BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2004, AT 7:30 P.M.
AT THE 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
R. Shongrunden, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
G. Schafer, Director of Instruction
J. Hickling, Director of Maintenance
D. Adey, Executive Secretary
D. Burgoyne, District Principal
L. Lindsay, Vice Principal, KVR Middle School
1.0
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Denesiuk welcomed back students, district staff, guests, and representatives of the
media to another successful year.
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Little/Shunter that the agenda be approved.
CARRIED
3.0
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
3.1
Black Box 2 (August 2004): We can improve the achievement of all students.
“Black Box 2” is a 9-minute video designed to engage parents and staff in a discussion
about the school’s and/or district’s continuing effort to improve achievement for all
students. The video is a collaborative effort involving students, staff, and parents from
several schools in the district, a number of whom were in attendance at the meeting.
Special thanks to media teachers Russ Stasiuk (Penticton Secondary), Nick Kast
(Summerland Secondary) and Allan Crossley (district) for their expertise and assistance.
“Black Box 2” will be available on the district website and will be shown to all school staffs
and parent advisory councils in the early fall.
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Page 2
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – September 13, 2004
Following a number of questions, trustees extended appreciation to the group for their
efforts on “Black Box 2”.
3.2
Summer School 2004
Summer School Principal Lloyd Lindsay presented a report on the 2004 summer school
program. The program provided 204 students with an opportunity to experience success
so that they would enter the next school year with greater confidence in their abilities and
to allow for enrichment in other co-curricular areas. A three-minute multimedia
presentation completed by students Kaley Wells, Daniela Rios, Lenna Cooper and
Nathan Surkan demonstrated skills learned through their multimedia computer course as
well as highlights of all courses taken during the three-week program.
Appreciation was extended to the students and teacher Jacquie Newton for their
presentation at the meeting.
3.3
Summer Professional Development
Leslie Reilly, Chair, District Professional Development Committee, provided an overview
of activities and workshops held during the summer professional days.
Chairman Denesiuk extended appreciation to the committee for their focused efforts in
enhancing professional development activities.
4.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
5.0
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
Manning/Shunter that the minutes of the special meeting held on June 28, 2004 be
approved.
CARRIED
6.0
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETING
The secretary-treasurer reported on the closed meeting held on June 28, 2004:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
7.0
Received a report from the committee of the whole;
Approved teaching, excluded, and CUPE staff changes;
Received information related to a lease;
Approved a proposal for establishment of a daycare at Queen’s Park Elementary School;
Received information related to the administrative summer session.
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter from Minister of Finance
A letter from Federal Minister of Finance Ralph Goodale in response to the Board’s letter
requesting that consideration be given to exempting school districts from the Goods and
Services Tax.
7.2
Letter from City of Penticton
A letter from the City of Penticton requesting support for the 2010 Legacies Now
proposal.
MOTION:
Shunter/Little that a letter of support be forwarded to the City of Penticton regarding
the 2010 Legacies Now proposal.
CARRIED
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Page 3
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – September 13, 2004
7.3
Letter from Penticton and District Community Arts Council
A letter from the Penticton and District Community Arts Council advising that the council
had appointed an ad hoc Performing Arts Planning Committee to examine the role of the
Pen Hi Auditorium in the broader context of community need.
7.4
Copy of Letter to Premier
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 39 (Vancouver) to the Premier
endorsing the recommendation of the Joint Council on Child Care calling on the
Government of Canada to require provinces to maintain the 2001-02 baseline spending
on child care and related early childhood development programs, and use federal funds
to supplement, rather than replace, provincial spending.
7.5
Copy of Letter to Minister of Education
A copy of a letter forwarded by the British Columbia School Trustees Association to the
Minister of Education regarding the resolution adopted by the 2004 BCSTA AGM on the
subject of regionalization of educational services.
7.6
Copy of Letter to School District No. 42 (Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows)
A copy of a letter forwarded by the British Columbia School Trustees Association to
School District No. 42 (Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows) in response to their concerns.
