BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2002, AT 7:30 P.M.
SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE
MINUTES
IN ATTENDANCE
C. Denesiuk, Chair
L. Courtney, Trustee
D. E. Jamieson, Trustee
C. Lewis, Trustee
K. Lindstrom, Trustee
L. Little, Trustee
D. Shunter, Trustee
V. Berg, Superintendent of Schools
F. Regehr, Secretary-Treasurer
D. Stigant, Assistant Superintendent
R. Shongrunden, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
G. Schafer, Director of Instruction
J. Walbergs, Director of Instruction
J. Hickling, Director of Maintenance
D. Adey, Executive Secretary
WELCOME
Chairman Denesiuk welcomed students, district staff, guests, and representatives of the
media.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Lewis/Courtney that the agenda and addendum be adopted.
CARRIED
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
Columbia Elementary School
Columbia Elementary students were recently given national recognition by the Poetry
Institute of Canada. Students from across Canada were requested to submit poems up to 24
lines in length. The poems were used to publish national anthologies of student work. The
anthologies themselves are registered with an ISBN number and reflect a strong caliber of
student work. Approximately half of the poems submitted are not accepted for publication.
This year, from among thousands of entries received, Columbia students had 41 poems
accepted of 51 poems that were submitted. In addition, Columbia students were recognized
nationally when it received one of 5 second place winners, two of 10 third place winners and
one of 25 fourth place winners, as well as three honorable mentions. Vice Principal Ron
Olsen introduced the following Columbia Elementary School students who received national
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Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – April 8, 2002
recognition by the Poetry Institute of Canada and the students read their poetry at the
meeting:
o
o
o
o
nd
Emily Cowan – 2 place
rd
Megan Baldry – 3 place
rd
Travis Gartner – 3 place
th
Adam Boyda – 4 place
Following a number of questions, trustees extended congratulations to the students on their
achievements and thanked them for their presentations at the meeting.
Penticton Secondary School Coach
David Nackoney, Penticton Secondary coach, was introduced as the recipient of the 2002
Ken Wright Memorial Scholarship Award. The $500 award is presented annually at the
provincial AAA basketball championships in honour of Ken Wright, one of the original
founders of the BC High School Boys' Basketball Association and is given to a coach who
has improved and developed a school's basketball program at the local, regional and
provincial level. Mr. Nackoney highlighted the team’s competition at the provincials and
acknowledged the Board’s and principal’s support for the basketball program.
Congratulations were extended to Mr. Nackoney on receiving this award.
Recognition of Student Success
The superintendent of schools extended congratulations to the following students/groups for
outstanding examples of success:
•
Columbia Elementary students who were recently given national recognition by the
Poetry Institute of Canada. This year, from among thousands of entries received,
Columbia students had 41 poems accepted of 51 poems that were submitted. In
addition, Columbia students were recognized nationally when they received one of 5
second place winners, two of 10 third place winners and one of 25 fourth place
winners, as well as three honorable mentions.
•
Kaleden's Olympic Reading Program was a tremendous success with over 100
active participants reading over 100,000 minutes. There were 82 gold, seven silver,
and 12 bronze medals awarded at the March assembly. A special thank you to
parents for their support of the home-based reading program.
•
Thirty-one Kaleden students regularly met with five parents and a staff member to
make up five "Imagination Club" teams. Every Wednesday (January to March) teams
completed challenging activities, improvisation tasks, skits, chants, drama exercises,
etc., using their talents and imagination.
•
Twenty-nine grade 4 Naramata students graduated from the St. John's Ambulance
First Aid Course.
•
Naramata's "Positive Principal Hotline" has, to-date, made 85 positive phone calls to
the homes of Naramata students. This is a second year initiative whereby, upon staff
recommendation for a positive student act (i.e. citizenship, act of kindness, improved
school work, excellent academic program), the administrator and the student track
down a parent to tell them of the good news. Last year, our goal was 100 such
phone calls and we are on our way to improve this goal by 5%.
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Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – April 8, 2002
•
Congratulations to Chris Bench, a grade 7 student at Naramata Elementary, who has
had his drawing published on the cover of the April edition of BCPVPA's "Adminfo"
Magazine.
