BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2006, AT 7:30 P.M.
AT THE 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
L. Van Alphen, Trustee
G. Doi, Superintendent of Schools
F. Regehr, Secretary-Treasurer
D. Stigant, Assistant Superintendent
R. Shongrunden, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
J. Hickling, Director of Maintenance
G. Schafer, Director of Instruction
D. Burgoyne, District Principal
L. Hauptman, District Principal
D. Adey, Executive Secretary
1.0
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Denesiuk welcomed district staff, guests, and representatives of the media and
congratulated Terry Green on his re-election as president of the Okanagan Skaha Teachers’
Association.
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Little/Van Alphen that the agenda and addendum be approved.
CARRIED
3.0
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
3.1
Home Learners Program
A video describing some of the highlights of the Home Learners’ program and explaining
why students would participate in the Home Learners’ program was prepared by home
learner students and presented at the meeting. Principal Jan Ramsay introduced the
three students who prepared the video along with their teachers Kirsten Odian and Aaron
Grant. Following presentation of the video and a number of questions, the students were
congratulated for their efforts in preparing the video.
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Page 2
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – June 12, 2006
3.2
Water Conservation in the Okanagan
Princess Margaret Secondary media students Joey Pierre and Travis Nowoselski
recently received a grant from the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan to
prepare a film documentary called “Stop the Drip”. The students worked with City of
Penticton staff in preparing the content for the documentary film on water conservation
which will be shown at next week’s council meeting. Following the presentation of the
video, the students and their teacher Patrick Whiteley responded to a number of
questions. Copies of the film will be distributed to all schools and Shaw Cable TV for
airing during the summer.
3.3
Special Education
Edna Dyck, a special education teacher at KVR Middle School, demonstrated Kurzweil
3000 software technology, which enables reading challenged students to access text
material. The software is designed for all students with learning difficulties and is a great
example of technology as a learning tool. One notebook with the new Kurzweil 3000
software will be distributed to all schools.
Following a number of questions, appreciation was extended to all students and staff for
their presentations.
4.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
5.0
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
Little/Van Alphen that the minutes of the regular school board meeting held on May
8, 2006 be approved.
CARRIED
6.0
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETING
The secretary-treasurer reported on the closed meeting held on May 8, 2006:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
7.0
Received reports from the finance and management committee; buildings, grounds,
safety and transportation committee; and the discipline committee;
(Declaring a possible conflict of interest, Trustee Little left the finance and management
committee for discussion of one topic.)
Approved a property matter;
Confirmed teaching, excluded, and CUPE staff changes;
Received information related to the long service/retirement dinner;
Received information related to a personnel matter;
Confirmed a principal appointment;
Received information on student suspensions.
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Copy of Letter to Minister of Education
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 85 (Vancouver Island North) to the
Minister of Education requesting additional funding to maintain current levels of class size
and class composition.
7.2
Copy of Letter to Minister of Education
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 84 (Vancouver Island West) to the
Minister of Education requesting the Ministry revisit the present mode of funding for
school districts.
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – June 12, 2006
7.3
Copy of Letter to Minister of Education
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) to the Minister of
Education regarding the 2006-07 funding for school districts.
7.4
Copy of Letter to Premier
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 39 (Vancouver) to the Premier
supporting the Safe Schools Act introduced in the Legislature in April 2006.
7.5
Copy of Letter to Prime Minister of Canada
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 20 (Kootenay-Columbia) to the Prime
Minister of Canada expressing concern about the Early Learning and Child Care
Agreement.
7.6
Copy of Letter to Prime Minister of Canada
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 38 (Richmond) to the Prime Minister of
Canada urging the federal government to honour the Early Learning and Child Care
Agreement made in 2005 with the provincial and territorial governments.
7.7
Copy of Letter to Minister of Education
A copy of a letter forwarded by School District No. 79 (Cowichan Valley) to the Minister of
Education requesting additional funding.
MOTION:
Manning/Andrews that the correspondence be received.
CARRIED
8.0
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
8.1
Education Committee
Trustee Manning reported on the education committee meeting held on June 6, 2006:
a.
School Progress Reports
District Principal Lynn Hauptman provided an overview of the schools’ efforts to
improve the achievement of all students as reflected in their School Progress
Reports. It was evident that much progress has occurred over the past three
years. Queen’s Park Elementary Principal Kelly Jones and teachers Maryann
McLean and Pat Stewart were available to outline the progress achieved with the
reading and writing goals in the school. Princess Margaret Secondary Principal
Bruce Johnson and teachers Trevor Robinson and Rachelle Goncalves provided a
secondary school perspective of their literacy school improvement goal.
MOTION:
Manning/Van Alphen that the Board approve the School Progress Reports
for 2005-06 as required by district policy and extend its congratulations to
the SPC’s and schools for their dedication and commitment to improving
the achievement of all students.
CARRIED
b.
Nutrition Report
District Principal Dave Burgoyne presented a summary of the feedback received
from schools to the Nutrition Report. The Social Responsibility Committee will
consider the feedback and develop a draft district policy reflecting the three
recommendations.
c.
