BOARD OF EDUCATION
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2008, AT 7:30 P.M.
AT THE SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE
MINUTES
IN ATTENDANCE
Larry Little, Chair
Ginny Manning, Vice Chair
Kevin Andrews, Trustee
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
Pam Butters, Vice Principal, Skaha Lake Middle School
1.0
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Little welcomed district staff, guests, and representatives of the media to the meeting
and to a new school year.
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Clarke that the agenda be approved.
CARRIED
3.0
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
3.1
Summer School 2008
Summer School Principal Allen Beckingham presented the 2008 Summer School report
noting that when the Ministry of Education changed its policy on summer school funding,
it caused the school district to review and redesign some parts of the program. The
revised program resulted in additional work in the management areas of communicating
the changes at each of our schools, registration (increased enrolment), processing
course deposits (and returning deposits upon course completion), and preparing data for
the required 1701 submission (new school, new classes, and importing student data).
Each course was reviewed to ensure the curriculum had direct links to the prescribed
learning outcomes. Three hundred and ninety-two students participated in the one- and
two-week courses and feedback was very favourable. The summer school was delivered
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – September 8, 2008
by 19 teachers with support form two volunteer education assistants enrolled in the
Okanagan College EA program. Mr. Beckingham extended appreciation to clerical and
technology staff for their efforts in making the program a success.
Following a number of questions, Chairman Little thanked Mr. Beckingham and staff for
the report and contributions to the summer school program.
3.2
Summer Professional Development
Due to her unavailability for the meeting, Teresa Fry, Chair, District Professional
Development Committee, provided a written overview of the teachers’ professional
development program.
The conference was hosted at both Princess Margaret
Secondary and Skaha Lake Middle schools as well as utilizing KVR Middle and McNicoll
Park Middle for some of the courses. A wide variety of sessions were held over the twoday event. Terry Green, President, Okanagan Skaha Teachers’ Union, noted it was an
excellent way to begin the school year and extended appreciation to district staff for their
support in the on-line collection of registrations and payment of fees.
4.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
5.0
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Denesiuk that the minutes of the regular meeting held on June 9, 2008
and special meetings held on July 4 and July 24, 2008 be approved.
CARRIED
6.0
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETING
The secretary-treasurer reported on the closed meeting held on June 9, 2008 and closed special
meetings held on July 4, July 24, and August 21, 2008:
Regular Meeting held on June 9, 2008:
1.
Received reports from the buildings, grounds, safety, and transportation committee; finance
and management committee; and discipline committee;
2.
Confirmed teaching, excluded, and CUPE staff changes;
3.
Approved requests for participation in a deferred salary leave plan;
4.
Received information related to student suspensions;
5.
Received a report from an Okanagan Labour Relations Council meeting;
6.
Reviewed information related to a legal matter.
Special Meeting held on July 4, 2008:
1.
Reviewed information related to a legal matter;
2.
Approved a request for support for a City of Penticton matter;
3.
Received information related to the BCeSIS implementation.
Special Meeting held on July 24, 2008:
1.
Reviewed information and approved an item related to a legal matter.
Special Meeting held on August 21, 2008:
1.
Received information and approved an item related to a legal matter.
7.0
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter from Penticton Centennial Advisory Committee
A letter from the Penticton Centennial Advisory Committee regarding the Centennial
Plaza to commemorate Penticton’s 100th Anniversary.
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – September 8, 2008
7.2
Letter from Parents for Democracy in Education
A letter from the Parents for Democracy in Education requesting the Board’s comments
related to the Corren Settlement Agreement.
7.3
Letter from Citizen
A letter from Walter Goerzen regarding the Penticton Secondary School Auditorium.
7.4
Letter from B.C. Advocacy Institute
A letter from the B.C. Advocacy Institute regarding school fees and related matters.
7.5
Letter from Citizens
A letter from Dustin Griffin and Kevin Craig proposing a method of addressing the
shortfall of youth participation in the political process.
7.6
Summary of Letters to the Board
Letters to the Board regarding the PSS auditorium and gym are listed below and are
available in the trustee reading file:
•
•
•
7.7
Ron Barillaro suggesting the decision of the board was not reflecting the wishes
of the majority;
Jack and Barbara Sevy expressing support to keep the auditorium;
Gill Holland expressing disappointment in the board’s actions related to the gym
and auditorium.
