BOARD OF EDUCATION
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2010, AT 6:30 P.M.
AT THE SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE
MINUTES
IN ATTENDANCE
Ginny Manning, Chair
Linda Van Alphen, Vice Chair
Shelley Clarke, Trustee
Larry Little, Trustee
David Perry, Trustee
Tom Siddon, Trustee
Wendy Hyer, Superintendent of Schools
Ron Shongrunden, Secretary-Treasurer
Dave Burgoyne, Assistant Superintendent
John Hickling, Director of Maintenance
Pam Butters, Director of Instruction
Tom Schimmer, District Principal
Danny Francisco, Manager of Information Technology
Daphne Adey, Executive Assistant
1.0
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Manning welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Little/Van Alphen that the agenda with addendum be approved.
CARRIED
3.0
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
3.1
Community Transition Programs
Heather Carter, an intervener at Princess Margaret Secondary, works with Johnathan
Higgins, a student with deafblindness. Two important goal areas of Johnathan's IEP
have been orientation and mobility, and transition into the community. Darlene Knudsen,
Special Education Teacher, introduced Heather, whose presentation focused on the
strategies she employs in order to achieve these goals. Heather shared this presentation
at the deafblind conference in Richmond as well as with the Princess Margaret
psychology class. The presentation also included the steps used to transition the grade
12 student to the community.
Trustees expressed appreciation to Ms. Carter for the presentation and for her work in
assisting with the student’s transition to the community.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
3.2
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Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – March 1, 2010
Dragon’s Den Program
Career Programs in School District No. 67 has partnered with Okanagan College and
SIFE to make the Dragon's Den Program available to the district’s secondary students.
David Kalaski and two Okanagan College SIFE students, Caroline Wyatt and Scott
Spence, both of whom are graduates from SD67, provided a description of the new
initiative.
SIFE is an international organization in which students in business programs in most
major post-secondary institutions get involved. SIFE offers local events that promote
entrepreneurship. Okanagan College SIFE students have offered the Dragon's Den
Project in SD23 for the past 15 years and in SD22 for the past five years, and are now
offering the project in SD67. David Arsenault, Penticton Economic Development, works
with the group and the local business community to solicit funding for the project.
Students from our secondary schools will form business teams, develop a product and
present to a panel in much the same format as the Dragon's Den TV series. The winning
team will receive $2,500. The project began on February 1, 2010.
Following a number of trustee questions, the attendees were thanked for their
presentation.
4.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
4.1
WIFI Wireless Connections
Vikki Lightfoot, a parent from Summerland Secondary School, spoke to the Board
regarding her concerns about the safety of wireless connections in the school, including
whiteboards, laptops, and wireless laptop carts. She suggested that a committee should
be formed to look into this further. Leslie Kemp, a parent at the school, asked that
consideration be given to the research presented.
Secretary-Treasurer Shongrunden advised the district follows all the safety guidelines
available, has been proactive in looking at the research provided, and will continue to
review research on wireless connections. Chair Manning thanked Ms. Lightfoot for her
presentation and added the district has done some measuring and will continue to
monitor emissions, adding that student safety is the district’s biggest concern.
5.0
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Siddon that the minutes of the regular meeting held on February 8,
2010 be approved.
CARRIED
6.0
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETING
Chair Manning advised the following items were discussed at the closed meeting held on
February 8, 2010:
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Received correspondence;
Received a report from the Shatford liaison committee;
Approved support for the Shatford Centre project;
Confirmed teacher and support staff changes;
Received information related to British Columbia Public School Employers’ Association
(BCPSEA) negotiations;
Received a report from the Okanagan Labour Relations Council;
Approved three teacher leave requests;
Received information related to two personnel matters;
Received information related to student suspensions;
Received information related to a BCPSEA meeting.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
7.0
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Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – March 1, 2010
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter from Citizen
A letter forwarded by David Snyder requesting archival documents of historical relevance
to Penticton Secondary School.
7.2
Letter from Coalition for Music Education in British Columbia
A letter forwarded by the Coalition for Music Education in British Columbia regarding the
importance of music for children.
7.3
Letter from the City of Penticton
A letter forwarded by the City of Penticton requesting the chair and trustee(s) to become
part of the nominations committee for the Board of Directors for the Penticton 2011 BC
Disability Games.
Chair Manning requested that trustees advise her if they want to participate in the
nominations committee.
