BOARD OF EDUCATION
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2012, AT 6:30 P.M.
AT THE SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE
MINUTES
IN ATTENDANCE
Ginny Manning, Chair
Bruce Johnson, Vice Chair
Linda Beaven, Trustee
Shelley Clarke, Trustee
Walter Huebert, Trustee
Tracy St. Claire, Trustee
Linda Van Alphen, 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
Daphne Adey, Executive Assistant
1.0
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Manning welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Johnson/Huebert that the agenda be adopted.
CARRIED
3.0
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
3.1
WITS Program - Trout Creek Elementary
Principal Jeff Redden introduced Grade 5 students from Trout Creek Elementary School
who showcased a skit used to introduce the WITS Program at their school. The skits
were presented at both their October assembly and Social Emotional Learning Parent
Night and are intended to teach anti-bullying/teasing strategies to students. The four
strategies used in WITS, “Walk Away, Ignore, Talk it Through, and Seek Help if
Necessary”, have been instrumental in reducing bullying incidents in the school.
Following a number of questions, trustees expressed appreciation to the students for
their demonstration of the anti-bullying skits.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 2
Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – December 10, 2012
4.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
5.0
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
Beaven/Van Alphen that the minutes of the regular meeting held on November 5,
2012 be approved.
CARRIED
6.0
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETING
Chair Manning reviewed the following items which were discussed at the closed meeting held on
November 5, 2012:
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7.0
Received a report from the discipline committee;
Confirmed teaching and support staff changes;
Received a report on CUPE bargaining;
Discussed a land development issue;
Discussed a provincial legal issue;
Discussed a municipal contract item;
Approved a teacher leave request;
Received information on student suspensions; and
Received information on a BCPSEA meeting and an OLRC meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter from Ministry of Education
A letter from the Ministry of Education regarding approval of the Learning Improvement
Fund.
7.2
Summary of Copies of Letters to the Board
A copy of the letter to the Board listed below is available in the trustee reading file:
•
School District No. 72 (Campbell River) to the Minister of Education regarding
trades and technology programs.
MOTION:
St. Claire/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 meeting held on
December 5, 2012:
a.
International Student Fees
Superintendent Hyer provided an overview of the district’s current fee structure for
the International Student Program and provided a comparison to the fees of other
districts in the region. Based on increased costs, a recommendation was made to
increase international student fees. The recommended fees will also align with the
fees charged by neighbouring districts.
MOTION:
St. Claire/Huebert that the following fee structure be approved for the
2013-14 and 2014-15 school years:
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – December 10, 2012
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
International Student Program - Fees
Long Term Program – One or Two Semesters
SD67
(Okanagan Skaha)
Two semesters
One semester
(10 months)
(5 months)
Non-Refundable Application
Fee/Custodianship
Tuition
Placement/Monitoring
Homestay
Medical Insurance
TOTALS
300.00
12,000.00
500.00
7,250.00
850.00
$20,900.00
300.00
6,200.00
250.00
3,625.00
425.00
$10,800.00
Short Term Programs (1 to 4 months)
Short Term
Non-Refundable Application
Fee/ Custodianship
Tuition
Placement/Monitoring
Homestay
Medical Insurance
TOTALS
1 month
2 months
3 months
4 months
300.00
1,250.00
100.00
725.00
85.00
$2,460.00
300.00
2,500.00
150.00
1,450.00
170.00
$4,570.00
300.00
3,750.00
200.00
2,175.00
255.00
$6,680.00
300.00
5,000.00
250.00
2,900.00
340.00
$8,790.00
2 weeks
3 weeks
4 weeks
300.00
625.00
75.00
375.00
0.00
400.00
$1,815.00
300.00
950.00
75.00
550.00
60.00
600.00
$2,535.00
300.00
1,250.00
100.00
725.00
85.00
800.00
$3,260.00
Summer/Winter Program
Non-Refundable Application Fee/
Custodianship
Tuition
Placement/Monitoring
Homestay
Medical Insurance
Activity Fee
TOTALS
CARRIED
It was noted that personalized winter and summer programs for groups will be available
upon request.
MOTION:
8.2
St. Claire/Clarke that the report of the finance and management committee
be received.
