BOARD OF EDUCATION
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2013, 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
Bonnie Roller Routley, 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
Chair Manning welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Beaven that the agenda be adopted with the addition of a letter from
School District No. 43 (Coquitlam).
CARRIED
3.0
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
3.1
2013 Summer School
Jennifer Wingham, principal of the 2013 Middle/Secondary Summer School Program,
and Kirsten Odian, principal of the 2013 Elementary Summer School Program, presented
the 2013 Summer School Report to the Board. Ms. Odian reported that 120 primary
students and 35 intermediate students attended the two-week program, the main focus of
which was reading and math. Courses offered included “On the Road to Reading” (for
end of K), “Reading Can Be Fun” (grades 1 through 5); and Magnificent Math (grades 1
through 5). Ms. Odian reviewed the positives and challenges of the program as well as
the three recommendations:
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – October 7, 2013
Continue grouping students by level as registrations come in;
Keep location of summer school at Parkway due to its central location, good
parking, and plenty of classrooms; and
“Continue with Bridging the Reading Gap” initiative.
In presenting her report, Ms. Wingham advised 63 students had participated in the middle
and secondary summer school which was held during the second and third week of July.
Courses offered included Math 6/7, Math 8, Math 9 Core/Math 10 Apprenticeship &
Workplace, and Math 10 Foundations and Pre-Calc. Secondary school students were
permitted to take the summer school program if they had received between 40 to 49% in
their regular course. Highlights and challenges were reviewed as well as five
recommendations for 2014:
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Continue the referral process as well as cross enrolment by clerical staff at
feeder schools;
Continue to advertise the summer school program with neighbouring districts;
Move the program ahead by a week in order to allow all high school students to
receive their failures report;
Ensure the curriculum fits the clientele – continue to engage high schools in
dialogue about the purpose of summer school and how best to reach at-risk
learners; and
Continue to encourage hands-on and meaningful learning activities at both levels
of summer school.
Both Ms. Odian and Ms. Wingham thanked district staff and the Board for their support of
the program.
On behalf of the Board, Chair Manning extended appreciation to the principals for their
presentation and for their commitment to the summer school program.
4.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
5.0
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
MOTION:
St. Claire/Beaven that the minutes of the regular meeting held on September 9,
2013 be adopted.
CARRIED
6.0
REPORTS FROM CLOSED MEETINGS
The following items were discussed at the closed meetings held on September 9 and 18, 2013:
September 9, 2013, Regular Meeting:
 Received correspondence;
 Received reports from the finance and management committee and buildings, grounds,
safety and transportation committee;
 Approved a personnel item;
 Confirmed teacher and support staff changes;
 Received information on teacher and CUPE bargaining;
 Received information related to two proposals;
 Received information regarding a legal issue; and
 Received information related to a BCSTA Board Chairs’ meeting.
September 18, 2013, Special Meeting:
 Discussed and provided feedback for presentation to BCSTA’s Bargaining Structure Task
Force.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – October 7, 2013
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter from Vancouver Foundation
A letter forwarded by the Vancouver Foundation enclosing a cheque in the amount of
$50,000 which is the final payment of the Through A Different Lens project.
7.2
Letter from British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF)
A letter forwarded by the BCTF enclosing a copy of the federation’s brief to the Select
Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. A copy of the brief is
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. 39 (Vancouver) to the Minister of Education requesting that
government provide funding to cover all costs associated with agreements
reached with support staff unions, and that funding be ongoing;
School District No. 52 (Prince Rupert) to the Minister of Education requesting that
the Ministry of Education fund wage increases, stating that while most of the
public sector has concluded collective agreements under the cooperative gains
mandate, it is their view that the education sector is unique and should be
covered by the Ministry;
School District No. 52 (Prince Rupert) to the Minister of Education expressing
concern that provincial ministries are diminishing the role of local boards of
education and urging the Minister to work cooperatively with their district in a true
spirit of co-governance;
School District No. 75 (Mission) to the Minister of Education expressing concerns
regarding funding for the recognized CUPE wage increase and advising that the
government’s directive to find savings will ultimately result in a reduction in
service levels effecting both students and staff;
School District No. 39 (Vancouver) to each of the 11 MLAs in their district
enclosing a copy of their submission to the Select Standing Committee on
Finance and Government Services;
School District No. 38 (Richmond) to the Minister of Education advising that the
government’s directive to find further savings for CUPE support staff will
inevitably mean a reduction in service levels through further staff cuts;
School District No. 47 (Powell River) to the Minister of Education expressing
concerns regarding developing a savings plan for an increase to CUPE’s wages
and suggesting that government take on the same responsibility to find savings
in order to fund a fair CUPE wage increase; and
School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) to the Minister of Education regarding the
savings plan and expressing their belief that the Ministry should fund wage
increases for support worker unions.
