BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2004, 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
F. Regehr, Secretary-Treasurer
R. Shongrunden, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
D. Stigant, Assistant Superintendent
G. Schafer, Director of Instruction
J. Hickling, Director of Maintenance
D. Burgoyne, District Principal
D. Adey, Executive Secretary
E. Woodd, Vice Principal, Queen’s Park Elementary School
R. McIntosh, Principal, Uplands Elementary School
1.0
CALL TO ORDER
Prior to calling the meeting to order, a number of children from Nkwala Elementary School
presented valentines to the Board. Chairman Denesiuk thanked them for their presentation and
welcomed district staff, parents, students, and representatives of the media to the meeting.
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Little/Shunter that the agenda and addendum be approved.
CARRIED
3.0
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
4.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
4.1
Nkwala Elementary School Parents
Mr. Jim MacArthur, representing a delegation of parents from Nkwala Elementary School,
made a presentation to the Board regarding the possible closure of Nkwala Elementary at
the end of this school year. Mr. MacArthur raised general concerns about the feasibility
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – February 9, 2004
report for school closure and invited trustees to attend a meeting organized by parents on
February 19. Mr. MacArthur indicated that city officials had been invited to the meeting
as well.
Chairman Denesiuk thanked Mr. MacArthur for the presentation and advised the
information will be considered as part of the process in deciding whether or not the
school should be closed.
5.0
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
Jamieson/Manning that the minutes of the regular meeting held on January 12,
2004 be approved.
CARRIED
6.0
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETING
The secretary-treasurer reported on the closed meeting held on January 12, 2004:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.0
received a report from the discipline committee;
received information related to the development of the district’s 2004-05 annual budget;
received information related to a meeting between the Board and Penticton City Council;
approved teaching, excluded, and CUPE staff changes;
approved teacher leave requests;
received information regarding student suspensions.
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter from Citizen
A letter from a citizen, Gordon Guidi, requesting that if the Penticton Secondary School
auditorium is not included in the new school plan that it be retained.
7.2
Letter Regarding School Food and Nutrition Policy Project
A letter from Shannon Hansford, Coordinator, School Food and Nutrition Policy Project,
encouraging the school district to form a steering committee to develop a district-wide
school food and nutrition policy to help make their schools an environment in which
healthy choices are the easy choices.
7.3
Letter from the Auditor General of British Columbia
A letter from the Office of the Auditor General regarding the Financial Statement Audit
Coverage Plan for the three years from April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2007 and the audit
appointment process.
7.4
Letter from McNicoll Park, Uplands, Nkwala, and PSS PAC’s
A letter from Alison Reigh, on behalf of McNicoll Park, Uplands, Nkwala, and Penticton
Secondary parent advisory councils enclosing a copy of a letter forwarded to the City of
Penticton and requesting any encouragement that the school board could offer to the
City.
7.5
Copy of Letter to Premier
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 39 (Vancouver) to the Premier
expressing concerns about the impact the income assistance time limits scheduled to
take effect beginning in April 2004 will have upon students.
7.6
Copy of Letter to Minister of Education
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 34 (Abbotsford) to the Minister of
Education requesting that the provincial government fund the shortfall created by the
increased rates in the teachers’ pension plan contributions.
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MOTION:
8.0
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – February 9, 2004
Shunter/Van Alphen that the correspondence be received, the letter
regarding the Penticton Secondary School theatre be referred to the
Penticton Secondary reconstruction committee, and the letter regarding the
school food and nutrition program be referred to the policy committee.
CARRIED
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
8.1
Education Committee
Trustee Shunter reported on the education committee meeting held on February 3, 2004:
a.
Roots of Empathy
Information on the Roots of Empathy program was provided by the assistant
superintendent, Deb Donoghue, a helping teacher, and Liz Ortiz, a counselor for a
community organization, Children who Witness Violence. The social responsibility
workgroup proposed that this program be implemented on a pilot project basis in
the middle schools. The purpose of the program is to help increase the emotional
and social understanding of students by having a class of students interact with a
parent and the development of a baby over a nine month period of time. Following
discussion,
MOTION:
b.
