BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, M ARCH 10, 2003, AT 7:30 P.M.
SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE
MINUTES
IN ATTENDANCE
C. Denesiuk, Chair
D. E. Jamieson, Trustee
K. Lindstrom, Trustee
L. Little, Trustee
G. Manning, Trustee
D. Shunter, Trustee
L. Van Alphen, Trustee
G. Doi, Superintendent of Schools
F. Regehr, Secretary-Treasurer
D. Stigant, Assistant Superintendent
R. Shongrunden, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
G. Schafer, Director of Instruction
J. Hickling, Director of Maintenance
D. Adey, Executive Secretary
I. Graham, Principal, Trout Creek Elementary School
1.0
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Denesiuk welcomed students, district staff, guests, and representatives of the media.
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Little/Van Alphen that the agenda and addendum be approved.
CARRIED
3.0
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
3.1
District Website
Superintendent Doi reported that during the past three to four months, a district website
committee has been revamping the school district’s website. The new look was
demonstrated at the meeting. Committee members Allan Crossley, Eileen Brent, Aiden
Madigan-Curtis, Katie Hicks, Daphne Adey, Ron Shongrunden, and Garth Schafer were
introduced and thanked for their efforts in revamping the site.
3.2
Summerland Secondary School
Vice Principal Marty Godsmark introduced the “Greeters” program at Summerland
Secondary School which was the brainchild of Mrs. Doris Akitt and her daughter
Meaghan. The results from the Summerland District Assets survey pointed to a
perceived lack of caring of local seniors toward the youth in the community. The Akitts
approached the school with the “greeters” idea and the school ran with it. Fourteen
“greeters” meet students at three school entrances, seven on Tuesdays and seven on
Thursdays, to help to make the students’ mornings a little brighter. “Greeters” Walter
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Charles, Hilda Downes, Helen Chalmers, Marg Estabrooks, Walter Plitt, Ann Young, Sara
Smedley, and Jack Smedley provided their experiences related to the program and were
recognized for their contribution to breaking down the barrier between seniors and youth.
3.3
Penticton Secondary School
Peter Corcoran, Principal, Penticton Secondary School, provided an overview of
numeracy results for the school. Mr. Corcoran referred to data collected by the school,
goals which were developed, and initiatives undertaken by the math department to
improve the numeracy results for the school.
3.4
Hokkaido Ikeda Senior High School
Hanae Suzuki, a student from Hokkaido Ikeda Senior High School, is returning home to
Japan after spending one year at Summerland Secondary School. She attended the
meeting and presented highlights of the educational experience gained during her stay in
Canada.
On behalf of the board, Chairman Denesiuk extended appreciation to all presenters at the
meeting.
4.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
5.0
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
6.0
Manning/Lindstrom that the minutes of the regular meeting held on February 10,
2003 be approved.
CARRIED
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETING
The secretary-treasurer reported on the closed regular meeting held on February 10, 2003 and
the closed special meeting held on March 5, 2003.
Closed Regular Meeting held on February 10, 2003:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
received correspondence related to student and personnel matters;
received reports from the finance and management committee and discipline committee;
confirmed teaching and CUPE staff changes and accepted a letter of resignation;
approved teacher leave requests;
received information related to social equity funding, international students, and a
meeting with the deputy minister;
received information regarding student suspensions;
received information regarding a BCPSEA meeting;
reviewed options for district admin restructuring.
Special Meeting held on March 5, 2003:
1.
7.0
approved principal/vice principal appointments and transfers.
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter from Citizens
A letter from citizens, Bob and Lorna Ritchie, regarding the increased use of alcohol by
the under aged in this province.
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 10, 2003
7.2
Letter from Citizen
A letter from a citizen, Yvonne Adams, regarding usage of the property near Princess
Margaret Secondary.
7.3
Letter from District Parent Advisory Council
A letter from the District Parent Advisory Council regarding student participation on sports
teams at other schools.
7.4
Letter from District Parent Advisory Council
A letter from the District Parent Advisory Council expressing appreciation for assistance
during the BCCPAC Fall Leadership Conference held in November 2002.
7.5
Letter from Minister of Education
A letter from the Minister of Education in response to the Board’s letter inquiring about
the rationale behind the second student count in February 2003.
7.6
Copy of Letter to Ministry of Children and Family Development
A copy of a letter forwarded by Summerland Secondary School PAC to the Ministry of
Children and Family Development requesting continued funding for the MCFD Family
Enhancement and Youth and Family workers at Summerland Secondary School.
7.7
Copy of Letter to Minister of Education
A copy of a letter forwarded by the united educational community of School District No.
39 (Vancouver) to the Minister of Education requesting the government fully fund the
teachers’ agreement and recent increases for support staff decided by the mediator.
