BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, MAY 12, 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
K. Allison, Principal, West Bench Elementary School
R. McIntosh, Principal, Uplands Elementary School
1.0
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Denesiuk welcomed students, parents, district staff, guests and representatives of the
media. Prior to the meeting, Ms. Denesiuk acknowledged the loss of a teacher, Linda Corrao, at
KVR Middle School and extended deepest sympathy to the family and friends.
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION: Little/Shunter that the agenda and addendum be adopted.
CARRIED
3.0
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
3.1
West Bench Elementary School
Lauren Hatchard, Emily Cowling, Kate Bezugley, Jenna Prowse, and Tiffany Robinson,
grade 4 and 5 students in Dan Major’s Guitar Club at West Bench Elementary School,
performed two songs from the West Bench Spring Showcase. Trustees expressed
congratulations to the students on their accomplishments and talent and extended
appreciation for the performance.
3.2
Skills Canada – 2002-03 Results
Skills Canada is a national, not-for-profit organization that works with employers,
educators, labour and government to reposition trade and technical careers as a first
choice career option for Canadian youth. David Kalaski, a teacher at Penticton
Secondary School, provided a brief overview of the Skills Canada competition and
“Working Together for Student Success”
http://sd67.bc.ca
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 2
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – May 12, 2003
student successes. Brian Rutherford and Lindsay Langill, teachers at KVR Middle and
Skaha Lake Middle school respectively, attended with the gold medal winning team in the
B.C. Junior Skills Competition, KVR Middle School students, Heather Filek, Andrew
Lund, and Andrew Shongrunden. The students presented their winning project and
described their experiences in the first annual Junior Skills Competition.
Trustees extended congratulations to the students and appreciation for the support of
staff in helping the students to achieve their goals.
3.3
4.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
4.1
4.2
5.0
Queen’s Park Elementary School
Queen’s Park Elementary School is one of 10 schools in B.C. to have been awarded a
$5,000 grant provided by the Society for the Advancement of Excellence in Education
(SAFE), a non-profit Canadian education research agency, for their proposal to boost
students’ literacy and numeracy skills. A copy of the school’s proposal was circulated
with the agenda package. Principal Dennis Stolen outlined plans for the second part of
the proposal due in December 2003 and described the ten initiatives used in the
proposal.
Community Recognition
The Board of School Trustees recognized and thanked representatives from the following
service organizations and companies for their contributions to the school district:
•
Deborah O’Mara, Executive Manager, Community Foundation of the South
Okanagan, for their donation of $2,242 towards the “Baby, Think It Over”
Program. Dana Kocsis, a teacher at Penticton Secondary School, demonstrated
the baby used in the program.
•
Daphne Adey, representing the Kinette Club of Penticton, for bringing the “Kids
on the Block” to 11 elementary schools. The “Kids on the Block” is a troupe of
near life-size puppets disabled and non-disabled discussing disabilities in an
open, frank and sometimes humorous fashion.
•
Telus Community Connections, for their donation of “Back to School Kits” (quality
back packs with school supplies) distributed to students in grades 4 to 6 at
Queen’s Park, Parkway, and Nkwala Elementary schools.
Penticton Secondary School Bursary and Scholarship Foundation
Ms. Bernice Greig, Chair, reported on activities of the Penticton Secondary School
Bursary and Scholarship Foundation which began in 1985 with the first award of $1,000.
This year $56,000 will be presented in awards to Penticton Secondary School students.
Ms. Greig noted $430,000 has been distributed over the past 18 years, the average rate
of return for the funds invested is just under 5%, and plans are underway to set up a joint
committee to establish ways to distribute funds to Princess Margaret Secondary School
students as well as students from Penticton Secondary School.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
Little/Lindstrom that the minutes of the regular meeting held on April 14, 2003 and
special meeting held on April 28, 2003 be approved.
