BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2006, AT 7:30 P.M.
SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE
MINUTES
IN ATTENDANCE
C. Denesiuk, Chair
L. Little, Vice Chair
K. Andrews, Trustee
W. Huebert, Trustee
D. E. Jamieson, Trustee
G. Manning, Trustee
G. Doi, Superintendent of Schools
R. Shongrunden, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
D. Stigant, Assistant Superintendent
J. Hickling, Director of Maintenance
G. Schafer, Director of Instruction
D. Burgoyne, District Principal
L. Hauptman, District Principal
D. Adey, Executive Secretary
D. Searcy, Vice Principal, Penticton Secondary School
1.0
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Denesiuk welcomed district staff, guests, and representatives of the media.
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Andrews/Manning that the agenda be approved.
CARRIED
3.0
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
3.1
Provincial Deaf/Blind Conference
Skaha Lake Middle School Special Education Teacher Karen Bell and Deaf/Blind
Intervenor/Education Assistant Sue Gawne presented highlights of their presentation at
the Provincial Deaf/Blind Conference held December 1 and 2, 2005, in Richmond, BC.
They explained some of the teaching strategies and approaches they use to teach
children in their classes.
Following a number of questions, Chairman Denesiuk thanked Ms. Bell and Ms. Gawne
for their presentation.
4.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
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Page 2
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – January 9, 2006
5.0
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
Huebert/Manning that the minutes of the regular meeting held on December 12,
2005 be approved.
CARRIED
6.0
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETING
The assistant secretary-treasurer reported on the closed meeting held on December 12, 2005:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
7.0
Received correspondence;
Received reports from the committee of the whole and discipline committee;
Approved teaching, excluded, and CUPE staff changes;
Received information related to properties;
Received information related to the 2005-06 budget recalculation;
Approved a request for a teacher’s leave;
Received information regarding student suspensions;
Received information related to Ministry grants;
Received information regarding an upcoming meeting;
Approved a request from a teacher to work with students as part of a Masters program;
Received information regarding a pending retirement;
Received information related to a British Columbia Public Schools Employers Association
meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter from Summerland Communities in Bloom Committee
A letter from the Summerland Communities in Bloom Committee advising that
preparations are being made for Summerland to compete at the provincial level in 2006
and requesting a representative or contact person from the school district. Director of
Maintenance John Hickling will represent the district on this committee.
7.2
Letter from Okanagan Skaha Teachers’ Union
A letter from the Okanagan Skaha Teachers’ Union requesting a meeting with the Board
of School Trustees and representatives of other partner groups to share perspectives and
gather information regarding the draft video surveillance policy. It was noted that partner
groups will be invited to the next policy committee meeting.
7.3
Letter from Parent
A letter from Kaleden Elementary parent Sheri Souch regarding the playground
equipment at the school. This letter was referred to the buildings, grounds, safety and
transportation committee.
7.4
Letter from Okanagan Skaha Teachers’ Union
A letter from the Okanagan Skaha Teachers’ Union requesting regularly scheduled
meetings with the OSTU to share ideas and discuss issues that arise and may impact
both teachers and the board such as the development of a district Working and Learning
Conditions Committee and the expanded mandate for the Ministry of Education. This
letter will be referred to the finance and management committee.
7.5
Copy of Letter to Minister of Education
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan) to the Minister
of Education regarding the timelines for the recent grant announcements.
7.6
Copy of Letter to Minister of Education
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 61 (Greater Victoria) to the Minister of
Education regarding the recent grants announced by the Ministry of Education.
MOTION:
Andrews/Little that the correspondence be received.
CARRIED
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8.0
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – January 9, 2006
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
8.1
Finance and Management Committee
Trustee Little reported regarding the finance and management committee meeting held
on January 4, 2006:
a.
Ministry Grants
Class Size and Composition – District Principal Dave Burgoyne reviewed the
guidelines for the class size and composition grant and reported the funds will be
used primarily for additional teacher time.
Lost Instructional Time Grant – the district principal reported that funds from this
grant will be used for teachers on call to assist in invigilating exam sessions. This
will then free up the regular secondary classroom teachers to provide additional
student instruction and support.
