REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
MINUTES
Monday, October 6, 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
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
Don MacIntyre, Director of Instruction
Maureen Maywood, Director of Finance
Daphne Adey, Executive Assistant
_____________________________________________________________________
1.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Johnson called the meeting to order and acknowledged that we were on the traditional
territory of the Okanagan people.
2.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
2015-22
MOTION
Beaven/Clarke
That the agenda be adopted.
CARRIED
3.
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
3.1.
4.
Tanzania Quilting Project
Vice Principals Sandra Richardson and Andrea DeVito provided an overview and video of
the Tanzania Quilting Project, a project undertaken to make quilts for an orphanage in
Tanzania. Several schools in the district were involved with fundraising projects for the
orphanage and drawing pictures for the squares (which contained messages of hope).
The three textile classes helped sew the squares along with quilters from the public, and
much of the fabric was donated. Sixty-one quilts were delivered to Tanzania in July and,
in total, approximately 1,200 hands participated with the projects.
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 6, 2014
5.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
2015-23
MOTION
Huebert/St. Claire
That the minutes of the regular meeting held on September 8, 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:
September 8, 2014
 Reviewed correspondence sent on behalf of the Board;
 Received a report from the buildings, grounds, safety, and transportation committee;
 Agreed to negotiate a lease agreement for land required for a skateboard park in
Summerland;
 Received a report from the finance and management committee;
 Received information related to teacher, excluded, and CUPE staffing;
 Received information related to teacher bargaining;
 Received information and reinstated on a temporary basis a crossing guard position;
 Received information related to meetings of the British Columbia Public School
Employers’ Association;
 Approved writing a letter to BCTF, BCPSEA, Minister of Education, Minister of Finance,
and Premier related to the teachers’ labour dispute;
 Approved a request to meet with regional MLAs regarding the current teachers’ strike and
the impact of the strike on this district.
September 19, 2014
 Received details of the teachers’ negotiated agreement and voted for ratification of the
proposed Provincial Collective Agreement.
8.
CORRESPONDENCE
8.1.
Letter from Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC
A letter from the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC requesting that the Board
endorse the $10/day Child Care Plan.
2015-24
8.2
MOTION
St. Claire/Clarke
That the Board of Education endorse the Community Plan for a Public
System of Integrated Early Care and Learning proposed by the Coalition of
Child Care Advocates of BC and Early Childhood Educators of BC.
CARRIED
Summary of Letters to the Board
 A letter from the Ministry of Education advising that government has amended
the capital cost sharing policy for school districts under the Cash Management
Strategy;
 A letter from the Ministry of Education announcing that the Office of the Auditor
General is conducting a performance audit of the Ministry’s programs, policies,
and initiatives to improve outcomes for aboriginal students;
 A letter forwarded by the President, BCSTA, introducing BCSTA’s 2014-15
Strategic Plan;
 A letter from BCSTA President to all trustees expressing deep gratitude and
happiness on the ratification of the agreement with the BC Teachers’ Federation;
 A letter forwarded by S. Gardhouse asking trustees to support binding arbitration.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
8.3
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Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 6, 2014
Summary of Copies of Letters to the Board
Copies of the letters to the Board listed below are available in the trustee reading file:
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School District No. 62 (Sooke) to the Premier, Minister of Education, President of
BCSTA, and Public Administrator of BCPSEA requesting a negotiated settlement
be in place by September 2, 2014;
School District No. 68 (Nanaimo Ladysmith) to Premier Clark regarding the state
of teacher bargaining and Article E.80;
School District No. 91 (Nechako Lakes) to the Minister of Education and
President of BCTF regarding lack of progress achieved to date by the BCTF and
BCPSEA in arriving at a negotiated settlement;
School District No. 42 (Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows) to local newspapers and
their community expressing disappointment that the BCTF and BCPSEA have
been unable to reach an agreement in the current labour dispute;