CARRIED
“Working Together for Student Success”
http://sd67.bc.ca
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
6.0
Page 3
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – May 12, 2003
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETING
The secretary-treasurer reported on the closed regular meeting held on April 28, 2003:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
7.0
received correspondence related to students and personnel matters;
received a report from the finance and management committee;
approved personnel matters;
received a report from the buildings, grounds, safety and transportation committee and
discipline committee;
confirmed teaching and CUPE staff changes and accepted a letter of resignation;
approved principal and vice principal appointments and transfers;
received a report from a British Columbia Public School Employers Association.
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter from Canadian Cancer Society
A letter from the Canadian Cancer Society – BC and Yukon Division urging the school
district to adopt a complete ban on cosmetic pesticides.
7.2
Letter from Okanagan Skaha Teachers’ Union
A letter from the Okanagan Skaha Teachers’ Union asking that the school district request
the provincial government to abide by international standards and implement the
recommendations of the International Labour Organization.
7.3
Copy of Letter to Minister of Finance
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 39 (Vancouver) to the Minister of
Finance in response to the Ministry of Finance’s announcement that the Seismic
Mitigation Pilot Program will end in 2003.
7.4
Copy of Letter to Minister of Finance
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) expressing the board’s
concerns about the end of the Seismic Mitigation Program.
7.5
Copy of Letter to Minister of Education
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) to the Minister of
Education expressing the board’s opposition to the Ministry’s decision to under fund the
school district and calling for the resignation of the Minister of Education due to this
underfunding.
7.6
Copy of Letter to Minister of Children and Family Development
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 41 (Burnaby) to the Minister of
Children and Family Development requesting that future decisions concerning funding of
school-based programs be communicated to the district prior to being released to the
media.
MOTION:
8.0
Shunter/Lindstrom that the correspondence be received and referred to the
appropriate committees.
CARRIED
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
8.1
Education Committee
Trustee Shunter reported on the education committee meeting held on May 6, 2003:
a.
Guidelines for Special Needs Students Taking Distance Education
The committee reviewed information about the proposed Ministry guidelines for
special needs students interested in enrolling in a distance education program.
“Working Together for Student Success”
http://sd67.bc.ca
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 4
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – May 12, 2003
The Home Learners’ Program in SD No. 67 would be subject to the new
guidelines when they are adopted by the Ministry of Education. The school
board would be required to have a policy that addresses roles and
responsibilities, including custodial care, for a student engaged in a distance
electronic program.
b.
Changes to the Graduation Program and Graduation Requirements
Committee members were provided with information regarding proposed
changes to the graduation program and graduation requirements which included
adding grade 10 to the graduation program, the graduation portfolio assessment,
locally developed courses, focus areas, increasing student choice, curriculum
changes, and school completion certificates.
c.
French Immersion
Committee members received information regarding the registration process
used for grade 6 French Immersion classes at KVR Middle School and were
advised that 93 students are registered for September 2003.
d.
Early Development Instrument (EDI)
Early Development Instrument surveys were completed for a second cohort of
kindergarten students in the district. The data will be analyzed at the Human
Early Learning Partnership (HELP) Centre at UBC. The results will be made
available to the district and agencies that provide services to address the needs
of children from birth to age five.
e.
Field Trip Proposal – Summerland Secondary Student Volunteer Project
The committee received information regarding a field trip to Costa Rica for
students at Summerland Secondary School during spring break 2004. The
students would be involved in an international volunteer project organized by
Canada World Youth.
MOTION:
Shunter/Manning that the report of the education committee be received.
CARRIED
8.2
Policy Committee
It was noted the policy committee will meet on May 14, 2003 regarding a school closure
policy.
8.3
Curriculum Development Advisory Committee
Trustee Little reviewed changes to locally developed course proposals for Penticton
Secondary School discussed at the January 9, 2003 committee meeting.
