BOARD OF EDUCATION
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2009, AT 6:30 P.M.
AT THE SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE
MINUTES
IN ATTENDANCE
Larry Little, Chair
Ginny Manning, Vice Chair
Shelley Clarke, Trustee
Connie Denesiuk, Trustee
David Perry, Trustee
Tom Siddon, 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
John Hickling, Director of Maintenance
Daphne Adey, Executive Assistant
1.0
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Little welcomed district staff, guests, and representatives of the media to the meeting.
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Perry/Denesiuk that the agenda and addendum be adopted.
CARRIED
3.0
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
3.1
Summerland Middle Partnership with Olympian Kristi Richards
In her seven years on the Canadian Freestyle ski team, mogul specialist Kristi Richards
of Summerland has stood on many World Cup podiums, won the 2007 Freestyle Skiing
World Championship, and placed seventh in the moguls in her Olympic Games debut at
the Torino Winter Games in 2006. To give back to the youth in her home town,
Summerland Middle School has adopted Kristi and is following her on her journey to the
Olympics 2010. Principal Katie Hicks provided an overview of the partnership with Kristi
noting that she has travelled with L’il Shred (SMS Mascot) and e-mailed photos and
updates of their travels. While the students send regular messages, photos and positive
wishes, Kristi’s communication focuses on goal setting and having students write their
own “I can….” dream statements. An I Can Legacy Fund has been established at the
school to which students can apply for funds to attend camps. Ms. Hicks added that
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 9, 2009
Kristi is a tremendous role model for the students and has created a “WAVE” of
excitement as the school follows L’il Shred and Kristi on their travels.
4.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
4.1
Penticton and District Performing Arts Facility Society
Ben Amos representing the Penticton and District Performing Arts Facility Society made
a presentation to the Board outlining plans for a South Okanagan Performing Arts Centre
to be situated at the former Nanaimo Hall site. The plans call for a modern state-of-theart 750-seat main theatre with orchestra pit and fly tower as well as a smaller 200-seat
studio theatre. Mr. Amos added that the existing auditorium in the Shatford building can
become a core part of cultural connections in the downtown area. The Shatford site was
originally recommended by Proscenium as the most appropriate site but was cost
prohibitive due to the necessary purchase of nearby corner store and rooming house.
The society will now focus on finding capital funding for the project.
4.2
Okanagan School of the Arts
Samarpan Faasse, Executive Director, provided on overview of how the Okanagan
School of the Arts recently developed a new vision and model for an improved fine arts
school and creativity campus in Penticton. This new vision is to establish a selfsustaining, fine arts education facility where students can develop skills, take training,
and earn certification. The society further envisions the Shatford building as becoming
the Shatford Centre for the Arts. The presentation outlined how the space could be used,
listed potential revenue sources, and gave additional benefits for providing a fine arts
school in the city.
4.3
Crime Stoppers
Al Sismey, Regional Crime Stoppers Coordinator, provided a PowerPoint presentation on
Crime Stoppers noting the program began in the South Okanagan in 1992, is run by a
voluntary board of directors, and cannot work without community, police, and media
support. Mr. Sismey further reviewed the role of students related to Crime Stoppers and
hopes to make educational and informational presentations to students in the near future.
Following a number of trustee questions, Chairman Little thanked each of the presenters
for their presentations.
5.0
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
Manning/Siddon that the minutes of the regular meeting held on February 9, 2009
be approved.
CARRIED
6.0
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETING
The following items were discussed at the closed meeting held on February 9, 2009:
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Received reports from the finance and management committee and discipline committee;
Confirmed teaching, excluded, and CUPE staff changes;
Approved that a letter be written to the Minister of Education regarding the process for
disposal of property;
Approved three teacher leave requests;
Denied one teacher leave request;
Received information related to student suspensions;
Received information related to a meeting of the BC Public School Employers’
Association;
Received information related to a property matter;
Approved administrative personnel changes for 2009-10.
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7.0
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 9, 2009
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter from City of Penticton
A letter from the City of Penticton seeking support for the City’s application to the BC
Build Canada Infrastructure Grant Program for improvements to the pool and community
centre.