School District No. 73 (Kamloops/Thompson) to the President of BCTF and
BCPSEA expressing deep concern for the harm this dispute is having on
students;
School District No. 61 (Greater Victoria) to the Minister of Education, BCPSEA,
and BCTF calling for mediation to the teachers’ dispute;
School District No. 72 (Campbell River) to the Premier, Minister of Education,
BCPSEA, and BCTF expressing concerns around the lack of progress with the
labour dispute;
School District No. 22 (Vernon) to the Minister of Education regarding the
negative impact the teachers’ strike is having on students and their families;
School District No. 61 (Greater Victoria), an open letter to the community
regarding the teachers’ strike;
School District No. 50 (Haida Gwaii) to the Minister of Education and BCTF
concerning the conduct of the parties in this dispute at this time;
School District No. 62 (Sooke) to the Premier, Minister of Education, BCSTA, and
BCPSEA regarding the impact the continuing strike is having on students, staff,
parents, and public education system;
School District No. 46 (Sunshine Coast) to the Minister of Education and BCTF
asking both parties to put the needs of students and public education in BC at the
forefront;
School District No. 45 (West Vancouver) to the Premier, Minister of Education,
BCTF, BCPSEA, BCSTA, local MLAs and West Vancouver Teachers’
Association expressing support for an immediate end to the current strike and the
re-opening of schools for instruction;
School District No. 74 (Gold Trail) to the Minister of Education and BCTF
expressing disappointment, frustration, and deep concern over the current reality
of BC’s public education system;
School District No. 37 (Delta) to the Minister of Education, BCPSEA, and BCTF
regarding the impact of the current labour dispute on students, staff and
community;
School District No. 70 (Alberni) to the Minister of Education, BCTF, and BCPSEA
expressing their belief it is in the best interest of the public education and the
students it serves that both parties immediately return to the bargaining table;
School District No. 5 (Southeast Kootenay) to the Minister of Education and
BCTF urging the parties to immediately enter into binding arbitration through the
process of a three-person arbitration panel to resolve the dispute;
School District No. 33 (Chilliwack) to the Minister of Education, BCTF, and
BCPSEA expressing dismay regarding the prolonged labour dispute between the
BCTF and BCPSEA and the adverse effect on the public education system;
School District No. 84 (Vancouver Island West) to the Minister of Education and
BCTF conveying concerns with the ongoing dysfunction in the labour dispute;
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 6, 2014
School District No. 64 (Gulf Islands) to the Premier, Minister of Education and
Minister of Finance urging the BC government to get students back into the
schools, to fully fund the calculated cost of the settlement with the BCTF, and
provide robust funding to public education;
School District No. 51 (Boundary) to the Minister of Education and BCTF
expressing concern regarding the labour dispute impasse between the
government and BCTF;
School District No. 33 (Chilliwack), an open letter to the community regarding the
current impasse in the labour dispute between BCTF and BCPSEA;
School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan) to BCPSEA and BCTF regarding the
BCTF labour dispute;
School District No. 82 (Coast Mountains) to local news media, an open letter to
the community regarding the labour dispute;
School District No. 93 (Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique)
to the Premier, Minister of Education, and BCTF regarding concern related to the
ongoing and protracted labour dispute between BCTF and BCPSEA;
School District No. 44 (North Vancouver) to the Minister of Education, BCTF, and
BCPSEA expressing gratitude for the hard work of the bargaining parties;
BCPSEA to the Minister of Education regarding BCTF’s proposal for “binding
arbitration” and the conclusion reached by BCPSEA with respect to the proposal;
BCPSEA’s letter to all school districts clarifying BCPSEA’s proposed “E80” and
to correct misinformation circulated by the BCTF;
School District No. 47 (Powell River) to BCSTA expressing support for the goals
and objectives of the Back to School Action Plan;
School District Nol. 35 (Langley) to the Minister of Education, BCTF, and
BCPSEA expressing thanks and appreciation for the hard work of the bargaining
parties, with the assistance of mediator Vince Ready, to secure a negotiated
agreement between the province and the BCTF;
School District No. 71 (Comox Valley) to the Minister of Education recognizing
achievements in negotiating a long-term contract with the BCTF and suggesting
for consideration two changes to the current negotiating model;
School District No. 45 (West Vancouver) to Silas White and Alan Chell for their
time and effort towards a long-term negotiated collective agreement with the
BCTF.
