BOARD OF EDUCATION
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2008, AT 7:30 P.M.
AT THE SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE
MINUTES
IN ATTENDANCE
Larry Little, Chair
Ginny Manning, Vice Chair
Shelley Clarke, Trustee
Connie Denesiuk, Trustee
Walter Huebert, Trustee
Linda Van Alphen, Trustee
Gary Doi, Superintendent of Schools
Frank Regehr, Secretary-Treasurer
Ron Shongrunden, Director of Finance and Information Technology
Dave Burgoyne, Director of Instruction
Brian Celli, Director of Instruction
Lynn Hauptman, Director of Instruction
Garth Schafer, Director of Instruction
John Hickling, Director of Maintenance
Daphne Adey, Executive Assistant
1.0
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Little called the meeting to order, welcomed everyone to the meeting, and
congratulated Trustee Connie Denesiuk on her election as president of the British Columbia
School Trustees Association.
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Huebert/Van Alphen that the agenda and addendum be adopted.
CARRIED
3.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
3.1
Penticton League of Sensible Electors (PLEASE)
Representatives from the PLEASE group spoke to the Board requesting that the Board
refrain from demolishing the auditorium and gym so that the buildings can be retained for
community use. Introduced by spokesman Dave Shunter, Adeline Rheaume presented
the results of the group’s recent poll at Cherry Lane Mall in which 2,653 of 2,735 people
voted in favour of keeping the two buildings. Dr. Sandy Congram spoke about the need
to keep the gym due to a shortage of gym space in Penticton and the increased physical
activity requirements of the Ministry of Education. Michael Brydon reiterated the
community support for keeping the buildings, provided information on attempts of other
cities to obtain funding for arts centres, and requested that the board not commit itself to
irreversible action that is contrary to the interests of taxpayers.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 2
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – April 14, 2008
Chairman Little thanked the groups for their presentation following which all trustees
presented their reasons for not keeping the auditorium and gym as part of the
redevelopment of the Penticton Secondary School site. Trustees noted the extensive
consultation process since the funding was first announced and the passing of the
deadline to receive proposals for the auditorium. Also noted were the availability of a
new gym that is almost double the size of what is being lost, new tennis courts and sports
court, sufficient parking spaces for a large school, green space, and safe site access and
exiting for students, buses, and cars. Trustees indicated the time is past for keeping
these buildings and suggested it is time to move forward with deconstruction and
redevelopment of the site. Following the trustee comments,
MOTION:
4.0
Denesiuk/Huebert that the Board proceed as planned with awarding the
tender for the deconstruction of Penticton Secondary School at the end of
June.
CARRIED
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
4.1
Penticton Secondary School
From March 9 to 25, 2008, 30 students and three teachers from Penticton Secondary
travelled to Ecuador to work on a humanitarian project. The students stayed with local
families and began construction of a daycare along with other projects. Vice Principal
Sandra Richardson and students Angie Smythe, Anna Patterson, and Bryce Ehrecke
presented highlights of their trip which included home-stay experiences, meeting the
locals, and participating in the community projects. The students also spoke of the
impact the trip had on their personal lives.
Following the presentation, the students were thanked for their attendance at the meeting
and for being great ambassadors of our district and city.
5.0
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
Huebert/Van Alphen that the minutes of the regular meeting held on March 10,
2008 be approved.
CARRIED
6.0
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETING
The secretary-treasurer reported on the closed meeting held on March 10 and special meeting
held on March 14, 2008:
Regular Meeting held on March 10, 2008:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Received reports from the finance and management committee, and discipline
committee;
Confirmed teaching, excluded, and CUPE staff changes;
Confirmed principal and vice principal appointments and reassignments;
Received information related to student suspensions;
Received information related to a recent meeting of the Okanagan Labour Relations
Council;
Received information related to the upcoming district review.
Special Meeting held on March 14, 2008:
1.