Early Intervention Initiative
District Principal Lynn Hauptman outlined the Early Intervention Initiative and its
impact for students who are at-risk in reading in the primary grades.
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d.
Page 4
Masters Research Proposals
Several teachers have requested permission to conduct a research project for their
Masters degree program.
MOTION:
Manning/Huebert that the Board approves the following teachers’ requests
to undertake an action research project as part of a graduate level
program:
•
•
•
•
e.
8.2
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – June 12, 2006
Tony Biollo, Wiltse Elementary School (Topic: Impact of
Accelerated Reading and STAR reading programs)
Deborah Bonnett, Queen’s Park Elementary School (Topic: Peer
Mediation)
Angela Seppola, McNicoll Park Middle School (Topic:
Implementing a Reading Comprehension Program)
Collette Shanner, Giant’s Head Elementary School (Topic:
Formative Assessment Practices)
CARRIED
Speech Research Project Request
Speech Language Pathologist Glenda Mason requested permission to undertake a
speech research project in collaboration with Dr. Barbara Bernhardt, Associate
Professor from UBC School of Audiology and Speech Services.
MOTION:
Manning/Andrews that the Board approves in principle Glenda Mason’s
request to undertake a speech research project in collaboration with Dr.
Barbara Bernhardt.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Manning/Huebert 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 June
7, 2006:
a.
Review of Correspondence at Board Meetings
The committee reviewed the practice of including correspondence on the board
meeting agendas. Currently, letters addressed to the board or copied to the board
from other organizations are included. It was noted many of the copies received
are repetitive and/or related to topics outside the board’s mandate. Following
discussion, the committee supported the practice be revised to include:
•
•
b.
Letters copied to the board
• A summarized listing of letters copied to the board will be reported on
each agenda
• These letters will be available in the trustee reading file
• When each agenda is established, a letter may be added to the agenda
Letters addressed to the board
• Letters addressed to the board will continue to be included with the
agenda
Enhancement Agreement
Assistant Superintendent Stigant discussed the final review of the Aboriginal
Education Enhancement Agreement and the support received from the Ministry.
Planning arrangements are in progress to sign the agreement on June 21, 2006,
which is National Aboriginal Day. This will include student entertainment, a salmon
barbeque, and a signing ceremony at West Bench Elementary School. All trustees
are encouraged to attend the special event.
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
c.
Little/Van Alphen 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 June 7, 2006:
a.
West Bench Turbidity
The committee was advised the drinking water at West Bench Elementary School
has been turned off and bottled water is being made available. Mr. Hickling
advised plans are proceeding to install water filtering/treatment systems at each
school affected by turbidity to allow for safe drinking of the water.
b.
Summerland Secondary School Front Entry
The committee reviewed a sketch plan for the upgrading of Summerland
Secondary School. Mr. Hickling advised the plan requires more review and when
finalized will be proposed for the 2006-07 annual facilities grant program.
c.
Water Conservation – Parkway Elementary
The committee was advised regarding a City of Penticton initiative to install a water
conservation toilet at Parkway Elementary School. Mr. Hickling confirmed the toilet
was installed by a city employee. The toilet will reduce waste water and water
consumption by more than 50%.
d.
Penticton Secondary School – Heritage Register
The committee was informed the City of Penticton has advised that 20 properties in
the community, including the Ellis and Shatford buildings, have been placed on a
Register of Historic Places.
MOTION:
9.0
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – June 12, 2006
Okanagan Hockey Academy – 2006-07 Teams
The committee was advised a plan to add a fourth hockey team to the academy
will not proceed in the 2006-07 year.
MOTION:
8.3
Page 5
Jamieson/Manning that the report of the buildings, grounds, safety and
transportation committee be received.
CARRIED
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
Penticton Secondary School Reconstruction
In providing an update on the Penticton Secondary School reconstruction, Director of
Maintenance John Hickling noted that the 100% drawings are due this week and we hope
to proceed to tendering shortly. Site visits for all contractors are scheduled for June 23
and the tender closing is scheduled for July 18. Modified floor plans and renderings of
the project will be posted to the district website as soon as possible.
9.2
Giant’s Head Elementary HVAC Tender
Director of Maintenance Hickling reported the tender for the HVAC project at Giant’s
Head Elementary School has been awarded to D & G Mechanical from Kelowna in the
amount of $723,200. It was noted that this project is designed for efficiency and includes
$150,000 for new roofing.
9.3
Financial Report
The secretary-treasurer reviewed the financial report to May 31, 2006 provided in the
agenda package and noted approximately 90% of expenditures are completed. It
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Page 6
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – June 12, 2006
appears the district should have some funds left over which will be used for programs
identified during the budget process.