7.4
Letter from Ministry of Finance
A letter forwarded by the Minister of Finance advising that all commercial Crown
Corporations (Government Business Entities) are directed to adopt International Financial
Reporting Standards commencing with their respected fiscal year 2011.
7.5
Letter from Penticton-Ikeda Sister City Society
A letter forwarded by the Penticton-Ikeda Sister City Society expressing appreciation to
Trustees Manning and Clarke for hosting Ikeda Mayor Katsumaru Katsui on a recent tour.
7.6
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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7.7
School District No. 63 (Saanich) to the Minister of Education requesting that the
government evaluate the advisability of directing scare funds to new
administrative systems and reporting requirements when funds are so badly
needed in the classroom;
School District No. 85 (Vancouver Island North) to the Minister of Education
regarding the planned closure of three more schools due to insufficient funding;
School District No. 48 (Sea to Sky) news release related to offering full day
kindergarten to all students in January 2011;
School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan) to the Minister of Education
requesting the immediate announcement of the 2010-11 annual facility grant
allocation to ensure proper planning of projects can occur and schools can
receive the maintenance that they desperately need; and
School District No. 73 (Kamloops/Thompson) partner groups to the Minister of
Education regarding recent funding changes and ongoing funding challenges.
Letter regarding 2011 Junior All Native Tournament – Bid
A letter from the Osoyoos Indian Band requesting a letter of support from the school
district for a bid to host the 2011 Junior All Native Tournament.
MOTION:
Little/Siddon that a letter of support be provided for the 2011 Junior All
Native Tournament subject to availability of the schools and without costs
to the district.
CARRIED
In response to a question regarding the letter from the Ministry of Finance, SecretaryTreasurer Shongrunden advised the Ministry continues to request tremendous amounts
of information such as GAAP, GRE, quarterly financial statements, monthly statements,
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 4
Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – March 1, 2010
EDAS, information on employees, and now reporting to international standards. Mr.
Shongrunden added the cash flow from the Ministry may be changed and districts may
be going to a new provincial payroll and human resources system similar to BCeSIS.
The district has reduced administrative costs at the school and district levels in the past
year but is expected to provide more information to the Ministry. Trustees suggested that
a comprehensive and strongly worded letter be sent to the Minister encompassing all
costs and requesting that cost benefit analysis be completed before introducing new
programs. It was also suggested the letter should include the lack of consultation related
to the impact these situations are having on districts and should include items other than
accounting.
MOTION:
Perry/Van Alphen that the correspondence be received and that a letter be
sent to the Minister.
CARRIED
8.0
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
9.0
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
2010-11 Budget Development
The secretary-treasurer advised that a budget survey has been prepared so that people
who are unable to attend or are reluctant to speak at the public budget meeting may
provide input through an on-line process. Mr. Shongrunden reviewed some of the
questions on the survey and advised the survey will be available the following day on the
district’s website.
Trustees supported the concept of and questions asked in the survey and encouraged
the public and all interested to use this tool.
10.0
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
Student Achievement
a.
10.2
Differentiated Instruction Institute
The superintendent of schools reviewed the agenda for the Differentiated
Instruction Institute, which will be held at the Penticton Lakeside Resort on April 29
and 30, 2010. Carol Ann Tomlinson will present on April 29 and differentiated
instruction trained presenters and facilitators will work with teachers on the second
day. One hundred and five participants are registered for the first day with 90 for
the second day. Trustees are invited to attend or drop by.
Communication and Access
a.
Field Trips
The superintendent of schools reviewed one field trip request which did not require
board approval pursuant to district policy. In response to a question, trustees
supported that Level 3 and 4 field trip requests continue to be brought to the board
meeting for information purposes.
b.
Health Promoting Schools Coordinator Initiative
The superintendent of schools advised that the district has received funding of
$30,000 for the next three years from Interior Health for a Health Promoting
Schools Coordinator position. Appreciation was extended to Angela Martin at
Summerland Middle School and District Principal Tom Schimmer for their success
at initiating the proposal. The funds will be used for a couple of teaching blocks to
help support the health promoting initiatives to other teachers.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
10.3
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Other Items
a.
Enrolment
The superintendent of schools reported enrolment as of February 28, 2010 was
6,657 students or 6,519.5 FTE, up from 10 students from January.
b.
Class Size and Composition Report
Assistant Superintendent Burgoyne reviewed details of school class size and
composition consultation meetings held between November 10, 2009 and February
26, 2010. Mr. Burgoyne added all principals have submitted reports to the
superintendent confirming these classes are appropriate for student learning and
school planning councils have been informed.