MOTION:
Little/Shunter that the following locally developed courses for Penticton
Secondary School be approved:
•
•
•
•
•
•
9.0
Career Preparation Fitness 11 – CPFTN 11
Career Preparation Wood Products Manufacturing 11B – CPWPM 11
Career Preparation Metal Fabrication 11B – CRMF 11B
Career Preparation Automotive Mechanics 11B – CPAMX 11B
Career Preparation Peer Tutoring 11 – CPPTU 12
Career Preparation Computer Animation 12 – CPCAN 12
CARRIED
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
McNicoll Park Middle School
The director of maintenance reported there will be a public tender opening on May 15th
for the multipurpose room renovations at McNicoll Park Middle School. A design for
“Working Together for Student Success”
http://sd67.bc.ca
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 5
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – May 12, 2003
renovations to the main entry at the school is in progress and plans are being reviewed
for a new drama room. It was added funds have been allocated in the 2003-04 budget
for the purchase of equipment for the school.
9.2
Princess Margaret Secondary School Official Opening
The secretary-treasurer reported plans are currently underway for the official opening of
Princess Margaret Secondary School to be held on June 3, 2003. Mayor Perry and MLA
Bill Barisoff will participate as well as students from the school.
9.3
Community Access Program
The assistant secretary-treasurer provided an update regarding the Community Access
Program and CAP Youth Initiatives 2002-03. The CAP Program is designed to allow
Canadian citizens access to the Internet by providing public places for citizens to use
computers. Mr. Shongrunden added School District No. 67 is the only district in the
province considered to be a regional CAP centre and through this program the district
has received a CAP grant of $75,000 and an additional CAP youth initiative grant of
approximately $9,000 to employ 13 students between three secondary schools to
perform tasks such as technical support for the nine individual sites, website design, and
customer service. Students are working at sites at Leir House, Summerland Adult
Learning Centre, Penticton Assets for Youth, Instructional Media Centre, Penticton Indian
Band, Open Door Centre, and Seniors Drop-In Centre, to name a view.
Appreciation was extended to David Kalaski for his assistance in carrying out the project
and to Mr. Shongrunden for his efforts in acquiring the funding through the CAP Program.
10.0
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
District Goals
a. Literacy
Director of Instruction Walbergs was not available to provide an update on the
literacy workgroup. Information will be provided at the June board meeting.
b. Numeracy
Director of Instruction Schafer reported three meetings will be held next week with
sub groups and discussions are underway related to in-service opportunities for math
teachers.
c. Social Responsibility
In providing an update on the social responsibility workgroup, Assistant
Superintendent Stigant reported the district hosted a workshop on restitution for over
75 teachers and administrators. Feedback from the workshop was positive.
10.2
Enrolment
The assistant superintendent reported on enrolment as of April 30, 2003, which indicates
a current enrolment of 7,678 students in the district or 7,316.62 FTE.
MOTION:
Lindstrom/Van Alphen that the enrolment report be received.
CARRIED
10.3
Kindergarten Registration
Director of Instruction Schafer noted that kindergarten registration for September 2003 is
currently 80 students lower than at this time last year. Parents are reminded that children
who are born in 1998 are eligible to enter kindergarten in September 2003 and are
encouraged to register their children at their neighbourhood school as soon as possible.
“Working Together for Student Success”
http://sd67.bc.ca
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
10.4
Page 6
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – May 12, 2003
Field Trips
The superintendent of schools reviewed a listing of field trip requests, some of which had
been approved by the superintendent.
MOTION:
Shunter/Manning that the following field trip request be approved:
•
May 21 to 24, 2003, for 74 grade 8 students from KVR Middle School to
travel to Edmonton, Alberta, for a spring band tour; and
That the following field trip requests be approved in principle:
•
•
•
10.5
School Calendar
The assistant superintendent reported that at the March 10 and April 14, 2003 school
board meetings, notice was served that a local calendar would be considered by the
Board for adoption by May 31. The proposed local calendar has been circulated to
parents and employee groups pursuant to the school calendar regulation. It was noted
that the calendar provides for summer professional development and that a two-week
spring break will occur as a result of teachers’ professional days, normally taken
throughout the school year, being taken in August prior to the beginning of the school
year. For 2003-04, School District No. 67 schools will be closed on October 10,
November 10, December 19, 2003 and January 5, 2004 and a non instructional day will
be held on April 23, 2004. It was further noted that no concerns have been raised by
parent advisory councils or parents regarding the proposed calendar.
