REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
MINUTES
Monday, September 8, 2014, 6:30 P.M.
SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE
425 Jermyn Avenue
Members Present
Bruce Johnson, Chair
Tracy St. Claire, Vice Chair
Linda Beaven, Trustee
Shelley Clarke, Trustee
Walter Huebert, Trustee
Ginny Manning, Trustee
Linda Van Alphen, Trustee
Also Present
1.
2.
Wendy Hyer, Superintendent of Schools
Bonnie Roller Routley, Secretary-Treasurer
Dave Burgoyne, Assistant Superintendent
Pam Butters, Director of Instruction
Daniel Francisco, Director of Information Technology
Doug Gorcak, Director of Facilities
Maureen Maywood, Director of Finance
Don MacIntyre, Director of Instruction
Daphne Adey, Executive Assistant
_____________________________________________________________________
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Johnson called the meeting to order and acknowledged that we were on the traditional
territory of the Okanagan people.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
2015-10
MOTION
Clarke/Van Alphen
That the agenda be adopted.
CARRIED
3.
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
3.1.
Good Will Shakespeare
Megan Lindow, Publicity Chair, provided highlights through video of the Good Will
Shakespeare Festival held in Summerland in May 2014 in which 320 secondary and 120
elementary students from public, independent and home learners throughout British
Columbia participated. Ms. Lindow indicated the festival offered a wide array of
opportunities for students in singing, dancing, acting, stand-up comic and other strains of
theatre arts and thanked the Board of Education for their support of the festival.
Following a number of questions, appreciation was expressed to Ms. Lindow for the
presentation.
"Working Together for Student Success"
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 8, 2014
4.
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
5.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
2015-11
MOTION
Clarke/Huebert
That the minutes of the regular meeting held on June 9, 2014 and the special
meetings held on June 26, August 25, and August 27, 2014 be approved.
CARRIED
6.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
7.
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETINGS
Chair Johnson reviewed the following items which were discussed at the closed meetings held
on:
June 9, 2014
 Reviewed correspondence;
 Received information related to a principal appointment;
 Received information related to teacher, excluded, and CUPE staffing;
 Received an update on teacher bargaining;
 Received an update on CUPE bargaining;
 Discussed and directed the secretary-treasurer to negotiate a long-term lease;
 Approved support for future daycare development proposals;
 Received information related to British Columbia Public Schools Employers’ Association
and Okanagan Labour Relations Council meetings.
June 26, 2014
 Received information on CUPE bargaining and recommended acceptance of their
Memorandum of Settlement.
August 27, 2014
 Received an update on teacher negotiations;
 Agreed to send a letter to parents regarding the current job action.
Chair Johnson also advised that during tonight’s in-camera meeting, the Board approved a
motion to write a letter to the Minister of Education, Minister of Finance, Premier, BCPSEA, and
BCTF urging a negotiated settlement to the teachers’ strike and, secondly, that the Board would
meet with both MLA Ashton and MLA Larson to discuss same.
2015-12
MOTION
Clarke/Huebert
That the report from the closed meetings be received.
CARRIED
8.
CORRESPONDENCE
8.1.
Letters to the Board
The following letters related to the teachers' strike have been sent to the Board and are
available in the reading file:
"Working Together for Student Success"
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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8.2.
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Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 8, 2014
BCSTA President Teresa Rezansoff requesting BCTF and BCPSEA to suspend
strike and lock-out actions;
Grade 11 student from Summerland, Caitlin Shaw;
Teacher Stacey Kemp;
Parent Cathi Shaw;
Jennifer Fotschuk;
Teacher-Librarian Kim Robb;
BC Teacher Andree Morezewich;
Teacher Richa Thorpe;
Carol Barton;
Teacher Lindsey Mennell;
Teacher Paul Kopf;
Teacher and Parent Jandi Doyle;
Invitation from Susan Yaniw to attend the Open House organized by OSTU;
Letter of thanks for a district scholarship from Julia Ludington.
Summary of Copies of Letters to the Board
Copies of the letters to the Board listed below are available in the trustee reading file:
 BCSTA President Teresa Rezansoff regarding BCSTA Board planning, cogovernance, and teacher bargaining;
 BCSTA President Teresa Rezansoff regarding BCSTA's Back to School Action
Plan;
 BCSTA President Teresa Rezansoff regarding pressing for a negotiated
settlement;
 BCSTA President Teresa Rezansoff request that BCTF and BCPSEA suspend
strike and lock-out actions;
 School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) to the Minister of Education regarding
International Education and September opening;
 School District No. 44 (North Vancouver) to BCSTA President, Teresa Rezansoff
regarding summer school and bargaining;
 School District No. 57 (Prince George) expressing disappointment in the Ministry
removing written sections from English 10 and Social Studies 11 Provincial
exams;
 BCSTA President Teresa Rezansoff to the Minister of Education and Minister of
Finance asking to rescind the Temporary Education Support Program;
 School District No. 46 (Sunshine Coast) to the Minister of Education requesting
to rescind the offer of $40/per day.
