BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, MARCH 1, 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
K. Hicks, Vice Principal, Skaha Lake Middle School
M. Smitten, Principal, Wiltse Elementary 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 be approved.
CARRIED
3.0
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
3.1
Queen’s Park Elementary School Sport’s Court
Principal Kelly Jones highlighted the planning in progress for a sports court at Queen’s
Park Elementary School. The parent advisory council and staff have approached a
variety of user groups and have received funding from Okanagan Hockey School,
Okanagan Hockey Academy, Penticton Old Timers Hockey, the school’s parent advisory
council, the district’s capital funds, and the Community Foundation of the South
Okanagan. Mr. Jones added that if sufficient funds are committed, a double size court
will be built. It is hoped the project will be completed by the end of this school year.
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 1, 2004
3.2
Penticton Secondary CD
Principal Pete Corcoran previewed a draft version of a Pen High CD that was created by
media teacher, Russ Stasiuk, and students at the school. All music on the CD is original
music written by Penticton Secondary students and all filming and editing is being
completed by the students. The CD is intended to highlight the many attributes of the
school, will be available for the district’s website, and will be used to promote the school’s
international programs.
3.3
Penticton Secondary School
Mr. Corcoran reported that Penticton Secondary School students finished in first place at
the Canadian Improv Games Okanagan Regional Tournament held at PSS on February
19, 2004. This is the second year in a row that Penticton Secondary students have
finished in first place. The students and their teacher Meagan Rutherford will participate
in the national tournament at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on April 12 to 18, 2004.
Trustees extended congratulations to the team and best wishes for success at the
national event.
4.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
4.1
5.0
Nkwala Elementary School Parents
Mr. Neil Terry, representing a delegation of parents from Nkwala Elementary School,
made a presentation to the Board regarding some concerns with the school closure
feasibility report and some options to be considered. Mr. Terry asked that sufficient time
be allowed to consider all options to cut $200,000 elsewhere in the budget or to find
additional revenue so that closing the school would not be necessary.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
6.0
Little/Shunter that the regular meeting held on February 9, 2004 be approved.
CARRIED
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETING
The secretary-treasurer reported on the closed meeting held on February 9, 2004:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
7.0
received correspondence related to personnel;
received reports from the finance and management committee and the discipline
committee;
approved teaching, excluded, and CUPE staff changes;
received information related to CUPE bargaining;
approved teacher leave requests;
received information regarding student suspensions;
received information related to a BCPSEA meeting;
received information regarding the Penticton Secondary School reconstruction project.
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Invitation to Meeting
An invitation from the Coalition to Save Our Neighbourhood School to attend a meeting
on February 19 at 6:30 p.m.
7.2
Letter from Parents
A letter from parents, Lonnie and Wes Lisitza, regarding the possible closure of Nkwala
Elementary School.
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Copy of Letter from City of Penticton
A copy of a letter forwarded by the City of Penticton to Mr. Ian MacKinder advising that
the 58 name petition from concerned citizens regarding the closure of Nkwala Elementary
was received and referred to the school board.
7.4
Copy of Letter to Federal Minister of Finance
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 36 (Surrey) to the federal Minister of
Finance urging that the federal government enact changes to the current GST laws to
exempt all school districts in Canada from taxes on school district goods and services.
7.5
Copy of Letter to Minister of Education
A copy of a letter forwarded by a parent, Carolyn Bray, to the Minister of Education
expressing dissatisfaction at the 2004 Parent/Guardian Survey distributed by the Ministry
of Education.
7.6
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 advising that the recent premium increase announced by the Teachers’
Pension Board regarding employer contributions to the pension fund will have a negative
impact on student achievement.
7.7
Copy of Letter to Minister for Children and Family Development
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 52 (Prince Rupert) to the Minister of
Children and Family Development requesting that the money known as CommunityLink
funding be increased at least to its former level.
Shunter/Manning that the correspondence be received and referred to
appropriate committees.
CARRIED
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
8.1
Education Committee
Trustee Shunter reported the education committee visited Naramata Elementary School
on February 24, 2004, watched teachers and students in action, viewed the students’ art
sculpture work, and enjoyed tours of the school and lunch with the staff.
MOTION:
9.0
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 1, 2004
7.3
MOTION:
8.0
Page 3
Shunter/Van Alphen that the report of the education committee visitation be
received.
CARRIED
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
Penticton Secondary School Reconstruction Committee
The secretary-treasurer reported the Penticton Secondary School reconstruction
committee met on February 24, 2004, reviewed additional work on the four remaining
models, and received preliminary cost and design information. Additional work will need
to be completed before taking the final plans to the Ministry of Education. The district is
looking at taking the final four options to a public process during the weeks of April 5 or
12 and will continue with development of an evaluation tool to be used in making the final
selection. Meetings will also be held with students, staff and partner groups to gather
input on the design options.