CARRIED
Education Committee
Trustee Johnson reported regarding and the education committee meeting held on
December 4, 2012:
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
a. Page 4
Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – December 10, 2012
Give and Take Bookshelves Princess Margaret Secondary Leadership Student Cheline Lacroix accompanied by
Vice Principal Sandra Richardson provided to the Board an overview of her “Give
and Take Bookshelf” project. Ms. Lacroix received a small grant to start up this
project from Literacy Now, South Okanagan-Similkameen. Bookshelves have
been placed in a number of locations around the city. The premise behind the
project is to provide recreational reading materials for all ages at locations where
people congregate and/or spend time waiting for activities. The hope is that people
will pick up a book from the bookshelves and read. As well, the books are an
opportunity for anyone to conduct book exchanges.
b.
Foundation Skills Assessment
Don MacIntyre, Director of Instruction, provided an overview of the 2011-12
Foundation Skills Assessment results for the district. The results showed a positive
trend in improved results in most categories at both grade 4 and 7 levels; however,
Mr. MacIntyre cautioned that the results are simply one assessment of student
achievement amongst many different assessments that provide data to teachers
and districts.
c.
Pan-Canadian Assessment Program
Wendy Hyer, Superintendent of Schools, informed trustees that three schools in
the district have been randomly selected to participate in the Pan-Canadian
Assessment Program. An overview of the program was provided including
information about the reporting out of the results which are completed by the
province and country and are not provided school by school, or district by district.
MOTION:
Johnson/Huebert that the report of the education committee be received.
CARRIED
8.3
CDAC Committee Report
Trustee Huebert provided a report on the CDAC committee meeting held on November
28, 2012:
a.
Penticton Secondary School – Proposal to offer BAA course: History
Through Film 12
Lesley Bidlake, department head at PSS, provided the committee with an overview
of the intention of a new course. It is designed to be a complement to the rigour of
History 12, but use student interest in visual learning to focus on the use of film to
document major historical events. It is not required that students take History 12
as the course will be of interest to students who enjoy learning about the significant
events of the 20th Century without the demands of the dense curriculum of History
12. It will deal with the important topics of critical analysis, perspective, and bias in
the reporting of historical events. The committee received assurance that
appropriate licensing would be obtained for the films being viewed and that parents
would be advised of the film titles, content, and rating and would provide signed
permission for their students to view these films. The majority of the evaluation of
the course would be based on media literacy outcomes. Permission for the use of
this course has been received from SD37 (Delta). The committee recommended
approval of this four-credit course to the Board of Education.
b.
Princess Margaret Secondary School – Proposal to offer a new course:
Mathematical Puzzles, Problems and Games for Grade 11 or 12
Mike Cooke, a math teacher at PMSS, provided the committee with an overview of
the intention of this new course. The introduction of the new math curriculum in
grades 9 to 12 has created new issues for math instruction in secondary schools.
Mr. Cooke’s interest was to infuse problem solving skills into the curriculum
wherever he could. The problem was that the content was demanding and there
was little time for students to explore problem solving in depth. He began to offer
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – December 10, 2012
workshops on the use of puzzles and games to develop problem solving skills and
it soon grew into major presentations at international conferences. Mr. Cooke has
decided to turn this passion into a full course offering. His intention is to make
math more interesting and build on the need to explore creativity and perseverance
in math students. His experience in this area suggests that students are willing to
work hard to solve difficult problems if it is presented in a fun and engaging way.
This is an elective course offering that could complement some of the other
academic math courses. It will rely on projects, group work, rubrics, quizzes and
self-assessment rather than formal exams and tests. His goal is to change the
culture for math instruction and make students feel comfortable in developing their
math skills. He shared with the committee the wide variety of resources that he
has either developed or accumulated to guide the instruction. He believes this to
be a practical example of differentiated instructional practice and consistent with
the goals of the Ministry’s BC Education Plan. The committee recommended
approval of this four-credit course to the Board of Education.
c.
Summerland Secondary School – Proposal to Offer three Courses
Principal Chris Van Bergeyk, Summerland Secondary School, brought forward
three course requests to the committee: Cafeteria 10; Nutrition 10, and Textiles
and Design 10, all of which would be two-credit elective course offerings. In two of
the three offerings, he is requesting permission to offer a two-credit 60-hour version
of a course that is already approved for use in the district at the four-credit level.
