BOARD OF EDUCATION
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 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
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
Daphne Adey, Executive Assistant
1.0
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Manning welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Little/Perry that the agenda and addendum be adopted.
CARRIED
3.0
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
3.1
Kindergarten Pre-Writing Program
Teacher Lynn Porteous in consultation with Lynn Burrows, Occupational Therapist, has
created a program to teach and reinforce fine motor skill development. The program is
developmentally appropriate for students at the beginning of Kindergarten or who have
difficulty with fine motor activities. An overview of the five-week program was provided
which includes the proper ways to grip a pencil, the importance for children to develop
correct postures, and the need for children to learn directional terms. It is hoped the
program will decrease the need for mediation in later years.
Following a number of questions, appreciation was extended to Ms. Porteous and Ms.
Burrows for their presentation and for the development of the pre-writing program which
is being used by a number of teachers in the school district.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
3.2
Page 2
Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – November 8, 2010
Summerland Secondary School
Raja Gupta, a teacher at Summerland Secondary School, provided an overview of a new
Science 9 project he has developed to teach parents how to support their children with
science classes. The evening classes are designed for parents only and in the first
chemistry class, 28 parents attended along with 23 for the first electricity class. Parent
only classes for astronomy and biology will be held later. In response to a question, Mr.
Gupta advised that over four thousand students throughout the province had participated
in a log-on Science 10 review which he had developed, located at www.liveteacher.ca.
Superintendent Hyer noted that Minister of Education MacDiarmid had heard how Mr.
Gupta was using technology for teaching and had contacted him directly to find out more
and to compliment him on his teaching.
Trustees commended Mr. Gupta for his dedication to teaching and thanked him for the
presentation.
4.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
5.0
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
Clarke/Van Alphen that the minutes of the regular meeting held on October 4, 2010
and the special meeting held on October 12, 2010 be approved.
CARRIED
6.0
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETINGS
The following items were discussed at the closed meetings held on October 4, 2010 and the
special meeting held on October 12, 2010:
October 4, 2010, Special Meeting at Noon:
• Received information related to an appeal.
October 4, 2010, Regular Meeting:
• Received correspondence;
• Received a report from the discipline committee;
• Confirmed teaching and support staff changes;
• Received information regarding bargaining;
(Declaring a possible conflict of interest, Trustee Little left the room for discussion of this
topic.)
• Received information related to a vacancy;
• Received information related to a possible lease;
• Received information regarding student suspensions;
• Received information concerning a personnel issue;
• Received information related to an upcoming meeting.
October 12, 2010, Special Meeting:
• Received information and approved a process related to a student suspension.
7.0
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter from British Columbia Teachers’ Federation
A letter from the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation enclosing a copy of the
Federation’s brief to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government
Services. The brief is available in the trustee reading file.
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:
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Page 3
Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – November 8, 2010
School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan) to the Minister of Healthy Living and
Sport requesting that the Interior Health Authority apply the current water
guidelines similarly to the interpretation in other BC Health Authorities and
ensure school children have safe drinking water available to them at no
additional cost to the school district;
School District No. 52 (Prince Rupert) to the federal Minister of Industry
expressing its opposition to the proposed changes to the Federal Census Data
Collection process;
School District No. 52 (Prince Rupert) to the Minister of Aboriginal Relations and
Reconciliation supporting the establishment of a Long-Term Capacity Fund for
BC Friendship Centres;
School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) to the Select Standing Committee on Finance
and Government Services urging the committee to clearly report the need for
increasing government investment in the students of BC by increasing the
funding support to public education;
School District No. 20 (Kootenay-Columbia) to the Minister of Education
expressing concern and frustration with BCeSIS and requesting that the Ministry
of Education become directly involved in a permanent solution to these repeated
outages, and requesting that fees related to BCeSIS usage for the month of
September be waived;
School District No. 20 (Kootenay-Columbia) to the Select Standing Committee on
Finance and Government Services providing input regarding the provincial
budget and fiscal policy, and requesting that new initiatives be fully funded rather
than reducing existing budgets;
School District No. 42 (Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows) to the Minister of Education
regarding the devastating effect of BCeSIS on the school system for this year’s
start of school;
School District No. 42 (Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows) to the Minister of Education
requesting funding be provided to continue the Accessible Resource Centre at its
current operating level so students with perceptual disabilities can continue to
reap the positive benefits of universal access to printed material;
School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) to the Minister of Education expressing
concerns around technical difficulties and subsequent challenges that staff face;
School District No. 85 (Vancouver Island North) to the Minister of Education
regarding the BCeSIS failure requesting that the Ministry find a solution to the
problem of insufficient capacity within BCeSIS;
School District No. 85 (Vancouver Island North) to the Minister of Education
requesting that additional funding be provided to school parent advisory councils
in high poverty areas to fund breakfast and lunch programs;
School District No. 53 (Okanagan Similkameen) to the Minister of Education
expressing disappointment that funding for the Roots of Empathy program was
cancelled.