School Grants and District Grant – Superintendent Doi advised a letter of
agreement had been signed off with education partners for the expenditure of
funding for the district grant and reviewed the expenditure plan for school and
district grants.
MOTION:
8.2
Little/Jamieson that the report of the finance and management committee
be received.
CARRIED
Buildings, Grounds, Safety and Transportation Committee
Trustee Jamieson reported on the buildings, grounds, safety and transportation
committee meeting held on January 4, 2006:
a.
Adventure Playgrounds
The director of maintenance provided information on adventure playgrounds in the
district. The maintenance department will complete an inventory of all equipment
including date of installation, current condition of equipment, and list of deficiencies
from current standards. The maintenance department has records relating to
inspections done and repair work completed and will develop a recommended
replacement timeframe for deteriorating equipment to aid schools in a PAC’s plan
for replacement.
b.
School Fields
Requests have been received from field users to have school fields upgraded. It
was noted that the City of Penticton Sports Fields Task Force recommended
establishing a joint school district/city committee to generate recommendations for
the continuing development and upgrading of fields on school sites.
c.
School Grounds Security
Mr. Hickling recommended that school property be posted with signs indicating no
trespassing from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily to assist the RCMP in dispersing
groups or individuals from school fields. The City is prepared to share some of the
costs for signs associated with this request. Following discussion, the committee
recommended that this be referred to the policy committee for review.
d.
NRCan Retrofit Assistance Rebate
The director of maintenance reported that the district’s proposal for Natural
Resources Canada’s (NRCan) Energy Retrofit Assistance has been conditionally
approved. It is expected the district will receive $74,078 from this grant. The grant
will be used for capital projects that increase the energy efficiency of schools and
consequently reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
MOTION:
9.0
10.0
Page 4
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – January 9, 2006
Jamieson/Andrews that the report of the buildings, grounds, safety and
transportation committee be received.
CARRIED
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
Penticton Secondary School Reconstruction
The director of maintenance reported that Killick Metz Bowen Rose architects have
design team meetings scheduled through to tender in June. We have two milestones to
reach before tender: 50% design and estimates by March 9 and 95% design and
estimates by May 15.
9.2
2005-06 Amended Budget
Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Shongrunden advised the deadline for preparation and
submission of the 2005-06 Amended Annual Budget is February 24, 2006 and explained
the reasons for an amended annual budget. Accounts are currently being reviewed for
any surplus or deficits which may affect the final budget.
9.3
Education Resources Acquisition Consortium
The assistant secretary-treasurer reported regarding his involvement with a steering
committee of the Education Resources Acquisition Consortium (ERAC), which was
formed in 2003 in a partnership between school districts and the Ministry of Education.
The purpose is to generate financial savings by purchasing software and video in larger
quantities and reducing the amount of time school district staff spend evaluating,
selecting, negotiating and purchasing software and video. ERAC is now prepared to
expand to textbook purchasing and our district will examine the participation of textbook
purchasing through ERAC in the future.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
10.2
Student Achievement
a.
Ministry Grants
The superintendent reported on four grants recently provided by the Ministry of
Education. The class size and composition grant totalling $249,815 will be used in
11 schools and will be implemented from February to June 2006. The proposal
submitted to the Ministry for the loss instructional time grant ($64,000) was
approved and will be used for teachers on call to assist in invigilating exam
sessions so that the regular secondary classroom teachers can provide additional
student instruction and support. Eighty teachers on call days will be provided at
Summerland Secondary, 80 TOC days at Princess Margaret Secondary, and 160
TOC days at Penticton Secondary School. An agreement was developed with the
OSTU, CUPE, OSPVPA, DPAC and the Board for the spending of funds provided
in the district grant of $348,565. The school grant of the same amount will be used
to address some priority areas identified by the school planning councils. OSTU
President Terry Green and CUPE President Zoë Magnus commented on how well
the process worked and district staff was thanked for their efforts to gather the
information necessary in order to meet the tight timelines.
b.
School Planning Council Meetings
Trustees were reminded to make their own arrangements to attend at least one
SPC meeting at their liaison schools over the next few months.
Communication and Access
a.
