BOARD OF EDUCATION
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 9, 2011, 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
Tom Siddon, Trustee
Wendy Hyer, Superintendent of Schools
Ron Shongrunden, Secretary-Treasurer
Dave Burgoyne, Assistant Superintendent
John Hickling, Director of Maintenance
Maureen Maywood, Director of Finance
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 and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Little/Clarke that the agenda and addendum be adopted.
CARRIED
3.0
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
3.1
Differentiated Instruction Workgroup
Jennifer Barber, a teacher at McNicoll Park Middle School, and Darryl Tenisci, a teacher
at Skaha Lake Middle School, are facilitating an instructional initiative that focuses on
using differentiated instruction in the classroom. They provided an overview of the work
they and the workgroup have been doing to assist teachers with different learning styles
to engage students in the classroom. Currently, 15 teachers are involved in the program.
Trustees extended appreciation to Ms. Barber and Mr. Tenisci for their presentation and
for taking the initiative to assist others with the differentiated instruction workgroup.
4.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – May 9, 2011
5.0
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Clarke that the minutes of the regular board of education meeting held
on April 11, 2011 be approved.
CARRIED
6.0
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETINGS
The following items were discussed at the closed meeting held on April 11, 2011:
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Received reports from the finance and management committee; buildings, grounds,
safety and transportation committee; education committee; and discipline committee;
Confirmed teaching and support staff changes;
Received information related to teacher and CUPE bargaining;
Received information related to a legal matter;
Received a principal resignation and information regarding the resulting principal
competition;
Received information related to student suspensions;
Received information related to a BCPSEA meeting.
The following items were discussed at the closed meeting held on April 27, 2011:
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7.0
Received and confirmed information related to local teacher bargaining.
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter to the Board
A copy of the letter to the Board listed below is available in the trustee reading file:
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School District No. 45 (West Vancouver) to the Minister of Education inviting the
Minister to their district so that they can share with him some of the initiatives
and innovative practices implemented to support and engage students at all
levels.
7.2
Letter from Okanagan Skaha Teachers’ Union
A letter forwarded by the OSTU President Kevin Epp regarding the ruling from the
Supreme Court of BC in the matter concerning BCTF v. British Columbia, 2011 BCSC
469.
7.3
Letter from Minister of Education.
A letter forwarded by the Minister of Education regarding the Bill 28 court ruling.
MOTION:
Little/Denesiuk that the correspondence be received.
CARRIED
8.0
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
8.1
Education Committee
Trustee Clarke reported on the education committee meeting held on May 3, 2011:
a.
Community Partnerships
Deb Hardman, Child and Youth Mental Health, and Pam Butters, Director of
Instruction, provided an overview of both the Connect and Parenting Anxious
Children programs that are offered in our community. Ms. Hardman provided the
background, certification requirements, history and referral process of the Connect
program and the benefits to children in our communities. There are eight
facilitators currently working in the Connect program. The steering committee for
the Connect program consists of representatives from PDCRS, SD67, ARC,
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – May 9, 2011
RCMP, SADI and MCFD. Ms. Hardman also provided information on the goals,
program content and challenges of the Parenting Anxious Kids (PAK) program.
PAK was developed by MCFD and is currently being offered in Penticton in a
number of locations.
b.
Hazel Davy Award
Janice Clary, a helping teacher at KVR Middle School, was presented with the
Hazel Davy Award at the recent BC Special Education conference in Vancouver.
This award is presented once a year to a recipient who has made a positive impact
in Special Education in BC. Ms. Clary has not only been a strength in our district
special education services and a helping teacher in Literacy and SmartLearning,
she has also served on the Provincial Specialist Association for many years.
Trustees and Superintendent Hyer offered Ms. Clary their sincere congratulations
on receiving this honourable recognition.
c.
District Celebration
Superintendent Hyer reminded the education committee of the District Celebration
planned for May 31, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. at the Penticton Lakeside Resort and
Conference Centre. All schools will have teams presenting their action research
projects. All trustees and partner groups are encouraged to attend this event that
will recognize work that has focused on increasing student success.
d.
Late French Immersion Program
District Principal Tom Schimmer provided an update on the French Immersion
registration numbers for 2011-12. KVR Middle School continues to have 120
students enrolled in four divisions. There are four students on the waitlist for this
program, two in district and two out of district – all four of these were submitted
after the application deadline. Summerland Middle School continues to have 30
students in the one division with five on the waitlist. Four of these five were offered
a place at KVR but declined and the fifth applicant was received after the deadline.
In addition, there are eight Summerland students that have accepted a spot in KVR
and will return to the Summerland program if and when spots become available.
e.
French Language Helping Teacher
Superintendent Hyer and District Principal Schimmer provided information on a
helping teacher position being considered for September in the area of French
language. This position will be paid for out of targeted French language funds
received from the federal government each year to support French language
instruction in both the Immersion and French as Second Language programs. This
position is one that has been considered for some time and has also been
proposed by teachers working in these programs.
MOTION:
9.0
Clarke/Little that the report of the education committee be received.
CARRIED
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
2011-12 Budget Bylaw
Trustee Van Alphen reported on the budget development process and meetings
including: the public budget meeting held on April 12; individual meetings held with
OSTU and CUPE representatives on April 20; a meeting with principals, vice principals,
and district staff on April 26; input from the DPAC meeting held on April 27 at which
trustees attended; and meetings with trustees and district staff on April 12 and May 3.
Trustee Van Alphen reiterated that the 2011-12 budget development process was based
on the goals of placing students’ interests first and trying to keep money in the classroom;
advocating for the appropriate resources essential for the education of students;
providing for long-term multiyear strategies; creating efficiencies and cost savings; and
obtaining partner group involvement. At the May 3 meeting, trustees reviewed all
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – May 9, 2011
feedback and comments provided throughout the meetings as well as the comments
provided via the online survey.
