership Program), under the direction of teacher Joel Barr, this year’s annual LEAF Conference hosted grades 7 and 8 students from 19 Guelph and area elementary schools on October 17 at CELP’s home base Camp Edgewood in Eden Mills. Motivating students through a series of engaging activities, the CELP leaders helped their younger counterparts see that activism and leadership can be fun. Youth empowering youth to be active agents of change was the focus of the day. The following public schools participated in this event: Elora, John Black, Westwood, Willow Road, Gateway Drive, Taylor Evans, John McCrae, Waverley Drive, Ken Danby, Aberfoyle, Westminster Woods, Rickson Ridge, Kortright Hills, Jean Little, Rockwood Centennial, John Galt, King George and Lee Street. Neil Orford receives the 2013 Governor Generals’ History Award for Excellence in Teaching Neil Orford has earned the distinction of being only one of seven teachers to receive the 2013 Governor Generals’ History Award for Teaching Excellence. Neil will be honoured at a special assembly at the school on Thursday October 24, and will travel to the national ceremony at Rideau Hall in November. Congratulations Neil! Centre Dufferin DHS The Centre Dufferin DHS Royals Hockey team received the Community Excellence Award on October 21st for winning the Gold medal at the 2013 OFSAA tournament in March. Members of Shelburne Town Council wanted to recognize the team’s unlimited determination and representation of the Town of Shelburne at the tournament. John Galt PS John Galt PS music department was the recipient of a grant from the Guelph Community Foundation. The school received a grant of $6,300 from the "Hugh and Lorna Guthrie" fund. Instruments, music, and equipment will be purchased with the funds. Thank you to Denise Starr, parent volunteer and Board employee who assisted teacher Sarah Garrett with the proposal. BOARD MINUTES – OCTOBER 22, 2013 168 Elora PS The Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy will recognize Elora PS teacher John Rupnow on Saturday November 2 during the annual Banquet. Rupnow is a recipient of the 2013 Professional Recognition Award, in recognition of his exemplary service to persons with cerebral palsy. Princess Elizabeth PS On September 24, students from Princess Elisabeth PS gathered for the unveiling of a stone engraved with the word “unless”, an idea borrowed from the Dr. Seuss story the Lorax. The stone donated by Orangeville Memorials will eventually become the centerpiece of an outdoor classroom for the school. In the Dr. Seuss story, the Lorax is a self-proclaimed keeper of the trees, who attempts to stop the Once-ler from clear-cutting forests. PEPS staff hope to use the Loraxs’ message to encourage environmental stewardship within its cohort. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA Trustee Fairbairn moved, seconded by Trustee Moziar, that the agenda be confirmed with the removal of item 10 b. The motion carried. DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST There were no declarations of conflict of interest. APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 24, 2013 MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING HELD Trustee Waterston moved, seconded by Trustee Gohn, that the Minutes of the Board meeting held September 24, 2013 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 Schieck moved, seconded by Trustee Fairbairn, that the business transacted by the Committee of the Whole In Camera be now ratified by the Board. The motion carried. BOARD MINUTES – OCTOBER 22, 2013 169 MOTION TO RISE AND SIT IN COMMITTEE Trustee Topping moved, seconded by Trustee Gohn, that the Board rise and sit in Committee of the Whole, with the Chairperson presiding. The motion carried. PROGRAM COMMITTEE Trustee Cooper moved that the Minutes of the Program Committee dated October 1, 2013 be received. The motion carried. Trustee Moziar requested that item 1 be considered separately. Trustee Cooper moved adoption of recommendations 2, 3, 4, and 5 as contained in the Minutes of the Program Committee dated October 1, 2013. The motion carried. The motions are as follows: THAT: a) the verbal report on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) on Changes and Implications in the Area of Neurodevelopmental Disorders be received. b) the verbal report on the French as a Second Language Plan be received. c) the verbal report on Secondary Programs in the Upper Grand District School Board be received. d) the verbal update from Student Trustees be received. Trustee Moziar moved that the request for financial support for Career Education Council in the amount of $6,000.00 be referred to the 2014- 2015 budget process. The motion carried. Trustee Cooper moved that an additional $6,000 be