Chairman Manning added that the Okanagan Skaha school district had also sent a letter
regarding the poor service with BCeSIS.
MOTION:
Denesiuk/Clarke 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 October 27, 2010:
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
a.
Page 4
Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – November 8, 2010
Daycare Rental Rates
The secretary-treasurer advised that, in response to several requests for a
reduction in the daycare and before/afterschool rental rates, a review had been
undertaken of rental fees charged by six other school districts, four of which are
located in the Okanagan. Mr. Shongrunden also noted that a review had been
undertaken in 2007 and rates established at that time were intended to make the
charges consistent and to ensure that costs were covered so that the district was
not subsidizing the daycare programs. The recent research indicated that only one
district had decreased rates since 2007 and others were similar to or higher than
rates charged by SD67. In response to a question, Director of Maintenance
Hickling advised each classroom used requires approximately 20 minutes to clean
plus additional time for washrooms. This amounts to $20 per day or $400 per
month. With additional costs for utilities, the district is close to a breakeven point.
During discussion, it was noted that renters can also include occasional use of the
gymnasium and library as well as school grounds and some school equipment;
staff at the schools are very supportive of the daycare programs; and rates were
competitive with other districts. As well, committee members expressed the need
to ensure district costs are covered without subsidizing the programs.
By consensus, the committee agreed that the rates should remain the same and
that staff be asked to find out if any efficiencies can be found when the same space
is being used by a daycare and before and afterschool program and that this
information be brought to the next board meeting.
b.
Letter to Ministry
Secretary-Treasurer Shongrunden reviewed a letter he had sent to the Ministry of
Education requesting funding to construct a ground source geothermal system to
be located at the board office. He noted that the district would not typically qualify
as the board office is not a school although all school servers are stored at this
location. Other schools can qualify for grants because the servers are located at
the school. The letter also noted that the district is disadvantaged compared to
other school districts due to the utility systems used in Penticton and Summerland.
The rates are higher on average than BC Hydro rates and both municipalities do
not offer grants available through BC Hydro or Fortis. Mr. Shongrunden added the
capital plan recently submitted had listed two building envelope projects as the top
two requests, the Summerland Secondary gymnasium project as the third priority,
and the HVAC system for the board office as the fourth priority. In response to a
question of switching the priority of the Summerland Secondary gymnasium with
the ground source geothermal system should there be grants available for the
latter, trustees indicated the gymnasium should remain as prioritized at this time.
The secretary-treasurer confirmed that neither project would jeopardize the other.
c.
Naramata Joint Use Agreement
Trustee Manning advised she had been contacted regarding the use of Naramata
Elementary gymnasium on the weekends and if a joint use agreement could be
arranged similar to the one used in OK Falls. Additionally, it was requested that
part of the basement be locked off during use by the Naramata Recreation
Commission. It was confirmed that letters outlining rental procedures and
guidelines have been exchanged with the group but no agreement is currently in
place. Committee members supported further discussions regarding a joint use
agreement including costs associated with locking off an area in the school.
d.
Giant’s Head Elementary
For trustee information, Director of Maintenance Hickling reviewed details of a
complaint received regarding the placement of modular classrooms at the Giant’s
Head Elementary site. It was noted that the location was chosen with consultation
from the principal and vice principal and with consideration of field space, the
nearby riparian zone, Summerland bylaws and regulations, student safety, and any
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 5
Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – November 8, 2010
future expansion of the school, should it be necessary. It was suggested that
further discussions be held with the neighbour and that the addition of landscaping
may assist with improving the neighbour’s view.
e.