Following review of the 2011-12 annual budget bylaw,
9.2
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Little that following first reading of School District No. 67
(Okanagan Skaha) Annual Budget Bylaw for the fiscal year 2011-12 in the
amount of $58,368,245, the Board of Education passes the bylaw.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Little that following second reading of School District No. 67
(Okanagan Skaha) Annual Budget Bylaw for the fiscal year 2011-12 in the
amount of $58,368,245, the Board of Education passes the bylaw.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Little that following third reading of School District No. 67
(Okanagan Skaha) Annual Budget Bylaw for the fiscal year 2011-12 in the
amount of $58,368,245, the Board of Education passes and adopts the
bylaw.
CARRIED
Request to Serve Alcohol on School District Property
The secretary-treasurer advised that a request had been received from Naramata
Elementary regarding obtaining a special liquor license to serve liquor on school property
during a fundraising event for the outdoor play area. Discussion centered around the
potential liability of serving alcohol on school district property; the difference between an
outside group serving alcohol while renting a school district facility (such as the Penticton
Jazz Festival or the 100th Anniversary of Penticton Secondary School) and a school
parent advisory council using it as a fundraiser; the tone it sets for students; and the need
for a related policy.
MOTION:
Siddon/Little that the Board approves the serving of alcohol during
intermission at a school fundraising concert at Naramata Elementary
School and that parents and sponsors of the event be urged to prevent
students from attending.
DEFEATED
Trustees requested that a policy be developed regarding the serving of alcohol on school
district property.
10.0
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
School Calendar (2011-12)
The superintendent advised that the Board of Education is required by May 31, 2011 to
approve and circulate the 2011-12 school calendar for the district. It was recommended
that the proposed calendar for 2011-12 be approved.
MOTION:
Denesiuk/Van Alphen that the 2011-12 school calendar for SD67 be
approved as circulated.
CARRIED
10.2
Enrolment
The superintendent of schools reported on enrolment as of April 30, 2011, noting there
are currently 6,454 students, or 6,367.0 FTE, in the school district.
10.3
School Fees
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
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – May 9, 2011
for the 2011-12 school year noting a requested increase of $5.00 to the student activity
charge for secondary students and an increase of $5.00 to the refundable
textbook/resources deposit charged to secondary students.
MOTION:
Clarke/Little that the following schedule of fees and deposits for the 201112 school year be approved:
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10.4
A student activity charge of $50.00 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;
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 $50.00 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;
A per student fee of $500 for the Soccer Academy at Princess
Margaret Secondary School.
CARRIED
Field Trips
District Principal Schimmer reviewed field trip requests, two of which did not require
board approval pursuant to district policy.
MOTION:
Little/Clarke that the field trip request for May 25 to 28, 2011 for 40 grade 8
band students from Skaha Lake Middle School to travel to Edmonton,
Alberta, to perform at several schools be given final approval.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Clarke that the field trip request for May 20 to 29, 2011 for 30
students from Penticton Secondary School to travel to France, Belgium,
and Holland be given final approval.
CARRIED
11.0
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
12.0
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
13.0
15.0
Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – May 9, 2011
INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1
BCSTA Annual General Meeting
Trustees were reminded to complete meeting reports of their attendance at the BCSTA
annual general meeting held on April 14 to 17, 2011. Trustees provided comments
related to the AGM including those regarding the celebration and accolades given to
Trustee Denesiuk on her retirement as President of the BCSTA. Additionally, it was
noted that Trustees Van Alphen and Manning had received recognition for having served
nine years as a school trustee and Trustee Little had been recognized for serving 18
years. In response to a question, it was noted that the disposition of resolutions were
sent to all trustees and are available on the BCSTA website.
13.2
BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting
Trustee Clarke reported that at the BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting held on April 17,
2011 in Vancouver, the council received and accepted the report of the executive,
approved the budget by 2%, and received the report of the auditors.
MOTION:
14.0
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Clarke/Little that the report of the BCSTA Provincial Council be received.
CARRIED
13.3
BCSTA Thompson Okanagan Branch Meeting
Trustee Van Alphen provided information regarding the BCSTA Thompson Okanagan
Branch meeting held on April 15, 2011 in Vancouver, and noted several advocacy
motions which had been presented to the BCSTA AGM. It was also noted that Trustee
Van Alphen had been re-elected as president of the Thompson Okanagan Branch.
13.4
Date of Next Meeting
 June 13, 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 information on
the Good Will Shakespeare to be held in Summerland beginning on May 12 and
information on the progress of work towards the 100th Anniversary of Penticton
Secondary School. Trustee Denesiuk advised the dates have been set for May 18, 19,
and 20, 2012 and events may include a Friday evening wine and cheese; entertainment
to span the generations; and hopefully up to two thousand people. Ms. Denesiuk advised
regular reports will be provided as the planning progresses. Trustee Clarke advised the
education committee had visited Columbia Elementary School and trustees were pleased
at the imaginative animal stories conceived by the students.
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 students from Penticton Secondary School for their
artwork currently on display at the school board office: Julia Veidt, Britla Wuestefeld,
Mandy Bell, Anne Simonsen, Mark Perren, and Minyeong Lee.
QUESTION PERIOD
Comments/questions from the audience related to the agenda included:
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Support for serving alcohol at the fundraising event at Naramata Elementary School; and
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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16.0
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Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – May 9, 2011
A request that the board consider moving to a one-week spring break so that CUPE
employees are not out of work during those days.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Little/Clarke that the meeting be adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
CARRIED
____________________
Chairperson
____________________
Secretary-Treasurer
May 20, 2011
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“Working Together for Student Success”