B
E
S
D
N
.
67 (O
S
)
M
INUTES OF THE
R
EGULAR
B
OARD OF
E
DUCATION
M
EETING
H ELD ON M ONDAY , M AY 10, 2010, AT 6:30 P .
M .
AT THE S CHOOL B OARD O FFICE
IN ATTENDANCE
MINUTES
Ginny Manning, Chair
Linda Van Alphen, Vice Chair
Shelley Clarke, Trustee
Connie Denesiuk, 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 AGENDA
MOTION: Little/Van Alphen that the agenda be approved.
CARRIED
3.0 PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
3.1 Taiwan International Science Fair
Nicholas Randal, a grade 12 student at Penticton Secondary School, was one of two students from Canada who participated in the Taiwan International Science Fair in Taipei,
Taiwan, from February 1 to 7. Nicholas was selected to participate based on his science fair project work, his effective communication skills, and ambassadorial qualities.
Nicholas briefly described his science fair project, Yogurt Trek, and his experience in
Taipei which included visits to the Chiang-Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Taipei 101, the
National space organization, the countryside of Yilan, and the Taipei zoo. Nicholas described his home-stay with a local family as an amazing cultural experience and thanked the school district for support over the years for allowing him to participate in science fairs.
“Working Together for Student Success”

School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) Page 2 Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – May 10, 2010
Following a number of trustee questions, Nicholas was congratulated on his success and thanked for the presentation.
3.2 From Naramata to Midway Island: The Pervasive Plastic Problem
Parent volunteer Jan Vozenilek; Grade 4/5 teacher, Mr. McBryde; and students from
Naramata Elementary, Sam Hallworth, Josh Gowe, Isaac Kribernegg-Rasmussen, Brock
Schlenker, and Lukas Vozenilek, shared a presentation about a recycling/environmental initiative at Naramata Elementary School. Mr. Vozenilek showed a video he had filmed during a recent trip to the Pacific island of Midway which described the plastic washing up on the beaches and the devastation to the albatross population. The presentation described how the plastics end up in Midway and suggested better recycling or purchasing practices in the Naramata area can reduce the plastics in our landfills and limit the destruction caused by the disposable plastics.
Trustees commended the presenters for their involvement in the project and for the difference they are making to our world.
4.0 RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
4.1 Penticton RCMP and School District No. 67 Partnership for Student Success
The Penticton RCMP and School District No. 67 will introduce a variety of youth initiatives during the 2010-11 year. Inspector Brad Haugli and Terry Kalaski, Community Policing
Coordinator, outlined the goals of the Partnership for Student Success program and described the plan designed to achieve these goals. Connecting with K-5 schools will focus on relationship development, beginning with a Police Day, a pilot Junior Academy, and Cops with Kids for Reading. Connecting with Middle Schools will include a Girls
Group, Boys Group, the Gen A program, and DARE program, and Connecting to High
Schools will focus on police visibility in the classroom, a pilot project entitled Birthday
Program, Wrap-around Group, Restorative Justice, Youth Etc, and Keeping Students and
Staff Safe.
Trustees were appreciative of the support for the partnership and thanked Inspector
Haugli and Ms. Kalaski for their efforts and presentation.
5.0 APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION: Van Alphen/Perry that the minutes of the regular meeting held on April 12, 2010 be approved.
CARRIED
6.0 REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETING
The following items were discussed at the closed meeting held on April 12, 2010:
•
Received
•
Received reports from the finance and management committee; buildings, grounds, safety and transportation committee; and discipline committee;
•
Approved a lease bylaw;
•
Received information related to a personnel issue; (Declaring a possible conflict of interest, Trustee Little left the meeting for discussion of this topic.)
•
Received information related to student suspensions;
•
Confirmed teaching and support staff changes.
“Working Together for Student Success”

School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
7.0 CORRESPONDENCE
Page 3 Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – May 10, 2010
7.1 Letter from Okanagan Skaha Teachers’ Union
A letter from the OSTU requesting the Board recognize the aboriginal territory at district events, which would add significance and deeper meaning to many in the communities which the district serves.
Trustees supported the letter and agreed to discuss implementation with Vice Principal
Cathy Pierre, Aboriginal Program.