•
Summerland Secondary's Alex Elliott, 14, has been identified as one of the top
soccer prospects in BC and commutes from Summerland to the Lower Mainland
every weekend for training at the BC Soccer Association's national high performance
training centre. Because practices run so late Sunday, every weekend he catches a
midnight bus in Vancouver for a five-hour ride to his home in Summerland. Alex is
presently a member of the BC under 16 team and the national training program. He
would like to get a college scholarship in the US, play on Team Canada, make the
men's national team and the Olympic team, and hopefully play pro. Also determined
th
to match or exceed his academic expectations, he has begun 10 grade social
th
studies courses so he can take 11 grade socials next year.
•
Jessica Elliott, a Summerland Secondary drama student, recently received an award
from the Association of BC Drama Educators for her play "He's Dead for God's
Sake". This performance will be shown at the local Shakespeare Festival in May.
Only six student plays are selected from throughout the province.
•
Congratulations to Jeff Penny, a Summerland Secondary student, who recently won
three gold medals in skiing at the Special Olympics competition held in Kimberley.
•
Eleven projects by 14 Summerland Middle School students were selected to go
forward to the Regional Science Fair in Kelowna from the District's Science Fair
where five bronze, four silver and two gold awards were received. Six students were
also recognized in the Backdrop/Special category.
•
Mrs. Kay's grade 6 class at Summerland Middle School placed third overall in their
Social Studies "Landmark Project" on the Internet. As one of 22 teams participating
from around the world (grades 8-12), the students found 19 out of 24 "landmarks".
•
Sixteen grade 4 students and nineteen grade 5 West Bench Elementary students
have been learning to play guitar in the "Guitar Club".
Recognition of Student Art Work
Congratulations was extended to the following students from Trout Creek Elementary School
for their artwork currently on display at the school board office:
Robyn Duncan
Jocelyn Fisher
Shannon Leardo
Savanna Maddock
Shaina May
Tayah Chuback
Ellen Rutherford
Arianna Smith
Grade 5
Grade 5
Grade 3
Grade 3
Grade 3
Grade 2
Grade 2
Grade 2
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
Little/Courtney that the minutes of the regular meeting held on March 11, 2002
be approved.
CARRIED
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Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – April 8, 2002
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETING
The secretary-treasurer reported on the closed regular meeting held on March 11, 2002:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
confirmed teaching, CUPE and excluded staff changes;
received information on superintendent hiring;
approved a teacher leave request;
received a teacher report;
received information regarding student suspensions;
received reports from the committee of the whole, discipline committee and finance and
management committee;
7. received information on an Okanagan Labour Relations Council meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE
Letter from Minister of Education
A letter from Christy Clark, Minister of Education, outlining funding arrangements for next
year for First Nations status on-reserve students.
Letter from Minister of Education
A letter from Christy Clark, Minister of Education, providing clarification regarding the
government’s increase to Medical Service Plan premiums.
Letter from Minister of Education
A letter from Christy Clark, Minister of Education, advising of a one-time discretionary
operating grant in the amount of $545,006 for the district.
Letter from Autism Society of British Columbia
A letter from the Autism Society of British Columbia expressing concern about the new
funding framework recently announced by the Ministry of Education.
Letter from Okanagan School of the Arts
A letter from the Okanagan School of the Arts requesting that the Board of School Trustees
consider renaming the Pen Hi auditorium as the GEORGE GAY AUDITORIUM to
commemorate Mr. Gay’s contribution to the community.
Select Standing Committee on Education
A report of the Select Standing Committee on Education entitled A Future for Learners: A
Vision for Renewal of Education in British Columbia is available in the trustee reading file.
Copy of Letter to Premier
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 52 (Prince Rupert) to Premier Gordon
Campbell requesting that the government fully fund school districts for imposed salary
increases and required class size reductions and, additionally, encouraging the abandonment
of the current Public Education Sector bargaining process, replacing it with a process more
acceptable to all stakeholders within the public education system.
MOTION:
Shunter/Lewis that the correspondence be received and the letter from the
Okanagan School of the Arts be referred to the buildings, grounds, safety and
transportation committee.