Copies of Letters to the Board regarding the Temporary Education Support for
Parents program:
 School District No. 57 (Prince George) to the Premier and Minister of Education
expressing disagreement and dissatisfaction with the government’s decision that
strike savings will be the source for the government’s parent support program;
 School District No. 75 (Mission) to Premier Clark and Minister of Education
supporting the letter written on behalf of trustees by the BCSTA regarding the
provincial government’s Temporary Education Support Program;
 School District No. 38 (Richmond) to the Minister of Finance expressing
overwhelming disappointment that the Temporary Education Support for Parents
program is being funded from the Ministry of Education budget;
 School District No. 5 (Southeast Kootenay) supporting the BCSTA’s request that
government rescind its $40/day “Program for Parents” and instead keep those
dollars in education;
 School District No. 35 (Langley) to the Premier and Minister of Education
expressing disappointment with the government’s announcement to remove
strike savings from public education and requesting that all strike savings be
returned to the Learning Improvement Fund;
 School District No. 57 (Prince George) to the Minister of Education expressing
concern about government’s use of strike savings and to now report on all
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 5
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 6, 2014
savings from other areas of the budgets where spending was planned but did not
occur.
Copies of Letters to the Board on other Topics:
 School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan) to the Minister of Education
requesting that the Board of Directors of BCPSEA be immediately reinstated with
the original number of trustees and partner group representatives that were in
place prior to the board being dismissed in 2013;
 School District No. 69 (Qualicum) to the Minister of Education regarding the
chronic underfunding of school districts in providing innovative and quality
educational programs for children;
 School District No. 57 (Prince George) to the Minister of Education expressing
extreme disappointment that the BCEd Plan social media accounts for Facebook
and Twitter were used to promote the bargaining position of BCPSEA and the
provincial government and stating, instead, that the sites should have remained a
vehicle for transformational change.
8.4
Summary of Letters on Behalf of the Board
Copies of letters sent on behalf of the Board are available in the trustee reading file:
 An open letter to Premier, Minister of Education, Minister of Finance, BCPSEA,
and BCTF regarding the teachers’ strike and urging the parties to find a way to
move forward.
2015-25
MOTION
Manning/Clarke
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 September 22, 2014:
a.
Traffic Calming Measures
Trustee Huebert reviewed two letters received from the City of Penticton regarding
the implementation of traffic calming measures near Carmi and Wiltse Elementary
schools. The work consists of installing one or more of delineator defined road
narrowings, speed humps, new crosswalks, radar speed signs, and school bus
drop zones all with associated signage as shown on plans attached to the letters.
Trustee Huebert thanked the City of Penticton for an excellent job.
2015-26
9.2.
MOTION
Huebert/Beaven
That the report from the buildings, grounds, safety, and transportation
committee be received.
CARRIED
Education Committee
Trustee Beaven reported on the education committee meeting held on September 23,
2014:
a.
District Achievement Contract
In May 2014, the education committee received a presentation about three
professional development sessions titled “Beyond Inclusion”, which was facilitated
by Randy Cranston and Penny Ketola. Teams from every school in the district,
consisting of an administrator, classroom teacher and learning support teacher,
participated in the sessions. These team sessions were designed to put a
framework in place for students before they are at risk of failing or not graduating
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 6
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 6, 2014
from school. It was decided that sessions would be beneficial in looking at student
inclusion, using the three stages of intervention as identified in the Response to
Intervention Framework (RIF) identified in our District Achievement Contract.
School teams spent time looking at the class review process and exploring ways
for classroom teachers and learning support teachers to work together to provide
support to students.
As a follow-up to these three sessions, Superintendent of Schools Wendy Hyer met
with principals and vice-principals in August to begin laying the groundwork to
systemically implement the RTI Framework in all schools. An overview of the work
that was completed in the session was provided on where the focus will be over the
next three to five years.
