BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
HELD MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 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
D. Shunter, Trustee
L. Van Alphen, Trustee
G. Doi, Superintendent of Schools
R. Shongrunden, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
D. Stigant, Assistant Superintendent
G. Schafer, Director of Instruction
J. Hickling, Director of Maintenance
D. Adey, Executive Secretary
C. Bowles, Principal, Kaleden Elementary School
L. Hauptman, Principal, Summerland Middle School
1.0
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Denesiuk welcomed district staff, guests, and representatives of the media.
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION: Little/Shunter that the agenda and addendum be approved.
CARRIED
3.0
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
3.1
Princess Margaret Secondary School
Students Shane Mottishaw and Bryce Munro from Princess Margaret Secondary School
presented highlights of their recent trip to Tokyo and Ikeda, Japan. The students were part
of a group of Princess Margaret and Penticton Secondary students who participated in a
reciprocal field trip exchange with students from Ikeda senior secondary schools. They
performed at the wine festival in Ikeda and all students were involved in home stays in rural
Ikeda.
Following a number of questions, appreciation was extended to the students for their
presentation.
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4.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
5.0
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
6.0
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – November 3, 2003
Jamieson/Van Alphen that the minutes of the regular meeting held on October 6,
2003 be approved.
CARRIED
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETING
The assistant secretary-treasurer reported on the closed meeting held on October 6, 2003:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
7.0
received correspondence regarding personnel matters;
received reports from the finance and management committee and buildings, grounds,
safety and transportation committee;
approved personnel items;
approved teaching, excluded and CUPE staff changes;
received information regarding personnel issues;
received information regarding a proposed meeting with City of Penticton;
received information regarding a rental;
approved teacher leave requests;
received information regarding student suspensions;
received information regarding a meeting with the deputy minister of education;
received a presentation from representatives of the Okanagan Skaha Teachers’ Union;
received information regarding a meeting with Penticton RCMP;
received information regarding the class size report;
received information and approved a personnel matter;
received information related to a BCPSEA meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter from Volunteer Parent Advocacy Steering Committee
A letter from the district’s volunteer parent advocacy steering committee advising of
changes to the Volunteer Advocacy Project.
7.2
Letter from School District No. 39 (Vancouver)
A letter forwarded by the School District No. 39 (Vancouver) expressing support and
admiration for the school district’s commitment to education after dealing with the
catastrophe of this past summer’s forest fires.
7.3
Letter from Citizen
A letter from a citizen, Lorraine Evans, regarding the “Alumni Project”.
7.4
Copy of Brief to Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services
A copy of the brief forwarded by the Okanagan Skaha Teachers’ Union to the BC
government’s select standing committee on finance and government services is available in
the trustee reading file.
7.5
Copy of Letter to Minister
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 36 (Surrey) to the Minister of Education
regarding their desire to improve communications between the Minister of Education and
their Board.
7.6
Letter from Canadian Parents for French
A letter from Canadian Parents for French seeking formal support of the school district for
their recommendations on federal French funding in British Columbia.
The
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Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – November 3, 2003
recommendations are contained in a brief to the federal and provincial governments, which
is available in the trustee reading file.
7.7
Letter from Citizens
A letter from citizens Jack and Barbara Sevy, regarding the impressive acoustics in the
Penticton Secondary auditorium and requesting that if the auditorium must be changed, a
“gentle touch” be used.
7.8
Copy of Letter to Interior Health Authority
A copy of a letter forwarded by the Ministry of Health Planning to the Interior Health
Authority appointing Dr. Bill Moorehead as the school medical officer for the school district.
MOTION:
8.0
Shunter/Little that the correspondence be received, a letter of appreciation be
forwarded to the Volunteer Parent Advocacy Steering Committee, the letter
from Lorraine Evans be referred to the education committee, and the letter
from Jack and Barbara Sevy be referred to the Penticton Secondary School
reconstruction committee.
CARRIED
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
8.1
Education Committee
Trustee Shunter reported on the education committee meeting held on October 28, 2003:
a.
District Progress Report
The superintendent presented the 2003-04 District Progress Report which outlined
the district’s commitment to improving student achievement. The report was
presented as a “work-in-progress” which will be updated throughout the year. It
included a workplan for the three goals of literacy, numeracy and social responsibility
as well as student achievement data in the areas of intellectual, human/social and
career development.
MOTION:
Shunter/Lindstrom that the 2003-04 District Progress Report (October
edition) be submitted to the Ministry of Education.
CARRIED
b. English as a Second Dialect
Assistant Superintendent Dave Stigant informed the Board of a new initiative to
provide services to students who qualify for funding as “English as a Second Dialect”.
c. District Scholarship Restructuring
The secondary schools submitted a revision to the district scholarship process which
would have:
•
•
•
Awards distributed to each school based on population and the “wild card”
awards being rotated between schools.
