BOARD OF EDUCATION
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, APRIL 16, 2012, AT 6:30 P.M.
AT THE SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE
MINUTES
IN ATTENDANCE
Ginny Manning, Chair
Linda Van Alphen, Vice Chair
Linda Beaven, Trustee
Shelley Clarke, Trustee
Walter Huebert, Trustee
Bruce Johnson, Trustee
Tracy St. Claire, Trustee
Wendy Hyer, Superintendent of Schools
Ron Shongrunden, Secretary-Treasurer
Dave Burgoyne, Assistant Superintendent
Maureen Maywood, Director of Finance
Doug Gorcak, Director of Facilities
Pam Butters, Director of Instruction
Don MacIntyre, Director of Instruction
Daphne Adey, Executive Assistant
1.0
CALL TO ORDER
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Johnson/Van Alphen that the agenda and addendum be adopted.
CARRIED
3.0
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
4.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
5.0
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
Clarke/Huebert that the minutes of the regular meeting held on March 12, 2012 be
approved.
CARRIED
6.0
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETING
Chairman Manning reviewed the following items discussed at the closed meeting held on March
12, 2012:
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Received correspondence;
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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7.0
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Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – April 16, 2012
Received reports from the buildings, grounds, safety, and transportation committee;
finance and management committee; and discipline committee;
Approved a contract;
Confirmed teacher and support staff changes;
Received information on teacher bargaining;
Received information related to the Ministry of Education funding announcement;
Approved a teacher leave request;
Received information related to student suspensions.
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter from Industry Canada
A letter from Industry Canada advising the Community Access Program (CAP) and Youth
Initiative (CAP YI) will end on March 31, 2012 and will not be renewed.
7.2
Letter from CUPE BC
A letter forwarded by CUPE BC enclosing research materials and briefing notes
regarding Ministry funding, which are available in the trustee reading file.
7.3
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. 82 (Coast Mountains) to the Minister of Education requesting
that the Ministry of Education permit school districts to keep all savings incurred
from the teachers’ strike and use those savings at the discretion of each board;
School District No. 45 (West Vancouver) to the Minister of Education expressing
concern about the prolonged and fractured labour dispute between the BCTF
and BCPSEA, and the impact it has had on teaching and learning in the West
Vancouver school district;
School District No. 39 (Vancouver) to the Minister of Education regarding Bill 22
(Education Improvement Act);
School District No. 27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) to the Minister of Education requesting
support for a mediated settlement in the labour dispute with teachers;
School District No. 91 (Nechako Lakes) to the Minister of Education requesting
that dollars raised through carbon offsets be redirected back to individual districts
in order to assist with the introduction of more efficient upgrades;
School District No. 84 (Vancouver Island West) to the Minister of Education
supporting the appointment of an independent mediator and respecting the
bargaining process;
School District No. 46 (Sunshine Coast) to the Minister of Education concerning
Bill 22, Education Improvement Act.
MOTION:
Huebert/Clarke that the correspondence be received.
CARRIED
8.0
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
8.1
Finance and Management Committee
Trustee St. Claire reported on the finance and management committee meetings held on
April 4 and 11, 2012:
April 4, 2012:
a.
WorkSafeBC Report
As a follow-up to a trustee question at the last finance and management
committee, a chart showing the levels of injuries by employee groups was
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – April 16, 2012
prepared. It was noted that the highest level of injuries is in the maintenance
department and this has been discussed at the maintenance department’s health
and safety meeting. The district will be looking at ways to reduce employee
injuries.
b.
2012-13 Budget Development
Secretary-Treasurer Shongrunden reviewed slides and information related to the
public meeting to be held later that day and trustees provided suggestions for the
slide presentation and on-line survey. Mr. Shongrunden added a large budget
document, with staffing analysis from information provided through EDAS, will be
provided to trustees as part of the budget development process.
April 4, 2012:
a.
Public Budget Meeting
Secretary-Treasurer Shongrunden reviewed the Board’s budget guidelines and
goals used in the budget development; highlighted the results of the power of
advocacy by trustees; noted the district’s decline in enrolment; and reviewed
reductions made in 2009-10 and 2010-11. (The slides used during the presentation
are available on the district’s website.) The 2012-13 budget estimates include
continuation of existing service levels; fewer students; no employee contract
increases; payroll benefits and teacher increments; and inflationary increases. The
2012-13 budget estimates indicate funding protection of $1,043,713 which is why
additional funding for vulnerable students, unique geographic, and student location
will not benefit the district. Budget estimates are not complete and will be changing
over the next few weeks as more information becomes available. One time
savings for 2011-12 for staffing, substitutes, and benefits, amounting to $600,000,
can be used to offset a projected shortfall. Ministry announced funds for the BC
Education Plan and Learning Improvement Fund will be additional funds for the
district. Mr. Shongrunden explained that reviews are being completed on all
employee groups, and the excluded staffing review is complete and shows board
office exempt staff at 15 while the cohort is 18.94 and the provincial average is
19.21 (second most efficient out of 10 districts in the cohort group).
