BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
HELD MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2003, AT 7:30 P.M.
SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE
MINUTES
IN ATTENDANCE
C. Denesiuk, Chair
D. E. Jamieson, Vice Chair
K. Lindstrom, Trustee
L. Little, Trustee
G. Manning, 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
D. Burgoyne, District Principal
J. Haddrell, Vice Principal, Princess Margaret Secondary School
1.0
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Denesiuk welcomed district staff, guests, and representatives of the media.
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION: Little/Manning that the agenda be approved as amended.
CARRIED
3.0
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
3.1
Gauss Mathematics Competition
Congratulations were extended to this year’s winners from our school district, Jesse
Anderson and Benjamin Zhang, who each achieved a perfect score of 150 on the Gauss
Mathematics Contest sponsored by the Centre for Education in Mathematics and
Computing at the University of Waterloo. Jesse was one of 81 grade 7 students who
received a perfect score in the contest in which over 19,000 students participated and
Benjamin was one of 150 grade 8 students achieving a perfect score from over 18,000
participants. This was the second year that Benjamin received a perfect score in the
contest.
The students attended the meeting to receive recognition for their
achievements.
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Page 2
3.2
McNicoll Park Middle School
Students Karly Drabot and Sam Hockney, grade 8 students from McNicoll Park Middle
School, provided highlights of life in the new middle school in the first month. They were
accompanied by Principal Don MacIntyre and Vice Principal Tom Schimmer.
3.3
Summerland Secondary School
Summerland Secondary School teachers Linda Beavan and Saundra Priester presented
a multi-media presentation of the 2003 Shakespeare Festival held at the school and
advised the 2004 festival will be held May 12 to 15. Approximately 200 to 300 students
are expected to attend the festival.
3.4
KVR Middle School
Brian Rutherford, a teacher at KVR Middle School, reviewed details related to a special
math science program at KVR Middle School.
4.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
5.0
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
6.0
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – October 6, 2003
Van Alphen/Little that the minutes of the regular meeting held on September 8, 2003
be approved.
CARRIED
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETING
The secretary-treasurer reported on the closed meeting held on September 8, 2003:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.0
received correspondence regarding personnel matters;
received a report from the finance and management committee;
approved teaching, excluded and CUPE staff changes;
received information regarding personnel issues;
approved a request for participation in a deferred salary leave plan;
received information related to a BCPSEA meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter from B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union
A letter from B.C. Government and Services Employees’ Union regarding new research
on the links between increased availability of alcohol and crime.
7.2
Copy of Letter to the Minister of Education
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 34 (Abbotsford) to the Minister of
Education expressing concerns about the current legislation regarding the education for
non-landed immigrant status students.
7.3
Copy of Letter to the Ministry of Skills Development and Labour
A copy of a letter forwarded by the British Columbia School Trustees Association to Don
Wright, c/o Ministry of Skills Development and Labour regarding the terms of reference
for review of teacher bargaining structures.
MOTION:
Jamieson/Lindstrom that the correspondence be received.
CARRIED
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8.0
Page 3
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – October 6, 2003
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
8.1
Education Committee
Trustee Manning reported on the education committee meeting held on September 9,
2003:
a.
South Okanagan Similkameen ECOmmunity Initiative
Peter Ord, representing the South Okanagan Similkameen ECOommunity initiative,
presented a proposal to centralize educational resources for environmental
conservation and highlight the ecological resources in the South Okanagan. The
school district was invited to be a partner in the project along with the South
Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program, the En’owkin Centre, the City of
Penticton, and the Penticton Museum.
MOTION:
b.
Education and Human Resources: Duties and Responsibilities
The changes in the duties and responsibilities for district staff for the 2003-04
school year were presented and discussed. The changes occurred primarily as a
result of the change to the district staff structure and personnel.
c.
Superintendent’s Goals for 2003-04
The superintendent presented the objectives and activities related to two goals:
improve student achievement of all students; and enhance communication and
access.
d.
Research Proposals
The committee discussed and approved research projects for the following
teachers: Mike Braid, Princess Margaret Secondary; Stacey Kemp, Wiltse
Elementary; Katherine Ann Stennes, McNicoll Park Middle; and Mary Toots,
Giant’s Head Elementary.
e.
2003-04 Meeting Schedule
The schedule for the 2003-04 education committee meetings was provided and
approved.
MOTION:
8.2
Manning/Little that the Board of School Trustees support this initiative
in principle.
CARRIED
Manning/Lindstrom 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
October 1, 2003:
a.