Each school’s selection committee consisting of specialty area teachers,
career programs staff, school administrator, counselor, liaison trustee and
district administrator.
The selection committee meeting shortly after the May 30th application
deadline to select the winners.
MOTION:
Shunter/Manning that approval be granted to proceed on this basis with
the option to review the procedures if necessary.
CARRIED
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Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – November 3, 2003
d. Class Size Report
The Board received the class size report that was previously circulated in draft form.
No changes had been made to the earlier draft.
MOTION:
MOTION:
8.2
Shunter/Little that the Board submit the report to the Minister before
October 30 declaring that it is in compliance with the class size averages
and maximums as provided in Section 76.1 of the School Act.
CARRIED
Shunter/Lindstrom that the report of the education committee be received.
CARRIED
Curriculum Development Advisory Committee
Trustee Little provided information regarding the curriculum development advisory
committee meeting held on October 29, 2003:
a. Selection of Chairperson
The assistant superintendent chaired the meeting and called for nominations for
chairperson of the committee. This decision was tabled to the next meeting.
b. CDAC Procedures Book
Mr. Stigant reminded members that the procedures handbook is available on the
school district website. Hard copies of the booklet are no longer printed.
c. Locally Developed Courses and/or Proposals
A listing of locally developed course proposals and/or course name changes for
Princess Margaret Secondary was reviewed.
MOTION:
Little/Lindstrom that the Board approve in principle the following courses
as locally developed courses for secondary students in School District
No. 67:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
L/D Strength and Conditioning 11 (XSCD11)
L/D Strength and Conditioning 12 (XSCD12)
L/D Female Fitness for Life 11 (XFIT11)
L/D Female Fitness for Life 12 (XFIT12)
L/D Hockey Skills Academy 11 (XHSA11)
C/P Adventure Tourism (two credits)
C/P Superfit (two credits)
C/P Wood (two credits)
C/P Computers (two credits)
C/P Multimedia (two credits)
L/D Hockey Skills Academy 10 (XHSA10)
CARRIED
It was noted that detailed course outlines will be prepared for consideration at the
next curriculum development advisory committee meeting.
d. Learning Resources
The committee reviewed and recommended a number of learning resources.
MOTION:
Little/Van Alphen that the Board approve for use at West Bench
Elementary and McNicoll Park Middle schools for 2003 to 2005 the “Math
to the Max” program.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Little/Manning that the Board approve the use of the Pearson Education
“Math Makes Sense” program as a pilot project at Naramata Elementary
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Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – November 3, 2003
School for 2003 to 2005 and that Naramata Elementary School report to
the numeracy workgroup sub-committee in the fall of 2004 on their
progress with this pilot program.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Little/Shunter that the Board approve the use of the ICBC video “Clicking
In: Our Future’s Riding on It” for use in kindergarten through grade 3 in
the district’s schools.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Little/Jamieson that the Board approve the use of the Nelson’s
Mathematics Western Edition for grades 1 to 4 at Parkway, Queen’s
Park and Columbia Elementary schools and that these schools report
their progress to the numeracy workgroup sub-committee in the fall of
2004.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Little/Shunter that the Board approve the use of the resource “Teasing
and Bullying: Unacceptable Behaviour – The TAB Program, by Marilyn
Langevin” as a teacher resource in School District No. 67 elementary (K
to 5) schools, recommended for grades 4 and 5 and adapted for K to 3.
CARRIED
MOTION:
9.0
Little/Van Alphen that the report of the curriculum development advisory
committee be received.
CARRIED
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
Penticton Secondary School Reconstruction Committee
The director of maintenance reported the first meeting of the Penticton Secondary School
Reconstruction Committee was held on October 15, 2003. Committee members include:
Trustee Pennie Jamieson; Secretary-Treasurer Frank Regehr; Director of Maintenance
John Hickling; Superintendent Gary Doi; Assistant Superintendent Dave Stigant; School
Principal Pete Corcoran; Brian Allanson, representing teachers; Danny Ming, representing
students; Rory McIvor, representing the City of Penticton; Eileen Brent, as a member of the
public; Brenda Wall, representing the parent advisory council; and Rob Forbes,
representing CUPE. The committee was presented with the background to the project
approval and an overview of what the next phases of the project will be. Timelines for the
project were discussed with a goal established for a September 2006 opening for the
reconstructed school. Mr. Hickling added that on October 17, 2003, the combined
architectural firms of Killick Metz Bowen Rose of Vancouver and Bevanda Architecture of
Penticton were selected to provide services for phase 1 of the feasibility study for this
project. The next committee meeting is scheduled for November 6.
