BOARD OF EDUCATION
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2011, AT 6:30 P.M.
AT THE SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE
MINUTES
IN ATTENDANCE
Ginny Manning, Chair
Linda Van Alphen, Vice Chair (by conference call)
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
REGRETS
Connie Denesiuk, Trustee
1.0
CALL TO ORDER
Prior to calling the meeting to order, Chair Manning advised that Trustee Denesiuk was in Victoria
preparing for tomorrow’s provincial budget presentation.
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Little/Clarke that the agenda be adopted.
CARRIED
3.0
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
3.1
Penticton Secondary School Timetable Review
Penticton Secondary School implemented a new timetable at the beginning of the 201011 school year. A commitment had been made to the school community to review the
impact of the change and to make revisions if necessary. Principal Bill Bidlake provided
an overview of the review process and discussed the outcome of the review which
received an 83% approval rating from teachers. He noted that timetables usually rotate;
however, with the new timetable, the afternoon block is frozen so that these classes
always occur in the afternoon. The new timetable meets the diverse needs of the school
from special interest groups such as Okanagan Hockey Academy to drama, band, work
experience, or other extracurricular activities. The “frozen” block can be a combination of
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – February 14, 2011
semester or linear. During the review, students voted 75% in favour of the new timetable
and most parents were also in favour.
Appreciation was extended to Mr. Bidlake for sharing the process and outcome with the
Board.
4.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
5.0
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
Clarke/Siddon that the minutes of the regular meeting held on January 10, 2011 be
approved.
CARRIED
6.0
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETING
The following items were discussed at the closed meeting held on January 10, 2011:
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7.0
Received correspondence;
Received information and approved actions regarding a personnel matter;
Received reports from the finance and management committee, and the buildings,
grounds, safety, and transportation committee;
Confirmed teaching and support staff changes;
Received information related to 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 an update related to the maintenance/custodial review; and
Received information regarding student suspensions; an upcoming BCPSEA meeting;
and a personnel matter.
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter from the Minister of Education
A letter forwarded by the Minister of Education in response to SD67’s letter to the
Minister regarding the BC enterprise Student Information System (BCeSIS). A copy of
the SD67 letter to the Minister is attached.
Further to the letter, Superintendent Hyer advised that a consultant has been selected to
review what services are being provided by BCeSIS, which services are not available
with the software, and if there is enough infrastructure to provide services at peak times.
SD67 has been selected as one of the nine districts to be involved in the review. Ms.
Hyer added that BCeSIS has been purchased by Pearson Canada and they will provide
support for the system until 2012.
7.2
Letter from Summerland Heritage Advisory Commission
A letter forwarded by David Gregory, Chair, Summerland Heritage Advisory Commission,
reminding the Board of a previous commitment for a track and field complex.
7.3
Letter from Union of BC Municipalities
A letter from the Union of BC Municipalities enclosing a statement of the UBCMadministered grants for the year 2010.
7.4
Letter from John Harrop
A letter from a citizen, John Harrop, expressing concerns related to the Samaritan’s
Purse/Operation Christmas Child issue.
7.5
Summary of Copies of Letters to the Board
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – February 14, 2011
Copies of the letters to the Board listed below are available in the trustee reading file:
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School District No. 41 (Burnaby) to the Minister of Education regarding the
cancellation of provincial funding for the Roots of Empathy program;
School District No. 62 (Sooke) to the Minister of Education regarding the
mandated purchase and use of the SMARTTool to calculate the total amount of
carbon offsets required to pay the Pacific Carbon Trust and the unfairness
caused as school districts are not eligible to apply for any carbon reduction
project funding;
School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan) to the Ministry of Healthy Living and
Sport indicating their Board’s opinion that safe drinking water from a water tap
should be available to all students who attend public schools in British Columbia;
School District No. 42 (Maple Ridge) to the Minister of Education regarding the
Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) requesting that the Ministry of Education
and the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation find a solution that serves the
best interest of students and their education;
School District No. 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) to the Minister of Education
reiterating the Board’s opposition to the release of school-level FSA results due
to the subsequent misuse of the results to rank schools, which serves to discount
the quality teaching and learning that occurs in all classrooms;
School District No. 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) to the Minister of Education and
President of BCTF requesting that both parties renew their efforts to resolve the
ongoing conflict over the Foundation Skills Assessment; and
School District No. 52 (Prince Rupert) to the Minister of Education requesting the
Ministry change its policy to allow districts to accumulate the funds they would
otherwise pay to the Pacific Carbon Trust and then use them for local energy
efficiency projects.