Reaffirmed the Board’s decision to proceed as planned with the Penticton Secondary
School site.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
7.0
Page 3
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – April 14, 2008
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter from Penticton League of Sensible Electors
A letter from the Penticton League of Sensible Electors (PLEASE) requesting an
opportunity to appear before the full school board in open public assembly to present
their proposal for a delay in the pending demolition of two buildings at Penticton
Secondary – the North Gymnasium and the Pen Hi Auditorium.
7.2
Letter from Catholic Civil Rights League
A letter from the Catholic Civil Rights League enclosing the executive summary of a
critical review of Ministry of Education guidelines, Making Space, Giving Voice. The
guidelines are available in the trustee reading file.
7.3
Summary of Copies of Letters to the Board
Copies of the letters to the Board listed below are available in the trustee reading file:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
MOTION:
Citizen Dodi Morrison to the Editors of Penticton Herald and Western News
regarding the PSS auditorium;
School District No. 46 (Sunshine Coast) to the Minister of Education requesting
that the Ministry refrain from identifying individual schools when releasing
Foundation Skills Assessment and other provincially standardized exam results;
School District No. 51 (Boundary) to the federal Minister of Industry endorsing
the request by the British Columbia School Trustees Association for legislative
exemption for educational use of materials posted on the internet that are freely
available without password protection or other restrictions on access or use;
School District No. 38 (Richmond) to the federal Minister of Industry supporting
the letter written by the British Columbia School Trustees Association in which its
requests legislative exemption for educational use of materials posted on the
internet that are freely available without password protection or other restrictions
on access or use;
School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) to the Minister of Education expressing its
concern regarding the introduction of the carbon tax credit without a
commensurate increase in funding to offset the tax;
School District No. 84 (Vancouver Island West) to the Minister of Education
regarding the use of Foundation Skills Assessment data by the Fraser Institute;
School District No. 69 (Qualicum) to the Minister of Education requesting that
Ministry officials be available at all districts that wish to meet with them at the
BCSTA annual general meeting.
Huebert/Denesiuk that the correspondence be received.
CARRIED
8.0
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
8.1
Finance and Management Committee
Trustee Manning reported on the finance and management committee meetings held on
April 2 and 9, 2008 and the public budget meeting held on April 7, 2008:
April 2, 2008:
a.
2008-09 Budget Development
Secretary-Treasurer Regehr reviewed preliminary budget estimates for the 200809 budget. Estimates were based on a 100 FTE enrolment decline and associated
staffing/supply adjustments for this decline, employee contract increases for the
year, and adjustments to supply/services accounts. Mr. Regehr advised the
estimated shortfall to be at $318,000. Following clarification of the budget
estimates, the committee supported preparation for the April 7 public budget
meeting.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 4
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – April 14, 2008
Public Budget Meeting – April 7, 2008:
a.
2008-09 Budget
Secretary-Treasurer Regehr presented information regarding the school district’s
finances, district enrolment, and projected budget shortfall of $318,000. CUPE
representative Colleen Wiens applauded the board for its efforts regarding
environmental awareness in going “green” with the cleaning supplies,
acknowledged the inclusion last year of 15 minutes per week per CEA for
consultation time, and requested additional time for CEA’s to meet with teachers
and prep time. Additionally, CUPE is requesting that clerical staff who are
expected to do conflict resolution and problem solving when working as noon hour
supervisors receive the same rate as CEA’s. Terry Green, President, OSTU,
distributed and spoke to a paper titled “Kids Matter, Teachers Care”. Five
recommendations were presented for consideration during the 2008-09 budget
development: improve the amount of preparation time for middle school teachers;
extend the morning break period by 10 minutes so that teachers who are working
from approximately 8:40 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. have a respectable rest period that
allows time to access washroom facilities and have a nutrition break; increase
teacher librarian service to full time at each school regardless of the student
population in the school; pressure the government to properly fund the limits in
class size and composition outlined in Bill 33; and review the service levels of nonenrolling teachers, particularly special education support teachers. Additional
presentations were made from the public suggesting that the board introduce a
parking fee charge; requesting clarification related to administration; and
requesting that special education be protected and that meal costs for meetings be
examined.
