Upper Grand District School Board
Board Meeting, Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Minutes
The regular monthly meeting of the Upper Grand District School Board was held on
Tuesday, March 25, 2014 in the Board Room at 500 Victoria Road North, Guelph,
starting at 7:00 p.m. All Trustees were present with the exception of Trustee Gohn, who
attended via teleconference.
Opening Prayer/Reading
Trustee Busuttil advised that she had the opportunity to be on a panel of judges for the
speaking contest at John Galt PS. She proudly introduced Akash Jain, a grade 8
student from John Galt PS, the winner of the school speaking contest, as well as the
winner of the logo contest for education week. To the enjoyment of all present, Akash
delivered his winning speech with confidence and professionalism. Trustee Busuttil
advised that Akash will be heading to Guelph CVI in September and is enrolled in the IB
program.
Condolences
Trustee Bailey, Chair, reported that condolences were sent on behalf of the Board to the
following: Kim Stanson, teacher at Waverly Drive PS, on the loss of her sister;
Nancy Fischer, teacher at Ponsonby PS, on the loss of her father;
Lea Anne Smith, Office Coordinator at Salem PS, on the loss of her father;
Mabel McLaren, EA at Centre Dufferin DHS, on the loss of her husband;
Randy Lawrence, Custodian at John F. Ross CVI, on the loss of his father;
Lynda Belrose, EA at Centre Dufferin DHS, on the loss of her son, and
Debbie Roosenboom, Office Coordinator at June Ave. PS, on the loss of her son.
Good News
Dr. Rogers highlighted the Good News as follows:
Emilie Hayes Award for Community Partnerships
On March 20, Trustee Busuttil received the Emilie Hayes Award. The award is for
Community Partnerships and is presented annually to a community member and/or
non-profit organization that has partnered with campus staff and/or faculty, in order to
provide an outstanding learning opportunity for University of Guelph students.
Trustee Busuttil received this award for her connections and supports that she provides
for the students in the neighbourhood, with schools, with the UG research, the west-end
market opportunity, bringing partnerships such as Frontier College to Westwood for
Homework Help, and for the ideas she shares and for her work on the Student Affairs
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Board Meeting, March 25, 2014
Advisory Committee. Congratulations to Trustee Busuttil on receiving this well
deserved award.
Princess Margaret PS
Princess Margaret PS will be receiving $10,000 from MusiCounts Band Aid.
Centre Dufferin DHS
Kayli, a former Centre Dufferin DHS student, has been accepted into the Pediatric
Program at Queens University. Queens accepts only four Pediatric Residents each
year.
Centennial CVI – Japanese Students
Centennial CVI is hosting 23 Japanese high school students. So far, the students have
taken part in such activities as curling, tapping maple syrup, and attending a Guelph
Storm game and spent the weekend with their host families. Last September, 23
Centennial students visited Midorioka High School in Japan. The Japanese
government as part of the Kakehashi Project funds this exchange. Only two schools in
Ontario were chosen by the Japanese, who cited the diversity at Centennial and the
cleanliness of the school. The Kakehashi Project’s purpose is to encourage greater
understanding and foster long-term and ongoing interests in one another. Kakehashi
means bridge for tomorrow.
Confirmation of the Agenda
Trustee Fairbairn moved, seconded by Trustee Cooper, that the agenda be
confirmed with the deletion of items 14 and 15.
The motion carried.
Declarations of Conflict of Interest
There were no conflicts of interest.
Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting Held February 25, 2014
Trustee Waterston moved, seconded by Trustee Topping, that the minutes of the
meeting held February 25, 2014, 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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Board Meeting, March 25, 2014
Ratification of Business Transacted by the Committee of the Whole In Camera
Trustee Schieck moved, seconded by Trustee Borden, 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 of the Whole
Trustee Topping moved, seconded by Trustee Fairbairn, that the Board rise and
sit in Committee of the Whole with the Chairperson presiding.
The motion carried.
Program Committee
Trustee Topping moved that the minutes of the Program Committee held March
4, 2014 be received.
The motion carried.
Trustee Topping moved that:
1.
The verbal report from Student Trustees be received
2.
The verbal report on Rickson Ridge PS “Ministry Students As Researchers”
be received.
3.
The verbal report on Alternative Education Programming at Norwell DSS
be received.
4.
The verbal report on UGDSB Pathways Team, Grades 7 to 12 – 2012 –
2013 Student Success Pathways Programming be received.
5.
The verbal OPSBA report be received.
6.
The 2014-2015 Trustee Budget Request, dated March 4, 2014 be received.
7.
The Board give consideration that three Trustees, one representing each
geographical area, be appointed to the Learning Choices Committee.
The motion carried.
Trustee Representation on the Learning Choices Committee
Trustee Bailey asked for three Trustees to sit on the Learning Choices Committee. He
suggested that each geographical area, Wellington County, Guelph and Dufferin
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Board Meeting, March 25, 2014
County, be represented by one Trustee for each area. Trustees Schieck, Topping,
Moziar and Busuttil, volunteered. Trustee Moziar withdrew.
Trustee Waterston moved that Trustees Schieck, Topping, and Busuttil, be
placed on the Learning Choices Committee.
The motion carried.
Business Operations Committee
Trustee Cooper moved that the minutes of the Business Operations Committee
held March 18, 2014 be received.
The motion carried.
Trustee Busuttil requested that item # 4 as listed on the agenda “Memo PLN: 14-05
“Wellington North Elementary Accommodation Review – Report # 1”, dated March 18,
2014 be received” be considered separately.
Trustee Cooper moved that:
1.
The report entitled “Education Development Charge Policies on
Application of Operating Surpluses and Alternative Accommodation
Arrangements”, dated March 18, 2014, be received.