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Huebert that the correspondence be received.
CARRIED
8.0
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
8.1
Education Committee
Trustee Beaven reported regarding the education committee meeting held on October 1,
2013:
a.
Through a Different Lens
Director of Instruction Don MacIntyre and Judith King, Helping Teacher, School
Completion and Transitions, provided an overview and update on the continuing
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – October 7, 2013
work of Through a Different Lens (TADL). The TADL team is beginning the third
year of the project and is in the final year of the three-year grant from the
Vancouver Foundation that helps support the work of this project. A review of the
original goals of the project and highlights about the work and participation of
teachers for the previous two years was presented to the trustees. In addition, Ms.
King and Mr. MacIntyre presented current data regarding the number of
participating teachers, which schools are involved in the project, and survey results
from the students involved. Trustees and staff are very appreciative of the work by
Ms. King and the teachers as well as the positive impact the work is having on
some of the most at-risk students in the district.
b.
SMARTLearning Two Day Institute
Superintendent Hyer informed trustees that the district is hosting a two-day institute
titled “Powerful Pathways to Mindful Learning” on October 24th and 25th and invited
trustees to attend the sessions if they are available. This workshop is being
organized and run by MaryAnn McLean, a retired teacher who was a helping
teacher in SMARTLearning in the district and still continues to work in this area of
education.
MOTION:
8.2
Beaven/Van Alphen that the report of the education committee be
received.
CARRIED
Policy Committee
Trustee Clarke reported regarding the policy committee meeting held on September 25,
2013:
a.
Policy No. 305 – Choice and Flexibility
Draft changes to Policy No. 305 – Choice and Flexibility, which were meant to
reflect two issues: a no sibling clause for the Late French Immersion (LFI)
program, and secondly, the desire expressed by trustees that every student in the
district be given the same opportunity for the LFI program, were reviewed by the
committee. These changes also incorporated some of the comments provided by
legal counsel. Trustees were advised that with these changes there would be no
catchment area by school for the LFI program. Students would apply to their
school of choice, fill out an application for the LFI program, and indicate their
preference for a school. Admission to the program would be decided by random
selection. Once schools are filled, a wait list will be created and determined in
accordance with the random selection process. Applications received after the
application deadline would be added to any wait list according to the date/time
order received.
Committee members reviewed the clause indicating that the number of LFI
classrooms and in which schools these classrooms would reside would be decided
by the superintendent or designate based on the number of applications received
by February 1. Following discussion, trustees requested an amendment to have
the application information reported to the following Board of Education regular
meeting.
Additionally, the draft changes include the definitions of resident, ordinarily
resident, and place of residence, and expanded definitions for parent and/or
guardian.
Secretary-Treasurer Roller Routley advised the amended policy will be forwarded
to legal counsel to ensure the changes are in compliance with the School Act as
well as other acts and regulations.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – October 7, 2013
MOTION:
Clarke/Van Alphen that Policy No. 305 – Choice and Flexibility with the
noted amendments be approved in principle and circulated to partner
groups for 60 days for any suggestions for changes.
CARRIED
Trustee Huebert requested that his negative vote be recorded.
b.