Financial Statements
Mr. John McGraw, a partner with the school district’s financial auditors, BDO
Dunwoody, attended the meeting. Mr. McGraw reviewed the audit of the 2002-03
financial year and the financial statements. The committee was advised the school
district’s finances were well managed and the financial statements were issued
without qualification. Some changes from last year in the statement format and
detail were reviewed.
b.
Auditor General
The district was previously offered an opportunity to make a submission regarding
planned changes in school district financial reports. A submission will not be
prepared for this review.
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
c.
Little/Van Alphen that the report of the finance and management
committee be received.
CARRIED
Buildings, Grounds, Safety and Transportation Committee
Trustee Jamieson reported on the buildings, grounds, safety and transportation
committee meeting held on October 1, 2003:
a.
2004-05 Capital Building Program
The secretary-treasurer distributed and reviewed enrolment forecasts proposed to
be included in the 2004-05 capital building program. It was noted the Ministry of
Education forecasts for the period 2003 to 2012 have been reduced from last
year’s capital plan but appear to be reasonable. The secretary-treasurer proposed
that the 2004-05 capital plan continues to include a new elementary school for the
Summerland community. Following discussion,
MOTION:
b.
Jamieson/Little that the 2004-05 capital plan in the amount of
$4,519,828 be approved.
CARRIED
Penticton Secondary School
The secretary-treasurer updated the committee regarding Penticton Secondary
School reconstruction. The district is currently reviewing the hiring of architectural
and other services for the project. We are planning for the first committee meeting
for this project to be held this month.
MOTION:
9.0
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – October 6, 2003
Notional Funding
The committee discussed a number of issues regarding notional funding. The
Ministry of Education has developed a draft format to communicate funding
information. It was noted their format will require modification. The district has
been advised we must operate with a notional funding system this year. Staff
suggested that the work related to this new process might be minimized if we allow
operational practices to be developed first in a few other districts.
MOTION:
8.3
Page 4
Jamieson/Van Alphen that the report of the buildings, grounds, safety
and transportation committee be received.
CARRIED
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
Penticton Secondary School Reconstruction Committee
The secretary-treasurer reported that in response to letters sent to partner groups
requesting representatives for the Penticton Secondary School Reconstruction
Committee, only two representatives remain to be selected. The first meeting of the
committee will be held October 15 with the prime focus of the meeting being to develop
various options for the Penticton Secondary School property and to analyze these
options to find the most suitable option for the reconstruction of the school. Mr. Regehr
added the district has received 20 proposals for architectural services and a selection
process will be started later this week.
9.2
Financial Statements
Further to the report of the district audit and financial statements in the finance and
management committee, the secretary-treasurer noted the Ministry of Education changed
the format of this year’s statements. Trustees extended appreciation to Alicia Martin in
the accounting department for her initiatives and effort in assisting with the preparation of
the working papers and financial statements for the audit.
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
9.3
10.0
Page 5
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – October 6, 2003
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
For trustee information, the secretary-treasurer provided an update on recent information
regarding GAAP. It was noted that school transactions will in future be rolled up into the
district transactions and reported on the district’s financial statements. Additionally, these
transactions will need to be reported quarterly.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
Student Achievement
a. District Workgroups (Literacy, Numeracy and Social Responsibility)
i.
Literacy Initiatives
The superintendent of schools presented information related to the district
workgroups and indicated the first meeting was held on September 22, 2003 and
attended by 26 participants. Elementary, middle and secondary subcommittees
were established. A primary rep meeting will be held on October 7 to begin to
develop consensus on the performance indicator and method of tracking results,
a dinner meeting for sharing of promising elementary literacy programs is
scheduled for October 22, and an in-service with Sharon Jeroski is scheduled for
November 12 and 13.
ii. Numeracy Initiatives
The director of instruction reported the first meeting of the numeracy workgroup
was held on Monday, September 22, 2003 with 12 members in attendance.