9.2
Financial Report
For information only, the secretary-treasurer reviewed the financial report to January 31,
2004 provided in the agenda package and noted the revised budget approved at the last
meeting is reflected in this report. Mr. Regehr added the Ministry of Education has
changed the financial reporting process and some of the accounts listed still need to be
rearranged to reflect these changes.
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10.0
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 1, 2004
9.3
2004-05 Budget Development
Mr. Regehr reported the public budget meeting will be held on March 3, 2004, 7:00 p.m.,
at Queen’s Park Elementary School, to receive recommendations and/or suggestions to
be used in the development of the 2004-05 operating budget. Mr. Regehr added the
Ministry of Education has not yet announced the funding information for the coming year
nor the amount for the expected one-time grant. Based on enrolment decline, estimates
of revenue sources and international student fees, adjustments of expenditures for a
student decline, and cost increases in utilities and special education, the shortfall
expected for the 2004-05 budget is higher than forecasted in January and is now at
$600,000.
9.4
McNicoll Park Middle School Advisory Committee
The secretary-treasurer reported on the McNicoll Park Middle School advisory committee
meeting held on February 25, 2004 at which the committee reviewed plans for
renovations for the coming year. Director of Maintenance Hickling advised the existing
staff room will be converted to a new main office near the front entry, the staff room will
be relocated to the existing library technology area, one of the existing science rooms will
become the library technology area, and a special education washroom and a ramp from
the parking lot to the fine arts area of the school will be built.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
Student Achievement
a. District Workgroups (Literacy, Numeracy and Social Responsibility)
Information was provided on a number of activities, committees, and workshops, all
related to the district’s goals of literacy, numeracy and social responsibility. Mr.
Schafer added a number of teachers attended a provincial conference on
mathematics and K-5 numeracy resources presented at the conference are being
examined by the subcommittee. Mr. Stigant reported on the Effective Behaviour
Support conference and the introduction of Roots to Empathy program to elementary
students.
b. District Review Team
Mr. Doi advised the review team completed its visit on Feb. 8-11 and reported out to
the staff and SPC reps. The district was noted for sustaining its mission of “working
together for student success”. The review team’s report will be available on the
Ministry of Education website and partner groups will review the report as one of the
agenda topics at the upcoming partners’ group meeting.
c. Provincial Report Cards
The superintendent advised the Ministry of Education will be piloting new provincial
report cards during the 2004-05 school year. The pilot is presently in the consultation
phase and templates for the report cards can be found on the Ministry of Education
website at www.bced.gov.bc.ca/reportcards/. The new provincial report cards will be
implemented in September 2005.
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 pursuant to policy.
MOTION:
Shunter/Little that the following field trip requests be approved for
funding as per board policy:
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Page 5
•
•
•
•
•
•
MOTION:
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 1, 2004
February 29 to March 3, 2004, for five students from Penticton
Secondary School to compete in the provincial sports alpine ski
and snowboard championships at Sun Peaks Resort, Kamloops;
March 4 to 6, 2004, for 25 grade 8 basketball students from Skaha
Lake Middle School to compete in the provincial basketball
tournament in Pitt Meadows;
March 5 to 7, 2004, for one student from KVR Middle School to
compete at the provincial debating championships in Prince
George;
April 12 to 18, 2004, for 10 students from Penticton Secondary
School to participate in the Canadian National Improv Games at
the National Arts Centre in Ottawa;
March 5 to 7, 2004, for five students from Penticton Secondary
School to compete in the provincial debating championships in
Prince George; and
March 3 to 6, 2004, for 11 junior girls’ basketball players from
Princess Margaret Secondary School to compete in the provincial
championships in Vancouver.
CARRIED
Jamieson/Van Alphen that the following field trip requests be approved in
principle:
•
•
February 1 to 6, 2005, for a maximum of 50 students from KVR
Middle School to travel to Quebec City and Montreal for Winter
Carnival;
March 19 to 27, 2005, for 24 students from Princess Margaret
Secondary School to experience Space Camp workshops in
Montreal and Ottawa.