CARRIED
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Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – April 8, 2002
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
Princess Margaret Secondary School Update
Director of Maintenance John Hickling provided an update on construction at Princess
Margaret Secondary School noting window installation is almost completed, the drywall is
completed on the lower floor of the north wing and is progressing on the second floor, the
mechanical HVAC and the electrical is well underway, the curtain wall has been started, the
metal cladding will be completed by the end of May, and concrete entrances and walks have
been started. Completion is on schedule for mid October. Trustees will tour the facility within
the next month.
McNicoll Park Junior Secondary School HVAC
Mr. Hickling reported tenders will close during the last week of April for the HVAC upgrade at
McNicoll Park Junior Secondary School. Mr. Hickling added it is hoped the tender will be
awarded in early May and that work will be done during the evenings and summertime to
avoid disruption during school hours.
2002-03 Preliminary Budget
The secretary-treasurer reported staff are working towards preparation of the budget and
have scheduled numerous meetings in readiness for public adoption prior to the required
date of April 27. No changes for the preparation of the budget have been received from the
Ministry of Education in the past few weeks.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Enrolment
In reviewing the enrolment report circulated with the agenda package, the superintendent of
schools noted that the report shows enrolment at 7,832, a decrease of 16 from last month.
MOTION:
Lindstrom/Courtney that the enrolment report as of March 15, 2002 be received.
CARRIED
Field Trips
The superintendent of schools reviewed a listing of field trip requests some of which had
been approved by the superintendent.
MOTION:
Lewis/Jamieson that the following field trip requests be approved:
•
•
•
•
February 27 to March 3, 2002, for nine Penticton Secondary School students
to compete in the provincial wrestling championships in Port Alberni, BC, and
that appropriate funding as per board policy be provided;
March 5 to 9, 2002, for 15 Summerland Secondary School students to
compete in the provincial senior boys basketball championships held in
Kamloops, BC, and that appropriate funding as per board policy be provided;
May 29 to June 2, 2002, for 50 Summerland Secondary School students to
participate in the national MusicFest Canada held in Calgary, Alberta, and
that funding of $3,000 be provided;
April 20, 2002, for 10 grade 8 students from Summerland Middle School to
participate in the provincial Destination ImagiNation competition in Kamloops,
BC, and that appropriate funding as per board policy be provided.
CARRIED
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Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – April 8, 2002
Secondary School Student Charges
The superintendent advised Policy No. 203 requires that student fees be reviewed and
reported to the Board on an annual basis. After consultation with the secondary and middle
school principals regarding approved charges levied on students or parents at the secondary
and middle schools, it is recommended they be maintained at the present level. Mr. Berg
noted this recommendation authorizes consistent charges in the district, complies with
Ministry of Education directives, and provides adequate resources to enable schools to
continue to offer quality programs to students.
MOTION:
Little/Courtney that the following charges be approved for the 2002-03 school
year:
•
•
•
•
A student activity charge of $25.00 per secondary student and $12.00 per
middle school student per year for the provision of goods and services
beyond the basic instructional program including but not restricted to the
rental of a lock and locker, supply of a student planner, and partial funding for
a range of student activity costs;
A textbook/resources refundable deposit up to $25.00 per student per year;
Schools are authorized to establish a schedule of user-pay team fees and/or
uniform charges to support extracurricular activities in the school; and
Schools enrolling Grade 12, as part of the graduation policy, to establish a
graduation charge to cover costs of graduation events at the school.
CARRIED
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
Education Committee
Trustee Little reported that at the education committee meeting held on April 2, 2002, an
update was received on the Okanagan Thompson International Sculpture Symposium.
Symposium Education Chairs Dorothy Tinning and Brigid Kemp, reported on the progress of
the project in their respective communities of Penticton and Summerland and described
various ways students will be involved in hands-on activities. The official opening ceremony
and unveiling of sites will be May 18, 2002. Education committee members received an
update on the status of planning for the Building Instructional Capacity initiative, which
furthers the district professional development committee’s initiative to focus on instructional
strategies, and received information on an Okanagan-Mainline Aboriginal Education survey
which seeks student and parent perceptions of the school experience proposed to be
administered to all middle and secondary school aboriginal students in this district this spring.
Following discussion,
MOTION:
Little/Lewis that subject to approval of the survey and reporting process by the
Penticton Indian Band and the District Aboriginal Education Advisory, the district
shall carry out the aboriginal education survey as proposed.