District Review
The superintendent presented information on the criteria for the district review to be
conducted on February 9 to 11, 2004. Trustees had an opportunity to examine the
ten points of inquiry and assess their own progress.
c.
Home Learners’ and Ministry Guidelines
Sharon Sola, Principal, Home Learners’ Program, provided an update on the
enrolment, programs and issues. She reported that a good level of satisfaction
exists with the Home Learners’ parents and students.
d.
CommunityLink Consultation
The assistant superintendent provided information on the community consultation
meeting that occurred on December 4, 2003. Various community agencies and
organizations were represented and expressed general satisfaction with the
district’s direction with the CommunityLINK funding and services.
MOTION:
8.2
Shunter/Little that the Board approve the pilot project of the Roots of
Empathy program.
CARRIED
Shunter/Jamieson 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 4, 2004:
a.
2003-04 Final Budget
The secretary-treasurer distributed and reviewed the draft final budget for the
2003-04 school year. It was noted that following the final grant recalculation,
surplus funds in the amount of $38,500 were directed to the early intervention
reading program for the balance of the year and for additional staffing at Queen’s
Park Elementary for a remedial tutoring program. Mr. Regehr added that a decline
in student enrolment of an extra 153 students in September, which was in addition
to a 100-student initial forecast, resulted in a net reduction of $428,000 in the
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – February 9, 2004
budget. Funding provided in 2003-04 by the Ministry of Education to offset an
enrolment decline that exceeds 1% will be reduced in the 2004-05 funding.
MOTION:
Little/Van Alphen that following first reading of School District No. 67
(Okanagan Skaha) Amended Annual Budget Bylaw for the fiscal
year 2003-04 in the amount of $49,140,591, the Board of School
Trustees passes the bylaw.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Little/Van Alphen that following second reading of School District No.
67 (Okanagan Skaha) Amended Annual Budget Bylaw for the fiscal
year 2003-04 in the amount of $49,140,591, the Board of School
Trustees passes the bylaw.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Little/Van Alphen that following third reading of School District No. 67
(Okanagan Skaha) Amended Annual Budget Bylaw for the fiscal
year 2003-04 in the amount of $49,140,591, the Board of School
Trustees passes and adopts the bylaw.
CARRIED
b.
Okanagan Symphony
The committee reviewed a letter received from the Okanagan Symphony which
requested the Board consider writing off an outstanding debt of $7,040.51.
Following discussion, the committee did not approve this request.
c.
2004-05 Budget Meetings
The secretary-treasurer advised that a budget meeting date of March 31 has been
established for the budget review with principals and vice principals and April 7th for
budget review with parent advisory councils and school planning councils.
Trustee Little advised that prior to discussion on the school calendar, it is recommended
that the school district’s Procedural By-law #4 – School Calendar be rescinded as it is no
longer required due to changes to the School Calendar Regulations issued by the
Ministry of Education.
MOTION:
Little/Jamieson that following first reading, School District No. 67
Procedural By-Law No. 4 – School Calendar, the Board of School Trustees
rescinds the By-Law.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Little/Jamieson that following second reading, School District No. 67
Procedural By-Law No. 4 – School Calendar, the Board of School Trustees
rescinds the By-Law.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Little/Jamieson that following third reading, School District No. 67
Procedural By-Law No. 4 – School Calendar, the Board of School Trustees
rescinds and repeals the By-Law.
CARRIED
Trustee Little continued with presentation of the finance and management committee
minutes:
d.
School Calendar
The assistant superintendent distributed and reviewed a draft calendar for 2004-05.
Mr. Stigant indicated that the 2004-05 school year is the shortest school year at
192. The calendar order requires a 30-day notice and the district is giving notice
that it intends to pass a regular school calendar on April 5. Following discussion,
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8.3
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – February 9, 2004
MOTION:
Little/Jamieson that the draft 2004-05 calendar be circulated to parent and
employee groups.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Little/Lindstrom that the report of the finance and management committee
be received.