7.2
Letter from CUPE BC
A letter from CUPE BC enclosing a summary to their recently released report, Evaluation
of Public Private Partnerships: Costing and Evaluation Methodology. The report is
available in the trustee reading file.
7.3
Letter from Columbia Institute
A letter from the Columbia Institute enclosing a report, When More is Less: Education
Funding in British Columbia. This report looks at K-12 funding in BC and is available in
the trustee reading file.
7.4
Letter from CUPE BC
A letter from CUPE BC enclosing a report entitled, Recognition and Respect: Addressing
the Unpaid Work of Education Assistants in BC. The report is available in the trustee
reading file.
7.5
Summary of Copies of Letters to the Board
Copies of the letters to the Board listed below are available in the trustee reading file:
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School District No. 41 (Burnaby) to the Minister of Education regarding the
negative effects on classroom learning caused by the continuing conflict with BC
teachers over the Foundation Skills Assessment;
School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) to the Minister of Education urging the
Minister to create a process to begin dialogue to enter the 2009-10 school year
with common understandings and agreements around the Foundation Skills
Assessment; secondly, urging the Minister to find ways to avoid enabling the
Fraser Institute to use the FSA results in the ways that they have in the past; and
thirdly, that the Ministry ensure that the administration of the FSA’s not fall to the
principals or vice principals;
School District No. 20 (Kootenay-Columbia) to the Minister of Education
requesting that the Minister work with the BCTF and other partner groups to
review the FSA’s with a view to addressing teachers’ concerns and to meeting
the public’s accountability needs, and secondly, to take necessary steps to
ensure that any future assessment program required by the Ministry eliminates
unnecessary controversy and disruptions;
School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan) to the Minister of Education
expressing concerns regarding the current controversy over the Foundation Skills
Assessment, the ranking of schools, and the disruption to the learning
environment for students;
School District No. 71 (Comox Valley) to the Minister of Education advising the
Board does not support the current method of conducting the provincial
assessment of students through FSA;
School District No. 5 (Southeast Kootenay) to the Minister of Education
encouraging the Ministry to consider not making the FSA results available to any
body and/or organization that would use the results to rank schools in our
province;
School District No. 45 (West Vancouver) to the Minister of Education expressing
deep concern about the Fraser Institute’s misuse of the Ministry of Education’s
FSA data to rank schools in BC;
School District No. 82 (Coast Mountains) to the Minister of Education and
President of British Columbia Teachers’ Foundation requesting that they take
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 9, 2009
immediate action in finding a mutually agreeable solution to the issue
surrounding the FSA;
School District No. 41 (Burnaby) to the executive director of BCSTA requesting
that BCSTA seek further clarification from the Ministry with regard to their
response to equity of funding for all students taking courses leading to
graduation;
School District No. 41 (Burnaby) to the Minister of Education reiterating their
board’s dissatisfaction with the process used by the provincial government to
allocate funding to schools for the purchase of playground equipment;
School District No. 20 (Kootenay-Columbia) to the Minister of Education urging
the government to take immediate action towards eliminating child poverty in BC;
School District No. 22 (Vernon) to the Minister of Education endorsing and fully
supporting the concerns forwarded to the Minister by the Okanagan Branch of
the BCSTA on behalf of its member boards regarding the lack of adequate
funding for student transportation services and strongly urging the Minister to
take immediate action to address this situation for the 2009-10 fiscal year;
School District No. 73 (Kamloops) to the Minister of Education requesting a
review of transportation funding.
MOTION:
Siddon/Perry that a letter of support for the expansion of the pool and community
center be provided to the City of Penticton and that we seek clarification of the
City’s support for other infrastructure in the City such as the Shatford renovations.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Perry/Van Alphen that the correspondence be received.
CARRIED
8.0
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
8.1
Buildings, Grounds, Safety and Transportation Committee
Trustee Perry reported on the buildings, grounds, safety and transportation committee
meeting held on March 4, 2009:
a.
Video Surveillance
Secretary-Treasurer Regehr reviewed a memo to the buildings, grounds, safety,
and transportation committee summarizing the installation of cameras at Penticton
Secondary School. Mr. Regehr noted that policy requirements for a Privacy Impact
Assessment and the posting of notification signs at the school had been
completed. Nine cameras were approved for installation and work has been
completed to test and adjust the cameras. It was noted the cameras are not
currently recording surveillance video.
