BOARD OF EDUCATION
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2010
FOLLOWING THE INAUGURAL MEETING WHICH BEGAN 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 called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m.
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Little/Van Alphen that the agenda be approved.
CARRIED
3.0
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
3.1
Hand in Hand Summer Program
Jacqueline Fairbrother from the Hand in Hand Infant Toddler Program and Tanya
Behardien from Penticton & District Community Resource Society (PDCRS) provided an
organizational overview of services by PDCRS which includes four areas: Infant and
Toddler Services; Youth & Family Services; Community Living Services; and Community
Development. During the summer of 2010, the infant and toddler centre cared for 20
families, all of whom were receiving care prior to July. Twenty-three percent of the
children belonged to SD67 students; 23% had open files with the Ministry of Children and
Family Development; 8% required care for medical reasons; 23% of the parents attended
Sprott-Shaw; and 8% attended the trades program in Okanagan College. Because the
infant/toddler centre provided daycare, 100% of the families from SD67 worked during
the summer and returned to school in September without any delay. It was noted that
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – December 13, 2010
SD67 students are given first priority for daycare at the centre and the summer program,
which was partially sponsored by SD67, was considered a success.
Following a number of questions, trustees extended appreciation to Ms. Fairbrother and
Ms. Behardien for their presentation and for their efforts in providing this daycare service
and support to SD67 students.
4.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
5.0
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
Clarke/Denesiuk that the minutes of the regular meeting held on November 8, 2010
be approved.
CARRIED
6.0
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETING
The following items were discussed at the closed meeting held on November 8, 2010:
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7.0
Information regarding and approval of Community Connections grant applications;
Received a report from the finance and management committee and education
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 an excluded staff position;
Received information regarding a BCPSEA meeting;
Received information regarding a personnel matter.
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter from Citizen
A letter received from Rev. Callum Jones, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, regarding
the Christmas Shoebox supplied by The Samaritan’s Purse and suggesting that schools
which support the appeal not “turn them inside out before allowing students to fill them”
and instead use a different box.
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:
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School District No. 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) to the Minister of Education regarding
insufficient funding for StrongStart BC Centres;
School District No. 38 (Richmond) to the Minister of Education requesting that
the Minister take the necessary steps to ensure that the problems experienced in
September with BCeSIS will not reoccur and that proper procedures and systems
are put in place to minimize the impact of any future system issues on schools
across British Columbia;
School District No. 47 (Powell River) to the Minister of Education requesting that
continued funding be provided for the Roots of Empathy Program;
School District No. 52 (Prince Rupert) to the Minister of Education requesting the
expansion of school meal programs to increase the ability of students to
concentrate on their learning, and to ask the Ministry to support broader efforts
by the government of BC to address the root causes of child poverty.
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – December 13, 2010
Following a number of trustee comments and a brief explanation of SD67 student
participation in the Christmas Shoebox project, trustees agreed to respond to the letter
from Rev. Jones and refer the topic to the policy committee for review.
MOTION:
Siddon/Little that the correspondence be received.
CARRIED
8.0
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
8.1
Education Committee
Trustee Clarke reported regarding the education committee meeting held on December
7, 2010:
a.
SmartLearning in Action Institute
Helping Teacher Janice Clary provided information about the upcoming two-day
institute on SmartLearning that the district is hosting on February 18 and 19, 2011.
The institute will include opening and closing remarks by Susan Close, learning
rounds from K-12 in different schools, and topic specific breakout sessions.
Trustees are invited, and encouraged, to attend the learning rounds on February
18.
b.
Personalized Learning in the 21st Century
Superintendent Hyer informed the Board that Rod Allen, Superintendent of
Achievement, and Cathy Elliott, Project Director, Ministry of Education, will be in
the district on February 28 to facilitate a session on “Personalized Learning in the
21st Century”. Information on the format of the session was provided and
Superintendent Hyer will be inviting members of the business community, parents,
trustees and students as well as teachers and administrators to attend the 4:00
p.m. to 7:00 p.m. session.
c.
Canadian Parents for French
The Okanagan Skaha branch of the Canadian Parents for French had requested
that Board members and district staff attend one of their meetings to address some
questions around the French Immersion program. The meeting date conflicted with
trustee and staff schedules and the parents were unable to attend an education
committee meeting. As a result, the Parents for French group forwarded a list of
questions to district staff, and those questions were attached to the agenda.
Superintendent Hyer advised that in addition to herself, Secretary-Treasurer
Shongrunden, District Principal Schimmer and Chair Ginny Manning will attend an
evening meeting on December 7 to answer the questions of the parents.
d.
Aboriginal Enhancement Schools Network
Four schools – Skaha Lake Middle, Penticton Secondary, Princess Margaret
Secondary and West Bench Elementary – completed an Aboriginal Enhancement
Schools Network Inquiry and case study last school year. As a result of this work,
each school received a $500 grant to support their continued work on their inquiry
question. The focus of this work is to bring the goals of the enhancement
agreement to life in the schools and positively impact the achievement of aboriginal
learners.
e.