CARRIED
Buildings, Grounds, Safety and Transportation Committee
Trustee Jamieson provided a report on the buildings, grounds, safety and transportation
committee meeting held on January 28, 2004:
a.
McNicoll Park Middle School
The secretary-treasurer and director of maintenance reviewed for the committee
initial plans for the next phase of renovations for McNicoll Park Middle School
which are being completed over a three-year period. Mr. Hickling reviewed the
initial planning of projects included rebuilding the offices at the front entry, a
relocated staff room, and changes at other entrances. Mr. Regehr advised the
planning would involve a meeting with the committee involved in last year’s school
renovations and that the funding would be expected to come from the 2004-05
annual capital allowance.
The committee was also advised plans would be made for an official opening of the
middle school by May of this year.
b.
Vandalism Proposal
Window breakage in some school locations is expensive. The committee was
informed of a plan to install electric window shutters on a few windows each year
and monitor their effect. Following discussion:
MOTION:
c.
Jamieson/Little that the Board of School Trustees support the
proposal to install window shutters.
CARRIED
Penticton Secondary School
The secretary-treasurer advised the committee an inquiry is being made to
determine if federal funding might be available to support the Penticton Secondary
School reconstruction.
The committee was provided with a draft report, “Goals and Vision for the New
School”, which has been developed to describe the goals for the reconstruction of
Penticton Secondary School. It is intended that following a review by the Penticton
Secondary School reconstruction committee and by the Board, a final draft will be
adopted.
d.
Queen’s Park Elementary
The committee was informed a double sports court has been designed for Queen’s
Park Elementary School and that the school is fundraising to assist with the
construction.
e.
Bus Purchase
Committee members were informed that the two buses approved in the 2004-05
capital plan will go to tender shortly.
f.
Portable Classrooms
Mr. Hickling reviewed the plan to remove the portable at Columbia Elementary
School. He also indicated other reductions would include portables at Nkwala
Elementary and McNicoll Park Middle when possible alternate uses are clarified.
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g.
Page 6
School Security
This past summer additional school keys were provided to principals to allow
evening and weekend access by teachers. This change in practice has been
completed quite effectively and assists principals by reducing their responsibility to
open and close schools.
MOTION:
8.4
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – February 9, 2004
Jamieson/Van Alphen that the report of the buildings, grounds, safety and
transportation committee be received.
CARRIED
Policy Committee
Trustee Manning reported on the policy committee meeting held on January 19, 2004:
a.
Policy #330 – Co-Curricular and Extra-Curricular Activities/Field Trips
Assistant Superintendent Stigant reviewed proposed changes to Policy #330
regulations and procedures and the addition of a new Attachment A and
Attachment B. Following discussion,
MOTION:
b.
Manning/Shunter that the proposed changes to Policy #330 – CoCurricular and Extra-Curricular Activities/Field Trips be approved.
CARRIED
Policy Review
The secretary-treasurer reviewed the requirement of Bill 34 – School Amendment
Act 2002 to change the term “administrative officer” to either “Principal, Vice
Principal, or Director of Instruction”. It was noted the following policies and/or
regulations or by-laws required this housekeeping change:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Policy #505 – Hiring or Promoting School District Employees (regulations)
Policy #507 – Criminal Record Checks (regulations)
Policy #515 – Administrative Officers (policy and regulations)
Policy #527 – Sexual Harassment Policy (regulations)
Policy #528 – Protection of Employees from Violence in the Workplace
(regulations)
Policy #533 – Teacher Evaluation (regulations)
Policy #540 – Deferred Salary Leave Plan (regulations)
Policy #720 – Security of Premises (regulations)
Policy #740 – Smoke Free Environment (regulations)
Procedural By-Law #3 – Appeals
Procedural By-Law #4 – School Calendar
Following discussion,
MOTION:
Manning/Van Alphen that the policy and regulations wording of
Policy #’s 505, 507, 515, 527, 528, 533, 540, 720, and 740 be
amended by replacing the expression “administrative officer” with the
expression “principal”, “vice principal”, and/or “director of instruction”
as appropriate.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Manning/Little that following first reading of Procedural By-Law #3 –
Appeals which replaces the expression “administrative officers” with
“principals, vice principals”, the Board of School Trustees passes the
by-law.