In reviewing the correspondence, it was noted that the letter from the Penticton and
District Community Arts Council references an ad hoc performing arts planning
committee and concern was expressed that there appears to be an inconsistent message
amongst the arts community regarding future facility needs. It was also noted that
approximately $3 million would be needed for the auditorium to become a standalone
building and funds would not be available through either the school district or Ministry of
Education for this type of facility. It is also expected there will be insufficient land
available to build the new school facility while saving the Ellis and Shatford buildings as
well as the auditorium.
MOTION:
8.0
Shunter/Van Alphen that the correspondence be received and referred to
the appropriate committees.
CARRIED
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
8.1
Finance and Management Committee
Trustee Little reported on the finance and management committee meeting held on
September 8, 2004:
a.
Financial Statements – June 30, 2004
The committee welcomed the district’s auditor, John McGraw from the firm of BDO
Dunwoody LLP. Mr. McGraw reviewed the role of the auditor and the changes in
auditing requirements since last year. He confirmed that it is the responsibility of
the district to prepare the statements and the auditor’s role is to review the
statements. Discussions included reading the audit letter, the notes to the financial
statements, and the impact of GAAP on reporting expectations. As a result of the
audit, Mr. McGraw advised the trustees the district’s financial statements present
fairly the results of operations for the year.
Further to the report, Mr. Regehr added that the next statements will comply with GAAP
as required by the Ministry of Education and the district is in the process of making
adjustments necessary for full compliance. Appreciation was extended to Alicia Martin in
the accounting department and Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Ron Shongrunden for their
initiatives and efforts in preparing the financial statements for the audit. It was noted the
auditors did not recommend any changes were required in the district’s financial
recording systems.
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b.
Page 4
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – September 13, 2004
School District Bursary Funds
The school district has managed a number of scholarships that were donated for
the benefit of Penticton students several years ago. The Penticton Secondary
Schools Bursary and Scholarship Foundation exists for the purpose of fund raising
and managing scholarship funds. The committee has previously reviewed the
advantages of transferring the district’s funds to the foundation and following
discussion,
MOTION:
Little/Jamieson that the scholarship funds held by the school district
be transferred to the Penticton Secondary Schools Bursary and
Scholarship Foundation.
CARRIED
It was noted that approximately $70,000 currently exists in the funds held by the
district and that the foundation will be directed to comply with the purposes
intended for the scholarship funds.
c.
Facility Rental Rates
The committee was provided with a review of rental rates and practices for
buildings and fields in the district. The committee recognized a review of the
information will require a lengthy time and agreed to meet at 12:00 noon on
October 19 to start this review.
d.
Committee Meeting Dates
A proposed schedule of meeting dates for the finance and management committee
plus buildings, grounds, safety and transportation committee was distributed. The
committee supported the planning of potential meeting dates for the year.
e.
LINK Funding Revision
Assistant Superintendent Dave Stigant distributed a summary of programs planned
for implementation with LINK funds.
Within the programs, Mr. Stigant
recommended that $20,000 of the fund be approved as a portion of funding for an
aboriginal counsellor position. Following discussion,
MOTION:
f.
Aboriginal Education Staffing Changes
Mr. Stigant distributed a summary of staffing from the aboriginal education budget.
Following discussion,
MOTION:
g.
Little/Lindstrom that $20,000 of LINK funding be approved to assist
in the funding of an aboriginal counsellor position.
CARRIED
Little/Van Alphen that the aboriginal education budget be used to
fund a 0.5 FTE teacher counsellor position.
CARRIED
2004-05 Enrolment/Staffing/Transfers
The committee was provided with an enrolment summary as of September 7 which
indicated kindergarten and grades 1 to 8 have increased from projection but down
from last year’s enrolment. A staffing summary was also reviewed which identified
5.0 net staff increases required in K to 5 to support enrolment changes. Mr. Stigant
also described how student transfer requests are being managed for this year.
MOTION:
Little/Manning that the report of the finance and management committee
be received.
CARRIED
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8.2
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – September 13, 2004
Buildings, Grounds, Safety and Transportation Committee
Trustee Jamieson reported on the buildings, grounds, safety and transportation
committee meeting held on September 8, 2004:
a.