It was noted the district will receive annual facility grant funding of $1,262,554
during this school year with $941,177 designated for capital projects and the
remainder for operating expenses. As well, the AFG projects require Ministry
approval and all previous AFG funds must be spent before accessing the current
year’s funding.
Mike Johnson, CUPE representative, thanked the Board for the opportunity to
provide input, requested that maintenance workers’ jobs (such as plumbers) not be
contracted out; requested better communication; and requested that CUPE have
no further cuts in staffing and that CUPE personnel be permitted to take care of the
district’s facility assets.
Kevin Epp, OSTU President, thanked the secretary-treasurer for a thorough budget
presentation; appreciated the transparency in the document; thanked trustees for
advocating for more funding; and asked trustees and district staff to continue to ask
for stable, predictable, and additional funding.
Isaac Jonsson-Good, Linnea Good, and David Jonsson, previewed a seven-minute
video which requested making educational aides a priority.
A written request from Mona Smythe requested that AP English be offered in
Summerland Secondary School through teleconferencing.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – April 16, 2012
Trustee St. Claire advised the budget survey will be available on the district
website on April 10, 2012 and the responses and feedback will be available to all
trustees during the budget preparation.
April 11, 2012:
a.
Learning Improvement Funds
Secretary-Treasurer Shongrunden reviewed information related to details of the
Learning Improvement Funds received during the Ministry of Education conference
call held the previous day. A letter containing guidelines is expected next week;
however, information now indicates the funds will be considered special purpose
funds and will be subject to PSAB accounting rules. The district will be required to
submit to the Ministry by the end of October a plan for expenditures, funds will be
dispersed in September, and all funds are expected to be spent by year-end. A
minimum of 12.5% is guaranteed to go to CUPE support staff and it is expected
that there will be a high level of reporting as to how the funds will be spent.
Additional information will be forthcoming.
b.
2012-13 Budget Development
As part of the budget process, the secretary-treasurer reviewed the revenue
portion of the budget document and advised the expenditures section of the
document should be available by Friday or Monday. Mr. Shongrunden noted this is
a fluid document and already numbers on the revenue side have changed since
the document was prepared. The overview emphasises a shortfall in the operating
funds of approximately $800,000 as well as a structural deficit of approximately
$800,000. It is expected that this $1.6 million deficit will be reduced as the budget
is developed.
The committee reviewed the 12 goals established earlier by the Board and
supported that an additional goal be included related to a more open dissemination
of information as opportunities arise. Mr. Shongrunden added the introduction of
SharePoint will make this easier once the program is introduced to the district.
The committee reviewed the remainder of the document which noted the
elimination of the Community Access Program (CAP) will reduce technology funds
by $50,000 per year, showed the power of advocacy by trustees, and suggested
consideration be given to hiring a director of business services and/or director of
international students to generate revenue through the technology and off shore
tuition.
MOTION:
St. Claire/Van Alphen that the Board of Education supports the addition of
a new Goal #13 which reads “The Board has an interest to continue to
move to a more open dissemination of information regarding the district’s
operations and programs.”
CARRIED
Trustee St. Claire advised the budget survey will be open until May 2 and it is anticipated
the budget will be passed at the special meeting to be held on May 7.
MOTION:
8.2
St. Claire/Johnson that the report of the finance and management
committee meetings be received.
CARRIED
Buildings, Grounds, Safety and Transportation Committee
Trustee Huebert reported on the buildings, grounds, safety and transportation committee
meeting held on April 4, 2012:
a.
Annual Facilities Grant
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – April 16, 2012
Information was provided related to the 2012-13 annual facility grant funding. The
district will receive $1,262,554, of which $321,377 is the operating portion and
$941,177 is the capital portion. School districts are requested to submit their list of
AFG projects and expenditures to the Ministry by April 30, 2012 and this will come
to the board meeting in the form of a bylaw.
MOTION:
8.3
Education Committee
Trustee Johnson reported on the education committee meeting held on April 10, 2012:
a.