April 9, 2008:
a.
2008-09 Budget Review
The preliminary 2008-09 budget is currently estimated at a $318,000 shortfall to
maintain service levels approved in the 2007-08 budget. Secretary-Treasurer
Regehr discussed the current work to balance the budget includes updating the
calculation of potential 2008-09 surplus and an analysis of the $84.5 holdback
established by the Ministry as part of the preliminary funding calculation.
b.
Proposed Fee Changes
Secretary-Treasurer Regehr reviewed the current and proposed fee structures for
international program students. The committee supported the rates of:
International Education Program
Hockey Academy
Kun-ei
MOTION:
2009-10
2008-09
January 2009
$11,700+$300 application
$10,500
$10,500
Manning/Clarke that the report of all three meetings be received.
CARRIED
8.2
Buildings, Grounds, Safety and Transportation Committee
Trustee Huebert reported on the buildings, grounds, safety and transportation committee
meeting held on April 2, 2008:
a.
Playground Grant Approvals
Director of Maintenance Hickling and Secretary-Treasurer Regehr reviewed the
funding approvals to assist with construction of seven adventure playgrounds. The
funding has been awarded by the provincial gaming commission for amounts of up
to $20,000 to parent advisory councils that have demonstrated a successful
fundraising program and plan for an adventure playground upgrade. The gaming
commission is promoting the installations be completed by the end of summer.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 5
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – April 14, 2008
The committee expressed their appreciation for the hard work of the parent
advisory councils to obtain these grants.
MOTION:
8.3
Education Committee
Trustee Van Alphen reported regarding the education committee meeting held on April 8,
2008:
a.
School Completion and Transitions Goal
Helping Teachers Judith King and Andrea DeVito provided trustees with an
overview of the work currently underway in the district around the goal of school
completion and transitions. In particular, they noted the high degree of teacher
participation and a focus on the guiding themes of creating hope, working on one
student at a time, and putting “faces” to names.
b.
Section 11 Appeals
In May 2007, amendments to Section 11 of the School Act provided a process that
allowed parents and students to appeal decisions made by employees of Boards of
Education to a Superintendent of Achievement. These amendments were
reviewed by Director of Instruction Dave Burgoyne.
MOTION:
8.4
8.5
Huebert/Van Alphen that the report of the buildings, grounds, safety and
transportation committee be received.
CARRIED
Van Alphen/Manning that the report of the education committee be
received.
CARRIED
Policy Committee
Trustee Denesiuk reported regarding the policy committee meeting held on April 8, 2008:
a.
Policy #310 – Code of Conduct
In October 2007, the Provincial Standards for Codes of Conduct Order introduced
new guidelines for school and district Codes of Conduct. Director of Instruction
Brian Celli reviewed draft amendments to Policy #310 – Code of Conduct intended
to bring this policy in line with these new expectations. The policy was referred
back to district staff for further work.
b.
Policy #330 – Co-Curricular and Extra-Curricular Activities/Field Trips
Director of Instruction Brian Celli presented amendments to Policy #330. These
amendments are intended to provide greater clarity to the expectations of those
acting as chaperones for these events. The policy was referred to the Board of
Education for consideration at its next public meeting.
MOTION:
Denesiuk/Clarke that Policy #330 – Co-Curricular and Extra-Curricular
Activities/Field Trips be approved in principle and circulated to partner
groups for 30 days for any suggestions for changes.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Denesiuk/Clarke that the report of the policy committee be received.
CARRIED
Curriculum Development Advisory Committee
Director of Instruction Celli reported on the curriculum development advisory committee
meeting held on April 9, 2008:
a.