forwarded to Career Education Center for the current school year and that this be a one time emergency expenditure, and only to be repeated if the budget process supports that decision. The motion was lost. BOARD MINUTES – OCTOBER 22, 2013 170 BUSINESS OPERATIONS COMMITTEE A. Minutes of October 8, 2013 Trustee Waterston moved that the Minutes of the Business Operations Committee dated October 8, 2013, be received and considered. The motion carried. Trustee Waterston moved the adoption of recommendations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, as contained in the Minutes of the Business Operations Committee, dated October 8, 2013. The motion carried. The motions are as follows: THAT: B. 1. memo PLN:13-25 entitled “James McQueen PS Boundary Review – Report # 1” be received. 2. the Board approves the initiation of the James McQueen Boundary Review. 3. Trustees adopt the schedule shown in Appendix A of report PLN:13-25, as the proposed timeline for the boundary review process necessary to establish the boundaries and grade structures for James McQueen PS, J. D. Hogarth PS and John Black PS. 4. the report “Appointment of External Members to the Audit Committee (Finance #2013-29) dated October 8, 2013 be received. 5. the Board appoint Bruce Robinson and Steve Routenburg to the Audit Committee as External Members to serve for a term of three years ending November 30th, 2016. 6. the verbal report on Health and Safety be received. 7. the verbal report on the McDonald Stewart Art Center be received. Principal Appointment Director of Education Rogers advised that Karen Acton, Principal of Ken Danby PS was offered, and accepted, a temporary position as an Education Officer at the Toronto and Area Regional Office of the Ministry of Education BOARD MINUTES – OCTOBER 22, 2013 171 (TARO). Sharon Colborne, retired Principal will be placed at Ken Danby PS on a temporary basis. Dr. Rogers offered her congratulations to Karen and her appreciation to Sharon. SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Trustee Fairbairn moved that the Minutes of the Special Education Advisory Committee held October 2, 2013 be received. The motion carried. POLICY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Trustee Gohn moved that the Minutes of the Policy Management Committee held October 1, 2013 be received. The motion carried. Trustee Gohn moved adoption of recommendations 1, 2, and 3 as contained in the Minutes of the Policy Management Committee dated October 1,2013. The motions are as follows: THAT: 1. Policy 314 Duties and Responsibilities of the Director of Education be approved as amended. 2. Policy 106 Student Trustees be approved with recommended amendments to the Procedures Manual. 3. this committee receive the Policy Schedule dated October 2013. NOTICE OF MOTION OF RECONSIDERATION (French Immersion Students from Rockwood PS) At the October 8th 2013 Business Operations Meeting, the Board heard a delegation from Mr. Jeremy Urwin, who spoke on behalf of Rockwood Centennial PS and Eden Mills French Immersion Parents. Mr. Urwin requested an extension in time to enable 21 students currently enrolled in grades one through six to be grandfathered and continue their schooling in Guelph to the end of grade 12. At that meeting, the following motion was placed. As a result, a notice of motion of reconsideration was placed. BOARD MINUTES – OCTOBER 22, 2013 Trustee Cooper Reconsideration: placed 172 the following Notice of Motion of THAT: Effective September 2014 all students affected by the modified area would attend King George until grade 8; and siblings of current Guelph Eramosa French Immersion Program students be grandparented to attend King George PS until 2014.” RESIGNATIONS AND RETIREMENTS Executive Officer of Human Resources Rose presented the resignations and retirements report dated October 22, 2013. Trustee Schieck moved that the report Resignations and Retirements (Appendix A and B) dated October 22, 2013 be received. The motion carried. OPSBA REPORT Trustee Busuttil provided a verbal report on OPSBA. Her report included an update on labour relations; a reminder of the Ministry’s consultation document which was shared with all boards and she invited input through emailing GreatToExcellent@Ontario.ca; some documents that we should be paying attention to: The Road Ahead: A report on continuous improvement in school board operations which contains information on the key findings and recommendations of the operational review teams that went around the province; BAAG group finished its report and the Ministry is looking at a new funding model that will result in a reallocation of dollars; upcoming communication in October 2013 around the “School Board efficiencies and modernization” that was announced in