CARRIED
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – February 9, 2004
MOTION:
Manning/Little that following second reading of Procedural By-Law
#3 – Appeals which replaces the expression “administrative officers”
with “principals, vice principals”, the Board of School Trustees
passes the by-law.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Manning/Little that following third reading of Procedural By-Law #3 –
Appeals which replaces the expression “administrative officers” with
“principals, vice principals”, the Board of School Trustees passes
and adopts the bylaw.
CARRIED
MOTION:
9.0
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Manning/Shunter that the report of the policy committee be received.
CARRIED
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
Penticton Secondary School Reconstruction Committee
The secretary-treasurer reported regarding the Penticton Secondary School
Reconstruction Committee meeting held on February 3, 2004, at which committee
members received a draft document entitled “Goals and Vision for the New School”. A
subcommittee of six people established these goals which will be used as a tool to help in
the preparation and selection of the final design of the school. Nine different options for
the new building were presented which ranged from inclusion of the Shatford and Ellis
buildings being integrated into the school to building on the north end of the site with an
entry off Eckhardt Avenue to building over the existing site of the school board office.
Following discussion, the nine options were narrowed down to four and include:
integrating both Shatford and Ellis buildings into the new school; integrating only the Ellis
building into the new school; demolishing both Shatford and Ellis buildings and building
on the southwest corner of the site; and building over the site of the existing school board
office. Mr. Regehr added design costs and a summary of advantages and disadvantages
of each option will be developed as well as planning for the accommodation of students
during construction. It is anticipated three or four options will be considered during the
public consultation period. The committee will meet within the next two weeks.
9.2
2004-05 Funding Announcement
The secretary-treasurer reviewed the announcement from the Ministry of Education
which indicates the province will increase funding by $85 million for the 2004-05 school
year. The $85 million increase includes $50 million to be used at the discretion of the
board and $35 million will be targeted towards implementing generally accepted
accounting principles. The next phase of the funding announcement will be the amounts
individual districts will receive.
9.3
2004-05 Budget Development
Secretary-Treasurer Regehr advised meeting dates have been established as March 3,
2004 for a public meeting to allow for schools, employee groups, and the public to make
presentations to the Board regarding the development of the 2004-05 operating budget
and April 7th for trustees to meet with parent advisory councils and school planning
councils. The district is working towards final adoption of the budget by the middle of
April or early May.
9.4
Technology Presentation
Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Ron Shongrunden was asked by the Cisco Systems
Corporation to speak on technology in our school district at their Global Marketing
Summit held February 4 to 6, 2004 in San Francisco. Mr. Shongrunden reported he was
one of five non-Cisco employees asked to speak at the summit which was intended to set
their marketing strategy for the next three years. It was noted that the school district had
received the “Growing with Technology Award” for 2003 in the non-profit/public sector
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – February 9, 2004
category. Trustees extended congratulations to Mr. Shongrunden on being asked to
speak at the conference and agreed to discuss technology issues at a future meeting.
10.0
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
10.2
Student Achievement
a.
District Workgroups (Literacy, Numeracy and Social Responsibility)
The superintendent reported representatives from the district workgroups
presented reports to the district review team which is currently in the district.
b.
District Review Team
Superintendent Doi advised the purpose of the district review team is to report to
the school district, the public and the Ministry on the district’s efforts to improve
student achievement. The initial report will be available on Wednesday afternoon.
The media, trustees, district staff, and representatives from school planning
councils and school staffs are invited to meet with the district review team chair,
board chair and superintendent on Wednesday afternoon.
Communication and Access
a.
Field Trips
The superintendent of schools reviewed a listing of field trip requests circulated
with the agenda package.
MOTION:
Lindstrom/Little that the following field trip requests be approved:
•
•
•
•
•
MOTION:
Shunter/Manning that the following field trip be approved in principle:
•
b.