7.2 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. 39 (Vancouver) to the Minister of Education regarding statements the Minister made pertaining to the Vancouver Board of Education’s surplus student spaces;
•
School District No. 39 (Vancouver) to the Minister of Education regarding statements made by the Minster regarding their Board’s surplus;
•
Mission School District to the Minister of Education regarding its distribution to and discussions with the community regarding a paper entitled “Vision 2020:
Adaptive Schools Enabling Student Success”;
•
School District No. 38 (Richmond) to the Minister of Education in response to her letter published in the Richmond News concerning education funding;
•
School District No. 20 (Kootenay-Columbia) to the BC School Trustees
Association requesting that BCSTA collaborate with the Ministry of Education to devise a process that would provide enough time and opportunity for all 60 boards, or all boards that wish it, to meet with Ministry staff during major BCSTA events;
•
School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) to the Minister of Education advising they are not interested in amalgamation at this time nor in the near future.
In response to a question regarding a letter from a parent concerning French Immersion, it was noted that although the letter was not listed on the board agenda it had been reviewed at the education committee and finance and management committee and was considered during the budget deliberations along with three other letters related to the budget. It was suggested that in future all budget request letters should be added to the board agenda. Superintendent Hyer advised that French Immersion numbers will be reviewed in late August and if there are sufficient numbers, another division may be added at KVR Middle School.
MOTION: Denesiuk/Clarke to receive the correspondence and refer the letter from the OSTU to Vice Principal Cathy Pierre.
CARRIED
8.0 REPORT OF COMMITTEES
8.1 Finance and Management Committee
Trustee Van Alphen reported on the finance and management committee meeting held on May 5, 2010:
Secretary-Treasurer Shongrunden advised there may be as many as five applications for the available Community Connections funding. It was noted that up to three submissions may be made for a total of $30,000 and all applications must have the support of local government. As the deadline for the applications is
June 4 and there is no current process to make the selection for submissions from this district, there may be a need for another meeting. Trustees agreed to meet for a special board meeting on May 31 to discuss this topic as well as the capital plan
“Working Together for Student Success”

School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) Page 4 Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – May 10, 2010 submission which is also due to the Ministry of Education on June 4. Trustees further agreed to circulate the proposals by e-mail, discuss electronically the selection process and applications received, and make the final decision at the
May 31 board meeting.
MOTION: Van Alphen/Little that the report of the finance and management committee be received.
CARRIED
8.2 Buildings, Grounds, Safety and Transportation Committee
Trustee Perry reported on the buildings, grounds, safety and transportation committee meeting held on April 28, 2010: a. Penticton Secondary School Logo
Vice Principal Sandra Richardson circulated a copy of the proposed logo to be acid stained into the concrete floor at the entry of Penticton Secondary. She advised the concept was student driven, the school had used the services of a professional graphic designer to refine the student drawing previously viewed by trustees, and the logo would be approximately 11 feet in diameter located at the front entrance of the school. Funding from previous dry grad committees has been allocated to cover the cost of the project. It was noted that the colours may change slightly from the drawing circulated to trustees. The committee agreed to recommend:
MOTION: Perry/Little that approval be given for the logo as presented to be acid stained into the concrete floor at the entry of Penticton Secondary School.
CARRIED b. Letter of Support
The committee reviewed a request for a letter of support for a proposed Centre for
Urban Agriculture in Penticton. Following discussion, the committee agreed to send a letter advising that while the Board is supportive of the initiative it will not provide a letter of support at this time as the request is not directly related to school district business.
Director of Maintenance Hickling reviewed a request from the City of Penticton for district and financial support for development of two off-leash dog parks.
Committee members expressed support for the initiative; however, they are not willing to provide funding for the development. d. Maple Trees at Penticton Secondary School
Director of Maintenance Hickling advised that further to the decision by the Board at the last meeting to purchase hedge maple trees for planting at Penticton
Secondary School, he has been unsuccessful in procuring sufficient trees as required. The consultant is now recommending silver maples as a suitable alternative. Committee members agreed to the recommendation.
MOTION: Perry/Van Alphen that silver maples be planted as replacement trees along
Main Street and the walkway to the school.
CARRIED e. Letter to Editor
In response to a recent letter to the editor of a local newspaper and a telephone call to the school board office related to excessive watering at Princess Margaret
Secondary and Skaha Lake Middle schools, Mr. Hickling reviewed the watering schedule for the district fields. As well, he advised that grounds crews had provided extra watering on the centre piece of the field on the day of the complaint.
In response to a question regarding watering during rainfall, Mr. Hickling advised there is insufficient staff to go to schools to shut off systems if raining on the
“Working Together for Student Success”

School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) Page 5 Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – May 10, 2010 scheduled watering days. Committee members indicated support for the current watering program. f. Fibre in Summerland
Secretary-Treasurer Shongrunden advised he had met the previous day with
Summerland municipal staff and the municipality will be installing ducting for fibre optic connections during their current and future road construction.