Copies of Letters to the Board regarding Cost Sharing
The following school districts have sent letters to the Minister of Education regarding the
directive to contribute 50% of the cost of Capital Project and Seismic Funding:
 School District No. 5 (Southeast Kootenay);
 School District No. 44 (North Vancouver);
 School District No. 38 (Richmond);
 School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan).
"Working Together for Student Success"
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 8, 2014
Copies of Letters to the Board regarding Government funds generated from
strike/job action
The following school districts have sent letters to the Minister of Education with the
suggestion of redirecting funding back into public education (LIF):
 School District No. 45 (West Vancouver);
 School District No. 57 (Prince George);
 School District No. 68 (Nanaimo Ladysmith);
 School District No. 52 (Prince Rupert);
 School District No. 70 (Alberni).
Copies of Letters to the Board regarding the BCTF and BCPSEA negotiations
regarding job action
The following school districts have sent letters to the Minister of Education indicating their
concerns on the job action negotiations:
 School District No. 42 (Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows) - Two (2) letters;
 School District No. 48 (Squamish Whistler Pemberton) - Two (2) letters;
 School District No. 45 (West Vancouver);
 School District No. 46 (Sunshine Coast) - Two (2) letters;
 School District No. 39 (Vancouver) - Two (2) letters;
 School District No. 37 (Delta);
 School District No. 75 (Mission);
 School District No. 57 (Prince George) - Three (3) letters;
 School District No. 35 (Langley) - Two (2) letters;
 School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan);
 School District No. 38 (Richmond) - Four (4) letters;
 School District No. 72 (Campbell River);
 School District No. 44 (North Vancouver);
 School District No. 43 (Coquitlam);
 School District No. 85 (Vancouver Island North) - Two (2) letters;
 School District No. 20 (Kootenay-Columbia);
 School District No. 68 (Nanaimo Ladysmith) - Two (2) letters;
 School District No. 63 (Saanich);
 School District No. 33 (Chilliwack);
 School District No. 83 (North Okanagan-Shuswap);
 School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha);
 School District No. 10 (Arrow Lakes);
 School District No. 78 (Fraser-Cascade);
 School District No. 19 (Revelstoke);
 School District No. 28 (Quesnel);
 School District No. 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin);
 School District No. 61 (Greater Victoria);
 School District No. 69 (Qualicum);
 School District No. 73 (Kamloops-Thompson);
 School District No. 64 (Gulf Islands);
 School District No. 5 (Southeast Kootenay) - Two (2) letters;
 School District No. 71 (Comox Valley);
 School District No. 52 (Prince Rupert);
"Working Together for Student Success"
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 8, 2014
School District No. 40 (New Westminster);
School District No. 10 (Arrow Lakes);
School District No. 44 (North Vancouver).
Copies of Letters to the Board regarding the current funding formula and costs of
services to school districts
The following school districts have sent letters to the Minister of Education indicating their
concerns on how the current funding and specific challenges that their districts face:
 School District No. 62 (Saanich);
 School District No. 57 (Prince George);
 School District No. 42 (Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows);
 School District No. 43 (Coquitlam).
Copies of Letters to the Board regarding job action negotiations and suggestion of
rescinding $40/day
The following school districts have sent letters to the Minister of Education indicating their
concerns on job action negotiations as well as asking the government to rescind the
offering of $40 per day for daycare expenses:
 School District No. 46 (Sunshine Coast);
 School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan);
 School District No. 61 (Greater Victoria);
 School District No. 82 (Coast Mountains);
 School District No. 20 (Kootenay-Columbia);
 School District No. 85 (Vancouver Island North);
 School District No. 43 (Coquitlam);
 School District No. 47 (Powell River).
Copies of Letters sent by BCSTA:
 Honourable Coralee Oakes regarding local elections expense limits;
 BC Teachers' Council regarding resolutions passed at the AGM regarding the
Teacher Regulation Branch;
 President, Union of BC Municipalities regarding a resolution passed at the AGM;
 BCPSEA regarding two resoutions passed at the AGM;
 Premier Christy Clark regarding 12 resolutions that were passed at the AGM;
 Minister of Education regarding 25 resolutions passed at the AGM;
 BCTF President and BCPSEA regarding the teachers' strike.
8.3.
