BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, APRIL 5, 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
D. Stigant, Assistant Superintendent
G. Schafer, Director of Instruction
J. Hickling, Director of Maintenance
D. Burgoyne, District Principal
C. Emmond, District Principal
D. Adey, Executive Secretary
S. Johnston, Principal, Carmi Elementary School
J. Ramsay, Vice Principal, Parkway 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
4.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
5.0
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION: Jamieson/Van Alphen that the minutes of the regular meeting held on March 1, 2004
be approved.
CARRIED
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6.0
received correspondence related to personnel;
received a report from the discipline committee;
approved teaching, excluded, and CUPE staff changes;
approved teacher leave requests;
received information regarding student suspensions;
received information related to a BCPSEA meeting;
received information related to an Okanagan Labour Relations Council meeting;
received information related to CUPE bargaining. (Declaring a possible conflict of interest,
Trustee Little left the meeting for discussion regarding this topic.)
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter from Okanagan-Skaha Parents for French Chapter
A letter forwarded by the Okanagan-Skaha Parents for French Chapter enclosing a
proposal that School District 67 consider offering Early French Immersion to the students
of the district in addition to the existing Late French Immersion program.
7.2
Letter from Minister of Education
A letter forwarded by Minister of Education Tom Christensen thanking the district for
welcoming him during his visit in February.
7.3
Letter from Summerland Secondary School PAC
A letter forwarded by Barrie Karner, Chair, Summerland Parent Advisory Council,
supporting the family enhancement program at the school.
7.4
Letter from School District No. 19 (Revelstoke)
A letter forwarded by School District No. 19 (Revelstoke) congratulating the district on the
recent award from Cisco Systems.
7.5
Copy of Letter to KVR Middle School
A copy of a letter forwarded by the City of Penticton to KVR Middle School PAC
regarding the position of RCMP-school liaison officer no longer being available at the
school.
7.6
Letter from Parent
A letter from Jan Carlson proposing that the school district “barcode” text books and class
sets of novels.
7.7
Letter from Minister of Education
A letter from the Minister of Education announcing a one-time grant which must be used
to contribute to the accumulated unfunded employee future benefits and vacation pay
liability.
MOTION:
8.0
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – April 5, 2004
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETING
The secretary-treasurer reported on the closed meeting held on March 1, 2004:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
7.
8.
9.
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Shunter/Van Alphen that the correspondence be received, the letter
regarding Early French Immersion be referred to staff for a viability study and
a report back to the education committee, the letter to KVR Middle School be
referred to the education committee, and the letter regarding barcoding be
referred to staff for review and a report to the finance and management
committee.
CARRIED
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
8.1
Finance and Management Committee
Trustee Little reviewed the minutes of the public budget meeting held on March 3, 2004
during which information was provided regarding the budget status, and submissions
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – April 5, 2004
were presented by parents from Nkwala, CUPE Sub Local 523, and the Okanagan Skaha
Teachers Union. Comments from the audience included observations regarding library
technicians and librarians, a request that the one-time grant be committed to next year’s
budget, that building rental rates should be increased, and the district should sell real
estate properties. Additionally, the process to balance the 2004-05 budget was reviewed.
MOTION:
Little/Jamieson that the report of the public meeting of March 3, 2004 be
received.
CARRIED
Trustee Jamieson reported regarding the finance and management committee meeting
held on March 31, 2004:
a.
Minutes of the March 3, 2004 Public Budget Meeting
It was noted that these minutes had been previously circulated.
b.
Letter from School District No. 36 (Surrey)
The committee considered a copy of a letter received at the previous board
meeting from School District No. 36 (Surrey). The letter requested the federal
finance minister expand the GST exemptions recently provided to municipalities
also be provided for school district goods and services. Following discussion,
MOTION:
c.
d.
Jamieson/Van Alphen that a letter requesting that school districts be
exempt from GST on goods and services be sent to the Prime Minister
with copies to the Finance Minister and Member of Parliament.
CARRIED
Request for Early French Immersion
Trustee Jamieson noted this request was dealt with earlier in the correspondence.
2004-05 Budget
The secretary-treasurer distributed and reviewed a summary of the revenue and
expenditures as well as other budget information for the 2004-05 budget
development. The committee was advised the one-time grant had been received
and must be applied to the unfunded liabilities associated with GAAP. It was noted
that options to balance the budget and suggestions for revenue generation will be
given further review.
MOTION:
8.2
Jamieson/Little that the report of the finance and management committee
held on March 31, 2004 be received.
CARRIED
Committee of the Whole
Chairman Denesiuk reported regarding the committee of the whole meeting held on April
1, 2004 regarding the 2004-05 budget:
a.
Review of Preliminary Budget Shortfall
Committee members reviewed and discussed budget information provided.
b.