MOTION:
10.6
September 27 to October 5, 2003, for 24 grade 10 students from
Summerland Secondary School to participate in a social studies
exchange in Midland, Ontario;
December 17 to 21, 2003, for 35 grade 10 to 12 basketball students from
Summerland Secondary School to compete in a basketball tournament in
Seattle, Washington; and
during spring break 2004, for 25 Summerland Secondary School
students to travel to Costa Rica to participate in an international
volunteer project organized through Canada World Youth.
CARRIED
Little/Lindstrom that the 2003-04 school calendar for the district be approved.
CARRIED
Secondary School Student Charges
Policy No. 203 requires that student fees be reviewed and reported to the Board on an
annual basis. The assistant superintendent provided a recommendation for charges for
the 2003-04 school year at the meeting. Following discussion,
MOTION:
Little/Van Alphen that the following charges be approved for the 2003-04
school year:
•
•
•
A student activity charge of $30.00 per secondary student and $15.00
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 secondary
student per year and $15.00 per student per year for middle school
students;
Schools are authorized to establish a schedule of user-pay team fees
and/or uniform charges to support extracurricular activities in the school;
and
“Working Together for Student Success”
http://sd67.bc.ca
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 7
•
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
10.7
Deputy Minister’s Meeting
The superintendent of schools provided information related to a meeting with the Deputy
Minister held in Richmond on May 8 and 9, 2003. Topics included the status of the task
force related to rural education and achievement, the auditor general’s audit proposal,
social responsibility survey, an international conference, school choice, supervision,
standards for accountability, finance and capital, and the focus on leadership, learning
and student achievement.
10.8
Penticton Secondary School Conference
As a follow-up to the presentation at last month’s meeting, the superintendent of schools
showed a short news clip featured on the CHBC-TV evening news regarding the one-day
conference held on May 6, 2003. The conference was well organized by Penticton
Secondary School students and received favorable comments from those attending.
11.0
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
12.0
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
12.1
13.0
14.0
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – May 12, 2003
Trustee Liaison Appointments
Trustees discussed and confirmed that current school liaison appointments would be
extended for the 2003-04 school year.
INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1
British Columbia School Trustees Association Annual General Meeting
Trustees reported on their attendance at the BCSTA AGM held April 24 to 27, 2003 in
Kamloops, and commented on workshops, speakers and seminars held at the AGM.
Chairman Denesiuk was congratulated on her election as a director to the BCSTA Board
of Directors.
13.2
BCSTA Okanagan Branch Meeting
Trustees reported on their attendance at the BCSTA Okanagan Branch meeting held on
April 26, 2003 in Kamloops, which included the election of officers for the branch.
13.3
Date of Next Meeting
• June 9, 2003
Regular Meeting, School Board Office
TRUSTEE COMMENTS
14.1
Trustee Comments
Trustees provided general comments related to district activities.
14.2
Recognition of Student Success
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) extended congratulations to the following
students and groups for the 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 Wiltse Elementary School
for their artwork currently on display at the school board office:
“Working Together for Student Success”
http://sd67.bc.ca
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
15.0
Page 8
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – May 12, 2003
Sydney Donkin
Ajeet Brar
Connor Nicol
Nicole Donkin
Carli Manitoski
Adam Milanovic
Jansen Jurgens
Sophie Mahon
Matt MacLean
Kindergarten
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 3
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 4
Grade 5
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Manning/Jamieson that the meeting be adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
CARRIED
16.0
QUESTION PERIOD
____________________
Chairperson
____________________
Secretary-Treasurer
May 20, 2003
Ref: H:\DA\2002-2003\00100 - 00999 Admin\00300-03 Agenda Open\030512 OP.doc
“Working Together for Student Success”
http://sd67.bc.ca