In response to questions, the committee was advised a camera located in the
library was designed to only record if the security system detected the removal of a
book which was not signed out. The committee supported that, prior to use, the
privacy implications of the library camera be further considered with the privacy
commissioner as well as thorough additional review. In response to a question,
OSTU President Terry Green advised that based on the commitment to further
review the library camera and based on the assurance the entry cameras were
focused toward the outside of the school, he had no difficulty with the cameras.
Following presentation of the report and discussion related to the review by the privacy
commissioner,
MOTION:
Denesiuk/Van Alphen that the camera outside the library at Penticton
Secondary School be removed rather than having the privacy
commissioner review the use of this particular camera.
CARRIED
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
8.2
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 9, 2009
b.
Parking at Queen’s Park Elementary School
Trustee Siddon distributed and reviewed a site plan for Queen’s Park Elementary
which provided for 23 parking spaces on the north side of the school on school
board property. Mr. Regehr advised of existing work with City of Penticton staff to
develop a parking plan at this location. The committee supported that the
proposed parking layout be reviewed with city staff.
c.
School Field Odours
A concern was raised by Trustee Perry regarding the unpleasant odours currently
found on some school fields. Director of Maintenance John Hickling prepared a
memo detailing these odours are the result of snow and ice covering the fields for a
lengthy period of time. Mr. Hickling described processes schools could use to
reduce these odours being carried into a school and the committee supported this
information being circulated to schools.
d.
Penticton Secondary School – Observatory
Efforts to relocate the observatory on site were not successful due to the
conclusion excess light at night on the site was unacceptable. Greyback
Construction Ltd. agreed to move and store the observatory roof and concrete
walls and this has been done. Both Trustee Siddon and Teacher Bruce Gowe
spoke regarding a possible solution of relocating the observatory on the roof of the
school above the north stairwell adjourning the Ellis building. Mr. Siddon advised
Greyback Construction has offered to assist with developing such a plan. Mr.
Regehr and Mr. Hickling advised the committee the plan will need to be reviewed
for clarification of building codes, engineering, safety, and cost. The committee
supported that staff work to review the feasibility of constructing an observatory on
the roof of Penticton Secondary School.
MOTION:
Denesiuk/Van Alphen that staff be directed to review the feasibility of
constructing an observatory on the roof of Penticton Secondary School.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Perry/Clarke that the report of the buildings, grounds, safety, and
transportation committee be received.
CARRIED
Education Committee
Trustee Van Alphen reported regarding the education committee meetings held on
February 17 and Chairman Little provided the report from the March 3 committee
meeting.
February 17:
a.
Student Data Collection
Director Garth Schafer and Secretary-Treasurer Frank Regehr provided an
overview of the student data collection system. At several times in the year, the
district collects and submits to the Ministry information respecting each student
enrolled in an educational program provided by the board, a distributed learning
school and an early learning program.
b.
Penticton Indian Band Course Support
Directors Lynn Hauptman and Brian Celli provided information on a partnership
between the district and the Band. This initiative will provide adult and at-risk
learners that attend either the Circle of Strength program or the band adult learning
centre the opportunity to obtain provincially certified high school courses that lead
to a high school dogwood or adult high school dogwood certification.
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 9, 2009
c.
BreakThrough Mathematics
Numeracy Helping Teacher Lisa West outlined a professional learning course that
has involved all of the secondary mathematics teachers. This course utilizes
classroom video, professional readings and group discussion to improve teaching
and learning, and deepens the numeracy content through the analysis, planning,
and implementation of classroom lessons.
d.
Soccer Academy
PMSS Teacher John Buckley reviewed a proposal to offer a new Soccer Academy
for Princess Margaret School. The academy is intended for elite athletes in the
Penticton area who will utilize the indoor facility and outdoor soccer fields. In
addition to the development of soccer skills, participants will have access to
programming in health and nutrition, fitness and training, athletic injuries, and
athletic leadership and coaching. The registration fee will be $500. Inability to pay
will not be a barrier to anyone's participation.
e.