It was noted that a reply will be sent to Mr. Harrop. Comments were also made related to the
letters regarding the Foundation Skills Assessment and related article in the Western News, and
letters regarding the mandated use of the SMARTTool to calculate the total amount of carbon
offsets and payment to the Pacific Carbon Trust for use by others.
MOTION:
Perry/Clarke that the correspondence be received.
CARRIED
8.0
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
8.1
Finance and Management Committee
Trustee Little reported on the finance and management committee meeting held on
February 9, 2011:
a.
2010-11 Amended Annual Budget
Secretary-Treasurer Shongrunden reviewed the draft amended annual budget
document, noting a slight increase in Ministry revenue from the preliminary budget.
This was attributed to a change in how continuing education is funded. As well,
increases in rental and investment income compared to the preliminary budget
were also noted. Mr. Shongrunden further reviewed the expense sheets provided
in the agenda package and noted that expenditures are within budget and that any
savings could be used to address the structural deficit.
The budget documents and amended annual budget bylaw, in Ministry format, will
be presented at Monday’s board of education meeting.
MOTION:
Little/Clarke that the report of the finance and management committee
meeting be received.
CARRIED
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
8.2
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Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – February 14, 2011
Education Committee
Trustee Clarke reported regarding the education committee meeting held on February 8,
2011:
a.
Go Girls Program
Principal Dave Brunelle and Counsellor Louise Ganton, Skaha Lake Middle School,
provided the education committee with an overview of the “Go Girls” Program.
This program works with girls at the middle school on a variety of social/emotional
issues common at this age group. This is a partnership with the Boys and Girls
Club of Penticton and a description of the program was provided. As well, a
request to survey the participants regarding the benefits of the program was
presented for approval by the Board of Education.
Superintendent Hyer
recommended that the Board approve the survey as part of a research project
being conducted by Kaylin England, Okanagan College.
MOTION:
Clarke/Little that Board of Education approves the survey as part of a
research project being conducted by Kaylin England, and that the results of
the survey be requested.
CARRIED
b.
District Numeracy Goal
District Principal Schimmer provided an update of the work being done in the
district and schools by the numeracy helping teachers and workgroup. Meetings
were held in October and November with the workgroup as well as school
administrators. Meetings are scheduled in February and March with grades 7 to 10
and 1 to 6 teachers to discuss essential learning in the math curriculum as well as
which areas need to be emphasized or de-emphasized in order to strengthen the
students’ ongoing skill development.
Further training/meetings regarding
numeracy for all grade level teachers will occur after spring break.
c.
Personalized Learning: A vision for 21st Century Learning
Superintendent Hyer provided the committee with information about an opportunity
on February 28th for the district to hear from Rod Allen, Superintendent of
Achievement, and Cathy Elliot, Project Director, Sector Leadership Development,
Ministry of Education’s vision and framework of Personalized Learning in the 21st
Century. In addition to gaining an understanding of personalized learning,
participants will have an opportunity to provide suggestions to the province and
district on how to create personalized learning environments for all learners in BC.
School teams have been invited including teachers, parents, students and
administrators. As well, Superintendent Hyer has invited DPAC and members of
the business community. To date over 130 people have registered to attend the
February 28th event from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Penticton Lakeside Resort &
Conference Centre.
d.
2011 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS)
Superintendent Hyer provided an overview of PIRLS, an educational research
project sponsored by the International Association for the Evaluation of Education
Achievement. PIRLS assesses the achievement of students in reading literacy
and, in addition, surveys on aspects relating to literacy resources and reading
activities. Three schools in the district have been selected to participate (West
Bench Elementary, Parkway Elementary, and Uplands Elementary). One grade 4
class at each of the three schools will take part in the 2011 PIRLS. The results are
never reported on an individual student or individual school or district; the data is
aggregated at the provincial level.
e.