Penticton Secondary School Reconstruction Planning
The secretary-treasurer reviewed work over the summer to further develop
options A and C of the school plan. The development of sketch plans for the
building design, site planning, costing plus analysis of option advantages and
disadvantages continues. This analysis of the current options will be completed
shortly for review by the planning committee and trustees.
b.
2005-06 Capital Plan
The annual submission of the five-year capital program is due October 15.
Enrolment projections to assist with planning will be prepared for the next meeting.
It is expected that new school construction will not be required in the plan.
Consideration of building replacement will be reported.
MOTION:
9.0
Page 5
Jamieson/Van Alphen that the minutes of the buildings, grounds, safety and
transportation committee be received.
CARRIED
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
Penticton Secondary School Reconstruction
The secretary-treasurer reported that the district expects to receive the next stage of
project design within a week and following some analysis will be reviewed with the
reconstruction planning committee and the Board by early October.
9.2
Summer Maintenance Projects
The director of maintenance reviewed an extensive listing of summer maintenance and
renovation projects which were completed at the district’s facilities during the summer.
Additionally, the custodial staff was busy with a number of rental groups and extra
cleaning during the summer.
9.3
District Technology
For trustee information, the assistant secretary-treasurer provided information on the
district’s technology upgrade in progress and completed over the summer. The
technicians completed in a four-week period the building or rebuilding of over 4,000
devices (computers, servers, Cisco phones, printers, and other hardware) and the
conversion of over 8,600 user accounts and more than 400 million files. The district has
moved to a standard district-wide system of Windows XP with Service Pack 2, Office XP,
new filtering software, spam filters and other new software. Mr. Shongrunden added the
district’s new technology system has attracted the attention of Johns Hopkins University
who will be sending staff to view the project and the conversion. It was noted the
conversion is not 100% finished and there are still a number of issues to complete.
Appreciation was extended to Mr. Shongrunden and the technology team for their
foresight and accomplishments in the technology conversion.
9.4
Planning and Goal Setting Session
The secretary-treasurer reported that arrangements are being made for a planning and
goal setting session, which is a continuation of an annual process, to be held on October
6, 2004. Up to four representatives from each partner group have been invited and an
invitation has been extended to student representatives from each secondary school.
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9.5
10.0
Page 6
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – September 13, 2004
Nkwala Elementary Lease
The secretary-treasurer advised that a news release had been issued in late June
regarding the lease of Nkwala Elementary School to School District No. 93 (Francophone
Education Authority of British Columbia). School District No. 67 will continue to provide
maintenance, custodial services, and utilities for the facility, with costs being recovered
as part of the lease arrangements.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
Student Achievement
a. District Workgroups (Literacy, Numeracy and Social Responsibility)
i.
The superintendent reviewed information related to the district’s workgroups
noting that invitations have been sent to associations (OSTU, OSPVPA, DPAC,
CUPE, and students) to update the committee membership to the district
workgroups established for the three goals of literacy, numeracy and social
responsibility.
ii.
Trustees confirmed their representations as follows:
1. Literacy – Pennie Jamieson and Dave Shunter
2. Numeracy – Keith Lindstrom and Ginny Manning
3. Social Responsibility – Linda Van Alphen and Larry Little
iii. Assignment of helping teachers includes:
1. Literacy (middle and secondary) – Janice Clary, 0.3 FTE
2. Literacy (elementary) – Judy Scott, 0.2 FTE
3. Numeracy – Vic Keehn – 0.2 FTE
4. Social Responsibility – Deb Donoghue, 0.2 FTE
iv. Workgroup chairs:
1. Literacy – Janice Clary and Gary Doi
2. Numeracy – Vic Keehn and Garth Schafer
3. Social Responsibility – Deb Donoghue and Dave Stigant
v.