Board Authorized/Approved Courses
The committee reviewed and recommended courses for use in the school district.
MOTION:
f.
Van Alphen/Perry that the following courses be approved for use in School
District No. 67 beginning in the 2009/10 school year: Soccer 10, Soccer
Development 11, Female Fitness 12, Superfit 12, Peer Mentoring 11, Peer
Mentoring 12, and Hairdressing 11/12.
CARRIED
StrongStart BC
The committee reviewed information related to StrongStart BC and recommended
a proposal be submitted.
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Denesiuk that the Board submit a proposal to the Ministry
requesting that Carmi Elementary and Columbia Elementary be considered
for a StrongStart BC early learning centre for the 2009/10 school year.
CARRIED
March 3:
a.
Special Education Services in School District No. 67
Director Garth Schafer and District Principal Pam Butters outlined the process of
identification and assessment of children with special needs. Included in the
presentation were the Ministry requirements for eligibility in the different categories
and the specific steps taken by a School Based Team from initial referral to
implementing an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for a student. Secretary-treasurer
Frank Regehr provided the board with the funding formulas for the district and
schools and explained how that funding resourced the various program services
within the district. Director Burgoyne completed the presentation by outlining the
process used in our district for class composition consultation meetings that are
triggered when there are more than three children with special needs in a class.
The Board and staff discussed a variety of issues related to Special Education in
the district.
MOTION:
8.3
Perry/Van Alphen that the report of the education committee meetings be
received.
CARRIED
Shatford Liaison Committee
Trustee Perry reported on the Shatford liaison committee meeting held on March 4, 2009:
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
a.
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Information on Building
Secretary-Treasurer Regehr reviewed the background of the plan to save/rebuild
the Shatford building and distributed a floor plan. The selection of a planning
consultant was reviewed and the role was summarized to include:
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Community use/consultation processes
Costing estimates
Coding/zoning/management issues
b.
Committee Process
Trustee and councillor representatives supported that the committee should
function as a joint city and school board process.
c.
Letter of Understanding
The committee requested that for the next meeting a Letter of Understanding be
developed to describe the process for the city and school district to support the
redevelopment, operation, and use of the Shatford building.
d.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on April 7, 2009, 1:45 p.m. Consultant Chris Allen
will be invited to the meeting.
MOTION:
9.0
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 9, 2009
Perry/Manning that the report of the Shatford liaison committee be
received.
CARRIED
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
Penticton Secondary School Reconstruction
Director of Maintenance John Hickling advised work continues to correct the consistent
roof leak in the main building and completion of the Ellis building is planned for June 30
with Shatford classes moving to the Ellis building during the summer. The demolition of
the older main building received substantial completion on February 27 although there
continues to be cleanup of some asphalt and crushing in preparation for site
development. It is anticipated the parking lot should be out to tender within two weeks
with anticipated awarding of the tender and start of the project in late April. It is hoped to
have the parking lot finished during the summer.
9.2
2009-10 Budget Development
Secretary-treasurer Regehr reported the Ministry of Education funding announcement is
expected by the end of this week. A public budget meeting is scheduled for April 1, 7:00
p.m., at Queen’s Park Elementary School. Announcements will be placed in local papers
this week and letters have been written to partner groups.
9.3
Policy No. 203 – Student Fees
Pursuant to district policy, the 30-day circulation period to partner groups was approved
at the November board meeting for Policy No. 203 – Student Fees. Mr. Regehr advised
that, to date, no suggestions have been received to modify this policy and the policy is
therefore recommended for adoption.
MOTION:
9.4
Siddon/Van Alphen that Policy No. 203 – Student Fees be approved as
circulated.
CARRIED
Climate Action Charter
The secretary-treasurer reviewed that the government of B.C. has announced criterion
for B.C. school districts as well as other government agencies to develop and report on
its carbon neutral initiatives. Draft reports are due by March 31, 2009 with the final report
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 9, 2009
by May 31. We are also advised the Climate Action Charter will be distributed shortly
and that the Ministry is expecting it to be signed by the Board by March 31, 2009. The
short timeline for both reports was noted.
10.0
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
Student Achievement
a.