9.2
Financial Report
The assistant secretary-treasurer reviewed the financial report to September 30, 2003
provided in the agenda package, which now appears different as a number of the accounts
have been amalgamated. Mr. Shongrunden noted that the total amounts are in line with
the budget for the end of September.
9.3
Cisco Growing with Technology Award
School District No. 67 was recently recognized with the grand prize in the Innovators in
Nonprofit/Public Sector category of the Cisco Growing with Technology Awards. A copy of
the media release issued by Cisco was provided in the agenda package. The assistant
secretary-treasurer reported over 10,000 applications were received for five awards offered
by Cisco and the school district was one of 450 in the final round of judging. Some of the
criteria used in judging the awards included: the vision, risk undertaken, involvement of
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Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – November 3, 2003
partners, innovation, a sense of community and cost savings. Mr. Shongrunden and
technician Danny Francisco attended the dinner in San Francisco. The recognition
includes $25,000 US worth of Cisco networking equipment and one complimentary Cisco
networking assessment and consultation valued at $3,000.
Trustees extended congratulations to Mr. Shongrunden, Mr. Francisco, and the technology
team for their efforts and contribution to the district’s technology.
10.0
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1 Student Achievement
a. District Progress Report
The superintendent of schools highlighted various aspects of the 2003-04 District
Progress Report. The report reflects the work of the district workgroups (literacy,
numeracy and social responsibility) and the schools’ efforts to improve achievement for
all students. The report also highlights the alumni project to feature some of our
prominent alumni. The full report will be available on the school district’s website
(www.sd67.bc.ca) and has been submitted to the Ministry of Education.
b. Early Development Instrument (EDI)
The director of instruction provided information on an upcoming meeting to be held
Friday, November 21, 10:00 a.m., on the results of the EDI survey. Dr. Clyde
Hertzman from the University of British Columbia is the person in charge of this soon to
be province-wide initiative. Aggregated data from the two surveys conducted on
kindergarten students in September 2001 and 2003 is now available for dissemination
to the school district and to the community at large. The survey is attempting to find
factors in our area and across the province to identify readiness skills for kindergarten
students. Kindergarten teachers, principals, community representatives and the media
are invited to attend.
10.2 Communication and Access
a. Field Trips
Following the superintendent’s review of one field trip request,
MOTION:
Little/Shunter that the Board approves in principle a field trip request for
March 12 to 26, 2004, for 36 junior girls and senior boys volleyball players
from Princess Margaret Secondary School as well as photography club
students to travel to Hawaii to participate in a tournament.
CARRIED
b. Class Size Report
The assistant superintendent advised that as required under Section 6 of the class size
regulation, information has been made public on the class size averages and
maximums in the district. Copies of the report have been distributed to parent advisory
chairs, to schools for parent information, to CUPE and OSTU, and to the Ministry of
Education. Mr. Stigant reviewed the average class sizes for this year compared to last
year and advised the school district has complied with the September 30, 2003
provincial class size regulations.
10.3 Other Items
a. Enrolment
Assistant Superintendent Stigant reviewed a report on enrolment as of October 31,
2003, which indicates a total enrolment of 7,519 students. Mr. Stigant added the
Ministry’s September 30th report indicates 7,211.49 FTE, which is lower than expected.
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11.0
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
12.0
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
13.0
INFORMATION ITEMS
14.0
13.1
BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting
Trustee Little reported regarding his attendance at the British Columbia School Trustees
Association Provincial Council meeting held October 30 to November 1, 2003 in
Vancouver. Highlights included information regarding BC College of Teachers, an
overview on the 2004 graduation program, an update from the Deputy Minister of
Education, and a number of motions.
13.3
BCSTA Trustees Academy
The BCSTA Trustees Academy entitled “Performance Standards for School Board
Success” will be held December 4 to 7, 2003 in Vancouver.
13.3
Date of Next Meeting
• December 8, 2003, Inaugural and Regular Meetings, School Board Office
TRUSTEE COMMENTS
14.1
Trustee Comments
Trustees provided general comments related to district activities. It was noted the
Penticton Secondary School Bursary and Scholarship Foundation’s annual general
meeting will be held on Wednesday of this week.
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
Students from Skaha Lake Middle School were recognized for their artwork currently on
display at the school board office:
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•
•
•
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•
15.0
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – November 3, 2003
“Watercolors & Styrofoam Prints” – Grade 6
“Watercolors with PVC Glue” – Grade 7
“Photo Scratch” – Grade 7
“Xacto Cutouts” – Grade 8
“Scratch Art” – Grade 8
“Blow Up Art” – Grade 8
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Manning/Lindstrom that the meeting be adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
CARRIED
16.0
QUESTION PERIOD
____________________
Chairperson
____________________
Secretary-Treasurer
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