MOTION: Perry/Clarke that the report of the buildings, grounds, safety, and transportation committee be received.
CARRIED
Trustee Clarke reported regarding the education committee meeting held on May 4,
2010: a. Quality Review Report – Home Learners’ Program
Principal Lloyd Lindsay of the Home Learners’ Program reviewed the Distributed
Learning Program’s Quality Review conducted during the 2009-10 school year by the Ministry of Education. Mr. Lindsay indicated that there were nine DL schools in the province that went through a Quality Review this year. The challenges that were identified through this review were highlighted by Principal Lindsay, including staffing levels and coordination/overlap of services. The Ministry of Education’s
External Team made recommendations that were broken into “Immediate”, “Short” and “Long” Term recommendations. b. French Immersion Program Enrolment
District Principal Tom Schimmer provided an update on the French Immersion registration process and numbers for 2010-11. Ninety-eight students originally applied for the Penticton program by the February 5th deadline. The lottery placed
90 students in the program and eight were waitlisted. Four applicants from outside the district were placed from number nine to number 12 on the waitlist.
Summerland had 29 applicants and now has 30 in the program as one (on the
Penticton waitlist) has taken the one vacant spot. Currently, the Penticton waitlist is at twelve including three from outside the district. c. Network of Performance Based Schools Celebration
Superintendent Hyer reminded trustees that the Network of Performance Based
Schools will be hosting a celebration at UBCO on June 3, 2010 at the UNC
Ballroom from 3:45 p.m. to approximately 5:30 p.m. Schools involved in the network will share the findings in their inquiry project, focusing on enhancing and supporting promising practices in schools and classrooms. d. “Keeping the Play in Full Day K” Institute
Superintendent Hyer informed trustees that in preparation for the implementation of full day kindergarten, School District No. 67, in partnership with School District No.
53, will be hosting an institute on full day kindergarten on May 14 th
. A brochure for the Institute was provided to trustees. e. Differentiated Instruction Institute
Superintendent Hyer provided a summary of the two-day institute that occurred on
April 29 and April 30 to the Board of Education. Two hundred and eighty-eight educators, including 87 from our district, participated in the two days. Day 1 consisted of a workshop put on by Carol Ann Tomlinson, and Day 2 was coordinated by our District Team of Differentiated Instruction leaders.
MOTION: Clarke/Van Alphen that the report of the education committee be received.
CARRIED
“Working Together for Student Success”

School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) Page 6
8.4 Curriculum Development Advisory Committee
Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – May 10, 2010
Trustee Perry provided a report regarding the curriculum committee meeting held on April
13, 2010:
Teacher Shirley Smith, Princess Margaret Secondary School, presented the outline for the proposed Culinary Arts 11 course to the committee. Questions from committee members included clarification of the expected audience clientele that this course would attract, overlapping with other courses, and permission to use the course from other school districts. Principal MacIntyre and Ms. Smith will look into how closely this course matches existing BAA courses in other districts and if necessary will ask for permission to use the course outline as presented.
Princess Margaret Secondary School Vice Principal Terry Grady presented the information for the proposed course of Scholarship 12. Although it is an existing course in a couple of other districts, Mr. Grady designed the course to meet the needs of Princess Margaret students. Questions from the committee about timetabling the course and expected participation were addressed by Mr. Grady and Mr. MacIntyre.
The committee met following the presentations and recommended approval.
MOTION: Perry/Little that Culinary Arts 11 and Scholarship 12 be approved for use in
School District No. 67 schools as Board Authorized/Approved courses.
CARRIED
MOTION: Perry/Clarke that the report of the curriculum development advisory committee be received.
CARRIED
9.0 REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
Trustee Van Alphen provided an overview of the budget development process and meetings including: the public budget meeting held on March 31; meetings held with
OSTU and CUPE representatives on April 14; a meeting with principals, vice principals, and district staff on April 20; input from the DPAC meeting held on April 27; and meetings with trustees and district staff on April 14, April 21, and May 5; plus additional meetings to prepare and set the agendas. Trustee Van Alphen noted the positive response to the online survey.