Dog Control on School Play Fields
Mr. Hickling reviewed that during a recent incident of a dog at large biting a child
while on Queen’s Park Elementary School property, it was determined that the City
of Penticton bylaw control officer had no specific right to come onto the school
district property to deal with the incident. Following discussion, the committee
supported that staff work with the City of Penticton to establish a letter of
understanding so that City bylaw control officers can manage dog control on school
district property.
MOTION:
8.2
Education Committee
Trustee Clarke reported that the education committee visitation and tour to Kaleden
Elementary on October 26, 2010 was well presented. Continuing with her report, Trustee
Clarke reviewed the topics covered at the November 2 education committee meeting:
a.
EDI Community Summary
Superintendent Hyer presented information from the Early Development Instrument
(EDI), a research tool that assesses the state of children’s development in
kindergarten. The EDI is most commonly used in BC to understand the
vulnerability of a population of children. Superintendent Hyer reviewed the
summary and analysis of the EDI data collected in this district in 2010. The data is
reported out from our five “neighbourhoods”:
Summerland, Bench/Naramata,
Penticton West, Penticton East, and Downtown. This information helps the district
to monitor early child development in the areas of Physical Health and Well Being,
Social Competence, Emotional Maturity, Language and Cognitive Development as
well as Communication Skills and General Knowledge.
b.
Alternate Programs Review
District Principal Tom Schimmer gave an overview and update on the planned
review of “Alternative Programs Delivery” that will be undertaken this year. The
process is beginning November 3 and will continue throughout the year. The
review is looking at the delivery of courses through the Home Learners’ Program,
Distributed Learning and our Learning Centres.
c.
Okanagan Hockey Academy
Superintendent Hyer and Assistant Superintendent Burgoyne provided an update
of the number of students participating in the Okanagan Hockey Academy program
this year. As of November 1, a total of 113 students are registered in the program.
Of the 113 students, 18 are fee paying students from out of the province. There
are 67 students from BC, who are funded by the Ministry of Education and have
moved to the district to participate in the OHA Academy. There are an additional
five students from BC who moved to the district after the September 30 funding
deadline, therefore the district did not receive any funding for these students. The
remaining 23 students are originally from the school district and are now playing for
an Academy team.
MOTION:
8.3
Perry/Denesiuk that the report of the buildings, grounds, safety and
transportation committee be received.
CARRIED
Clarke/Little that the report of the education committee be received.
CARRIED
Policy Committee
Trustee Siddon reported regarding the policy committee meeting held on November 2,
2010:
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 6
Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – November 8, 2010
a.
Policy No. 305 – Choice and Flexibility
The committee gave staff direction to look at revising Policy No. 305 – Choice and
Flexibility to include a sibling clause for programs of choice and for situations
involving cross boundary enrolment.
b.
Policy No. 510 – Executive Officers
The superintendent reviewed that a revised policy would be required as a result of
the Board moving to a single seat CEO model. Following discussion, the
committee supported the revisions outlined in draft Policy No. 510 as presented.
MOTION:
c.
Siddon/Perry that Policy No. 510 – Executive Officers be approved in
principle and circulated to partner groups for 30 days for any suggestions
for changes.
CARRIED
Policy No. 600 – Fiscal Control
As a follow-up to the previous policy committee meeting, the secretary-treasurer
reviewed a revised draft of Policy No. 600 – Fiscal Control. Following review, the
committee agreed to change the levels under 2.a) to read:
i)
ii)
iii)
$10,000 to $25,000
$25,000 to $75,000
$75,000
at a minimum, require a written quotation
at a minimum, require three written quotations
as per TILMA agreement
The committee recommended approval in principle.
9.0
Siddon/Van Alphen that draft Policy No. 600 – Fiscal Control be approved
in principle and circulated to partner groups for 30 days for any
suggestions for changes.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Siddon/Denesiuk that the report of the policy committee be received.