Revenue Generation Issues
It was noted the school district currently budgets for revenue from sources other
than government grants including building/field rentals, summer school, interest
income, and offshore tuition. It was also noted that the expansion of revenue
opportunities requires consideration of a variety of issues such as administrative
time and investment, liability issues, risk of loss, ethical questions, and impact on
students and staff. A Ministry of Education paper on Partnership Policy and issues
related to vending machines in schools was reviewed as well as the School Board
Fees Order. Other items reviewed and discussed included a fee for student
transportation to school, the international student program, the success of the
hockey school, and the rental of buildings and sports fields in Penticton and
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – April 5, 2004
Summerland communities. The committee indicated support to review and change
current practices including charging some fees for youth, and supported the
increase of international students in the hockey school and field/building rentals.
c.
District Efficiencies and Expenditure Savings
Committee members reviewed and discussed building efficiency initiatives for
energy efficiency, applications for grants, technology efficiencies, budget
reductions resulting from the technology system, and work in the personnel
department to manage sick leave and long-term disability. The committee
supported that work continue with technology to identify efficiencies and possible
revenue.
d.
Special Education Review
Information was provided on the process whereby students are assessed and
designated for special education. Funding to support special education services
are allocated to each school for each designated student at a value based on the
designation. The district faces situations where schools need support in excess of
the allocated funds to manage these students. Slides were presented on special
education services and funding shortages for some categories including the BIS
program. The requirement to assess LD students facing government exams was
described along with a new budget of $20,000 for the IEP and assessment of these
students.
e.
Staffing Service Levels
Service levels for elementary, middle, secondary and non enrolling staffing were
reviewed. Mr. Stigant described the limited ability within current class sizes for
further reductions.
f.
Revenue and Efficiencies
Mr. Regehr summarized a listing of suggested revenues and suggestions for
efficiencies noted from letters received and meetings held regarding the budget
and Nkwala.
g.
Budget Options
The committee agreed to review budget options at a meeting on April 5, 2004.
The secretary-treasurer circulated and reviewed a listing of budget options from the
meeting held earlier today and noted the estimated budget shortfall of $601,800 resulted
from a projected enrolment decline of 145 and cost increases for teacher increments,
pension costs, employee benefits, and utilities. Options to balance the 2004-05 budget
were listed and totaled $875,850.
MOTION:
9.0
Manning/Little that the report of the committee of the whole be received.
CARRIED
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
2004-05 Budget Development
The secretary-treasurer noted a second public budget meeting will be held on April 14,
2004, at 7:00 p.m., at Queen’s Park Elementary School to review the budget proposal
and receive recommendations and/or suggestions related to the development of the
2004-05 operating budget. Additionally, meetings will be held with employee groups,
principals and vice principals, and representatives from school parent advisory councils
and school planning councils.
9.2
Penticton Secondary School Reconstruction Committee
Secretary-Treasurer Regehr reported the Penticton Secondary School reconstruction
committee has settled on four design options for the replacement of the school, costs are
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – April 5, 2004
being gathered on each of the options, and the committee will be meeting on April 6. Mr.
Regehr added current timelines indicate construction could begin next summer with a
school opening in the fall of 2006.
9.3
10.0
Announcement of One-Time Grant
The secretary-treasurer provided details on the Ministry of Education’s announcement of
the one-time grant noting that two previous one-time grants from the provincial
government were used to assist with the following year’s budget, however, the one we
received a week ago for $397,570 must be used towards unfunded liabilities of the
district.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
Student Achievement
a. District Workgroups
• Literacy
The superintendent noted that the literacy workgroup will meet on Monday, April
19, 3:45 p.m., at KVR Middle School.
•
Numeracy
Mr. Doi added that ongoing work continues with the numeracy workgroups,
especially regarding assessment.
•
Social Responsibility
Assistant Superintendent Stigant advised plans are continuing for workshop
regarding restitution to be held on the April 23rd non instructional day.
b. BC Safe Schools Strategy
Mr. Doi advised that the Ministry of Education has announced new standards, a
guidebook and webtools in the Ministry’s efforts to consolidate practices on safe
schools. The social responsibility workgroup will analyze these items and work with
principals and vice principals to implement the standards.
10.2
Communication and Access
a. Field Trips
The superintendent of schools reviewed a listing of field trip requests.
MOTION:
Shunter/Lindstrom that the following field trip requests be approved for
funding as per board policy:
•
•
•
MOTION:
March 2 to 6, 2004, for 16 Princess Margaret Secondary School
senior boys basketball students to travel to Kamloops, BC for the
senior boys provincial basketball championships;
March 1 and 2, 2004, for 11 gymnastics students from Penticton
Secondary School to compete in the gymnastic provincial
championships held in Coquitlam, BC; and
February 26 to 28, 2004, for seven students from Penticton
Secondary School to compete in the provincial wrestling
championships held in Abbotsford, BC.
