BOARD OF EDUCATION
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 12, 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
Bill Bidlake, Principal, Princess Margaret Secondary School
1.0
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Little welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Huebert that the agenda be adopted.
CARRIED
3.0
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
3.1
United Nations Pilgrimage
Summerland Secondary Student Lindsey Richardson has been selected as the
Okanagan representative for the IOOF/Rebekah Youth Pilgrimage to the United Nations.
The UN Pilgrimage brings together two hundred high school students from around the
world (mostly North America and Europe) to study and learn about the United Nations.
Students will spend five days in New York which includes a tour of the UN and visits to
other significant sites in that city (the itinerary generally includes tours of Washington DC,
the Gettysburg battlefield, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Ontario, and Boston). The United
Nations Pilgrimage lasts two weeks during the month of July. Lindsey spoke about the
trip and the essay she wrote as part of the application process.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 2
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – May 12, 2008
Following a number of questions, Chairman Little thanked Lindsay for her presentation
and congratulated her on being selected as one of two students from British Columbia
and one of 20 representing Canada at the United Nations Pilgrimage.
3.2
4.0
Pen High Salute
With the transition from the ‘old school’ to the ‘new school’ occurring in September,
Penticton Secondary School is preparing plans to host a community celebration to
acknowledge the ‘closing’ of the old buildings. Rick Willie, Chair of the Pen High
Transition Committee, and Principal Peter Corcoran outlined activities for the evening
event planned for Tuesday, June 17, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The program will consist of
the presentation of lifetime achievement awards, a multimedia presentation, a tour of the
school, a “Taste of Penticton” by seven restaurants and the PSS foods class, and
entertainment. The evening will celebrate the accomplishments of the school and
community during the past 100 years. It is expected that five hundred alumni, past
teachers, and community members will attend. Presold tickets are $15 per person and
are available from the school.
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
4.1
District Review Team
Gary Graf, Chair of the District Review Team, attended the meeting to present the final
report to the Board regarding SD67’s progress towards improving student achievement.
The nine-member review team was in the district from April 6 to 9, met with senior staff,
trustees, representatives of partner groups, and community groups, and toured and met
with staff, students, and parents at 16 schools. The purpose of the district review was to
consider and respond to three questions in relation to the district’s work to improve the
success for each child: “What is most important? What are we doing about it? How will
we monitor and adjust our work to get improved results?” Four key areas were reviewed:
setting directions, organizing for improvement, building learning communities, and
achieving results. Mr. Graf reported that the district is a “progressive, fiscally responsible,
well managed, and performance-oriented school district. Trustees and district and
school-based staff are to be commended for their unity of purpose in addressing the
success of individual students. There is a commitment to continuous learning and
building positive relationships is based upon trust and mutual respect. There is also a
strong commitment to well researched practices that enhance teaching and learning and
the district is well on its way to establishing a strong culture that values learning,
teaching, shared leadership, ownership and responsibility for student learning at all
levels.” Mr. Graf added “School District 67 is a striving district. The challenge is to
maintain and sustain this positive and energetic learning community. The team
acknowledged and agreed with the district and its schools that there is more to be done
to address the needs of each student. The team believes that the district has the
capacity and commitment to improve student achievement.”
Following the presentation, compliments were extended to Mr. Graf and the team for the
manner in which the review was conducted.
5.0
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
Manning/Clarke that the minutes of the regular meeting held on April 14, 2008 and
the public budget meeting on May 5, 2008 be approved.
CARRIED
6.0
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETING
The secretary-treasurer reported on the closed meeting held on April 14, 2008:
1.
Received correspondence;
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
7.0
Page 3
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – May 12, 2008
Received reports from the buildings, grounds, safety, and transportation committee; finance
and management committee; and discipline committee;
Confirmed teaching, excluded, and CUPE staff changes;
Received information on a collective agreement matter;
Received information on criminal record checks;
Approved rates for the rental of Carmi fields;
Confirmed principal and vice principal appointments;
Received information related to a vice principal competition;
Approved teacher leave requests;
Received information related to student suspensions;
Supported a submission for StrongStart centres.
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter from Canadian Parents for French
A letter from the Canadian Parents for French requesting information regarding allocation
of the federal grant money. It was noted that Mr. Shongrunden will respond to the
request.
7.2
Letter from the Vancouver Foundation and the BC Arts Council
A letter from the Vancouver Foundation and the BC Arts Council informing School District
No. 67 that the district is eligible for a grant of up to $6,600.00 for the 2008 Artists in
Education funding program.