CARRIED
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
10.0
MOTION:
Maintenance/Custodial Review
For trustee information, the secretary-treasurer provided an update on the
maintenance/custodial review advising he had twice met with CUPE representatives, one
from each of the maintenance, custodial, and grounds staff. These representatives
provided anonymous feedback from other departmental staff. As well, feedback from the
principals and vice principals is being gathered and a questionnaire will be available in
written format as well as on-line for CUPE staff. The review will compare staffing in this
district to other districts, and will try to establish what we do well in addition to what we do
poorly. It is anticipated the review will be completed in time for budget development.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
Special Education
Director of Instruction Pam Butters provided an overview of some of the special
education and student support services provided in the district, including the various
categories of designated students, supplemental funding, identification and eligibility
processes, and types of services provided. If students are not identified prior to entry into
school, the identification phase begins in the classroom as the teacher observes
exceptionalities in learning and behaviour. Designation levels for funding purposes
include $36,600 for dependent handicapped and deaf blind students; $18,300 for
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 7
Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – November 8, 2010
moderate severe/profound intellectual disability, physically disabled or chronic health,
visual impairment, deaf or hard of hearing, and autism; and $9,200 for students with
intensive behaviour interventions or serious mental illness. There is no supplemental
funding provided for students with a mild intellectual disability, moderate behaviour, a
learning disability, or gifted. For the 2010-11 school year, there are 1,052 students in the
district being supported in special education. It was noted that the district spends more
money in special education than received through the Ministry funding program.
10.2
Enrolment
The superintendent of schools reviewed enrolment as of October 31, 2010, showed
6,407 students, or 6,321 FTE, in the district. It was noted that the FTE count will change
as students in grades 10 to 12 are funded by course.
10.3
Class Size and Composition Report
Assistant Superintendent Burgoyne reviewed details of school class size and composition
consultation meetings, noting four meetings had been held between September 30 and
November 3. It was noted that all teachers had waived their right to consultation, all
principals have submitted a report to the superintendent confirming these classes are
appropriate for student learning, and school planning councils have been informed.
10.4
Allocation of Composition Funds
Assistant Superintendent Burgoyne reviewed the way in which $285,000 included in the
budget was used to address class size and composition issues. At elementary level, 6.5
hours per day were provided in certified education assistant (CEA) time along with 0.170
FTE of teacher time. Four hours per day of CEA time was directed to the middle schools
as well as $220,000 to provide 2.4 FTE teachers between the four middle schools. Mr.
Burgoyne added that 2.7 FTE teachers were added at Penticton Secondary as well as
0.286 FTE at Princess Margaret Secondary and a new division at Parkway Elementary.
10.5
Field Trips
District Principal Schimmer reviewed the listing of field trip requests circulated with the
agenda package.
MOTION:
Little/Van Alphen that the field trip request for July 15 to 18 until August 10
to 12, 2011 for 15 to 20 senior secondary students from Penticton
Secondary School to travel to Tanzania to volunteer in two orphanages
and complete construction on a dormitory be approved in principle.
CARRIED
Trustees requested that Ms. Richardson provide additional information prior to final
approval.
11.0
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Denesiuk that the field trip request for May 11 to 14, 2011 for
50 grade 8 band students from KVR Middle School to travel to Edmonton,
Alberta, to perform at several schools be approved in principle.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Denesiuk/Clarke that the field trip request for February 3 to 9, 2011 for 40
students from KVR Middle and Summerland Middle schools to travel to
Quebec City and Montreal for the winter carnival be given final approval.
CARRIED
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
12.0
Page 8
Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – November 8, 2010
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
12.1
District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) Meetings
Chair Manning advised DPAC meetings for the 2010-11 school year as well as trustee
representation at these meetings will be as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
October 26, 2010 – Chair Manning
November 24, 2010 – Vice Chair Van Alphen
January 26, 2011 – Trustee Clarke
February 23, 2011 – Trustee Perry
April 27, 2011 – Trustee Siddon
May 25, 2011 – Trustee Denesiuk
June 15, 2011 – Trustee Little
It was noted that the meeting night has changed to the fourth Wednesday of the month
and all meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Penticton Secondary School Library. No
meetings are scheduled for December and March.
12.2
Trustee School Liaisons
Trustee school liaisons for the Summerland schools have been changed as follows:
•
•
•
•
13.0
Summerland Middle School – Trustee Van Alphen
Trout Creek Elementary – Trustee Van Alphen
Summerland Secondary School – Trustee Denesiuk
Giant’s Head Elementary – Trustee Denesiuk
INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1
BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting
Trustee Clarke reported on the BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting held on October 23,
2010 in Vancouver at which reports were received from the president, executive
members, and committees. Several resolutions were approved, and information was
provided regarding the Ministry of Education’s new initiative on 21st century learning.