10.2
Literacy, Numeracy, Transition/Completion
Director of Instruction Hauptman announced that as part of the community literacy
plan, parents and caregivers are invited to attend a free information evening with
reading specialist, Adrienne Gear. The event will be held on Tuesday, April 14,
2009, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., at Parkway Elementary School.
Communication and Access
a.
Field Trips
For information only, the superintendent of schools reviewed a listing of field trips
approved by the principal or superintendent pursuant to district policy as well as
field trip requests which require board approval.
MOTION:
Manning/Perry that pursuant to district policy, funding be provided for
the following field trips:
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10.3
March 5 to 7, 2009, for 16 grade 9 girls from Penticton
Secondary School to compete in the provincial basketball
tournament in Vancouver; and
March 4 to 7, 2009, for 12 grade 8 girls basketball players from
KVR Middle School to compete in the provincial basketball
tournament in Pitt Meadows.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Denesiuk that the field trip request for 10 girls basketball
players from Penticton Secondary School to travel to San Diego for a
basketball tournament be approved in principle.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Manning/Denesiuk that the field trip request for April 16 to 19, 2009,
for approximately 80 to 100 senior music program students from
Penticton Secondary School to travel to Seattle, Washington, to
compete in the Heritage Music Festival be given final approval.
CARRIED
Other Items
a.
Enrolment
Director of Instruction Burgoyne reported that enrolment as of February 28, 2009
shows a slight decline from the previous month. There are currently 6,834
students, 6,507.462 FTE, in the school district.
b.
Class Size and Composition Report
The director of instruction reviewed details on school class size and composition
consultation meetings for the period of December 11, 2008 to March 4, 2009. A
total of nine meetings were held and all principals have submitted a report to the
superintendent confirming these classes are appropriate for student learning. Mr.
Burgoyne added that SPC’s have been informed.
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11.0
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
12.0
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
13.0
INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1
BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting
Trustee Manning reported that at the BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting held on
February 27 and 28, 2009 in Vancouver, reports were heard from various committees
and President Connie Denesiuk, Trustee Van Alphen was elected vice chair of the
education committee, and it was confirmed that Ian Hanomansing will be the keynote
speaker for BCSTA’s annual general meeting. A draft budget was presented and four
emergent motions were considered and passed. The complete report is available in the
trustee reading file.
MOTION:
13.2
14.0
Manning/Clarke that the report of the BCSTA provincial council be
received.
CARRIED
Date of Next Meeting
• April 6, 2009, 6.30 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 listing circulated with the
agenda package.
14.2
Recognition of Student Artwork
Students from Carmi Elementary School were congratulated for their artwork currently on
display at the school board office:
14.3
15.0
Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 9, 2009
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Nico Eswein, Grade 5
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Stephanie Do, Grade 5
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Jordyn Beauchemin, Grade 4
Jerrod Clutterbuck, Grade 4
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Ashley Wall, Grade 3
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Alexis Walker, Grade 2
Abstract one line drawing outlined in black with
yellow, orange, lime and purple shapes
Abstract one line drawing outlined in black with
royal blue, purple, green and orange shapes
Pencil drawing of a sneaker on white paper
A drawing of a monkey on black construction
paper in vivid orange pastel
An outdoor landscape scene with an animal in
the foreground
Individual cut out shapes of a snowy scene – a
snowman, cabin, and spruce tree
Trustee Comments
Trustees provided general comments related to district activities including the education
committee visitation to Uplands Elementary School, the Naramata Winter Carnival, and
the Arts and Science in Harmony. Secretary-treasurer Regehr was congratulated for his
finance presentation at the BCSTA Trustees Academy.
QUESTION PERIOD
Questions and/or comments from the audience included:
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Minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting – March 9, 2009
Appreciation from CUPE and OSTU for removing the video camera at the Penticton
Secondary School library;
Clarification that the request from CUPE and OSTU regarding establishing a joint liaison
committee will be discussed at the next finance and management committee meeting;
Clarification that the Shatford liaison committee meetings are open to the public unless
there is a need to have some of the topics dealt with in a closed meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Manning/Denesiuk that the meeting be adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
CARRIED
____________________
Chairperson
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Secretary-Treasurer
March 12, 2009
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