Summary of Letters on Behalf of the Board
Copies of the letters sent on behalf of the Board are available in the trustee reading file:
 Open letter to parents and guardians of children attending school in SD67
regarding the teachers' strike;
 Letter to Minister of Finance regarding the $40 per day for parents and support
for BCSTA's Back to School Action Plan;
 Letter of response to Stacey Kemp;
 Letter of response to Bill Laven;
 Letter of response to Kevin Epp;
 Letter of response to Paul Mend;
"Working Together for Student Success"
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 8, 2014
Letter of response to Dave Anderson;
Letter of response to Christine Setters;
Letter of response to Kim Robb;
Letter of response to Jennifer Fotschuk;
Letter of response to Carol Barton;
Letter of response to Susan Tucker;
Letter of response to Michelle Glibbery.
2015-13
MOTION
Van Alphen/St. Claire
That the correspondence be received.
CARRIED
9.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
9.1.
Buildings, Grounds, Safety and Transportation Committee
Trustee Huebert reported on the buildings, grounds, safety, and transportation committee
meeting held on August 25, 2014:
a.
Penticton Tennis Club
The Penticton Tennis Club is looking for land for a replacement indoor facility and
had requested time to speak with the committee regarding a suggested place for
the facility. Michael Brydon, RDOS Director; Councillor Konanz, City of Penticton;
and Ken Naylor from the Penticton Tennis Club attended the meeting, provided
information on the tennis club, and suggested a large piece of school district land
near West Bench Elementary for a tennis bubble. They are suggesting temporary
use for approximately 20 years and believe there is sufficient room for six courts.
They also suggested there could be an opportunity for a tennis academy similar to
the Okanagan Hockey Academy. The secretary-treasurer requested that specs be
provided to see if there is sufficient room on this piece of property and advised the
topic will be moved to the September agenda.
b.
2014-15 Annual Facilities Grant
For trustee information, Director of Facilities Gorcak reviewed two letters from the
Ministry of Education advising that due to the current job action 2014-15 AFG
capital funds can be carried over into the 2015-16 fiscal year, if required. As well,
districts will not be required to submit annual capital plans for 2014-15.
2015-14
9.2.
MOTION
Huebert/Manning
That the report of the buildings, grounds, safety, and transportation
committee meeting be received.
CARRIED
Finance and Management Committee
Trustee St. Claire reported on the finance and management committee meeting held on
August 25, 2014:
a.
2013-14 Financial Statements
Representative Jonathan McGraw, C.A., of BDO Canada LLP, attended the
meeting and reviewed the audit of the district’s year-end financial statements. Mr.
"Working Together for Student Success"
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 8, 2014
McGraw used slides to provide the financial overview noting that cash is higher
than usual because a liability has been set up for the teachers’ strike which needs
to be paid back to the Ministry. As well, he noted that supplies and services were
down by nearly $2 million from the previous year. There is a $1.6 million surplus
this year, $400,000 of which is in savings due to the teachers’ strike. Mr. McGraw
responded to a number of trustee questions.
2015-15
b.
MOTION
St. Claire/Huebert
That the financial statements for the year ending June 30, 2014 be
received as presented by the auditors and submitted to the Ministry of
Education.
CARRIED
Revised WorkSafeBC Premium Rate for 2014
The director of facilities reviewed the new premium rate for WorkSafeBC for 2014
which decreased from $0.64 to $0.58 per $100,000. Additionally, Mr. Gorcak
advised that the contract with School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan) to
manage a portion of the WorkSafeBC claims has been renewed for another three
years.
2015-16
MOTION
St. Claire/Manning
That the report of the finance and management committee be received.
CARRIED
Appreciation was extended to Mr. Gorcak for his part in reducing the WorkSafeBC
rates.
9.3.
Policy Committee
Trustee Clarke reported on the policy committee meeting held on September 4, 2014:
a.
Outstanding Policies
i.
Draft Trustee Code of Conduct
Further to discussion at an earlier policy committee meeting, a listing of
possible items which could be included in a code of conduct policy was
compiled and circulated with the agenda package. Trustees reviewed the list
and suggested changes to both the list and the draft policy. This topic was
tabled to the September 22nd policy meeting to review the changes.
ii.
Draft Whistleblower
Committee members reviewed and discussed a draft whistleblower policy.
2015-17
MOTION
Clarke/Manning
That Draft New Policy No. 580 - Whistleblower be approved in principle and
circulated to partner groups for 30 days for any suggestions for changes.
CARRIED
"Working Together for Student Success"
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
iii.
b.
Draft Committees of the Board
A draft policy was presented as a possible combination of Policy No. 110 –
Policy Development and Maintenance, Policy No. 120 – Board of Education
Committees and Liaisons, and Policy No. 130 – Board Standing Committees.
This item was tabled until the next policy committee meeting on September
22, 2014.
MOTION
Clarke/St. Claire
That Policy No. 540 – Deferred Salary Leave Plans be deleted in its entirety.
CARRIED
Policy No. 710 – Rental and Loan of School District Equipment
The secretary-treasurer advised that following a review this policy was
recommended for deletion.