Meetings with K-12 administrators to discuss numeracy and social
responsibilities are scheduled for October 8 for elementary, October 9 for middle,
and October 15 for secondary schools. A grade 3 representative meeting was
held on October 2 and a grade 5 representative meeting will be held at the end of
October. A grade 8 representative meeting was held on September 30 and the
secondary representative meeting will be held October 8. A breakfast meeting
for elementary and middle school administrators and members of the numeracy
workgroup, scheduled for October 29, 7:00 a.m., will discuss developing a school
culture around numeracy.
iii. Social Responsibility Initiatives
The assistant superintendent reported the same series of meetings were
scheduled for social responsibility initiatives and dates are being finalized for
elementary, middle and secondary rep meetings with the social responsibility
workgroups. Mr. Stigant added the workgroup is nearing the finalization of a
number of initiatives.
b. School Planning Council (SPC) Training
Superintendent Doi advised that school planning council training sessions have been
scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2003, 7:00 to 9:30 p.m., at Penticton Lakeside
Resort for elementary schools, and the following night, same time and place, for
middle and secondary schools. Trustees were encouraged to attend with their liaison
schools.
10.2
Communication and Access
a. Field Trips
The superintendent of schools reviewed a listing of field trip requests, some of which
had been approved by the superintendent.
MOTION:
Manning/Jamieson that a field trip request for one grade 12 student from
Summerland Secondary School to participate in a Canadian Red Cross
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Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – October 6, 2003
interactive workshop (Global Issues Symposium) to help understand life
in a war-torn country on November 8 to 11, 2003 be approved.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Little/Van Alphen that the following field trip requests be approved in
principle:
•
•
March 2005, for 35 grade 10 to 12 students from Summerland
Secondary School to travel to Italy;
December 27, 2003 to January 2, 2004, for 15 senior boys basket
players from Princess Margaret Secondary to participate in a
tournament in San Diego, California.
CARRIED
b. Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) Results
Superintendent Doi reported the Foundation Skills Assessment results have been
received and will be provided to the literacy and numeracy committees for review.
The information will be included in the district progress report due at the end of
October. Each school will also look at their school information.
c. SD67 Alumni Project
Mr. Doi advised a committee will be established to develop a process for identifying
and recognizing (on an annual basis) some of the prominent alumni who attended
schools in the school district. Trustee reps, secondary school reps, executive
assistant, and the superintendent will serve on the committee.
d. Partners’ Meeting
It was noted that thirty-five participants attended the planning and goal setting
meeting on September 24, 2003 and received information and provided feedback on
a wide range of topics (student achievement, communication, access and
opportunity). The next session is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, March 10,
2004.
10.3
Other Items
a. Enrolment
The assistant superintendent summarized an enrolment report as of September 30,
2003 which indicated enrolment is 7,482 students, 314 fewer students compared to
the same period last year. Mr. Stigant noted the district is currently 49 students less
than the district’s projection.
11.0
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
12.0
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
13.0
INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1
BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting
The BCSTA Provincial Council meeting will be held October 30 to November 1, 2003 in
Vancouver. It was noted Trustee Little will attend.
13.2
BCSTA Okanagan Branch Meeting
Trustees reported regarding their attendance at the BCSTA Okanagan Branch meeting
held September 26 and 27, 2003 in Revelstoke, which included presentations related to
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Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – October 6, 2003
the skiing accident near Revelstoke, disaster plans associated with the Okanagan
Mountain fire, Ministry of Education information, and entertainment by students.
13.3
14.0
Date of Next Meeting
• November 3, 2003, Regular Meeting, School Board Office
TRUSTEE COMMENTS
14.1
Trustee Comments
Trustees provided general comments related to district activities including a presentation
by Trustee Van Alphen regarding her attendance at the Okanagan University College
Advisory Conference.
This report is available in the trustee reading file.
In
acknowledging the previous day as International Teachers’ Day, trustees recognized and
extended appreciation to teachers in the district for their excellent work, enthusiasm, and
dedication to helping students.
14.2
Recognition of Student Success
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) extended congratulations to the students and
groups for outstanding examples of success listed on the recognition sheet included with
the agenda package.
14.3
Recognition of Student Artwork
Congratulations were extended to the following students from KVR Middle School for
their artwork currently on display at the school board office:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
15.0
Steven Rennhack
Misha Noble-Hearle
Mike Westfall
Mura Kita
Alex Fladager
Megan Berry
Navjot Saimbi
Lindsay King
Laura Rybak
Lisa McPherson
Tia Vincent
Sanya Hadzi-Nikolova
Grade 6
Grade 6
Grade 6
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 7
Grade 7
Grade 7
Grade 8
Grade 8
Grade 8
Grade 8
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Manning/Little that the meeting be adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
CARRIED
16.0
QUESTION PERIOD
____________________
Chairperson
____________________
Secretary-Treasurer
October 15, 2003
Ref: H:\DA\2003-2004\00100 - 00999 Admin\00300-05 Minutes Open\031006 OP.doc
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