Book Reviews
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 6
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – April 14, 2008
The committee reviewed two books “Celebrating Penticton Women, 1908-2008”
and “Celebrating a Century” and recommended that both be approved for use in
the school district.
MOTION:
b.
Huebert/Manning that the resources “Celebrating Penticton Women, 19082008” and “Celebrating a Century” be approved for use in School District
No. 67 schools.
CARRIED
Board Authorized/Approved Course Reviews
Three proposed courses were reviewed and recommended by the committee for
use in SD67:
•
•
•
9.0
“Conflict in the Twentieth Century 12”, as developed by School District No.
6 (Rocky Mountain);
“Creative Expressions 11” (a locally developed two-credit fine arts course);
and
“Augmentative and Alternative Communication Skills and Strategies 10” (a
locally developed four-credit course for students who are using an
augmentative and alternative communication system.
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Manning that the three courses as noted above be approved
for use in School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha).
CARRIED
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Denesiuk that the report of the curriculum development
advisory committee be received.
CARRIED
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
Penticton Secondary School Reconstruction
Director of Maintenance Hickling reported that on April 2 at noon the contractor ripped up
the secondary power line to the new school while excavating for sidewalks. The
secondary conductors were ripped out of the transformer at one end and from the main
distribution centre at the other wing destroying both the transformer and the main
distribution centre. School for students was closed for the rest of that day and the
following day. Three diesel powered stand-by generators were brought in from
Vancouver, tradesmen worked overnight, and classes resumed on Friday. Underground
ducts were cleaned, new secondary feeders were installed, a new transformer was
reinstalled, and the main distribution centre was fully tested and CSA certified. School
will be returned to regular power tomorrow beginning at 4:00 p.m. Insurances should
cover the damage costs. Continuing with the report, Mr. Hickling added that garage
doors are installed in the shops, glazing to the southwest corner stairwell is complete, the
lower area courtyard concrete is complete, and the multipurpose room concrete was
poured today. Most lino has been installed, most classrooms have two coats of paint
with one more to go, and the drama room area paint will start this week. The design for
the interface area to the Ellis renovation is underway and the completion is still planned
for the end of June. Plans and specs are nearing 90% completion for the Ellis links
contract. A media tour will be arranged within two to three weeks after the budget
development process.
9.2
Financial Report
The secretary-treasurer reviewed the financial report to March 31, 2008 provided in the
agenda package noting that 31% of the budget remains unspent, which is in line with
being seven months through the teaching year. Mr. Regehr added he anticipates the
district is headed towards a balanced budget and that all accounts are currently being
reviewed for surplus amounts to be used in the budget development.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 7
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – April 14, 2008
9.3
2008-09 Budget Development
For information, Mr. Regehr reported that with regards to the 2008-09 budget, a $318,000
shortfall has been identified at this point. A series of meetings have been scheduled for
next week in preparation for the May 5 budget adoption meeting.
9.4
Grant Proposal
The secretary-treasurer reviewed that Board support is requested for a “Farm to School
Salad Bar” grant proposal for Summerland Secondary School to introduce a salad bar at
the school using local produce from local farmers. Following discussion,
MOTION:
9.5
Denesiuk/Manning that a letter of support be provided for the grant
application.
CARRIED
Okanagan School of the Arts
Mr. Regehr advised that a letter has been received serving notice that the Okanagan
School of the Arts will not be using Princess Margaret Secondary School this year but will
be using Leir House for their summer program. Trustees extended appreciation to the
Okanagan School of the Arts for their partnership over the years and wished them all the
best as they move into their new venue.
MOTION
Denesiuk/Clarke that that letter be received.
CARRIED
10.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
Student Achievement
a.
10.2
District Review
Appreciation was extended to all school and district staff, partner groups and
community for meeting with the District Review Team on April 6 to 9, 2008. The
review team met with district staff, trustees, principals, union representatives,
aboriginal education advisory committee members, and district parent advisory
council representatives and toured nearly all schools. An oral report, presented on
Wednesday, was highly complementary and spoke in positive terms of what our
schools are doing. The review team will attend the May 12 board meeting to
present the final report to the board.