Summary of Copies of Letters to the Board
Copies of the letters to the Board listed below are available in the trustee reading file:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
School District No. 20 (Kootenay-Columbia) to the Minister of Education
requesting the Minister review increasing funding to Boards of Education in order
to stop the decay resulting from budget reductions and to restore funding to
appropriate levels;
School District No. 20 (Kootenay-Columbia) to the Minister of Education
supporting the concept of additional funding proposed by the Cariboo-Chilcotin
School District to offset the newly proposed carbon tax;
School District No. 48 (Howe Sound) to the Minister of Education requesting
adequate funding to allow districts to maintain service levels for the K-12 system
and to provide additional funding to cover the cost of the expanded mandate of
boards;
School District No. 91 (Nechako Lakes) to the Minister of Education requesting
that the Ministry increase the level of funding in the funding allocation system for
student transportation services as this funding has not changed since 2001-02;
School District No. 91 (Nechako Lakes) to the Minister of Education requesting
that mechanisms be put in place to ensure the new carbon tax will be revenue
neutral to school districts;
School District No. 38 (Richmond) to the Minister of Education regarding the
difficulty of their school district to fulfill the expanding mandate given by the
Ministry within the current funding envelope;
School District No. 28 (Quesnel) to the Minister of Education expressing concern
with the level of funding provided to meet the needs of students with special
needs and for aboriginal students claimed in the ESL category of English as a
second dialect;
School District No. 38 (Richmond) to the Minister of Education regarding 2008
summer school and advising that any changes for the summer of 2009 be
provided before January 2009;
School District No. 41 (Burnaby) to the Minister of Education regarding the use of
the Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) test results by the Fraser Institute and
requesting that the Ministry of Education take greater steps to reduce the
damage done by the publication of these rankings;
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
MOTION:
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Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – September 8, 2008
School District No. 41 (Burnaby) to the Minister of Education and Minister of
Public Safety and Solicitor-General expressing dissatisfaction with the process
used by the ministries to allocate funding to schools for the purchase of
playground equipment and requesting that the process for the allocation of
playground funding be amended to include consultation with school districts to
ensure that those schools with the highest need receive this important funding;
School District No. 41 (Burnaby) to the Minister of Education requesting that the
Ministry consider modifying its presentation of the FSA scores in a way that
would correct the variations played by socio-economic factors on the raw FSA
scores;
School District No. 51 (Boundary) to the Minister of Education requesting the
flexibility to be able to have grade 8 and 9 students log outside school activities
as a way to help fulfill the daily physical activity;
School District No. 82 (Coast Mountains) to the Minister of Education expressing
concern with the process used to allocate funding to schools for playground
equipment;
School District No. 38 (Richmond) to Premier Campbell advising that the board
resolved at its public board meeting that it would not purchase fuels which have
been augmented with “bio-fuels” made from plant or animal sources otherwise
used for human food and urging the Ministry to choose wisely when considering
legislation requiring petroleum fuels to be augmented with bio-fuels so that fuel
sources chosen are environmentally sustainable and do not contribute to food
shortages;
School District No. 38 (Richmond) to the Prime Minister of Canada and Premier
Campbell urging both the federal and provincial governments to choose wisely
when considering legislation requiring petroleum fuels to be augmented with biofuels so that fuel sources chosen are environmentally sustainable and do not
contribute to food shortages;
School District No. 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) to the federal Minister of Industry
requesting 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.
Denesiuk/Huebert that the correspondence be received.
CARRIED
8.0
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
8.1
Education Committee
Trustee Van Alphen reported regarding the education committee meeting held on June
24, 2008:
a.
District Progress Report (Achievement Contract)
The School Act requires each board of education in British Columbia to prepare
and submit to the Minister of Education (on or before July 15) an achievement
contract with respect to standards for student performance and plans for improving
achievement in the district. Director of Instruction Lynn Hauptman provided a
review of updates to the report noting, in particular, additions resulting from the
recently completed district review.
MOTION:
b.
Van Alphen/Huebert that the Board approve and submit the District
Progress Report to the Minister of Education and make a copy
available to the parents and public.
CARRIED
FSA Results
Director Lynn Hauptman presented the results of the 2008 Foundation Skills
Assessment (FSA) and the student achievement levels in grades 4 and 7. Overall,
these results were positive although it was noted that a new administration process
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 5
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – September 8, 2008
and timeline made it difficult to compare this year’s results with those of previous
years.
c.
Literacy Plan
The School Act requires that a board of education, on or before July 15 of a school
year, establish and make available to the public a district literacy plan for the
school year, setting out the plan for improving literacy in the school district. A brief
overview of the development of the plan was presented by Director Lynn
Hauptman who noted that the plan was positively received by Literacy Now. A new
coordinator, Caroline Pennelli, has been hired to guide its implementation.
MOTION:
d.