the 2013 budget, and that the Ministry issued Memorandum B18 to support and encourage greater collaboration between boards in meeting accommodation and capital needs. Trustee Fairbairn moved that the verbal OPSBA update be received. The motion carried. CHAIRS COMMITTEE In reference to a deferred motion from the September 24th, 2013 Board meeting the following motion was placed: Trustee Fairbairn moved that the 2012-2013 Trustee Expenses as at August 31, 2013 Interim report be received”. The motion carried. BOARD MINUTES – OCTOBER 22, 2013 173 EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR APPRECIATION DAY It was suggested that October 30, 2013 be designated as the 13th annual Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day, in recognition of the education, dedication and commitment of child care workers to children, their families, and quality of life of the community. Trustee Fairbairn moved that October 30, 2013 be designated as the 13th Annual Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day. The motion carried. BOARD CORRESPONDENCE Trustee Bailey advised that he received information from Carry-On Women’s Institute regarding its request to the Ministry of Education for the development of a Lifestyles Program. Trustee Schieck offered to contact the Women’s Institute. Trustee Schieck moved that the Board Correspondence dated September 19th, 2013 be received. The motion carried. TRUSTEE QUESTIONS AND REPORTS Trustee Moziar advised that she, together with two other Trustees attended the Mayors’ mental health day. She reported that Alex VanderVlugt, a former student Trustee was the keynote speaker, who did a wonderful job with his presentation. He focused on the development of the “pink T-shirt” program he initiated in support of anti-bullying. Trustess Moziar requested approval for funding to attend a French Immersion conference scheduled for Saturday, October 26, 2013. Trustee Fairbairn moved that the Board approve funding for the registration fee for Trustee Moziar to attend the French Immersion conference. The motion carried. Trustee Schieck advised that he was invited to attend a ceremony where Maryborough PS will be acknowledged and awarded for high scores in EQAO. The event will take place on November 6, 2013, in Toronto. He stated that he will make a concerted effort to attend as it is quite an honour to have one of our schools recognized and awarded. BOARD MINUTES – OCTOBER 22, 2013 174 DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS Trustee Moziar moved that the November 2013 schedule for Board and Standing Committee Meetings be approved as follows: i. ii. iii. Program Committee – November 5, 2013 Business Operations – November 12, 2013 Regular Board Meeting – November 26, 2013 The motion carried. The list of meetings scheduled in November 2013 were reviewed with the following additions and changes Wednesday, November 6th, 2013 Strategic Plan, Board Room 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Friday, November 15, 2013 SAL – Guelph (changed to the 15th) Monday, November 18, 2013 Learning Foundation, Room 8, 5:30 p.m. The remainder of the meetings are as follows: Tuesday, October 29, 2013 Trustee Workshop, Board Room, 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 5, 2013 Policy Management Committee, Board Room, 3:00 p.m. CANCELLED Monday, November 11, 2013 SAL, Dufferin, Orangeville Board Office, Room 1, 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 12, 2013 Audit Committee, Room 6, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 13, 2013 Special Education Advisory Committee, Board Room, 7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 14, 2013 Public Information Session, Ponsonby PS, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 19, 2013 Student Senate, Board Room, 5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. BOARD MINUTES – OCTOBER 22, 2013 175 Wednesday, November 20, 2013 We Day, Waterloo Region, Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, November 21, 2013 Public Information Session, Rockwood PS, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Monday, November 25, 2013 Parent Involvement Committee, Board Room, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 26, 2013 Accessibility Committee, Room 9, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Trustee Fairbairn moved that the Dates of Future Meetings dated October 22, 2013 be received. The motion carried. MOTION TO RISE AND REPORT TO THE BOARD Trustee Cooper moved that the Committee of the Whole rise and report to the Board. The motion carried. RATIFICATION OF BUSINESS Trustee Schieck 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 Fairbairn that the Board adjourn and this meeting now close at 8:25 p.m. The motion carried.