7.8
Copy of Letter to Minister of Education
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan) to the Minister
of Education requesting funding for teacher salary increases.
7.9
Copy of Letter to Premier
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 52 (Prince Rupert) to Premier
Campbell reconfirming its position of non confidence in the provincial government due to
net underfunding.
7.10
Copy of Letter to Minister of Education
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 52 (Prince Rupert) to the Minister of
Education regarding the funding of the legislated teacher contract.
7.11
Copy of Letter to Minister of Energy and Mines
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 82 (Coast Mountains) to the Minister of
Energy and Mines expressing its concern about possible changes to B.C. Hydro and the
potential increases to electricity rates.
7.12
Copy of Letter to Minister of Education
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 82 (Coast Mountains) to the Minister of
Education expressing concern about the adverse impacts of the government’s funding
decisions on the students and employees in their district.
7.13
Copy of Letter to Minister of Education
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 19 (Revelstoke) to the Minister of
Education regarding two reports of the B.C. Progress Board, namely “Learning to Win”
and “Restoring British Columbia’s Economic Heartland”.
7.14
Copy of Letter to Minister of Education
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 51 (Boundary) to the Minister of
Education stating appreciation for the recent funding announcements from the
government.
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7.15
Copy of Letter to Minister of Education
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan) to the Minister
of Education expressing appreciation for the one-time funding announcement.
7.16
Copy of Letter to Solicitor General of Canada
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 36 (Surrey) to the Solicitor General of
Canada regarding the possible decriminalization of marijuana would have on the health,
safety and educational achievements of students in BC and across Canada.
7.17
Copy of Letter to British Columbia Public School Employers’ Association
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 36 (Surrey) to BCPSEA requesting
that BCPSEA construct, as an option to be considered by the membership, a 2003-04
budget based on a 3% reduction in expenditures.
MOTION:
8.0
Page 4
Shunter/Lindstrom that the correspondence be received and the letter from
the District Parent Advisory Council regarding field trips be referred to the
policy committee.
CARRIED
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
8.1
Education Committee
Trustee Shunter reported on the education committee visitation to Summerland
Secondary School on February 25 which included a tour of the school, information
related to programs, and lunch prepared and served by the students.
Trustee Shunter provided information from the education committee meeting held on
March 4, 2003:
a.
French Immersion
Assistant Superintendent Dave Stigant reported that at this time the preliminary
registration for grade 6 French Immersion is 103 students and confirmed the district
is planning for three classes for September 2003.
b.
Home Learners’ Program
Sharon Sola, Principal of the Home Learners’ Program, gave an overview of the
Home Learners’ Program and the program options available to the students. There
are presently 84 students registered in the Home Learners’ Program.
c.
International Education Field Trips
Director of Instruction Garth Schafer provided a review of the international field
trips previously approved by the Board of School Trustees for the March 2003
spring break. The committee requested that the principals of the schools involved
be requested to confirm that parents of the students taking part in these two field
trips be made aware of the heightened tension in the Middle East. At the time of
this meeting, there were no Government of Canada travel warnings regarding the
respective destination countries. However, the schools were directed to canvass
the parents to ensure that they were still interested in having their child participate
in the field trip.
d.
District Logo
Superintendent Gary Doi presented a proposal to change the district logo. The
committee agreed with the proposal and will ask for trustee volunteers to work with
the superintendent. It is expected that a new logo will be available for the summer
of 2003.
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MOTION:
8.2
Page 5
Shunter/Little that the report of the education committee be received.
CARRIED
Finance and Management Committee
Trustee Little reported on the finance and management committee meeting held on
February 28, 2003:
a.
International Student Fees
The committee was provided with a summary of current and proposed international
student fees. The committee was advised the proposed fees may require further
adjustments as development of the international students program occurs.
Following discussion,
MOTION:
MOTION:
8.3
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 10, 2003
Little/Van Alphen that the proposed fees for the international student
program (an increase of $500) be approved.
CARRIED
Little/Lindstrom that the report of the finance and management committee be
received.
CARRIED
Policy Committee
Trustee Lindstrom reported on the policy committee meeting held on March 4, 2003 at
which the committee reviewed revisions to Policy No. 320 – Student
Accident/Illness/Suicide Threat and recommended approval in principle.
MOTION:
Lindstrom/Manning that Policy No. 320 – Student Accident/Illness/Suicide
Threat be approved in principle and distributed to partner groups for any
suggestions for changes.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Lindstrom/Van Alphen that the report of the policy committee be received.
CARRIED
Trustees Lindstrom noted the 30-day circulation period to stakeholders was approved at
the January 13th board meeting for Policy No. 250 – School Planning Councils. To date,
no suggestions have been received to modify this policy and the policy is therefore
recommended for adoption.