CARRIED
At the same meeting, committee members reviewed the Ministry’s service plan summary,
government priorities, and re-organization for the Ministry of Education as well as a draft
school calendar for the district. Following discussion,
MOTION:
Little/Jamieson that the draft school calendar be approved for consultation with
DPAC and employee groups.
CARRIED
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Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – April 8, 2002
Trustee Little reported that the committee discussed the district scholarship selection
processes and requested that staff prepare a report for the committee regarding the practices
in comparable districts and options available to the Board regarding district scholarship
selection processes. Other topics reviewed included a guide to the proposed referendum on
the treaty, the superintendent’s report on his trip to the Kun-ei School in Osaka, Japan, and
transition meetings with the superintendent designate, Mr. Gary Doi. Mr. Doi is scheduled to
visit the district on May 21, 22, and 23, 2002.
MOTION:
Little/Shunter that the report of the education committee be received.
CARRIED
Finance and Management Committee
Trustee Courtney reported that six verbal and five written submissions were presented at the
public budget meeting held on March 14, 2002. The submissions requested continued
support for enrichment, gifted, special education and music programs and library services,
and provided suggestions for student transportation and decreases to the budget.
Appreciation was extended to staff for their efforts in providing opportunities for the public to
have a better understanding and participation in the budget process.
MOTION:
Courtney/Lewis that the report of the finance and management committee be
received.
CARRIED
Committee of the Whole
Chairman Denesiuk reported the committee of the whole met on April 3, 2002 to review an
analysis of the 2002-03 funding and budget details. Chairman Denesiuk advised a shortage
of $2,636,000 has been identified and committee members discussed how reductions
sufficient to balance the budget would affect services. The committee agreed to a number of
additional meetings and agreed to move the special public meeting of the Board to receive
the 2002-03 preliminary budget to April 24, 2002 at 7:30 p.m.
MOTION:
Shunter/Little that the report of the committee of the whole be received.
CARRIED
Policy Committee
Trustee Lindstrom reported on the policy committee meeting on April 3, 2002 at which the
committee reviewed revisions to two policies and discussed a new policy on substance
abuse. The committee reviewed the district’s progress in developing a return to work
program and the support this provides for employees. Following discussion,
MOTION:
Lindstrom/Courtney that the revisions to the regulations for Policy No. 530 –
Employee Wellness, Health and Safety be confirmed.
CARRIED
The committee reviewed revisions to Policy No. 330 prepared in response to possible travel
disruptions or safety concerns and supported changes to clauses 6 and 7. Following
discussion,
MOTION:
Lindstrom/Shunter that the revisions to the regulations for Policy No. 330 – CoCurricular and Extra-Curricular Activities/Field Trips be confirmed.
CARRIED
Trustee Lindstrom reported that committee members reviewed the purpose and specifics of a
new policy regarding substance abuse. It was noted that current practices are consistent
with this proposed policy. Following review,
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Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – April 8, 2002
MOTION:
Lindstrom/Lewis that draft Policy No. 311 – Substance Abuse be approved in
principle by the Board of School Trustees and distributed to partner groups for
any suggestions for changes.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Lindstrom/Little that the report of the policy committee be received.
CARRIED
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Resolution for BCSTA AGM
Chairman Denesiuk noted the Legislative Committee for the BCSTA AGM has reviewed and
revised the motion originally submitted for the AGM by School District No. 67 (Okanagan
Skaha). Trustees requested that BCSTA be requested to revise the motion to more clearly
reflect the original intent of the district’s motion.
INFORMATION ITEMS
BCSTA AGM
BCSTA AGM
April 25-28, 2002, Vancouver
It was noted that all motions to be presented at the 2002 annual general meeting have been
circulated to all trustees.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
April 15, 2002
April 24, 2002, 7:30 p.m.
May 13, 2002
DPAC / Trustee Meeting
Special Board Meeting for Budget, School Board Office
Regular Meeting, School Board Office
TRUSTEE COMMENTS
Trustees provided general comments related to district activities.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Courtney/Lewis that the meeting be adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
CARRIED
____________________
Chairperson
____________________
Secretary-Treasurer
April 12, 2002
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