Through a Different Lens
Last year, Helping Teacher Judith King and teachers Naryn Searcy and Jeff Fitton
applied for and received a grant from the Vancouver Foundation to support the
“Through a Different Lens” project. Ms. King and Mr. Fitton presented an overview
and an update on this project noting the grant money received was for this year
only. The project looked at classroom interventions that helped at-risk students
become successful. It also looked at what teachers could do in their classrooms to
help students (those who were at-risk of not completing school) become successful
and engaged in their learning. Twenty-seven teachers from six different schools
have been involved since the beginning of the year. Each teacher completed pre
and post surveys, completed at least one case study on an at-risk student, and
committed to try at least one innovative/new teaching strategy. Ms. King and Mr.
Fitton shared a number of videos of different projects that have occurred in the
schools. It was noted that Director of Instruction Don MacIntyre is looking for ways
in which “Though a Different Lens” can be sustainable for future years.
b.
ConnectEd
Lloyd Lindsay, Principal, ConnectEd, provided an overview of the ConnectEd
program and reviewed the programs that were in place last year including the
Home Learners’ Program, Distributed Learning Program, Penticton Secondary
Learning Centre, Penticton Alternate School, and Summerland Adult
Learning/Continuing Education. These programs all fall under the umbrella of
ConnectEd this year, with the main campus at the old PSLC building.
c.
Critical Incident Quick Reference
Pam Butters, Director of Instruction of Student Services, provided a review of the
updated Critical Incident Quick Reference Guide. The guide was designed to be
an easy and quick reference to assist school personnel in resolving and/or
responding to emergencies. A copy of this guide has been provided to school
administrators for review by school staff at the next opportunity and a copy will be
provided for each classroom in the district.
MOTION:
9.0
Huebert/St. Claire that the minutes of the buildings, grounds, safety and
transportation committee be received.
CARRIED
Johnson/Beaven that the report of the education committee be received.
CARRIED
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
Financial Report
The secretary-treasurer reviewed the quarterly financial report to March 31, 2012
provided in the agenda package. Spending is in line with where it should be for this time
of year and some savings are anticipated by year-end.
9.2
2012-13 Annual Facility Grant (AFG) Allocation and Bylaw
Secretary-Treasurer Shongrunden reviewed information related to the Ministry’s 2012-13
annual facility grant funding noting the school district has received $1,262,554 for 2012-
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – April 16, 2012
13. A school board resolution is required to adopt Capital Project Bylaw No. 126416 in
the amount of $941,177, the capital portion of the AFG.
10.0
MOTION:
Manning/Huebert that following first reading of School District No. 67
(Okanagan Skaha) Capital Project Bylaw No. 126416 in the amount of
$941,177, the Board of Education passes the bylaw.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Manning/Huebert that following second reading of School District No. 67
(Okanagan Skaha) Capital Project Bylaw No. 126416 in the amount of
$941,177, the Board of Education passes the bylaw.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Manning/Huebert that following third reading of School District No. 67
(Okanagan Skaha) Capital Project Bylaw No. 126416 in the amount of
$941,177, the Board of Education passes and adopts the bylaw.
CARRIED
9.3
2012-13 Budget Development
Secretary-Treasurer Shongrunden advised the Community Access Program, as noted in
the correspondence, has been terminated. This program provides 14 sites throughout
the area where the public can use computers free of charge. Through this program, the
district hired students to recycle computers and offered them to the community. Mr.
Shongrunden noted that this project provided $50,000 towards the $250,000 technology
budget and the loss of the program will have an impact on the budget for 2012-13.
9.4
Carbon Neutral Action Report
Director of Facilities Gorcak advised the draft carbon neutral action report was submitted
by the deadline date of March 31, 2012. Mr. Gorcak added a new fund has been
established to offer grants to school districts for energy efficiency projects that will help
lower their carbon emissions. Mr. Gorcak has offered to be on the committee overseeing
the grants.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
Bill 22, Education Improvement Act
The superintendent provided an overview of Bill 22, Education Improvement Act, which
showed the differences in class size maximums from 2002 to now, elimination of district
averages, restoration of the right to bargain on class size, compensation for teachers with
class size over 30, and other improvements. The Learning Improvement Fund will
provide $30 million to districts, $60 million in the second year, and $75 million in the third
year. Details of the regulations for both the Learning Improvement Fund and Class Size
and Compensation Regulation were provided.