Chair Manning reviewed the goals of the 2010-11 budget development process were to place students’ interests first and try to keep the money in the classroom; protect special needs students wherever possible; provide for long-term multi year strategies; obtain partner group involvement; and create efficiencies and cost savings. Following an extensive process including many ideas and suggestions from partner groups, the Board approved reductions and cost savings totalling $1.45 million including:
•
Utilizing accumulated savings from current year to assist with next year
($698,000);
•
Utilizing funds generated by technology to offset reductions in the budget
($250,000);
•
Maintenance ($110,000) – savings through capital projects;
•
Administration ($107,000) – reductions in BCeSIS training, legal and licensing fees, and district expenses;
•
Elimination of services provided by the Instructional Media Centre ($100,000);
•
Elimination of the Ellis Street Program ($75,000);
•
Elimination of transportation assistance and low ridership routes ($70,000);
“Working Together for Student Success”

School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) Page 7 Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – May 10, 2010
•
Elimination of the position of CEA coordinator; reduction in the services to staff by the autism teacher; reduction of time for the teacher of visually impaired students due to reduced enrolment; and reduction of time for behaviour program
(total of 1.9 FTE for all four); and
•
One school closure day.
Chair Manning further noted that the Board was able to maintain some service for the
Early Literacy Intervention Program, secondary teacher staffing, and Smart Learning
Initiative, totalling $132,665.
Trustees commented on the difficult process of preparing the budget, the likelihood of being faced with another funding shortfall for the following year, and the need to continue work to minimize the impact on the classroom and provide a clear message about underfunding.
Following review of the 2010-11 annual budget bylaw,
MOTION: Denesiuk/Siddon that following first reading of School District No. 67
(Okanagan Skaha) Annual Budget Bylaw for the fiscal year 2010-11 in the amount of $58,033,389, the Board of Education passes the bylaw.
CARRIED
MOTION: Denesiuk/Siddon that following second reading of School District No. 67
(Okanagan Skaha) Annual Budget Bylaw for the fiscal year 2010-11 in the amount of $58,033,389, the Board of Education passes the bylaw.
CARRIED
MOTION: Denesiuk/Siddon that following third reading of School District No. 67
(Okanagan Skaha) Annual Budget Bylaw for the fiscal year 2010-11 in the amount of $58,033,389, the Board of Education passes and adopts the bylaw.
CARRIED
Appreciation was extended to Secretary-Treasurer Shongrunden, Executive Assistant
Adey, other admin staff, partner group representatives, district parent advisory council, and those who completed the online survey for their time and expertise in the budget process.
9.2 2010-11 Annual Capital Plan
Secretary-Treasurer Shongrunden advised that Phase 1 of the district’s 2010-11 Annual
Capital Plan, which includes seismic and building envelope program projects, is due at the Ministry of Education by June 4, 2010 with Phase 2 due October 1, 2010. Director of Maintenance Hickling added a district facility plan will need to be undertaken in order to submit the Summerland Secondary School gym as a project. All other work will need to be completed using annual facility grant funds and staff are currently visiting all schools to determine the needed work. It may be necessary to hold a special Board of
Education meeting prior to the June 4, 2010 deadline.
10.0 SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.2 Communication and Access
District Principal Schimmer reviewed field trip requests, two of which did not require board approval pursuant to district policy.
“Working Together for Student Success”

School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) Page 8 Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – May 10, 2010
MOTION: Little/Denesiuk that the field trip request for March 18 to 30, 2011, for
23 grade 11/12 Summerland Secondary School students to travel to
Ecuador on a humanitarian mission be approved in principle.
CARRIED
MOTION: Van Alphen/Siddon that the field trip request for February 3 to 9,
2011, for 35 to 45 Summerland Middle and KVR Middle School students to travel to Quebec City and Montreal for the winter carnival be approved in principle.
CARRIED
MOTION: Denesiuk/Clarke that the following field trip requests be given final approval:
•
June 9 to 12, 2010, for approximately 60 grade 8 band students from McNicoll Park Middle and Summerland Middle schools to travel to Edmonton to perform at various schools and visit the museum and West Edmonton Mall; and
•
May 26 to 29, 2010, for 40 grade 8 band students from
Skaha Lake Middle School to travel to Edmonton, Alberta, to participate in musical performance opportunities.
CARRIED b. School Calendar (2010-11)
The assistant superintendent advised that the Board of Education is required by
May 31, 2010 to approve and circulate the 2010-11 school calendar for the district.
One school closure day, as approved in the budget process, is proposed for Friday,
November 12, with an average of eight minutes being added each week at the elementary level and an average of nine minutes each week at the middle and secondary levels to compensate for the loss minutes of instruction on the closure day. It is recommended that the proposed school calendar for 2010-11 be approved.
MOTION: Little/Siddon that the proposed school calendar for 2010-11 be approved as circulated.