CARRIED
b. Arts & Science in Harmony (March 1-3, 2004)
To coincide with Education Week, schools in SD67 will be presenting Arts & Science
in Harmony at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre (March 1-3, 2004). There
will be an exhibition of student art works, 35 middle and secondary bands from
around BC, and the jointly sponsored (Kiwanis and SD67) science fair. Everyone is
encouraged to attend the event.
c. Partners’ Group Meeting
Mr. Doi reported a second partners’ group meeting will be held on March 10, 2004,
4:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Penticton Lakeside Resort. Representatives from all partner
groups will attend as well as student representatives. Mr. Doi reiterated this is a very
valuable process for the district and reviewed some of the agenda items for the
meeting.
d. Families & Schools Together (FAST)
The assistant superintendent reported on plans to expand the FAST program
currently at Queen’s Park Elementary to two other schools through a partnership with
a local charity. Mr. Stigant advised approval in principle has been indicated but there
has been a slight delay in the final announcement of the program.
e. Roots of Empathy
The assistant superintendent provided information on the Roots of Empathy program
which is being introduced to the district as part of the social responsibility goal. The
program involves a facilitator and baby visiting a class approximately 18 times during
year and deals with the development of children and interaction between children
and the students. Funding provided by the Ministry of Children and Family
Development will cover most of the costs for four facilitators to attend a training
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 1, 2004
session and it is hoped the program will be piloted in four schools in September
2004.
10.3
Other Items
a. Enrolment
In reviewing the enrolment report as of February 27, 2004, the assistant
superintendent noted an overall decline of 57 students since the last report. The total
enrolment now numbers 7,507 students and 7,176.16 FTE.
MOTION:
Manning/Jamieson that the enrolment report be received
CARRIED
b. School Calendar
Mr. Stigant noted that a standard school calendar for the 2004-05 school year was
presented to the January board meeting and noted that there are two changes to this
proposed calendar. It is proposed that schools be closed on November 12 and in
session on Monday, January 3, 2005. These changes have been shared with the
OSTU and CUPE and both locals are supportive of this local district calendar. This
revised Local School Calendar is being presented for one-month’s notice pursuant to
the School Calendar Regulation.
MOTION:
Little/Shunter that draft 2 of the proposed 2004-05 local school calendar
be approved.
CARRIED
c. School Closure
Trustee Little reported regarding the meeting organized by the Coalition to Save our
Neighbourhood School held on February 19, 2004, attended by Trustees Little,
Lindstrom and Shunter as well as representatives from the public and parents of
Nkwala. Trustee Little noted the common theme throughout the meeting was
timelines and safety issues. Mr. Little’s notes from the meeting will be shared with all
trustees.
The assistant superintendent provided a report from the Nkwala advisory committee
meeting held on February 23, reviewed the purpose of the committee, and reviewed
items covered on the agenda. The 20 questions gathered at the public forum and a
further four questions presented by the advisory committee with their responses were
reviewed as well as a draft copy of the second Keeping You Informed.
Mr. Stigant distributed the questions and responses document along with a copy of
the Keeping You Informed which has been sent to parents at the school. Mr. Stigant
reviewed three options for boundary changes, should Nkwala be closed, and the
effect each would have on where students would move as well as the effect on other
schools. All options fall within the previous walk limits and all options include the use
of stairs up to the Uplands and Columbia sites. It was noted that school boundary
changes are made pursuant to Section 75.1 of the School Act.
The second public community consultation meeting will be held on Thursday, March
11 (7:00 p.m. at Nkwala Elementary) and the Nkwala school advisory committee will
meet following the public forum.
11.*0
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
12.0
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
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13.0
14.0
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 1, 2004
INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1
BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting
Trustee Little reported on his attendance at the BCSTA Provincial Council meeting held
February 13 and 14, 2004 in Vancouver, which included information on the provincial
standard report cards, an overview of the process for teacher bargaining, and a
presentation by the deputy minister. A synopsis of the meeting is available in the trustee
reading file.
13.2
BCSTA Okanagan Branch Meeting
Trustees Lindstrom, Jamieson, Van Alphen, Shunter, and Denesiuk presented highlights
from the BCSTA Okanagan Branch meeting held February 20 and 21, 2004 in Merritt,
which included information on fetal alcohol syndrome, the effect of pesticides, and
supervision of teachers, discussions on school closures, and an announcement that
Trustee Denesiuk is running for the position of vice president of the BCSTA.
13.3
BCSTA Annual General Meeting
The BCSTA annual general meeting will be held April 22 to 25, 2004 in Victoria.
13.4
Date of Next Meeting
• April 5, 2004, 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 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 West Bench Elementary School were recognized for their artwork currently
on display at the school board office:
•
•
•
•
•
•
15.0
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Athena Bonneau – Kindergarten
Brett Needham – Grade 1
Miklas Kuoppala – Grade 2
Gary Makinson – Grade 3
Dana Hillman – Grade 4
Emily Cowling – Grade 5
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Manning/Van Alphen that the meeting be adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
CARRIED
16.0
QUESTION PERIOD
____________________
Chairperson
____________________
Secretary-Treasurer
March 5, 2004
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