CARRIED
Van Alphen/Little that the following field trip request be approved in
principle:
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•
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – April 5, 2004
April 16 to 18, 2004, for two senior students from Summerland
Secondary School to travel to Walnut, California to compete in an
invitational track meet.
CARRIED
b. Partners’ Group Meeting
Superintendent Doi reported positive comments were received from the partners’
group meeting held on March 10, 2004. An agenda for that meeting was circulated
with the agenda package.
c. Wall of Fame Alumni Project
It was noted the final meeting for 2003-04 for the alumni project is set for
Wednesday, April 14, 4:00 p.m., at the school board office.
10.3
Other Items
a. Enrolment
In reviewing the enrolment report as of March 31, 2004, the assistant superintendent
reported a net increase of eight students since the last report. The total enrolment
now numbers 7,515 students and 7,179.32 FTE.
MOTION:
Manning/Jamieson that the enrolment report be received.
CARRIED
b. French Immersion Registration
Mr. Schafer, Director of Instruction, announced that 110 students are registered for
grade 6 French Immersion for September 2004. The school will have three classes
and a meeting will be held at KVR Middle School during the evening of April 21 for
the parents of these students.
c. School Closure
Assistant Stigant reported the minutes from the second public community
consultation meeting held on March 11, 2004 and the Nkwala School Advisory
Committee meeting held on March 29, 2004 have been distributed to the school and
trustees and are available on the district’s website. Mr. Stigant reviewed the minutes
of the last advisory committee meeting, circulated a copy of the latest “Keeping You
Informed”, and thanked the committee members for their work on the committee.
11.0
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
11.1
12.0
BCSTA Provincial Council
In response to Trustee Little’s request for input regarding the BCSTA 2004-05 budget,
trustees expressed their preference for option 2 as circulated in the agenda package.
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
12.1
Nkwala School Closure
Superintendent Doi provided an overview of the school closure policy, the request by
trustees for a preliminary school closure feasibility study and the subsequent naming of
Nkwala Elementary to be considered for closure, and a series of meetings held during the
second public consultation stage of the policy. In addition, the board has held public
budget meetings and Nkwala parents have organized other meetings and events. The
third stage is the decision stage by board bylaw.
MOTION:
Manning/Van Alphen that, in accordance with the Board’s procedural by-law
and school closure policy 750, the Board agrees to give two readings of the
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – April 5, 2004
school closure bylaw at this meeting and, if necessary, the third reading at
the Special Board meeting on April 19, 2004.
CARRIED
First Reading of Bylaw for Nkwala Elementary School
MOTION:
Jamieson/Van Alphen that the Board of School Trustees of School District
No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) hereby directs that Nkwala Elementary School,
located at 1077 Nelson Avenue in Penticton, BC, be closed effective July 31,
2004.
CARRIED
Second Reading of Bylaw for Nkwala Elementary School
MOTION:
Jamieson/Van Alphen that the Board of School Trustees of School District
No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) hereby directs that Nkwala Elementary School,
located at 1077 Nelson Avenue in Penticton, BC, be closed effective July 31,
2004.
Following a lengthy discussion, the vote was tied and Chairman Denesiuk cast the
deciding vote in favor of the motion.
CARRIED
MOTION:
13.0
14.0
Manning/Jamieson that the application deadline for students wishing to
transfer to a SD67 school for the 2004-05 school year, be extended to April
30 for this year only.
CARRIED
INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1
BCSTA Annual General Meeting
Chairman Denesiuk noted the BCSTA annual general meeting will be held April 22 to 25,
2004 in Victoria.
13.2
Date of Next Meeting
• April 14, 2004, 7:00 p.m., second public budget meeting, Queen’s Park
• April 19, 2004, 7:30 p.m., special school board meeting, school board office
• May 10, 2004, 7:30 p.m., 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 as listed on the recognition sheet included
with the agenda package.
14.3
Recognition of Student Artwork
Students from Queen’s Park Elementary School were recognized for their artwork
currently on display at the school board office:
•
•
•
•
Angela Baddeley – Grade 1
Emily Brown – Grade 1
Gabby Galloway – Grade 1
Angelina Gard – Grade 1
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
15.0
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – April 5, 2004
Bobby Lang – Grade 1
Amy Moffatt – Grade 1
Louisa Stewart – Grade 1
Sam Sveinson – Grade 1
Michael Landry-Gariepy – Grade 2
Liz Burns – Grade 4
Lacey Molyneaux – Grade 4
David Rice – Grade 4
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Manning/Van Alphen that the meeting be adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
CARRIED
16.0
QUESTION PERIOD
____________________
Chairperson
____________________
Secretary-Treasurer
April 13, 2004
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