Network of Performance Based Schools
Superintendent Hyer reported that nine schools – Carmi Elementary, Home
Learners’ Program, Parkway Elementary, Queen’s Park Elementary, Trout Creek
Elementary, Wiltse Elementary, KVR Middle, and McNicoll Middle, as well as
Penticton Secondary – completed a Network of Performance Based Schools
inquiry and case study last year. As a result of this high-quality work, each school
also received a $500 grant to support their continued work in looking at
assessment practices and learning innovations to enhance student success.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – December 13, 2010
Continuing with her report, Trustee Clarke advised highlights the education committee
visitation to Queen’s Park Elementary on November 30 included the fish tank and
hatchery in conjunction with the Penticton Indian Band; a gallery of good will; and the
lunch program prepared for not only the Queen’s Park Elementary students but several
other students within the district.
MOTION:
8.2
Clarke/Little that the report of the education committee be received.
CARRIED
Curriculum Development Advisory Committee
Trustee Perry reported on the curriculum development advisory committee meeting held
on November 17, 2010:
a.
Selection of Chairperson
Assistant Superintendent Burgoyne was selected at the chairperson of the
committee.
b.
Board Authorized/Approved Courses – Summerland Secondary
Principal Dave Searcy and teacher Charles Lay presented three new courses
offered at the school.
MOTION:
Perry/Denesiuk that the following three courses be approved for use in
School District No. 67 schools:
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Metal Art/Jewellery 10 and Metal Art/Jewellery 11;
Photography 11.
CARRIED
c.
Board Authorized/Approved Courses – Princess Margaret Secondary
Principal Don MacIntyre and teachers Jenny Mitchell, Brian Hurst, and John
Buckley, presented several courses to be offered in the coming year. Strength and
Conditioning 11 was withdrawn and instead Weightlifting 10 and 11 will be offered
at Princess Margaret Secondary. The paperwork for Soccer Development 9, 10,
11, and 12, Adventure Tourism 11, and Golf Academy 10, 11, and 12 will be
revised and resubmitted to the committee.
MOTION:
Perry/Little that the following eight courses be approved for use in School
District No. 67 schools:
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Athletic Leadership 11;
Strength and Conditioning 12;
Super Fit 11 and Super Fit 12;
Adventure Tourism 11;
Female Fitness 11;
Peer Mentoring 11 and Peer Mentoring 12.
CARRIED
d.
Board Authorized/Approved Courses – Penticton Secondary
Principal Bill Bidlake and district career prep/work experience teacher David
Kalaski, and teacher Bill Laven presented courses for Penticton Secondary School.
Following discussion, the committee recommended all courses for approval.
MOTION:
Perry/Siddon that the following 20 courses be approved for use in School
District No. 67 schools:
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Hairdressing 11A, Hairdressing 11B, Hairdressing 11C and Hairdressing 12A, Hairdressing 12B, Hairdressing 12C, and Hairdressing
12D;
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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MOTION:
9.0
10.0
Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – December 13, 2010
Nail Technician 11A, Nail Technician 11B, Nail Technician 12A, and
Nail Technician 12B;
Animation & Game Creation 11;
Cafeteria 10;
Learning Strategies 12;
Literacy Dynamics 12;
Weight Training 10 and Weight Training 11;
Outdoor Education 10 and Outdoor Education 11;
Speech and Debate 10.
CARRIED
Perry/Denesiuk that the report of the curriculum development advisory
committee be received.
CARRIED
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
Financial Report
The secretary-treasurer reviewed the financial report to November 30, 2010 provided in
the agenda package noting that the budget shows 69% remaining, appropriate for this
time of the year. It is expected at this time that the district should have a balanced
budget by the end of the year; however, it is dependent on the final Ministry funding
recalculation expected within the next two weeks.
9.2
The Great British Columbia ShakeOut
The BC Earthquake Alliance Society is organizing a province-wide earthquake drill on
January 26, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. to enhance public awareness of the earthquake hazard
and encourage personal preparedness. During the drill, participants will be asked to
“Drop, Cover and Hold On” for up to two minutes in response to a simulated earthquake
event. Director of Maintenance Hickling noted that schools are encouraged to participate
in this earthquake drill.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
Superintendent’s Report on Student Achievement
The superintendent advised the School Act requires that the superintendent prepare a
public report to the Board on the progress of improving student achievement from the
previous school year. The report is intended to ensure transparency and accountability
for each school district in terms of its responsibility for improving student achievement.
Ms. Hyer presented an overview of the report noting that the district results continue to
improve. The school district has supported a tremendous amount of work in pursing the
vision of “improving the achievement of all students – each and every student”. The
2009-10 results suggest that these efforts have had a positive impact on student
success. The superintendent acknowledged and thanked the staff, parents, and the
Board for their collective effort and commitment to enhancing student achievement in the
district.