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:
School District No. 63 (Saanich) to the federal Minister of Industry requesting that
the federal government change the existing copyright law to make it clear that
educational use of publicly available internet material is not an infringement of
copyright;
School District No. 20 (Kootenay-Columbia) for the Minister of Education
requesting that consideration be given to providing sufficient time slots for all
school districts who wish to meet with Ministry staff at the BCSTA annual general
meetings or other BCSTA events.
Huebert/Clarke 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 meeting held on
May 7, 2008:
a.
Recruitment Portal
Director of Instruction Burgoyne reviewed the development of a recruitment
website portal that will be used provincially for all employment vacancies in B.C.
school districts. The portal will allow prospective applicants to locate in a single
search all posted vacancies. The vacancies can be sorted or summarized using a
variety of option selections. The website name is www.makeafuture.ca.
MOTION:
Manning/Van Alphen that the report of the finance and management
committee be received.
CARRIED
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
8.2
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – May 12, 2008
Buildings, Grounds, Safety and Transportation Committee
Trustee Huebert reported on the buildings, grounds, safety and transportation committee
meeting held on April 30, 2008:
a.
Sewer Upgrade – Green Avenue
Director of Maintenance John Hickling informed the committee that a sewer
upgrade will be undertaken on Green Ave during May and June. The City of
Penticton staff advise traffic will not be restricted during the work but parking will
not be available in the construction zone.
b.
Adventure Playground Planning
Mr. Hickling reported progress with playground planning at Queen’s Park, Trout
Creek and West Bench Elementary schools. The selection of pea gravel for the
resilient surface was reviewed for committee information.
c.
Uplands Sports Field
The committee was advised regarding of a complaint that foul balls are being hit
into a neighbour’s property during evening rentals. Mr. Hickling advised that this
concern is being reviewed with city staff.
d.
PSS Move to New Building
A number of plans are in progress to support the move to the new Penticton
Secondary School building. A school committee has been formed to plan a
number of transition items including a salute on June 17th to the buildings that will
be closed and planning for the move of mementos to the new building. The
committee agreed that arrangements will be made for a presentation at the May
12th school board meeting.
e.
School Field Irrigation
A number of fields in the City of Penticton are currently irrigated with reclaimed
water. Currently, all school fields in Penticton are irrigated with drinking water from
the water treatment plant. Mr. Hickling advised we will soon have the opportunity
to use reclaimed irrigation water for some school fields which will reduce cost and
reduce our demand from the water treatment plant. The committee was supportive
of this plan for both the environmental and cost benefits for the district.
MOTION:
8.3
Page 4
Huebert/Clarke that the report of the buildings, grounds, safety and
transportation committee be received.
CARRIED
Education Committee
Trustee Van Alphen reported that the education committee visited Summerland
Secondary on May 8, 2008 during the Shakespeare Festival. Trustees and district staff
viewed dance movement, Shakespeare Without Words, juggling, drumming, enunciation,
stage makeup and choral group. Along the way, they were treated to stories of
instructors, teachers, and students who have come back over the past eight years to
pass on the passion that they have for their specific craft (many doing so at minimal per
diem rates). Trustee Van Alphen acknowledged the many businesses in Summerland
and local service organizations for their donations which has kept the participant price of
Good Will Shakespeare at a minimum as well as the donations of space from local
churches, art gallery, badminton club, youth centre, and District of Summerland. A
special thank you was extended to the school for hosting the event and to the instructors
who travel to Summerland year after year to share their knowledge with over three
hundred and fifty students from our district and across British Columbia.
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Denesiuk that the report of the education committee be
received.
CARRIED
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
8.4
b.
Appeal Bylaw
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 a Board
of Education to a Superintendent of Achievement. As a result, the procedural
bylaw #3 for School District No. 67 has been revised to reflect the legislative
change. The committee agreed that the proposed changes to the bylaw would be
recommended for approval and that the bylaw be given three readings at the next
board meeting.
MOTION:
Denesiuk/Manning that following first reading of School District No.
67 (Okanagan Skaha) Procedural By-law No. 3 – Appeals, the Board
of Education passes the by-law.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Denesiuk/Manning that following second reading of School District
No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) Procedural By-law No. 3 – Appeals, the
Board of Education passes the by-law.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Denesiuk/Manning that following third reading of School District No.
67 (Okanagan Skaha) Procedural By-law No. 3 – Appeals, the Board
of Education reconsiders, passes, and adopts the by-law.
CARRIED
Field Trip Policy
The Board committee discussed the need to overhaul the current field trip policy.
They stressed the need for and importance of field trips that have educational
merit, were well-planned, and were properly supervised to ensure the care and
safety of students. The policy committee will meet again prior to the June board
meeting to review a draft policy on field trips.
MOTION:
Denesiuk/Van Alphen that the report of the policy committee be received.