International Science Fair
Superintendent Wendy Hyer informed the committee that on February 12th, two
British Columbia teens and an educator will board a plane for Taipei, Taiwan to
represent British Columbia and Canada at the annual Taiwan International Science
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – February 14, 2011
Fair to be held February 13 to 20, 2011. Two students from Kelowna Secondary
will be accompanied by Mr. Ken Ireson, a teacher at Penticton Secondary School.
f.
Anti-Bullying Day Proclamation 2011
Superintendent Hyer reminded the committee that Wednesday, February 23, 2011,
has been proclaimed “Anti-Bullying Day” throughout British Columbia. The annual
“Pink Shirt” anti-bullying campaign is also scheduled for this date. Schools
throughout the district are participating in this campaign and other activities that
address bullying and cyber bullying.
MOTION:
8.3
Clarke/Little that the report of the education committee be received.
CARRIED
Policy Committee
Trustee Little reported regarding the policy committee meeting held on February 8, 2011:
a.
Policy No. 305 – Choice and Flexibility
At the November 2, 2010 policy committee meeting, the committee gave staff
direction to look at revising Policy No. 305 – Choice and Flexibility to include a
sibling clause for district programs of choice and for situations involving crossboundary enrolment. Superintendent Hyer reviewed the recommendations from
Judith Clark, BCSTA, concerning bringing the current policy into line with our
current practice and what the intent of the policy is. There is currently a
disagreement in the policy regarding the regulations and appendix. Ms. Clark
recommended that we amend our current regulations to bring it into line with the
district policy and the School Act.
Furthermore, Superintendent Hyer
recommended that any change to the policy regarding implementing a sibling
policy continue to progress with the goal of having this policy revised for next
school year as there is insufficient time to have this done prior to the French
Immersion deadlines and the school transfer policy deadlines for this spring.
Superintendent Hyer reviewed the suggested revisions to the regulations and
recommended that the attached changes to the regulations of Policy No. 305 be
brought forward for approval at the next Board meeting. This would ensure that the
regulations match the district’s process.
MOTION:
b.
Little/Siddon that the regulations to Policy No. 305 – Choice and Flexibility
be approved as presented.
CARRIED
Policy No. 210 – Political/Religious Activities and Materials in Schools
At the December 13, 2010 board meeting, it was suggested that Policy No. 210 be
referred to the policy committee for review. Trustee concerns were discussed
including: 1. The policy is being interpreted differently within the district; and 2.
Schools may need some clear direction on the interpretation of the policy. The
policy committee recommended that Superintendent Hyer send our current policy
to Judith Clarke, BCSTA, for review.
MOTION:
Little/Siddon that the report of the policy committee be received.
CARRIED
8.4
Curriculum Development Advisory Committee
Trustee Siddon reported regarding the curriculum development advisory committee
meeting held on January 12, 2011:
a.
Board Authorized/Approved Courses
Principal Don MacIntyre and Teacher John Buckley from Princess Margaret
Secondary School resubmitted three courses via email: Soccer Development 10,
11, 12. These courses have been run at the junior level this year, as the
“Academy” was approved by the Board last year. However, due to an error at the
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – February 14, 2011
district level, the paperwork was never requested for course outlines. The courses
were reviewed by the committee.
MOTION:
Siddon/Perry that the following three courses be approved for use in
School District No. 67 schools:
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Soccer Development 10
Soccer Development 11
Soccer Development 12
CARRIED
MOTION:
9.0
Siddon/Little that the report of the curriculum development committee be
received.
CARRIED
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
Financial Report
The secretary-treasurer reviewed the financial report to January 31, 2011 provided in the
agenda package and noted 52% of the budget has been spent which is in line with
January spending. Mr. Shongrunden anticipates a balanced budget at the end of the
year and added remaining funds will be utilized to reduce the structural deficit.
9.2
2010-11 Amended Annual Budget Bylaw
In presenting the 2010-11 amended annual budget, the secretary-treasurer noted some
increased revenues and expenditures and confirmed that, similar to last year, as much
money as possible will be saved this year to offset expenses for the coming year.