2015-27
MOTION
Beaven/St. Claire
That the report of the education meeting be received.
CARRIED
9.3.
Policy Committee
Trustee Clarke reported on the policy committee meeting held on September 22, 2014.
a.
Policy No. 160 – Trustee Code of Conduct
Draft Policy No. 160 – Trustee Code of Conduct was reviewed and trustees
combined statements and reduced the number to 10. Trustees provided further
suggestions and recommended that this policy go to the October 6 Board of
Education meeting.
2015-28
MOTION Clarke/Van Alphen
That Policy No. 160 – Trustee Code of Conduct be approved by the Board of
Education.
CARRIED
Trustee St. Claire requested that her negative vote be recorded.
b.
Policy No. 600 – Fiscal Control
The secretary-treasurer reviewed proposed changes to this policy to increase
amounts requiring quotations, encourage use of purchasing cards, reflect current
practices, increase the cycle for tendering professional services, and enhance
signing authorities. Trustees requested that the consultant section be removed,
reviewed audit controls already in place, and were advised that following revision
of this policy, a complete cheque listing will be provided at the next finance and
management committee.
Chair Johnson left the meeting at 7:14 p.m. and Vice Chair St. Claire assumed the chair
in his absence.
Chair Johnson returned to the meeting and assumed the chair at 7:16 p.m.
2015-29
c.
MOTION Clarke/St. Claire
That Policy No. 600 – Fiscal Control be approved in principle and circulated
to partner groups for 30 days for any suggestions for changes.
CARRIED
Policy No. 315 – Physical Restraint and Seclusion
Draft changes to Policy No. 315 – Physical Restraint were reviewed by the
committee to reflect changes as directed by the Ministry of Education. It was
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 6, 2014
noted that the name of the policy and its procedures were changed to include
seclusion.
2015-30
MOTION Clarke/Beaven
That Policy No. 315 – Physical Restraint and Seclusion be approved in
principle and circulated to partner groups for 30 days for any suggestions for
changes.
CARRIED
d.
Draft Committees of the Board
Trustees discussed changes to Board committees and based on the
conversation, the secretary-treasurer will bring a rewritten policy to the next
policy committee meeting.
e.
Policy No. 207 – Acceptable Use of Technology
It was noted that this policy was reviewed and some of the accompanying forms
need to be updated.
2015-31
MOTION Clarke/Beaven
That the report of the policy committee be received.
CARRIED
10.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1.
Field Trips
Superintendent Hyer reviewed the field trip request and advised a similar field trip had
been taken for several years.
2015-32
MOTION Huebert/St. Claire
That the field trip request for February 5 to 11, 2015, for 35 to 50 French
Immersion students from KVR and Summerland Middle schools to travel to
Quebec City for the annual winter carnival be approved in principle.
CARRIED
10.2.
Enrolment
The superintendent of schools reported on enrolment advising that as of September 30,
2014 there were 5,945 students not including ConnectEd. This results in 25 students
more than the projected enrolment; however, the number is less than the same period in
September 2013. It was also noted that there is no waiting list for French Immersion as
all students have been offered a position.
10.3.
Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) has been invited by the University of Victoria to
participate in the 2014-15 Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey.
Information from the survey will be used to further advance research, policies and
programs. Superintendent Hyer advised that one school, Princess Margaret Secondary,
has been randomly selected to participate in the survey.
2015-33
MOTION
Huebert/Beaven
That the Board of Education approve participation of Princess Margaret
Secondary School in the 2014-15 Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and
Drugs Survey.
CARRIED
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
10.4.
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Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 6, 2014
Learning Improvement Fund
Superintendent Hyer reviewed the process and changes to the Learning Improvement
Funds (LIF) which came as a result of negotiations. As a result of the changes in the
amounts provided, the spending plan was adjusted. Consultation and agreement has
been reached with the president of the OSTU; however, there are additional funds to
allocate time for CUPE education assistants and this plan needs to be discussed with the
CUPE chair. Assistant Superintendent Burgoyne reviewed the Education Fund dollars
received, which amounted to $846,218, and how these were allocated as well as
$121,500 in LIF funds for education assistants. An additional 9.386 teachers have been
hired along with an additional 20 hours for educational assistants.