Policy No. 450 – Student Records
Committee members reviewed an addition to the policy to indicate that when a
Distributed Learning or Continuing Education student cross enrols to the SD67
ConnectEd Learning Centre from another school within SD67, the student’s school
of record (home school) will collect, maintain, and store the required ordinarily
resident registration information.
MOTION:
c.
Clarke/Van Alphen that the proposed changes to Policy No. 450 – Student
Records be adopted.
CARRIED
Policy No. 740 – Smoke- and Tobacco-Free Environment
Proposed changes to Policy No. 740 – Smoke- and Tobacco-Free Environment to
include the addition of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) were reviewed by the
committee. This request comes from Interior Health. Additionally, another
proposed change would delete the following note from the regulations:
“Occasional exceptions may be made to exclude a portion of school property that
has been fenced off and designated as a construction zone to which the public is
not permitted access and which is not being used for the delivery of educational
programs or other learning programs.”
MOTION:
Clarke/Beaven that Policy No. 740 – Smoke- and Tobacco-Free
Environment be approved in principle and circulated to partner groups for
30 days for any suggestions for changes.
AMENDMENT:
MOTION:
9.0
Clarke/Beaven that the motion be amended to remove “in principle
and circulated to partner groups for 30 days for any suggestions for
changes.”
AMENDMENT CARRIED
MOTION CARRIED AS AMENDED
Clarke/Van Alphen that the report of the policy committee meeting be
received.
CARRIED
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
2013-14 Five-Year Capital Plan
Secretary-Treasurer Roller Routley reviewed the need and request for a revised five-year
capital plan due to an increase in the construction cost estimates for Summerland
Secondary School. The cost consultant has advised this increase is due to planned
improvements to other parts of the school along with a construction price escalation. The
five-year capital plan summary indicates a total of $19,864,650 for 12 projects.
MOTION:
Beaven/Huebert that the Board of Education of School District No. 67
(Okanagan Skaha) approve the 2013-14 Capital Plan as outlined on the
attached summary.
CARRIED
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
10.0
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Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – October 7, 2013
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
Learning Improvement Fund – Spending Plan
Superintendent Hyer advised the four step consultation process for the allocation of
Learning Improvement Funds, as required by Bill 22, has been completed and consensus
has been reached on how these funds were allocated. Assistant Superintendent
Burgoyne reported a total allocation of $597,742 was available which was divided
between additional teacher time totalling $317,467 and additional certified education
assistant (CEA) time totalling $250,275. The remaining amount of $29,530 will be used
to address needs during the year. Mr. Burgoyne added $87,891 was required as the
minimum allocation for CEA’s and 129 CEA positions received extended hours of 1.25
every two weeks from this allocation for meetings and planning purposes. Appreciation
was extended to principals, district staff, and the OSTU for their time and efforts in
working through the required process.
MOTION:
St. Claire/Huebert that the Learning Improvement Fund report be received
and sent to the Minister of Education.
CARRIED
10.2
Overview on Sexual Health
In response to a request at the June Board of Education meeting, Director of Instruction
MacIntyre provided a report describing how sexual health education was delivered to
students during the past year. It was noted that there is no curriculum called Family Life
and learning outcomes related to sexual health are found in Health and Career Planning
for grades 4 to 7, in Health and Career Education in grades 8 and 9, and in Planning for
grade 10 students. The report indicated a variety of approaches taken at each school
(some used classroom teachers, some used counsellors, and some used guest
presentations). A copy of the report will be forwarded to DPAC Chair Derek Hurst.
10.3
Field Trips
The superintendent of schools reviewed field trip requests circulated with the agenda
package.
10.4
MOTION:
Huebert/St. Claire that the field trip request for October 17 to 20, 2013 for
10 to 12 leadership students from Summerland Secondary and Princess
Margaret Secondary to attend the BC Students Leadership Conference at
Rock Ridge Canyon in Princeton be approved.