Following a review of the wording by Chair Manning,
9.3
MOTION:
Manning/Little that following first reading of School District No. 67
(Okanagan Skaha) Amended Annual Budget Bylaw for the fiscal year
2010-11 in the amount of $58,583,545, the Board of Education of School
District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) passes the bylaw.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Manning/Little that following second reading of School District No. 67
(Okanagan Skaha) Amended Annual Budget Bylaw for the fiscal year
2010-11 in the amount of $58,583,545, the Board of Education of School
District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) passes the bylaw.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Manning/Little that following third reading of School District No. 67
(Okanagan Skaha) Amended Annual Budget Bylaw for the fiscal year
2010-11 in the amount of $58,583,545, the Board of Education of School
District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) passes and adopts the bylaw.
CARRIED
Capital Project Amendment Bylaw
Secretary-Treasurer Shongrunden reviewed that a school board resolution is required to
adopt Capital Project Amendment Bylaw No. 126159-A for full time kindergarten for the
total maximum allocation of $1,142,200 received from the Ministry of Education.
Following discussion,
MOTION:
Manning/Clarke that following first reading of School District No. 67
(Okanagan Skaha) Capital Project Amendment Bylaw No. 126159-A
specifying a total maximum of $1,142,200 for Project No. 126159, the
Board of Education passes the bylaw.
CARRIED
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – February 14, 2011
MOTION:
Manning/Clarke that following second reading of School District No. 67
(Okanagan Skaha) Capital Project Amendment Bylaw No. 126159-A
specifying a total maximum of $1,142,200 for Project No. 126159, the
Board of Education passes the bylaw.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Manning/Clarke that following third reading of School District No. 67
(Okanagan Skaha) Capital Project Amendment Bylaw No. 126159-A
specifying a total maximum of $1,142,200 for Project No. 126159, the
Board of Education passes and adopts the bylaw.
CARRIED
It was noted that all capital expenses related to full time kindergarten should be covered,
operating costs would be related to teaching costs for the 108 full time kindergarten
students, and that the shift from half day to full day has gone well. Full time kindergarten
will be available in all elementary schools beginning in September 2011.
10.0
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
French Immersion
District Principal Schimmer reported on the French Immersion registration process and
numbers for 2011-12. As of the registration deadline on Friday, February 4, 2011 (4:00
p.m.) there were 113 applications for Penticton from within the district and three
applications from outside the district. There were 43 applications for the Summerland
program. Following discussion,
MOTION:
10.2
Perry/Little that staffing be approved to add a fourth division of grade 6
French Immersion at KVR Middle School and that should numbers
continue to stay steady or increase, the Board will consider adding another
division in the fall.
CARRIED
Science Fair
Superintendent Hyer advised that schools in SD67 will be presenting their projects in the
District Science Fair on March 7 and 8 at KVR Middle School. The Science Fair,
sponsored jointly by the school district and the Kiwanis Club, will feature original science
projects by local students. Over 100 projects, involving 150 to 175 students, are
expected and several of these projects will be selected to proceed to the Regional
Science Fair to be held at Agri-Foods Canada Research Facility on April 7 and 8. The
public, media, and trustees are invited to attend.
Appreciation was extended to the Kiwanis Club for their sponsorship and to the many
teachers who worked with students in the classroom.
10.3
Okanagan Valley Concert Band Festival
Approximately 30 middle and secondary school concert bands from throughout the
Pacific Northwest will perform on March 1 and 2 at the Penticton Trade and Convention
Centre in Salon A. There will be a special performance at the concert on March 1 at 6:30
p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The Featured Ensemble is the Kwantlen College Wind Ensemble
under the direction of Dr. Wayne Jeffrey. A copy of the performance schedule was
circulated with the agenda package. Appreciation was extended to staff Don Grant, Will
Schlackl, Justin Glibbery, and Paula Baker for their organization of the festival.