MOTION:
Lindstrom/Jamieson that Policy No. 250 – School Planning Councils be
approved.
CARRIED
Trustee Lindstrom further advised that during consideration and approval of Policy No.
305 – Choice and Flexibility at the February 10th board meeting, it was noted that if
recommendations to change the policy were received, they would be considered at the
March 10, 2003 regular board meeting. No suggestions for changes have been received
and therefore the early adoption of this policy should not require further consideration.
9.0
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
McNicoll Park Middle School Planning Committee
The secretary-treasurer reported the McNicoll Park Middle School planning committee
held a meeting on February 28, 2003 at which the committee established five areas of
improvement at the school. A portion of the east side of the school will become a
multipurpose area, barrier free access will be addressed through the design, a drama
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 10, 2003
area will be enhanced, the front entrance to the school will be improved, and the gym will
be refurbished. As well, a painting program will be developed and a number of other
improvements have been identified. Grades 6 and 7 classrooms will be located on the
second floor with grade 8 classrooms on the main floor. The middle school will open in
September 2003 with an expected enrolment of 380. Mr. Stigant added a series of four
meetings of the feeder schools have been held for parents and students who will be
attending the middle school.
10.0
9.2
2003-04 Budget Development
The secretary-treasurer reported regarding development of the 2003-04 operating budget
and the public meeting scheduled for March 13, 2003, at Queen’s Park Elementary
School. It is anticipated more information regarding budget development will be provided
at this meeting than in previous years as well as areas which have been identified to
provide for the shortfall. Mr. Regehr added meetings will be held with employee groups
as well. It is expected the Ministry of Education funding announcement will be received
this week and that the 2003-04 operating budget will be adopted at the April 14th board
meeting.
9.3
Follow-up to CISCO Presentation
Further to the presentation by CISCO Systems at the last board meeting, the school
district’s technology program was discussed in a newspaper article in the National Post
today and additional media coverage regarding this topic has been arranged. CHBC TV
has completed an interview with Mr. Shongrunden and staff at Princess Margaret
Secondary for a feature item for the evening news, interviews will be held with CBC
Radio and the London Times in England, and the Ministry of Education has expressed an
interest to visit.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
District Goals
a. Literacy
Assistant Superintendent Dave Stigant reported the literacy workgroup has moved
past objectives and strategies, and has scheduled meetings with middle school and
secondary school principals regarding setting up a late literacy program for middle
and secondary students.
b. Numeracy
Director of Instruction Schafer reported a group of teachers are working on grade 3,
5, and 8 learning outcomes, sub committees will report out at the April 10 th meeting,
and a publisher who having heard about the three goals in three years has asked the
district to pilot a grade 4 math program.
c. Social Responsibility
Assistant Superintendent Stigant reported the sub group which attended the “How
Good People Make Tough Decisions” workshop is currently reviewing the curriculum
acquired at the workshop and will report back on April 11 th. The social responsibility
workgroup is also sponsoring and planning the first district-wide workshop on
effective behavour support.
10.2
Partners’ Group Meeting
The superintendent provided a summary of feedback from the partners’ group meeting
which included representatives from CUPE, teachers, parents, students, principals and
vice principals, and district staff held on February 19, 2003. Mr. Doi added that in
response to the comment of expanding the base to get more teachers involved, the
professional development committee has invited presentations during their summer pro-d
activities regarding the three goals in three years. The next partners’ group meeting will
be held in September.
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10.3
Arts and Science in Harmony
Director of Instruction Schafer reported a successful Arts and Science in Harmony was
held March 3 to 5, 2003 at Penticton Trade & Convention Centre and Cleland Theatre.
Arts and science entries were displayed from elementary, middle and secondary school
students with winners proceeding to the regional science fair to be held on April 8 and 9.
Over two thousand students participated in the concert band festival held in conjunction
with the Arts and Science in Harmony event. Mr. Schafer added all grade 5 and 6
students were bussed to the event and acknowledged the Kiwanis Club of Penticton for
their 34-year involvement with the science fair as well as other community sponsors.
Appreciation was extended to the judges as well as teachers, support staff and
maintenance staff for their involvement in making the event such a success.
10.4
School Calendar
The assistant superintendent reported a school board motion is required by May 31, 2003
to approve the 2003-04 school calendar for the district. Notice of the intention to pass the
standard school calendar or a local school calendar at the May 12 th school board meeting
is required to be sent to parent and employee groups by April 12 th. A copy of the
standard calendar was provided in the agenda package and Mr. Stigant noted a local
school calendar, which may be different from this standard calendar, could be developed.
Information will be distributed to the community through a “Keeping You Informed”
document.