2015-18
d.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 8, 2014
Policy No. 540 – Deferred Salary Leave Plans
Following review, Policy No. 540 – Deferred Salary Leave Plans was
recommended for deletion.
2015-17
c.
Page 8
MOTION
Clarke/Van Alphen
That Policy No. 710 – Rental and Loan of School District Equipment be
deleted in its entirety.
CARRIED
Policy No. 207 – Acceptable Use of Technology
Ms. Roller Routley advised that upon review, no changes were recommended for
this policy; however, trustees tabled this policy to the next policy committee
meeting.
2015-19
MOTION
Clarke/St. Claire
That the report of the policy committee be received.
CARRIED
10.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
There were no educational initiatives at this time.
11.
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
11.1.
Summer Maintenance Projects
The director of facilities reviewed a listing of summer maintenance projects which
included data wiring projects at Giant’s Head, Trout Creek, Uplands, and Wiltse
Elementary Schools; a geothermal upgrade at Wiltse Elementary; and a staffroom
upgrade and annex roof top unit replacement at Parkway Elementary. Mr. Gorcak noted
that the Parkway Annex has been returned to classrooms which eliminates the need for
portables at the school. Also completed over the summer was an electrical power
upgrade at IMC and school board office; a hallway upgrade to Summerland Secondary;
and office renovations and HVAC upgrade at Ecole Entre Lac along with general cleaning
of all schools.
Projects not yet completed include the Parkway irrigation
"Working Together for Student Success"
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 9
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 8, 2014
replacement/upgrade and Princess Margaret and Parkway effluent irrigation tie in which
will be completed next year.
11.2.
Technology Update
The director of information technology reviewed a listing of summer technology projects
which included an Exchange Mail upgrade from 2003 to 2013 and migrating
approximately 1,800 mailboxes. This will improve the email system by filtering out
150,000 emails on a daily basis. The upgrade and migration of 149 district servers to
virtual servers is complete, 258 printers have been migrated to new print servers which
will have the capability to track all copying, and an upgrade of the IP phone system to
accommodate video conferencing is in progress. Mr. Francisco added this will allow the
district to provide training to clerical staff and teaching staff via teleconferencing. Due to
delays in receiving parts, new labs with 64-bit computers at each secondary school are
not yet finished.
11.3.
Trustee Elections
The secretary-treasurer provided information regarding the trustee election to be held on
November 15, 2014. Four trustees will be elected within the boundaries of the City of
Penticton, two trustees from Electoral Area 2 (Summerland area), and one trustee from
Electoral Area 3 (rural areas of Naramata, Kaleden, West Bench). Nomination papers
are available at city hall in Penticton, Summerland city hall, and at the school board office
for the rural area. The nomination period runs from September 30 to October 10. Ads
announcing the nomination dates and eligibility have been placed in local papers as well
as the district’s website.
2015-20
MOTION
Van Alphen/Beaven
That the report of the secretary-treasurer be received.
12.
NEW BUSINESS
13.
REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES
13.1.
14.
Trustee Comments
Trustees provided comments related to district activities including the traffic calming
initiatives at Wiltse and Carmi Elementary Schools, volunteering at the elders’ conference
held in Penticton during the summer, negotiations for a skateboard park in Summerland,
and congratulations to Kaitlan Shaw who recently won a Me to We Student Leadership
award for her work with epilepsy.
INFORMATION ITEMS
14.1.
Recognition of Student Success
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) extended congratulations to the students and
groups for outstanding examples of success as shown on the listing circulated with the
agenda package.
"Working Together for Student Success"
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 8, 2014
14.2.
BCSTA Thompson Okanagan Branch
The BCSTA Thompson Okanagan Branch meeting will be held on October 3 and 4, 2014
in Vernon.
14.3.
BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting
The BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting will be held on October 24 and 25, 2014 in
Vancouver. The deadline for motions of an emergent nature is September 19.
14.4.
Date of Next Meeting
 October 6, 2014, 6:30 p.m., School Board Office
15.
QUESTION PERIOD
Questions/comments from the audience were related to the Good Will Shakespeare Festival, the
delay in an enrolment report due to the teachers’ strike, the skateboard park in Summerland, and
the Board’s decision to write another letter regarding the labour disruption.
16.
ADJOURNMENT
2015-21
MOTION
St. Claire/Van Alphen
That the meeting be adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
CARRIED
____________________________________
Bruce Johnson, Chairperson
____________________________________
Bonnie Roller Routley, Secretary-Treasurer
September 12, 2014
Ref: http://esc01-00-0/Board of Education_Sept8_2014/eSCRIBE Documents/Post-Meeting Minutes - Board of Education_Sept8_2014 - English.docx
"Working Together for Student Success"