Ikeda Students
Assistant Superintendent Dave Stigant provided an overview of the City of
Penticton and Ikeda Japan sister city relationship as well as the Ikeda and
Penticton secondary schools’ program established in 1990. Mr. Stigant provided
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 5
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – January 9, 2006
details of the itinerary for the Japanese students’ visit to Penticton Secondary
School from January 5 to 11, 2006 and advised that students will travel to Japan in
September as part of the city’s sister city exchange. Additionally, Mr. Stigant
reviewed the Kun-ei Girls School program which places students from their private
school in Japan into English speaking countries for a period of one year with a
maximum of only six students being placed in any one school district. This year’s
students left on Saturday past and the new students will arrive within two weeks.
b.
Field Trips
The superintendent of schools reviewed field trip requests circulated with the
agenda package, one of which had been approved by the superintendent.
MOTION:
Little/Andrews that funding as per board policy be approved for the
following field trip request:
•
10.3
November 7 to 11, 2005, for 15 students from Penticton
Secondary School to travel to Victoria to compete in the
provincial field hockey championships.
CARRIED
c.
Education Visit to Columbia Elementary
It was noted that Columbia Elementary will be hosting a visit by school trustees and
senior district staff on Tuesday, January 10, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
d.
December Wall of Fame
Superintendent Doi acknowledged the accomplishments of December’s Wall of
Fame, Chad Beddie, who is a research scientist. Mr. Beddie is a Penticton
Secondary School Grad of 1992.
Other Items
a.
Enrolment
The assistant superintendent of schools reported on enrolment as of December 31,
2005. The district’s current enrolment is 7,275 students or 6,966.25 FTE.
b.
French Immersion
Director of Instruction Schafer reviewed the timelines and process associated with
the French Immersion registrations noting that information will be distributed to all
students on Monday, January 16. All applications received prior to 4:00 p.m. on
Friday, February 3, 2006, will be considered on a random draw (lottery) basis for
the available seats and a wait list reflecting the order of names drawn for any seats
should they become available.
If seats remain available after the draw,
applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Parents will be
informed by letter and information sessions will be held on March 28 and 29 at
KVR Middle School and March 30 at Summerland Middle School. It was noted that
information will be available through the district’s website and bussing for the
program is the responsibility of the parents.
11.0
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
12.0
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
13.0
INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1
BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting
The BCSTA Provincial Council meeting will be held on February 25, 2006 in Vancouver.
Trustee Little will attend.
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
BCSTA Okanagan Branch Meeting
The BCSTA Okanagan Branch meeting will be held on March 3 and 4, 2006 in Vernon.
13.3
BCSTA Trustees Academy
The BCSTA Trustees Academy will be held on February 23 to 25, 2006 in Vancouver.
13.4
BCSTA Annual General Meeting
The deadline for submission of motions for BCSTA’s annual general meeting to be held
April 27 to 30, 2006 in Prince George is as follows:
13.5
15.0
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – January 9, 2006
13.2
•
•
14.0
Page 6
Extraordinary motions – February 15
Substantive motions – February 25
Date of Next Meeting
• February 13, 2006, 7:30 p.m., Regular Meeting, School Board Office
TRUSTEE COMMENTS
14.1
Recognition of Student Success
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) extended congratulations to the students and
groups for outstanding examples of success as shown on the recognition sheet included
with the agenda package.
14.2
Recognition of Student Artwork
Students from Ms. Kay’s grade 5 class at Giant’s Head Elementary School were
recognized for their artwork currently on display at the school board office.
14.3
Trustee Comments
Chairman Denesiuk reviewed a media release announcing that Assistant Superintendent
Dave Stigant will retire at the end of June. This position as well as a new position of
Manager of Information Technology will be advertised shortly. Additionally, trustees
provided general comments related to district activities and requested that a letter of
congratulations be forwarded to Justin Pogge on his recent gold medal at the world junior
men’s hockey championships.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Manning/Andrews that the meeting be adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
CARRIED
16.0
QUESTION PERIOD
____________________
Chairperson
____________________
Secretary-Treasurer
January 12, 2006
Ref: U:\SBO-ST-Data\DA\2005-2006\00100 - 00999 Admin\00300-05 Minutes O pen\060109 OP.doc
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