StrongStart – Giant’s Head School
Giant’s Head School was recently identified as one of 99 new StrongStart Centres
to be opened during the 2008-09 school year. Director of Maintenance John
Hickling noted that the facility will require very little renovation. The coordinator’s
position will be posted as early as possible in September. The district is hopeful an
opening will be held before the end of October.
e.
Summer School
Director Brian Celli provided an update on summer school registrations noting that
numbers are significantly higher than the previous year.
MOTION:
8.2
Van Alphen/Clarke that the Board approve and submit the District
Literacy Plan to the Minister of Education and make a copy available
to the parents and public.
CARRIED
Van Alphen/Denesiuk that the report of the education committee be
received.
CARRIED
Finance and Management Committee
Trustee Manning reported on the finance and management committee meeting held on
September 3, 2008:
a.
2007-08 Financial Statements
Mr. John McGraw from BDO Dunwoody reviewed the audit of the district’s yearend financial statements as well as the procedures used for statement review and
to test the accuracy of the financial records. In conclusion, Mr. McGraw advised
the statements reflect the financial position of School District 67 in accordance with
Canadian accounting principles. Additional detail was provided regarding the
appropriation of the year-end surplus, the future benefits account, and an accrual
for the Penticton Secondary construction project. The committee expressed
appreciation for the work of the district staff to prepare the financial statements.
b.
Trustee Stipend
At the September 11, 2006 board meeting, a resolution was approved that for a
four-year period the trustee stipend would be increased annually by the consumer
price index. Secretary-Treasurer Regehr advised the B.C. index increased 3% for
the year ending June 30, 2008 which resulted in a new annual rate of:
Chair
Vice Chair
Trustee
MOTION:
$13,070
12,020
10,450
Manning/Van Alphen that the report of the finance and management be
received.
CARRIED
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
8.3
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – September 8, 2008
Buildings, Grounds, Safety and Transportation Committee
Trustee Huebert reported on the buildings, grounds, safety and transportation committee
meeting held on September 3, 2008:
a.
PSS Demolition
Director of Maintenance John Hickling reviewed start-up preparations for the
building demolition. Removal of hazardous materials will start quickly and
demolition will commence on the east side of the property. Mr. Hickling advised
the contractor has begun to sell some of the building materials and plans to offer
sales of used materials on Sundays. Four months is the estimated time for the
demolition.
b.
McNicoll Park Middle School – Site Development
Mr. Hickling reviewed the site work to add parking and an improved parent drop-off
zone at McNicoll Park Middle School. This work will be followed by the
replacement of the irrigation system and replanting of the field. It is estimated the
field will be available next spring.
c.
Annual Facilities Grant
The committee was advised the development of the annual facilities grant program
was in progress and will be available at the October meeting.
MOTION:
9.0
Page 6
Huebert/Denesiuk that the report of the buildings, grounds, safety and
transportation committee be received.
CARRIED
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
Penticton Secondary School Reconstruction
Director of Maintenance Hickling reported that the school district did not gain access to
the new building until the middle of August following which maintenance and technology
staff worked considerable long hours and during the long weekend to get the school
ready for students on September 2. The district gained the certificate of occupancy on
Friday, August 29, at noon. Several deficiencies and shortcomings in the school are
being completed on a priority basis. Work is progressing on the Ellis renovation and link
replacement and work is continuing on hazardous materials removal and deconstruction
of the old school. On-site sale of goods is available on Saturday and Sundays. Site
design work has also begun on the parking and plaza area between Eckhardt Avenue
and the front entry.
Secretary-Treasurer Regehr added that this topic has been reported at every board
meeting since September 2003 and commented on the excitement of moving into the
new school. Deficiencies will be completed as soon as possible and site development
will be finalized in the next few months with the tender hopefully awarded in January.
Discussions are currently being finalized with the City of Penticton regarding the Shatford
building. Positive comments were extended about the school as well as the excitement
and enthusiasm portrayed by students towards the new building. Appreciation was
extended to support staff, teachers, administrators, and district staff for their efforts in
moving into the school.
9.2
Summer Maintenance Projects
Director of Maintenance Hickling reviewed an extensive listing of maintenance and
renovation projects which were completed at district facilities during the summer in
addition to the work at Penticton Secondary School. Projects noted included new
administration offices and an entrance foyer at Summerland Secondary School; a new
parking lot and accessible loading area at McNicoll Park Middle; replacement of two
furnaces at the school board office; preparations for a StrongStart classroom at Giant’s
Head Elementary; and support for five new playgrounds. Additionally, considerable time
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 7
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – September 8, 2008
was spent preparing the classrooms at Queen’s Park Elementary to become dormitories
for the hockey school on the first weekend of the summer and cleaning up hockey school
and preparing the school for professional development days the weekend before school
opened in September. Appreciation was extended to maintenance crews for their hard
work during the summer.