13.2
Meeting with Ministry of Education
Chair Manning provided details related to the October 22, 2010 meeting with board
chairs, branch presidents, and Ministry of Education staff at which Trustees Manning,
Clarke, and Van Alphen attended. The provincial government is looking for a change in
the way public education is delivered in British Columbia and will recognize the
uniqueness of each learner and focus on student outcomes rather than system inputs.
The 21st century foundation skills will include the seven C’s of critical thinking and
problem solving; creativity and innovation; collaboration, teamwork and leadership; cross
cultural understanding; communications and ITC technology; career and learning selfreliance; and caring for personal health and the earth. Chair Manning advised she spoke
with Deputy Minister James Gorman regarding shared services and invited him to the
district for further discussions. A complete report is available in the trustee reading file.
13.3
BCSTA Thompson Okanagan Branch Meeting
Trustee Van Alphen reviewed the highlights of the BCSTA Thompson Okanagan Branch
meeting held on October 15 and 16, 2010 in Lillooet. A facilitator from the BCSTA led
discussions on Public Education: Respecting our Past – Forging Our Future, aimed at
providing input and comments related to the idea of 21st century learning. Trustee Van
Alphen provided details of the session in a follow-up letter to the Minister of Education.
The next meeting of the Thompson Okanagan Branch will be hosted by the Central
Okanagan school district on February 4 and 5, 2011. It was requested that trustees who
would like to volunteer for the resolution development committee should contact Trustee
Van Alphen.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
13.4
14.0
Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – November 8, 2010
Date of Next Meeting
• December 13, 2010, 6:30 p.m., Inaugural and Regular Meetings, 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
Chair Manning recognized the artwork of the following students from Trout Creek
Elementary School currently on display at the school board office:
14.3
15.0
Page 9
•
Isla Moritz
Kindergarten
•
Juliette Boswell
Kindergarten
•
Jacob Durand
Kindergarten
•
Alexandra Delanty
Kindergarten
•
James Petreny
Kindergarten
•
Noah Rich
Grade 1
•
Nicolas Mahyr
Grade 2
•
Connor Bernsford
Grade 2
•
Justina Durand
Grade 3
•
Katrina Kirschmann Grade 4
•
Gracey Cowles
Grade 5
A watercolour wash of reds and yellows
with a delicate looking spider showcased
in the center
An apple constructed of tissue paper in
red, green and white – outlined in red
A watercolour wash of yellows and
oranges with a large spider focused in the
center
A scare crow with a orange hat, a button
and patches of coloured fabrics
A scare crow with a brown hat, straw,
buttons and patches of fabric
A ‘self portrait’ of Noah in gray pants and
green t-shirt on a black background
A fabric scare crow cut-out glued to a
pastel background in soft greens and
yellows
A watercolour leaf wash in a yelloworange background with maple leaves
outlined in red pastel
A watercolour leaf wash in a yelloworange background with various leaves
outlined in red pastel
An abstract sunflower in yellow-orange
pastel outlined in wax
A sunflower with large green leaves in a
background of blues outlined in wax
Trustee Comments
QUESTION PERIOD
Questions and/or comments from the audience included:
•
•
•
Appreciation expressed by CUPE President Zoë Magnus related to the involvement of
CUPE in the maintenance and custodial review;
An announcement that over one hundred students and people participated in a
community skate at McLaren Arena sponsored by CUPE;
Appreciation extended by OSTU President Kevin Epp to the Board for writing a letter to
the Ministry of Education regarding the poor performance of BCeSIS;
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
•
•
•
16.0
Page 10
Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – November 8, 2010
A question from the media related to the 21st century vision of individualized learning;
Questions from the Penticton Herald regarding the issue of portables at Giant’s Head
Elementary; and
Questions from the Penticton Herald related to draft policy changes to Policy No. 600 –
Fiscal Control.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Clarke/Little that the meeting be adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
CARRIED
____________________
Chairperson
____________________
Secretary-Treasurer
November 18, 2010
Ref: U:\SBO-ST-Data\DA\2010-2011\00100 - 01999 Admin\00300-05 Minutes Open\20101108 OP Minutes.doc
“Working Together for Student Success”