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Siddon that the class size and composition report be
received.
CARRIED
11.0
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
12.0
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
13.0
INFORMATION ITEMS
14.0
Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – March 1, 2010
13.1
BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting
Trustee Clarke reported on the BCSTA provincial council meeting held on February 19
and 20, 2010 in Victoria, advising the synopsis was sent to all trustees earlier today. Ms.
Clarke noted that the Minister and Deputy Minister did not attend the meeting and there
was good discussion with BCCPAC related to getting parents more involved in their
children’s education. As well, a number of resolutions were presented.
13.2
BCSTA Okanagan Branch Meeting
Trustees are reminded to submit their reports of their attendance at the BCSTA
Okanagan Branch meeting held on February 12 and 13, 2010 in Vernon.
13.3
Date of Next Meeting
• March 31, 2010, 7:00 p.m., Public Budget Meeting, Penticton Secondary School
Library
• April 12, 2010, 6:30 p.m., Regular Meeting, School Board Office
TRUSTEE COMMENTS
14.1
Trustee Comments
Trustees extended appreciation to district and maintenance staff for the new playground
at KVR Middle School, congratulated students for their science displays at the science
fair, and noted the concert band festival is currently on today and tomorrow. Trustees
also requested letters of congratulations be forwarded to former students, Olympians
Kristi Richards, Justin Kripps, and Duncan Keith, in honour of their success at the 2010
Olympics.
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 listing circulated with the
agenda package.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
14.3
15.0
Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – March 1, 2010
Recognition of Student Artwork
Congratulations were extended to the following students from Kaleden Elementary
School for their artwork currently on display at the school board office:
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Shannon Robinson, Grade 3
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Keira Thompson, Grade 3
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Kascia Lovett, Grade 3
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Montana Smith, Grade 3
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Ben Davidson, Grade 1
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Nicola Thomspon, Grade 1
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Lucas Byrne, Kindergarten
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Asia Krickemeyer, Kindergarten
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Rachel Brown, Kindergarten
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Michelle Miles, Grade 5
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Mackenzie Smith, Grade 5
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Mackenzie Wallich, Grade 4
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Meghan Stayberg, Grade 4
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Tayedra Koppe, Grade 4
Freestyle Skiing – aerial skier in a combination
of red cut out textures on white paper
Cut out shapes in red textured materials of a
bobsleigh and rider on white paper
Figure skating cut out shape in red high
textured materials on white paper
Skeleton cut out shape in red materials on
white paper
A cartoon drawing of a boy with brown eyes
and a blue hat using cut out shapes and felt
pens
A cartoon drawing of a girl with green eyes
and a red Canadian maple leaf hat; made with
cut out shapes and crayon
A bear with long eyelashes; a cut out shape in
white paper with black ink outline; glued onto
red construction paper cut out
A chubby bear with a funny face; a cut out
shape in white paper with black ink outline;
glued to a pink construction paper cut out
A happy bear with big eyes; a cut out shape in
white paper with black ink outline; glued to a
yellow construction paper cut out
Horses in a field in beautiful white shapes in
various textures
A panda bear in white cut out shapes in the
sun
A perspective pencil crayon drawing of a
blonde girl with pink soles
A perspective pencil crayon drawing of a girl in
stripes with colourful running shoe soles
A perspective pencil crayon drawing of a girl in
pink with hearts on her running shoe soles
QUESTION PERIOD
Comments/suggestions from the audience were related to:
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16.0
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OSTU comments about the provincial budget being presented the following day and that
the continued downloading of the provincial government to the districts takes yet another
dollar from the classroom;
DPAC’s disappointment of the Minister and Deputy Minister not showing for the provincial
meeting of the BCSTA;
CUPE’s positive comments about the budget survey, suggestions that paper copies of
the survey be available at all meetings, their willingness to publicize the survey amongst
their members, and their support of a letter to the Ministry;
A media question regarding the use of the Penticton Lakeside;
A media request for a copy of the Statement of Financial Information report; and
Suggestions to be included in the letter to the Minister.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Little/Clarke that the meeting be adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
CARRIED
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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____________________
Chairperson
Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – March 1, 2010
____________________
Secretary-Treasurer
March 22, 2010
Ref: U:\SBO-ST-Data\DA\2009-2010\00100 - 01999 Admin\00300-05 Minutes Open\100301 OP Minutes.doc
“Working Together for Student Success”