Mr. Van Bergeyk explained that his school uses the quarter system to allow
students to take two-credit courses for half of a semester. As a smaller secondary
school, this allows students to explore more elective courses. He reviewed the
units of instruction that would be used for this purpose as well as the evaluation.
The committee received assurance that there was no cost to students to participate
in these courses. Further, Mr. Van Bergeyk explained that the Cafeteria 10 course
teaching students skills that are utilized in the production of food that is available
for sale to students and thus serves an important need in the school. Since these
courses are already approved for use in the district, there were no other concerns
brought forward by the committee. The Nutrition 10 course is a two-credit 60-hour
version of a Ministry approved four-credit course entitled Foods and Nutrition 10.
Because SSS is requesting a two-credit version of this course, it will require a new
course title (Nutrition 10) and will be considered a locally developed course. The
units of instruction and assessment practices will reflect those identified in the
Ministry course, but will have a focus on nutrition. The committee recommends
approval of these courses to the Board of Education.
d.
Penticton Secondary School – Proposal to offer BAA course: Digital
Photography 11
The committee reviewed the request since it is only requires moving the existing
two-credit course in Digital Photography to a four-credit offering. The proposal is
complete in that it meets the hours of instruction required and details the unit
objectives and assessment practices. This course is offered at no cost to students.
The committee recommended approval of this course to Board of Education.
MOTION:
9.0
Clarke/Huebert that the Board of Education approve all six courses for use
in School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) schools.
CARRIED
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
Financial Report
Director of Finance Maywood reviewed the financial report to November 30, 2012
provided in the agenda package noting that funds spent to date under instruction are in
line with expenses for three teachers’ payrolls, however, maintenance costs are higher
than expected due to a water damage incident at Naramata Elementary. Additionally,
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – December 10, 2012
some funds need to be transferred to the maintenance accounts. Ms. Maywood also
advised that the Penticton Secondary renovation project is required to be spent by the
end of March and the district is anticipating a funding announcement from the Ministry of
Education regarding the fall recalculation by next week.
9.2
10.0
Ministry of Education
Secretary-Treasurer Shongrunden advised a letter has been received from the Ministry
announcing Ministry-approved school bus replacements, based on the latest school
district capital plan submissions. Director of Facilities Gorcak advised SD67 will receive
two 84-passenger buses and buses will be ordered similar to our fleet. It was noted that
a capital project bylaw is required for the replacement.
MOTION:
Beaven/St. Claire that following first reading of School District No. 67
(Okanagan Skaha) Capital Project Bylaw No. 116688 specifying a total
maximum allocation of $270,262 for the purchase of two 84-passenger
buses, the Board of Education passes the bylaw.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Beaven/St. Claire that following second reading of School District No. 67
(Okanagan Skaha) Capital Project Bylaw No. 116688 specifying a total
maximum allocation of $270,262, the Board of Education passes the
bylaw.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Beaven/St. Claire that following third reading of School District No. 67
(Okanagan Skaha) Capital Project Bylaw No. 116688 specifying a total
maximum allocation of $270,262, the Board of Education passes the
bylaw.
CARRIED
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
Superintendent’s Report on Student Achievement
The School Act requires that the superintendent prepare a public report to the Board of
Education 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 and to provide
information that will facilitate subsequent planning for continuing improvement of student
achievement at the school and school district levels. Ms. Hyer noted that both reading
comprehension and writing skills for primary and intermediate students have shown
steady improvement over the past five years and six-year completion rates indicate that
male and aboriginal populations continue to improve. Aboriginal graduation rates have
grown from 9% in 1999 to an all-time high of 66% in 2012. Completion rates for the male
population was 83% compared to 76% in 2008. Ms. Hyer reviewed achievement
programs implemented in the district, goals for the coming year, and work and efforts in
meeting the needs of Children in Care. Initiatives to pursue the vision of “improving the
achievement of all students – each and every student” are accomplished by building
instructional capacity and supporting staff in deepening their knowledge, understanding
and classroom practice. Ms. Hyer acknowledged and thanked teachers, support staff,
parents, and the Board for their collective effort and commitment to enhancing student
achievement in SD67.
MOTION:
10.2
Clarke/Van Alphen that the report on student achievement be received.