CARRIED a. Enrolment
The superintendent of schools reported on enrolment as of April 30, 2010, noting there are currently 6,608 students, or 6,470.5 FTE, in the school district.
The School Act requires that student fees be reviewed and reported to the Board on an annual basis. Assistant Superintendent Burgoyne reviewed the proposed fee structure for the 2010-11 school year noting there are no increases from the previous year.
MOTION: Clarke/Perry that the following schedule of fees and deposits for the
2010-11 school year be approved:
•
A student activity charge of $45.00 per secondary student and $35.00 per middle school student, per year, for the provision of goods and services beyond the basic instructional program including, but not restricted to, the supply of a student planner and partial funding for a range of student activity costs;
“Working Together for Student Success”

School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) Page 9 Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – May 10, 2010
•
A student activity charge (for the provision of goods and services provided through the school for personal use and beyond the basic instructional program including, but not restricted to the supply of a student planner, and partial funding for a range of student activity costs), established in consultation with school PACs and not to exceed $10.00 per elementary student per year. Schools will provide central office with a record of the fee to be charged and the uses to which it will be put;
•
A textbook/resources refundable deposit of $45.00 per secondary student and $15.00 per middle school student;
•
Schools are authorized to establish a schedule of user-pay team fees and/or uniform charges to support extracurricular activities in the school;
•
Schools enrolling grade 12, as part of the graduation policy, to establish a graduation charge to cover costs of graduation events at the school;
•
A per student fee of $400 ($80 per month) for the Hockey
Skills Academy at Summerland Secondary School; and
•
A per student fee of $500 for the Soccer Academy at
Princess Margaret Secondary School.
CARRIED
12.0 NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
13.1 BCSTA Annual General Meeting
Trustees are reminded to submit reports of their attendance at the BCSTA AGM held
April 22 to 25, 2010 in Victoria.
13.2 BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting
Trustee Clarke will provide a report at the next board meeting on the BCSTA Provincial
Council Meeting held on April 25, 2010 in Victoria.
13.3 BCSTA Thompson Okanagan Branch Meeting
Chair Manning congratulated Trustee Van Alphen on her election as president of the
BCSTA Thompson Okanagan Branch during the branch meeting held on April 23, 2010.
Trustee Van Alphen announced the executive members and noted there are nine districts in the newly formed branch that represent over 66,000 students and control $575 million in educational funding. The next branch meeting will be held on October 15 and 16, 2010 in Lillooet. A complete report is available in the trustee reading file.
13.4 Date of Next Meeting
•
June 14, 2010, 6:30 p.m., Regular Meeting, School Board Office
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) Page 10 Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – May 10, 2010
14.2 Recognition of Student Artwork
Congratulations were extended to the following students from West Bench Elementary
School for their artwork currently on display at the school board office:
•
Satyn Casmir, Grade 4 The Voyageur’s Paddle – a laminated paddle with a story with colourful native drawings
•
Madison Avila, Grade 4 The Voyageur’s Paddle – a laminated paddle with a story with colourful native drawings
•
Lyndsey Selles, Grade 5 A pastel drawing of an owl in pale/while colours with a poem attached (on black construction paper)
•
Sophie Taylor, Grade 4 A pastel drawing of an owl in rusty orange colours with a poem attached (on black construction paper)
•
Caitlin Burleigh, Grade 3 Watercolour landscape design in black, blue and pink colours
•
Hayden Marschall, Grade 3 Watercolour landscape design in black, blue and pink colours
Trustees provided general comments related to district activities including information on the Good Will Shakespeare held in Summerland and resolutions discussed at the BCSTA annual general meeting.
Questions and/or comments from the audience were related to:
•
Information regarding the May community swim, sponsored by CUPE, and enjoyed by over 70 residents;
•
Appreciation to the secretary-treasurer and assistant superintendent for sharing information with CUPE earlier in the day related to the budget and for contacting those who will be affected by the budget;
•
Clarification of the cuts and enhancements announced in the budget;
•
Continued underfunding for K-12 education;
•
Clarification the
•
A response to a media question as to why there were no admin cuts this year; and
•
An explanation that the maintenance and custodial review will look at CUPE and management staff and will begin in the near future.
16.0 ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Siddon/Clarke that the meeting be adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
CARRIED
____________________
Chairperson
____________________
Secretary-Treasurer
May 14, 2010
Ref: U:\SBO-ST-Data\DA\2009-2010\00100 - 01999 Admin\00300-05 Minutes Open\100510 OP Minutes.doc
“Working Together for Student Success”