9.3
10.0
Trustee Election
The secretary-treasurer advised that ads have been placed in newspapers announcing
the notice of nomination period of September 30 to October 10 for the trustee election to
be held on November 15, 2008. Nomination packages for the four trustees to be elected
within the city of Penticton may be picked up at Penticton city hall; nomination packages
for the two positions in the Summerland area can be picked up at the District of
Summerland municipal offices; and packages are available at the school board office for
the single rural area trustee position.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
10.2
Student Achievement
a.
Early Learning Response Group
The superintendent advised that Director of Instruction Hauptman will be chairing a
response group to provide feedback on a Ministry of Education potential policy
change related to full day kindergarten and three- and four-year-olds in school.
The session will be held on September 15, 3:45 p.m., and the report will be brought
to the October board meeting. Trustee Clarke will participate as the Board’s
representative.
b.
Literacy Workgroup
• Monday, September 22, 3:45 p.m.
c.
Numeracy Workgroup
• Wednesday, September 24, 3:45 p.m.
d.
Completion/Transitions Workgroup
• Monday, September 29, 3:45 p.m.
e.
School/Liaison Trustee SPC Visits
A schedule for the meetings will be circulated.
Communication and Access
a.
Field Trips
Following review of a single field trip request,
MOTION:
b.
Denesiuk/Huebert that the field trip request for October 7 to 10, 2009
for 45 students from Penticton Secondary, Princess Margaret
Secondary, and Summerland Secondary schools to participate in an
acting workshop, backstage tour, and other activities at the Oregon
Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon, be approved in principle.
CARRIED
Local Education Agreement Signing Ceremony
For information only, it was noted that a signing ceremony will take place on
September 26, 2008, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Penticton Lakeside Resort.
The agenda has been jointly planned with the Penticton Indian Band.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
10.3
Page 8
Other Items
a.
Enrolment
The superintendent of schools reviewed the enrolment report as of September 8,
2008, noting the enrolment is currently below last year’s enrolment. It was also
noted that the numbers are not yet firm and further clarification is required for 1701
information.
b.
2008 Summer Leadership Conference
Appreciation was extended to everyone for their continued involvement and
support in the 2008 summer leadership conference. It was noted that the Minister
of Education attended the conference which included a variety of workshops and
speakers.
11.0
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
12.0
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
12.1
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – September 8, 2008
District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) Meetings
DPAC meetings for the 2008-09 school year will be held as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
September 23, 2008
October 28, 2008
November 25, 2008
January 27, 2009
February 24, 2009
April 28, 2009
May 26, 2009
June 16, 2009 – AGM
No meetings are scheduled for December and March. All meetings will begin at 7:00
p.m. and will be held at the school board office. Trustees will attend.
13.0
14.0
INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1
BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting
The BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting will be held on October 24 and 25, 2008, in
Vancouver.
13.2
BCSTA Okanagan Branch Meeting
The BCSTA Okanagan Branch meeting will be held on October 3 and 4, 2008 in Salmon
Arm.
13.3
Date of Next Meeting
• October 6, 2008, 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.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
14.2
14.3
15.0
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Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting – September 8, 2008
Recognition of Student Artwork
Students from Naramata Elementary School were complimented for their artwork
currently on display at the school board office:
•
Sage Togyi, Grade 2
•
Sam Hindson, Grade 4
•
Brock Schlenker, Grade 3
•
Monique Mooijer, Grade 4
•
Amanda Prowse, Grade 5
•
Spencer Millar, Grade 2
•
Cali Anderson, Grade 3
•
Jameson Bukkos, Grade 1
A selection of happy faces drawn in black ink
and primary colours
An abstract design painted in a smudged wet
pattern in reds, yellow and blue
A sunny array of spring flowers in watercolour
paint
A lonely ship in the aqua waters of sea in a
watercolour and salt application
Circles overlapping each other in bright yellow
and lime green pencil crayon
An underwater school of black fish investigating
the sparkled treasure below
Twelve colourful squares with circles in various
bright hypnotizing colours in watercolour and
pastel
A tree within a heavy snowfall in watercolour
and glitter
Trustee Comments
Trustees provided general comments related to district activities and Chairman Little
extended best wishes to Garret Hickling, son of Director of Maintenance John Hickling,
on his competition this week in the Paralympics in Beijing. Garret will be representing
Canada in wheelchair rugby.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Manning/Clarke that the meeting be adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
CARRIED
16.0
QUESTION PERIOD
____________________
Chairperson
____________________
Secretary-Treasurer
September 10, 2008
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“Working Together for Student Success”