MOTION:
10.2
Denesiuk/Perry that the report on student achievement be received.
CARRIED
Field Trips
District Principal Schimmer reviewed a listing of field trip requests, some of which had
been approved by the superintendent pursuant to district policy.
MOTION:
Clarke/Little that the following field trip be approved in principle:
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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•
MOTION:
Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – December 13, 2010
June 15 to 18, 2011, for approximately 40 grade 8 band students
from McNicoll Park Middle School to travel to Edmonton, Alberta, to
participate in musical performance opportunities.
CARRIED
Van Alphen/Denesiuk that the following field trip request be given final
approval:
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December 23, 2010, for two Penticton Secondary School students to
compete in a wrestling tournament in Oroville, Washington.
CARRIED
10.3
Enrolment
The superintendent of schools reported that enrolment as of November 30, 2010 shows
6,430 students in the district, a slight increase from the previous month.
10.4
Foundation Skills Assessment
The superintendent reviewed that the BC Public Employers Association has advised the
Board of Education (by resolution or policy) requires teachers/union to obtain the prior
approval of the superintendent of schools, or his/her designate, before distributing
union/political information on school property during school hours to parents directly or
through students to parents. In determining the appropriateness of the materials for
distribution, there must be a consideration of the balancing of rights and measures that
may be taken to minimally limit the teacher’s right of free speech while at the same time
achieving the objectives of the school district.
The superintendent or designate will review the information for its accuracy and its
relevance to educational matters concerning students.
Should a union/political
communication be approved by the superintendent or designate for distribution through
students, such communication must be in a sealed envelope and clearly
marked/addressed to the parent/guardian. The communication must clearly identify the
author and/or the organization. Communication through students is also to be limited to
teachers who normally communicate with parents on educational matters concerning
their children.
If the content or a portion of the communication is not accurate, the superintendent or
designate will notify the employee/union and ask them to either remove or amend the
inaccurate information. If the employee/union refuses to remove or amend the inaccurate
portions, the entire communication will not be permitted for distribution.
MOTION:
10.5
Van Alphen/Little that the teachers/union be required to obtain the prior
approval of the superintendent of schools, or designate, and adhere to the
procedures stipulated before distributing union/political information on
school property during school hours to parents directly or through students
to parents.
CARRIED
School Concerts
The superintendent acknowledged the huge amount of work involved by all staff to
organize, rehearse, and prepare for the school concerts as listed on the information sheet
circulated with the agenda package. Appreciation was extended to all staff and students
for their efforts and to the media for covering the events.
11.0
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
12.0
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
13.0
14.0
15.0
Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – December 13, 2010
INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1
BCSTA Trustee Academy
Trustees were reminded to bring the report of their attendance at the BCSTA Trustee
Academy held on December 9 to 11, 2010 in Vancouver to the meeting.
13.2
Date of Next Meeting
• January 10, 2011, 6:30 p.m., Regular Meeting, School Board Office
TRUSTEE COMMENTS
14.1
Trustee Comments
Trustees provided general comments related to district activities including the science
sessions for parents being taught by Raja Gupta at Summerland Secondary School and
the Penticton Secondary School winter band concert held at the Shatford building.
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.
14.3
Recognition of Student Artwork
Congratulations were extended to the following students from the Home Learners’
Program for their artwork currently on display at the school board office:
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Adria Smitham, Grade 3
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Adria Smitham, Grade 3
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Adria Smitham, Grade 3
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Casey Villiers, Grade 6
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Ryan Killick, Grade 10
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Ryan Killick, Grade 10
A landscape painted in acrylics with a various
blue-tone sky and opaque painted crushed egg
shells depicting a beach
Acrylic paint on board – landscape with blue skies
and frosted snowy spruce trees
A multi-coloured abstract design on board with
raised flowers on pale teal background
Two golden retrievers in a field of grass and bright
blue sky, acrylic on canvas
A mixed media piece cut into squares and
rearranged; bright blues and greens with a splash
of bright orange
Acrylic on paper – a self portrait – boy with a lion
outlined in black ink, painted in acrylic in soft
colours
QUESTION PERIOD
Comments/questions from the audience were related to:
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16.0
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An invitation for CUPE to the “Personalized Learning in the 21st Century” session on
February 28;
Earthquakes and if the Ministry of Education will be providing additional money to the
annual facility grants for earthquake preparedness;
An OSTU President comment related to the report on student achievement and
foundation skills assessment; and
Season’s greetings to all.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Clarke/Little that the meeting be adjourned at 8:40 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 – December 13, 2010
____________________
Secretary-Treasurer
December 17, 2010
Ref: U:\SBO-ST-Data\DA\2010-2011\00100 - 01999 Admin\00300-05 Minutes Open\20101213 OP Minutes.doc
“Working Together for Student Success”