10.2
Threat Assessment Protocol
Last August, School District No. 67, in partnership with the RCMP, hosted a two-day
Violence Threat Risk Assessment training session for a number of partner groups
including district staff, school principals, vice principals, Child & Youth Mental Health,
Aboriginal Child & Youth Mental Health, Okanagan Boys & Girls Club, Penny Lane
Bargain Outlet, Adolescent Residential Care Programs Ltd., Penticton & District
Community Resource Society, and the Ministry of Child & Family Development. As a
follow-up to the training, the district, RCMP, and community partners are developing
protocol which outlines the process for assessing a threat, intervening to decrease that
risk, and supporting the student to address the issues contributing to the high-risk
behaviour. A second draft of the protocol has been prepared and partner groups will
meet in May to review any further changes to the protocol. It is intended that the protocol
will be finalized and that an official signing of the document will be held prior to the end of
the school year as well as highlighted to the community.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
10.3
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Minutes of Regular Board of Education Meeting – April 16, 2012
Field Trips
Director of Instruction MacIntyre reviewed field trip requests, a number of which were
approved by the superintendent pursuant to district policy.
MOTION:
Van Alphen/St. Claire that the field trip request for May 10 to 13, 2012, for
three Penticton Secondary students to travel to Toronto to attend a major
track and field event be approved in principle.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Clarke/Beaven that the field trip request for March 16 to April 6, 2013, for
22 to 28 senior students at Princess Margaret Secondary to travel to and
participate in a humanitarian trip to Arusha, Tanzania, be approved in
principle.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Beaven/St. Claire that the field trip request for September 29 to October
11, 2012, for six students from Princess Margaret Secondary, Summerland
Secondary, and Penticton Secondary schools to travel to Kyoto, Ikeda, and
Tokyo, Japan, as part of the annual sister city exchange program be
approved in principle.
CARRIED
10.4
Enrolment
Superintendent Hyer advised that as of March 31, 2012, there were 6,366 students in the
district, which is no change in enrolment in comparison to February enrolment.
10.5
Regional Science Fair
The Central Okanagan Regional Science Fair was hosted by the University of British
Columbia Okanagan in Kelowna, on April 11 and 12. Sixty-two projects by 81 students
from Grades 6 to 12 were on display. Approximately 30 of these projects were
completed by students in SD67. Fifty Science Fair judges, who included UBCO
professors, graduate students, and other local scientists, discussed and scored the
students’ projects. Students competed for many awards, including the opportunity to
represent the Central Okanagan Region at the Canada-wide Science Fair in
Charlottetown, PEI, in May. A listing of the results was circulated and congratulations
were extended to all students who participated as well as to those who received an
award. Gold medalists from SD67 who will be participating in the national science fair at
the University of PEI from May 12 to 19 include Meg Cumming and Breanna Gowe from
Penticton Secondary, and Vincent Combret and Joshua Gowe from KVR Middle School.
Ms. Hyer added that despite the challenging circumstances of job action, the district
pulled together to ensure that the students who prepared projects for the district science
fair had an opportunity to have their projects judged and to participate in the regional and
national science fairs. Ms. Hyer acknowledged the Regional Team of Shona Becker, Ken
Ireson, Geoff Waterman, and Raja Gupta for coordinating and organizing all of the events
and activities, and Rachel Stubbert, Karla Lockwood, Patricia Tribe, Ellen Wood, Raja
Gupta, and Trustees Manning, Van Alphen, Clarke, and Beaven for volunteering to judge
the projects after the district science fair was interrupted by the teacher strike. Best
wishes are extended to students participating at the national science fair.
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 – April 16, 2012
INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1
BCSTA Annual General Meeting
The BCSTA annual general meeting, which will have an aboriginal theme, will be held on
April 26 to 29, 2012 in Vancouver.
13.2
BCSTA Okanagan Branch Meeting
A BCSTA Okanagan Branch meeting will be held during the AGM in Vancouver, on April
27, 4:15 to 5:30 p.m.
13.3
Date of Next Meeting
• May 7, 2012, 7:00 p.m., Special Public Budget Meeting
• May 14, 2012, 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
agenda package.
14.2
Recognition of Student Artwork
Congratulations were extended to students from Summerland Secondary School for their
artwork currently on display at the school board office.
14.3
Trustee Comments
Trustees provided general comments related to district activities including the career
programs and an anti-bullying website set up by Trevor Knowlton and Kim Wise. Both
teachers have been invited to Ottawa to discuss making it a national program.
QUESTION PERIOD
Comments/questions from the audience were related to:
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16.0
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Confirmation of the amount to be provided to CUPE for the Learning Improvement Fund;
Comments about the annual facility grant;
A question asking if a teacher would receive $2,500 extra if the class contained 31
students (higher than the class size);
If the district is making plans in preparation of the BCTF vote later this week; and
Questions related to the possible impact a teachers’ withdrawal from extracurricular
activities would have on the district.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Clarke/St. Claire that the meeting be adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
CARRIED
____________________
Chairperson
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Secretary-Treasurer
May 3, 2012
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“Working Together for Student Success”