CARRIED
Field Trips
Assistant Superintendent Burgoyne reviewed the listing of field trip requests circulated
with the agenda package.
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – December 10, 2012
MOTION:
Beaven/St. Claire that the field trip request for May 8 to 11, 2013 for 55
band students from KVR Middle School to travel to Edmonton, Alberta, on
a musical tour, performing at several schools and taking in a variety of
sites, be approved in principle.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Huebert/Van Alphen that the field trip request for March 17 to 21, 2014 for
25 drama/performing arts students from Princess Margaret Secondary
School to travel to New York City to learn about Broadway and the
performing arts be approved in principle.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Johnson that the field trip request for February 7 to 13, 2013
for 40 to 46 French immersion students from Summerland Middle and KVR
Middle Schools to travel to Quebec City for the annual winter carnival be
given final approval.
CARRIED
10.3
Enrolment
The superintendent of schools reported on enrolment as of November 30, 2012 shows
6,155 students, a decrease of 65 students, 64 of whom are connected to ConnectEd.
10.4
School Concerts
Superintendent Hyer extended an invitation to board members, district staff, and the
media to attend school concerts as listed on the information sheet included in the agenda
package.
10.5
Early French Immersion Feasibility Study
Assistant Superintendent Burgoyne updated the Board on recent parent/public meetings
held to discuss the process, timelines, and information related to implementing Early
French Immersion into SD67. Approximately 60 to 70 people attended the meeting held
at Uplands and 20 students going into kindergarten in September 2014 were registered
with 30 students going into grade 1 for September 2014 registered. Approximately 20 to
25 people attended the Giant’s Head Elementary meeting at which three students
entering kindergarten in September 2014 were registered along with seven students
entering grade 1 in 2014. Mr. Burgoyne extended appreciation to trustees and Canadian
Parents for French executive members for attending both meetings. The district website
has been updated to include information regarding registration of EFI students and the
numbers have been increased to 25 and 33 for kindergarten and grade 1 respectively for
Penticton with no change to the Summerland numbers. Mr. Burgoyne added that
requests have been sent to OSTU, CUPE, DPAC, principals/vice principals, and CPF for
representatives from each group to form a committee which would work on research,
data gathering, and providing information to the questions posed in the initial feasibility
report received by the Board on October 1. A survey of all grade 6 to 8 Late French
Immersion parents is currently being conducted.
11.0
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
12.0
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
13.0
INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1
BCSTA Thompson Okanagan Branch Meeting
Trustee Van Alphen encouraged trustees to be nominated for five executive positions on
the BCSTA Thompson Okanagan Branch (president, vice president, education chair, and
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – December 10, 2012
two members at large). The date of the next branch meeting has been tentatively
changed to March 1 and 2 and will be hosted by School District No. 23 (Central
Okanagan).
14.0
13.2
2012 Educational Leadership Conference
For the first time, all partners in education (BCSTA, BCASBO, BCSSA, BCPVPA,
BCCPAC, and Ministry of Education) came together for an educational conference held
on November 14 to 16, 2012. All trustees presented highlights of their attendance at the
conference.
13.3
Date of Next Meeting
• January 14, 2013, 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 the students from Trout Creek Elementary School for
their artwork currently on display at the school board office.
14.3
Trustee Comments
Trustees provided comments on a number of district events including advertising the
opening of the Penticton Community Hub, Remembrance Day Ceremonies, the potential
5% increase in electrical rates by the City of Penticton, cyber bullying, Summerland bullyfree presentation, and a presentation at West Bench Elementary on how the spider got its
colour. Trustee Johnson requested that a listing be completed of all anti-bullying
initiatives provided by the district and schools.
15.0
QUESTION PERIOD
Comments/questions from the media included clarification of the graduation rates, the
educational leadership conference, purchase of a breathalyzer for Penticton Secondary School,
the water incident at Naramata Elementary, a lower number of students at Naramata Elementary,
the facility report completed last year, nominations, and best wishes for safe and happy holidays.
16.0
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
St. Claire/Beaven that the meeting be adjourned at 8:33 p.m.
CARRIED
____________________
Chairperson
____________________
Secretary-Treasurer
December 19, 2012
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“Working Together for Student Success”