2015-34
MOTION
Van Alphen/Beaven
That the Learning Improvement Fund
November Board of Education meeting.
report
be
tabled
to
the
TABLED
11.
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
11.1.
Trustee Elections
The secretary-treasurer advised the nomination period closes on Friday, October 10,
4:00 p.m. As of late this afternoon, Trustee Ginny Manning had filed nomination papers
for the rural area, Electoral Area 3; nomination papers had been filed for Trustee
Electoral 2 in Summerland for Trustee Linda Van Alphen and Julie Planiden; and three
candidates (Trustees Shelley Clarke and Bruce Johnson, and Teresa Hebert) had filed
for Trustee Electoral 3 in Penticton.
11.2.
2014 Public Sector Executive Compensation
The Public Sector Employers Act requires ongoing reporting on the compensation
matters for executive and exempt employees. The secretary-treasurer advised that
boards of education are required to complete the Public Sector Executive Compensation
Disclosure Report for the fiscal year 2013-14 and the report will be posted on the PSEC
website with a link to the district website.
2015-35
12.
MOTION Clarke/Van Alphen
That the Public Sector Executive Compensation Disclosure Report for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 2014 be approved by the Board of Education and
submitted to the Ministry of Education.
CARRIED
NEW BUSINESS
12.1.
Notice of Motion
Trustee Beaven gave notice of the following motion to be presented at the next regular
meeting of the Board of Education on Monday, November 10, 2014:
"That a portion of the money returned to the Board as a result of the current
labour dispute be set aside in a special fund for the specific use of classroom
teachers to facilitate classroom innovation and enrichment."
13.
REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES
13.1.
BCSTA Thompson Okanagan Branch Meeting
Chair Johnson reported there was good turnout and great discussions at the BCSTA
Thompson Okanagan Branch meeting held on October 3 and 4, 2014 in Kamloops. All
trustees attended with the exception of Trustee Clarke.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 6, 2014
13.2.
BCSTA Trustee Academy
The BCSTA's 2014 Trustee Academy will take place December 4 to 6, 2014 at the Hyatt
Regency Vancouver. The theme of the conference is effective governance and will
feature as keynote speaker, the Right Honourable Joe Clark, who will speak regarding
the opportunities and challenges of educational leadership. The Honourable Minister of
Education Peter Fassbender will address the Academy on Saturday following an open
dialogue on the co-governance relationship between Boards of Education and the
Ministry of Education. There is an expectation that new trustees attend this academy.
13.3.
Trustee Comments
Trustees provided comments related to district activities including welcoming students
and teachers back to a happy and productive year, congratulating the students who
attended the leadership conference in Kelowna, and Trustee Van Alphen extending a
verbal invitation to Minister of Education Fassbender to visit the district.
2015-36
14.
Page 9
MOTION
Van Alphen/Manning
That the Board of Education write a letter to the Minister of Education inviting
him to this school district.
CARRIED
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.
14.2.
Date of Next Meeting
• November 10, 2014, 6:30 p.m., School Board Office
15.
QUESTION PERIOD
Questions/comments from the audience included appreciation from the OSTU president
regarding comments made by trustees about professionalism of teachers displayed during the
teachers' strike, questions from the media related to the LIF funding, and how teachers were paid
for work on September 19, 2014. Julie Planiden was introduced as the DPAC Co-chair as well as
the second nominated trustee candidate for the Summerland area.
16.
ADJOURNMENT
2015-37
MOTION
Beaven/Clarke
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:01 p.m.
CARRIED
________________________________
Bruce Johnson, Chairperson
___________________________________
Bonnie Roller Routley, Secretary-Treasurer
October 14, 2014
Ref: http://esc01-00-0/Board of Education_Oct6_2014/eSCRIBE Documents/Post-Meeting Minutes - Board of Education_Oct6_2014 - English.docx
“Working Together for Student Success”