9.4
Board Meeting Dates
The secretary-treasurer reviewed a listing of proposed school board meeting dates for
the 2006-07 school year which is based on a monthly meeting being held on the second
Monday of each month, with three exceptions for statutory holidays. Following
discussion,
MOTION:
Jamieson/Manning that the meeting dates for 2006-07 be confirmed:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
September 11, 2006
October 2, 2006
November 6, 2006
December 11, 2006
January 15, 2007
February 12, 2007
March 12, 2007
April 16, 2007
May 14, 2007
June 11, 2007
CARRIED
Trustees agreed to review for next year the possibility of changing meeting dates so as
not to conflict with Penticton city council meeting nights.
9.5
2006-07 Budget
The secretary-treasurer reviewed the “Report on Allocation of Funding to Class Size,
Class Composition, and Special Needs Students” prepared as part of the 2006-07 budget
submission to the Ministry of Education.
MOTION:
10.0
Little/Van Alphen that the “Report on Allocation of Funding to Class Size,
Class Composition, and Special Needs Students” be submitted to the
Ministry of Education.
CARRIED
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
Student Achievement
a.
Celebrating Achievement!
The superintendent reported the third annual ‘Celebrating Achievement’ event, held
on June 1, 2006, highlighted the outstanding work of students, staff and parents
and our shared effort to improve achievement – the achievement of all students
and of all achievements. Approximately two hundred people attended the event.
Appreciation was extended to all those who helped with the event.
b.
Year-end Awards/Recognition Ceremonies
Mr. Doi noted that school year-end ceremonies are many and varied as each
school recognizes the achievement of their students and the outstanding support
and leadership of students, staff, parents, and community. A listing of year-end
special events was circulated with the agenda package.
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10.2
Page 7
Communication and Access
a.
Field Trips
The superintendent of schools reviewed a listing of field trip requests circulated
with the agenda package, four of which had been approved by the superintendent
pursuant to policy.
MOTION:
Little/Van Alphen that the following field trip request be approved for
funding as per board policy:
•
MOTION:
MOTION:
March 19 to 30, 2007, for 44 students from Penticton
Secondary, Princess Margaret Secondary, Summerland
Secondary, and Skaha Lake Middle schools to visit tourist
sites in London, Paris, and Normandy.
CARRIED
Manning/Little that the following field trip request be approved in
principle:
•
MOTION:
June 1 to 3, 2006, for six Summerland Secondary students
to compete in the provincial track and field championships in
Burnaby.
CARRIED
Jamieson/Huebert that the following field trip request be approved in
principle:
•
October 9 to 13, 2006, for 33 students from Summerland
Secondary School to travel on a combined Marine
Biology/Art trip to the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre in
Bamfield, BC.
CARRIED
Little/Huebert that the following field trip request be approved in
principle:
•
10.3
September 27 to October 1, 2006, for 20 grade 12 students
from Penticton Secondary School to travel to Mount St.
Helen’s, Washington, to observe, hike and camp.
CARRIED
Other Items
a.
Enrolment
Assistant Superintendent Stigant reviewed enrolment as of May 31, 2006. The
district’s current enrolment is 7,262 students or 6,925.078 FTE.
11.0
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
12.0
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
12.1
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – June 12, 2006
Visitation by Minister of Education
For trustee information, Chairman Denesiuk and Vice Chair Little commented on the
visitation to the school district earlier today by the Minister of Education. A round table
discussion on a variety of topics was held with partner group and student representatives
as well as the secretary-treasurer, superintendent, chairman and vice chairman.
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – June 12, 2006
Following the discussion, the Minister and MLA Rick Thorpe toured Summerland Middle
and Summerland Secondary schools. The Minister indicated she would return to the
school district to spend some time in the Penticton zone of the district.
13.0
14.0
INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1
Date of Next Meeting
• September 11, 2006, Regular Meeting, School Board Office, or at the call of the
chair
13.2
Summer Leadership Conference
School District No. 67 will be hosting the 2006 Summer Leadership Conference on
August 21 and 22, 2006. Details of the conference are available on the district’s website.
At this time, approximately four hundred people are registered for the conference.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS
14.1
Trustee Comments
Trustees provided general comments related to district and school activities including the
tour of schools by Olympian Kristi Richards. Trustees requested that a special thank you
be sent to Kristi for her presentations. Appreciation was extended to Assistant
Superintendent Stigant for his 19 years of dedicated service to the school district and
best wishes were extended for his retirement.
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 shown on the recognition sheet included
with the agenda package.
14.3
Recognition of Student Artwork
Students from Naramata Elementary School were congratulated for their artwork
currently on display at the school board office:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
15.0
Grace Logie, Kindergarten
Michelle Smallman, Grade 1
Eric Doroshuk, Grade 2
Jessica Henderson, Grade 2
Kris Rodie, Grade 3
Liam Cole, Grade 4
Hilary Kopp, Grade 4
Clara-Louise Schirrmeister, Grade 5
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Manning/Andrews that the meeting be adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
CARRIED
16.0
QUESTION PERIOD
____________________
Chairperson
____________________
Secretary-Treasurer
June 20, 2006
Ref: U:\SBO-ST-Data\DA\2005-2006\00100 - 00999 Admin\00300-05 Minutes Open\060612 OP.doc
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