Partners Meetings
1. February 23, 2005 (Review/renew commitment to goals)
b. District Progress Report (Accountability Contract)
Mr. Doi added that Sharon Sola will be helping to update the district’s progress
report, the education committee will review the progress report on Tuesday,
November 2, and district workgroups need to confirm plans for 2004-05 by Friday,
October 22.
c. School Progress Report
School admin groups will meet to review their school plans on Tuesday, October 5
(elementary); Wednesday, October 13 (middle); and Thursday, October 14
(secondary). School planning councils will meet for training sessions on October 19
(elementary) and October 20 (middle and secondary), 7:00 p.m., at the Penticton
Lakeside Resort, and association presidents will meet to discuss the agenda for the
SPC training sessions on October 5, 12:00 noon, at the school board office. As a
new initiative this year, the superintendent and school trustee liaison for that school
will meet once during the year with each school planning council.
d. Building Instructional Capacity
Mr. Doi added that Katie Hicks will be helping to coordinate some of the initiatives
regarding the building instructional capacity initiative including related summer pro-d,
profile of teacher leaders, and data set development for math middle school teachers.
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Page 7
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – September 13, 2004
e. Grade 12 Provincial Exam and Scholarship Results (June 2004)
i.
School District 67 exam results
Mr. Stigant reviewed a preliminary report on school and exam averages for June
2004 and noted the entire report will be issued when aggregate marks for the
year are available.
ii.
Provincial scholarship results
Mr. Stigant reported that 48 students from the district received provincial
scholarships with one winner achieving 2394 which qualifies for a $2,000
scholarship. It was noted that Summerland Secondary had a record number of
scholarships.
iii. District scholarships
A copy of a press release distributed in August was reviewed which announced
that six district scholarships were presented to top achievers in tourism,
hospitality, and foods; trades and technology; fine arts – design and media;
business administration; fine arts – design; and applied skills – technology.
10.2
Communication and Access
a. Education Agenda Schedule
The superintendent reviewed an education agenda schedule outlining dates and
events related to district and Ministry of Education goals and initiatives.
b. Field Trips
Following review of two field trip requests,
10.3
MOTION:
Little/Shunter that funding as per district policy be provided for seven
track and field students from Penticton Secondary School who
competed in the BC provincial track and field championships in
Burnaby on June 3 to 5, 2004.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Jamieson that approval in principle be granted for 18
students from Summerland Secondary School to travel to San
Francisco, California to participate in girls’ select team soccer matches
from December 27, 2004 to January 2, 2005.
CARRIED
Other Items
a. Parent Conference
It was noted that the district parent advisory council is organizing a parent conference
for the parents of the district to be held on Saturday, October 16 at the Penticton
Lakeside Resort. The registration is limited to 90 parents and will feature a variety of
relevant and engaging resource speakers. Parents wishing to attend should contact
their school’s parent advisory council. Trustees are requested to attend at 4:00 p.m.
b. Enrolment
The assistant superintendent reviewed enrolment as of September 10, 2004, which
showed 100 fewer students than September 30, 2003 but 67 more students than
projected. New divisions have been added at Carmi, Columbia and Wiltse and one
division has been removed from Queen’s Park Elementary. In addition, a full day
ESL kindergarten program has been added at Wiltse as well as a full day
kindergarten program at West Bench Elementary School.
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Page 8
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – September 13, 2004
c. Admin Summer Session
The superintendent provided a brief overview of the Administrative Summer Session
held August 25 and 26. It was noted that representatives from School District No. 53
(Okanagan Similkameen) participated in the conference as well.
11.0
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
12.0
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
13.0
INFORMATION ITEMS
14.0
13.1
BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting
The BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting will be held on October 29 and 30, 2004 in
Vancouver. Agenda items must be received by September 24, 2004. Trustee Little will
attend.
13.2
BCSTA Okanagan Branch Meeting
The BCSTA Okanagan Branch Meeting will be held September 24 and 25, 2004 in
Osoyoos.
13.3
Date of Next Meeting
• October 4, 2004, Regular Meeting, School Board Office
TRUSTEE COMMENTS
14.1
Trustee Comments
Chairman Denesiuk extended best wishes to Garret Hickling, son of Director of
Maintenance John Hickling, on his competition later this month in the Paralympics in
Greece. Garret will be representing Canada in wheelchair rugby.
15.0
ADJOURNMENT
16.0
QUESTION PERIOD
____________________
Chairperson
____________________
Secretary-Treasurer
September 17, 2004
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