10.5
Enrolment
In reviewing the enrolment report as of February 28, 2003, the assistant superintendent
reported a slight increase from the previous month. There are currently 7,745 students or
7,372.83 FTE.
10.6
Field Trips
The superintendent of schools reviewed a listing of field trip requests, some of which had
been approved by the superintendent.
MOTION:
Lindstrom/Shunter that the following field trip requests be approved:







April 8 to 14, 2003, for nine grade 12 students from Penticton Secondary
School to compete in the Canadian Improv National finals in Ottawa, and
that appropriate funding as per board policy be provided;
March 5 to 9, 2003, for 11 grade 10 students from Summerland
Secondary school to compete in the BC junior boys basketball
championships in Maple Ridge, and that appropriate funding as per
board policy be provided;
March 6 to 8, 2003, for nine students from Penticton Secondary School
to compete in the provincial gymnastics championships in North
Vancouver, and that appropriate funding as per board policy be provided;
March 6 to 8, 2003, for 25 grade 8 students from Skaha Lake Middle
School to compete in the provincial boys and girls basketball
championships in Maple Ridge, and that appropriate funding as per
board policy be provided;
March 6 to 8, 2003, for 10 junior girls from Princess Margaret Secondary
School to compete in the provincial basketball championships in
Coquitlam, and that appropriate funding as per board policy be provided;
March 4 to 8, 2003, for 13 senior boys from Princess Margaret
Secondary School to compete in the provincial basketball championships
in Abbotsford, and that appropriate funding as per board policy be
provided;
March 7 to 9, 2003, for one grade 8 student from KVR Middle School to
compete in the provincial debating championships in Nanaimo, and that
appropriate funding as per board policy be provided;
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11.0
12.0
14.0
April 5, 2003, for seven students from KVR Middle School to attend the
Destination ImagiNation provincials in West Vancouver, and that
appropriate funding as per board policy be provided; and
February 20 to 22, 2003, for 20 concert band students from Princess
Margaret Secondary School to participate in the annual band contest and
performances in Moscow, Idaho.
CARRIED
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
11.1
BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting
Trustee Little reported on his attendance at the BCSTA Provincial Council meeting held
February 14 to 15, 2003 in Vancouver which included a presentation on entrepreneurial
activities and a review of a number of items by the Deputy Minister of Education. The
complete synopsis is available in the trustee reading file.
11.2
BCSTA Okanagan Branch Meeting
Trustees Shunter, Lindstrom, Jamieson and Van Alphen provided information regarding
their attendance at the BCSTA Okanagan Branch meeting held February 21 and 22,
2003 in Kelowna which included Stuart Ladyman as keynote speaker, a tour of Kelowna
Secondary School, and presentations regarding joint credit programs through BCIT and
school planning councils. Trustee Lindstrom advised the process for nominations for
positions on the BCSTA branch executive.
11.3
BCSTA Trustees Academy
Trustees Manning and Van Alphen reported regarding their attendance at the BCSTA
Trustees Academy entitled “School Board Skills to Improve Student Achievement” held
March 6 to 8, 2003 in Vancouver, which covered sessions regarding lessons from the
field, world task force results, increasing student choice, and keynote speakers.
Information regarding the academy is available in the trustee reading file.
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
12.1
13.0
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 10, 2003
Meeting with Penticton City Council
Chairman Denesiuk reported regarding topics covered during the meeting held with
Penticton City Council, trustees, and senior staff on March 5, 2003: drug prevention,
RCMP liaison officer, student achievement and accountability, budget development,
enrolment trends, shared services through the fibre project, international education, the
proposal for construction at Penticton Secondary School, and the possibility of hosting
the BC Winter Games.
INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1
BCSTA Annual General Meeting
The BCSTA annual general meeting will be held April 24 to 27, 2003 in Kamloops.
13.2
Date of Next Meeting
April 14, 2003 Regular Meeting, School Board Office
TRUSTEE COMMENTS
14.1
Trustee Comments
Trustees provided general comments related to district activities.
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14.2
Recognition of Student Success
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) extended congratulations to the students and
groups for their outstanding examples of success listed on the recognition sheet included
with the agenda package.
14.3
Recognition of Student Artwork
Congratulations was extended to the following students from Uplands Elementary School
for their artwork currently on display at the school board office:


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
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15.0
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Elena Greig
Courtney Milligan
Courtney Brown
Lisa Johnson
Garret Jones
Louis Rusk
Talis Coutts
Kindergarten
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 4
Grade 4
Grade 6
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Manning/Van Alphen that the meeting be adjourned at 9:55 p.m.
CARRIED
16.0
QUESTION PERIOD
____________________
Chairperson
____________________
Secretary-Treasurer
June 20, 2016
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