CARRIED
MOTION:
St. Claire/Van Alphen that the field trip request for February 21 to 23, 2014
for 20 band students from Princess Margaret Secondary to travel to
Moscow, Idaho, to attend the largest educational jazz festival in North
America be approved in principle.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Johnson that the field trip request for March 14 to 31, 2014 for
12 to 15 students from Penticton Secondary School to travel to Peru for a
humanitarian experience volunteering on a building project be approved in
principle.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Clarke/Johnson that the field trip request for May 14 to 17, 2014 for 40
grade 8 band students from Skaha Lake Middle School to travel to
Edmonton, Alberta, for a spring band tour be approved in principle.
CARRIED
Enrolment
The superintendent of schools reported that enrolment as of September 30, 2013 showed
5,989 students, which is a decrease of 33 students from this time last year. Ms. Hyer
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – October 7, 2013
added, however, that the projected enrolment was more than 100. She also noted that
this headcount is not the final count as the FTE for grades 10, 11, and 12 depends on the
number of courses the student is taking. The final headcount should be known by the
end of October.
10.5
BCSTA Thompson Okanagan Branch Meeting
The superintendent and trustees reviewed a proposed tentative agenda for the Branch
meeting to be hosted by SD67 on March 7 and 8, 2014. Ms. Hyer advised the theme of
“Strength of Collaboration” can be weaved throughout the agenda and requested that any
suggestions regarding the agenda that trustees may have can be directed to her or to
Chair Manning.
11.0
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
12.0
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
12.1
District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) Meetings
Trustee representation at DPAC meetings will be as follows:
Date
September 25, 2013
October 23, 2013
November 27, 2013
January 22, 2014
February 26, 2014
April 23, 2014
May 28, 2014
June 25, 2014
Trustee
Ginny Manning
Linda Beaven
Shelley Clarke
Bruce Johnson
Linda Van Alphen
Tracy St. Claire
Walter Huebert
Ginny Manning
Location
PSS Staff Room
SSS Library (to be confirmed)
PSS Library
PSS Library
SMS Library (to be confirmed)
PSS Library
PSS Library
PSS Library
No meetings are scheduled for December and March and all meetings begin at 6:30 p.m.
13.0
INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1
BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting
Trustee Van Alphen will attend the BCPSEA Symposium on October 24 and 25 and the
BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting on October 25 and 26, 2013, in Vancouver.
13.2
BCSTA Thompson Okanagan Branch Meeting
Trustees were reminded to submit a report of their attendance at the BCSTA Thompson
Okanagan Branch meeting held on October 4/5, 2013 in Kamloops.
13.3
Canadian School Boards Association Meeting
Trustees provided highlights of their attendance at the Canadian School Boards
Association Meeting held July 4 to 6, 2013 in Vancouver including sessions on student
diversity (gay/lesbian/transgender experiences), mental health in schools, personalized
learning, and success in the 21st Century through technology.
13.4
Date of Next Meeting
 October 21, 2013, 12:00 noon, Special Open Meeting, School Board Office
 November 4, 2013, 6:30 p.m., Regular Meeting, School Board Office
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
14.0
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Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – October 7, 2013
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
Trustee Comments
Trustees provided comments on district activities including Penticton City Council’s
improved traffic calming measures at Parkway Elementary; a report that the aboriginal
education group is currently working towards a new enhancement agreement; volunteers
are needed for the One to One Reading Program and may volunteer by contacting
jchambers@literacynowsos@gmail.com; and the parenting conference on October 18
and 19 sponsored by Success By 6 and Communities for Kids.
15.0
QUESTION PERIOD
Comments/questions from the audience included a statement from Jean Frolek, President, CUPE
Local 523, read by Alison Reigh, thanking those who supported CUPE in receiving a wage
increase and advising they had wanted the funds to come from the province rather than districts;
a question regarding enrolment; and a follow-up question regarding family life.
16.0
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Clarke/Beaven that the meeting be adjourned at 8:35 a.m.
CARRIED
____________________________________
Ginny Manning, Chairperson
____________________________________
Bonnie Roller Routley, Secretary-Treasurer
October 28, 2013
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“Working Together for Student Success”