10.4
Field Trips
District Principal Schimmer reviewed field trip requests, some of which had been
approved by the superintendent pursuant to district policy.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
10.5
Page 8
MOTION:
Clarke/Little that the field trip request for March 17 to 28, 2012, for
approximately 40 students from Penticton Secondary, Princess Margaret
Secondary, and Summerland Secondary to travel to France and Spain to
introduce the students to the history, culture and language of those
countries be approved in principle.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Clarke/Siddon that final approval be given to the field trip request for March
19 to 30, 2011 for 40 students from Penticton Secondary, Princess
Margaret Secondary, and Summerland Secondary to travel to Rome and
Greece to introduce the students to the history, culture and language of
those countries.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Little/Perry that final approval be given to the field trip request for February
25 to 27, 2011 for 20 band students from Princess Margaret Secondary to
compete in the annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho.
CARRIED
Enrolment
Superintendent Hyer reported that enrolment as of January 31, 2011 showed 6,433
students, or 6,346.0 FTE, in the school district.
11.0
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
12.0
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
13.0
INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1
BCSTA Annual General Meeting
The deadline for submission of motions for BCSTA’s annual general meeting to be held
April 14 to 17, 2011 in Vancouver is as follows:
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14.0
Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – February 14, 2011
Extraordinary motions – February 3
Substantive motions – February 11
13.2
BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting
The BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting will be held on February 25-26, 2011 in
Vancouver. It was noted that Trustee Clarke will attend.
13.3
BCSTA Thompson Okanagan Branch Meeting
Information was provided regarding the BCSTA Thompson Okanagan Branch meeting
held on February 4 and 5, 2011 in West Kelowna, hosted by School District No. 23
(Central Okanagan). A tour of Mount Boucherie Secondary School was held followed by
meetings of district chairs and education, ad hoc resolution and aboriginal committees.
As well, presentations were made on blended learning, healthy school initiatives, and
digital age.
13.4
Date of Next Meeting
• March 14, 2011, 6:30 p.m., Regular Meeting, School Board Office
TRUSTEE COMMENTS
14.1
Recognition of Student Success
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) extended congratulations to the students and
groups for outstanding examples of success as shown on the listing circulated with the
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – February 14, 2011
agenda package. It was also noted that Raja Gupta, a teacher at Summerland
Secondary School, was a finalist in the Iron Science Teacher Challenge for 2011. He will
be participating in Calgary in March and will present at the April board of education
meeting.
14.2
14.3
15.0
Recognition of Student Artwork
Congratulations were extended to the following students from Columbia Elementary
School for their artwork currently on display at the school board office:
Delayne Cupples
Grade 3
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Tane Kita
Grade 5
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Chloe Smith
Grade 2
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Taylor Hanson
Grade 2
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Morgan Heidrich
Kindergarten
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Nevaeh Dyson
Kindergarten
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Megan Pickford
Grade 1
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Ava Wall
Grade 1
Landscape design in primary acrylic colours
with fine masking tape designs
Pencil crayon drawing of a boy with a striped tshirt and lime green background
Large cut-out sunflower in pastel colours on a
bright yellow background
Large cut-out sunflower in pastels with a black
swirled center design on an orange
background
An abstract snowman with a red hat designed
from torn pieces of coloured construction paper
An abstract snowman in a block format
designed from torn pieces of coloured
construction paper
A snowy winterland with a jolly snowman on
purple construction paper with a large purple
hat
A snowy winterland with black & grey spiked
trees and a small snowman with a teal
coloured hat
Trustee Comments
Trustees provided comments related to district activities including information presented
at a recent chamber of commerce meeting, a fundraiser at the South Okanagan Event
Centre, the Princess Margaret Secondary School presentation of “Willy Wonka” and the
Summerland Secondary School presentation of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to
the Forum”.
QUESTION PERIOD
Comments/questions from the audience were related to:
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16.0
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Comments by Daryl Clarke, Chair, DPAC, regarding the high costs of school sports
programs and a suggestion to the Board for a policy on corporate sponsorship;
Comments by Kevin Epp, President, OSTU, regarding the Pacific Carbon Trust, the
Foundation Skills Assessment results, and questioning how the privatization of the
City of Penticton’s community centre would affect the joint-use agreement;
A question from the Western News related to BCeSIS;
A question from the Penticton Herald related to the cost of sports; and
Clarification on the carbon tax paid by the district.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Little/Clarke that the meeting be adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
CARRIED
____________________
Chairperson
____________________
Secretary-Treasurer
March 9, 2011
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