Communication and Access
a.
Field Trips
The superintendent of schools reviewed the listing of field trip requests, four of
which had been approved by the superintendent pursuant to district policy.
MOTION:
Denesiuk/Manning that the field trip request for 45 grade 8 band
students from Skaha Lake Middle School to travel to Edmonton on
May 21 to 24, 2008 for band performances and to visit the Alberta
Science Centre and West Edmonton Mall be approved.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Clarke that the field trip request for six debating team
students from Penticton Secondary School to travel to the provincial
mock trial debating competitions in Victoria on April 18 to 20, 2008
be approved and that funding as per district policy be provided.
CARRIED
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 8
MOTION:
10.3
Manning/Huebert that the field trip request for 30 to 50 students from
Summerland Middle and KVR Middle schools to travel to Quebec
City and Montreal, Quebec for the Winter Carnival on February 5 to
10, 2009 be approved in principle.
CARRIED
Other Items
a.
Enrolment
Director of Instruction Burgoyne reported on enrolment as of March 31, 2008 noting
an increase of four students since the last report. There are currently 7,025
students (6,720.466 FTE) in the district.
11.0
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
12.0
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
13.0
INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1
BCSTA Annual General Meeting
Trustees were reminded to bring to the meeting reports of their attendance at the BCSTA
AGM held April 3 to 6, 2008 in Vancouver. The theme for the annual general meeting
was the “importance of locally elected boards of education”. Trustee Little was
recognized at the AGM for 15 years of service as a trustee, and Trustees Manning and
Van Alphen were recognized for six years of service.
13.2
BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting
Trustee Manning reported a very short BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting was held on
April 6, 2008 in Vancouver at which the draft budget was approved.
MOTION:
14.0
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – April 14, 2008
Manning/Van Alphen that the report of the BCSTA Provincial Council
Meeting be received.
CARRIED
13.3
BCSTA Okanagan Branch Meeting
Trustee Van Alphen reported that elections were held at the BCSTA Okanagan Branch
Meeting on April 5, 2008 with Moyra Baxter of the Central Okanagan School District reelected as chair and Trustee Van Alphen as education chair.
13.4
Date of Next Meeting
• May 5, 2008, 7:00 p.m., Special Public Budget Meeting, School Board Office
• May 12, 2008, 7:30 p.m., Regular Meeting, School Board Office
TRUSTEE COMMENTS
14.1
Trustee Comments
Trustee Denesiuk thanked trustees, Superintendent Doi, and Secretary-Treasurer
Regehr for their support during her bid as president of the British Columbia School
Trustees Association.
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.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
14.3
15.0
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – April 14, 2008
Recognition of Student Artwork
Students from Summerland Secondary School were recognized for their artwork currently
on display at the school board office:
•
Chelsey Baaron, Grade 11
•
•
Jesenia Martinez, Grade 11
Gennie Delaquis, Grade 12
•
Amy Yurkewich, Grade 11
•
Shelby Cowie, Grade 11
•
Gaby Andrade, Grade 11
•
Jackie Guest, Grade 12
•
Tesha McMath, Grade 11
Black and white photography/eyeglasses and
chain
Black and white photography/fork and puzzles
Black and white photography with contact sheet
– various shots
Black and white photography with contact sheet
– various shots
Black and white photography – snow angel and
various shots
Black and white photography – orchid and
various shots
Black and white photography – chain link fence
and trees, and various shots
Black and white photography – chain link fence
and trees, and various shots
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Manning/Clarke that the meeting be adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
CARRIED
16.0
QUESTION PERIOD
____________________
Chairperson
____________________
Secretary-Treasurer
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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April 18, 2008
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“Working Together for Student Success”
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – April 14, 2008