CARRIED
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
10.
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – May 12, 2008
Policy Committee
Trustee Denesiuk reported regarding the policy committee meeting held on May 7, 2008:
a.
9.0
Page 5
Penticton Secondary School Reconstruction
For information only, Director of Maintenance Hickling reported that construction on
Penticton Secondary School is 85% completed with gym floors going in next week. The
main entry curtain wall is currently being formed and work is proceeding with the Ellis link
design, the tender for which should be ready for May 20. The architect is currently
working on documents for the hazardous materials and deconstruction, expected to be
going to tender is early July. A media tour will be held on May 20 at 9:30 a.m.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
Student Achievement
a.
District Goals – Literacy, School Completion/Transitions and Numeracy
b.
Celebrating Student Achievement (CSA) (May 28, 2008)
Superintendent Doi reviewed plans for the fifth annual “Celebrating Student
Achievement” to be held at the Penticton Lakeside Resort, beginning at 4:00 p.m.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 6
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – May 12, 2008
The event will feature the talents and achievements of students and staff from all
schools.
10.2
Communication and Access
a.
Field Trips
The superintendent of schools reviewed two field trip requests, one of which had
been approved by the superintendent pursuant to district policy.
MOTION:
b.
Kindergarten Registration
Director of Instruction Schafer advised that children who are born in 2003 are
eligible to enter kindergarten in September 2008 and parents are encouraged to
register their children at their neighbourhood school as soon as possible.
c.
School Calendar (2008-09)
The Board of Education is required by May 31, 2008 to approve and circulate the
2008-09 school calendar for the district.
MOTION:
10.3
Denesiuk/Manning that the field trip request for one grade 11 student
form Penticton Secondary and one grade 9 student form
Summerland Secondary to travel to Burnaby South School for Deaf
and to the Vancouver Island Home Bay Adventure Camp on May 11
to 15, 2008 to foster leadership, mentoring and social skills be
approved.
CARRIED
Van Alphen/Manning that the proposed school calendar for 2008-09
be approved as circulated.
CARRIED
Other Items
a.
Enrolment
Director of Instruction Burgoyne reported on enrolment as of April 30, 2008, noting
a slight decrease since the last report. There are currently 7,021 students or
6,703.806 FTE in the district.
b.
Class Size and Composition Report
Director of Instruction Burgoyne reviewed details on school class size and
composition consultation meetings held between March 6 and May 9, 2008. It was
noted that all principals have submitted a report to the superintendent confirming
these classes are appropriate for student learning and all school planning councils
have been informed.
MOTION:
Denesiuk/Clarke that the report on school class sizes/compositions
meetings be received and accepted.
CARRIED
11.0
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
12.0
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
13.0
INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1
Date of Next Meeting
• June 9, 2008, 7.30 p.m., Regular Meeting, School Board Office
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
14.0
15.0
Page 7
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – May 12, 2008
TRUSTEE COMMENTS
14.1
Trustee Comments
Trustees provided general comments related to district and school activities including the
Naramata Elementary “Green Village Carnival”, a centennial aboriginal day at West
Bench, and a recent Columbia Elementary presentation. Trustee Denesiuk, as president
of the BCSTA, presented long service certificates to Trustees Manning and Van Alphen
to recognize six years of service and to Trustee Little to recognize 15 years of service to
the BCSTA.
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 West Bench Elementary School were congratulated for their artwork
currently on display at the school board office:
•
Delphis Bonneau, Grade 5
•
Evan McCafferty, Grade 5
•
Brett Needham, Grade 5
•
Ally Lezard, Grade 5
•
Carter Gabriel, Grade 5
•
Cypress George, Grade 5
•
Zach Hartwick, Grade 5
•
Patrick Crowley, Grade 5
A collage of a boy in a black t-shirt with colourful
magazine paper torn background
A collage of a boy in a blue t-shirt with green
expressive eyes
A collage of a girl in a mauve t-shirt with red/
orange hair
A collage of a girl with long black hair with a
colourful magazine paper torn background
A collage of a boy in a dark blue t-shirt with
colourful magazine paper torn background
A collage of a boy in a blue t-shirt with colourful
magazine paper torn background
A collage of a boy with black and green t-shirt with
colourful magazine paper torn background
A collage of a boy with electric blue eyes with a
background of various blocks of colour
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Manning/Van Alphen that the meeting be adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
CARRIED
16.0
QUESTION PERIOD
____________________
Chairperson
____________________
Secretary-Treasurer
May 15, 2008
Ref: U:\SBO-ST-Data\DA\2007-2008\00100 - 01999 Administration\00300-05 Minutes Open\080512 OP Minutes.doc
“Working Together for Student Success”