2.
The Upper Grand District School Board has reviewed its operating budget
for the year ending August 31, 2014 for savings that could be applied to
reduce growth-related net education land costs. Such review has
disclosed that there is not a surplus of operating funds available to acquire
school sites. The Board has therefore determined that the amount of the
savings which it proposes to apply to growth-related net education land
costs is nil.
3.
The Board adopt the following statement: “There have not been
opportunities for alternative accommodation arrangements which the
Board considered appropriate during the term of the current EDC by-laws,
and that the Upper Grand District School Board continue to consider
proposed opportunities to implement alternative accommodation
arrangements as they arise in conjunction with Policy 313 - Alternative
Accommodation Options.”
4.
The Board commence the Wellington North Elementary Accommodation
Review in accordance with Board Policy 305.
5.
The report entitled Trustee Determination and Distribution for the Upper
Grand District School Board for 2014 dated March 7, 2014 be received.
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Board Meeting, March 25, 2014
6.
The Upper Grand District School Board elects 10 Trustees, the same
number that were elected to the Board at the 2010 regular election.
7.
The recommended Trustee distribution as outlined in Appendix "A" of the
report entitled Trustee Determination and Distribution for the Upper Grand
District School Board for 2014 dated March 7, 2014 be approved. (The
attached recommendation is based on approval of the Board resolution
that the number of Trustees remains the same as the 2006 election.)
8.
That no areas in the jurisdiction of the Upper Grand District School Board
be designated as low population areas.
9.
The report “Resignations and Retirements” dated March 18, 2014 be
received.
The motion carried.
Trustee Busuttil questioned timelines and implementation of FDK with respect to the
upcoming Wellington North Elementary Accommodation Review. In response, it was
noted that FDK will be implemented in all schools, including Kenilworth.
Trustee Cooper moved that Memo PLN: 14-05 Wellington North Elementary
Accommodation Review – Report # 1”, dated March 18, 2014 be received.
The motion carried.
Special Education Advisory Committee
Trustee Fairbairn moved that the minutes of the Special Education Advisory
Committee held March 19, 2014 be received.
The motion carried.
2014/15 School Year Calendar
Superintendent Slater presented the 2014/15 School Year Calendar, and noted that it
must be submitted no later than the first of May for Ministry approval. He also noted
that it meets the criteria of Ontario Regulation 304 as well as both elementary and
secondary teachers’ collective agreements.
Trustee Fairbairn moved that:
1.
The report entitled “School Year Calendar 2014-2015” dated March 18,
2014 be received.
2.
The proposed school calendars for the 2014-2015 school year for the
Upper Grand District School Board’s elementary and secondary schools,
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Board Meeting, March 25, 2014
as outlined in Appendix B and C respectively, be approved by the Board
for submission to the Ministry of Education for final approval in accordance
with Regulation 304.
The motion carried.
Resignations and Retirements
Executive Officer of Human Resources presented the Resignations and Retirements
report dated March 25, 2014.
Trustee Schieck moved that the report Resignations and Retirements, Appendix
A and Appendix B dated March 25, 2014 be received, with thanks.
The motion carried.
Trustee Questions and Reports
Digital Fair
Trustee Moziar expressed her thanks to all involved in the digital fair held last Saturday
at King George PS.
Delay in Upcoming Construction Projects
In response to Trustee Moziar’s question, Mr. Scinocca advised that due to the severe
weather this past winter, construction projects will be delayed.
Wellington North Elementary Accommodation Review
Trustee Schieck requested clarification on the process for the Wellington North
Elementary Accommodation Review, specifically in relation to Kenilworth PS. Planning
Manager Passy advised that the process would be initiated by the planning department
and that Trustee representation will be required. Trustee volunteers will be requested at
the next Business Operations meeting.
Increase in Children with High Needs
Trustee Busuttil reported that she had the opportunity to participate with the Minister of
Education in a round table discussion regarding challenging concerns in education,
specifically budget and the increase in high needs children. Director Rogers confirmed
that the increase in high needs is particularly in the area of autism. Superintendent
Lindsay advised that in September of this year, there are currently 75 new JK students
identified with special needs, and plans are being considered to address staffing
concerns to address this issue.
.
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Board Meeting, March 25, 2014
Dates of Future Meetings
Trustee Fairbairn moved that the March 25, 2014 schedule for Board and
Standing Committee Meetings be approved as follows:
Program Committee
April 1, 2014
Business Operations
April 8, 2014
Board Meeting
April 22, 2014
The motion carried.
Director Rogers added the following to the Dates of Future Meetings:
Friday, April 4, 2014
CEC (Career Education Council) breakfast
Delta Hotel, 7:00 a.m.
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
International pink day (anti-bullying)
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Strategic Planning Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Boardroom
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Administrative Professional Day
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Custodial Maintenance Staff Appreciation Day
Friday, May 2, 2014
Everyday Heroes selection committee
Room 9, at 9:00 a.m.
Trustee Fairbairn moved that the Dates of Future meetings dated March 25,
2014 be received, with the above noted additions.
The motion carried.
OPSBA Annual General Meeting
A discussion was held regarding the upcoming OPSBA Annual General Meeting
scheduled for July of this year. Concerns were raised with respect to the cost of
accommodation and the number of Trustees attending and budget restrictions.
Trustee Bailey requested that Anne forward information to Trustees regarding other
hotel options with cheaper rates.
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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Board Meeting, March 25, 2014
Ratification of Business
Trustee Topping moved, seconded by Trustee Gohn 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 Borden that the Board adjourn
and this meeting now close at 8:03 p.m.
The motion carried.
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