June 15 to 18, 2004, for 132 grade 7 students from Summerland
Middle School to travel to Victoria for a year-end educational
experience;
June 9 to 11, 2004, for 48 grade 5 students from Uplands
Elementary to participate in an outdoor ranch experience at
Circle Square Ranch in Armstrong;
June 17 and 18, 2004, for 50 grade 5 students from Parkway
Elementary School to travel to Science World in Vancouver for a
camp-in;
March 22 to 27, 2004, for 20 Penticton Indian Band students
from Skaha Lake Middle School to travel to Agassiz and Victoria
to visit other First Nations schools and cultural centers; and
May 5 to 7, 2004, for 45 grade 11 students from Summerland
Secondary School to travel on a campus tour of BCIT, SFU,
UVIC and UBC.
CARRIED
March 14 to 28, 2004, for Penticton Secondary School rugby
students to travel to England to compete against various school
rugby teams and sightsee local areas.
CARRIED
Partners’ Group Meeting
Mr. Doi advised arrangements are being made for a second Partners’ Group
Meeting to be held on March 10, 2004, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Penticton Lakeside
Resort.
Representatives from each partner groups as well as student
representatives will attend.
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10.3
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Other Items
a.
Enrolment
The assistant superintendent reported that enrolment as of January 31, 2004
showed a net increase of 40 students over the previous month. The district’s
current enrolment is 7,564 students or 7,226.44 FTE.
MOTION:
b.
Manning/Van Alphen that the enrolment report be received.
CARRIED
School Closure
Assistant Superintendent Stigant, Chair of the Nkwala School Advisory Committee,
reviewed the structure of the committee and that the purpose of the committee
included advising the district on the agenda for the public forums; providing
information and advice to the superintendent related to the school closure decisionmaking process, and helping to facilitate with communication. The committee met
on January 26 to review the agenda for the public meeting to be held on January
27 and met again on February 9 to review the minutes from the public meeting.
Twenty questions extrapolated from the minutes will be answered within two weeks
and distributed at the next advisory committee meeting. All minutes will be posted
on the district’s website. The next public meeting will be held on March 11, 7:00
p.m., at Nkwala Elementary.
11.0
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
12.0
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
13.0
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – February 9, 2004
12.1
Meeting with Penticton City Council
Chairman Denesiuk reported trustees and senior staff met with Penticton city council on
January 26, 2004.
Topics discussed included:
Penticton Secondary School
Reconstruction Project; Nkwala Elementary consultation process; the position of an
RCMP school liaison officer no longer available to the school district; and the City’s plans
for a new multiplex.
12.2
Meeting with Minister of Education
Chairman Denesiuk provided information regarding the visit by the Minister of Education
on February 5, 2004. The meeting included trustees, district staff, and representatives
from all partner groups. Each had an opportunity to address the Minister and ask a
question. Following the meeting, the Minister toured Skaha Lake Middle School.
INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1
BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting
The BCSTA Provincial Council meeting will be held February 13 and 14, 2004 in
Vancouver.
13.2
BCSTA Okanagan Branch Meeting
The BCSTA Okanagan Branch meeting will be held February 20 and 21, 2004 in Merritt.
13.3
BCSTA Annual General Meeting
The BCSTA annual general meeting will be held April 22 to 25, 2004 in Victoria. The
deadlines for submission of motions are as follows:
•
•
February 11, 2004 for extraordinary motions
February 21, 2004 for substantive motions
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13.4
14.0
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – February 9, 2004
Date of Next Meeting
• March 1, 2004, Regular Meeting, School Board Office
TRUSTEE COMMENTS
14.1
Trustee Comments
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 Summerland Secondary
School for their artwork currently on display at the school board office:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
15.0
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Melissa Eimche – Grade 12
Andy Andreucci – Grade 11
Antonio Villanueva – Grade 12
Ben Healey – Grade 12
Venessa Zarr – Grade 11
Kyle Knuden – Grade 12
Megan Conway – Grade 11
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Manning/Lindstrom that the meeting be adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
CARRIED
16.0
QUESTION PERIOD
____________________
Chairperson
____________________
Secretary-Treasurer
February 13, 2004
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