BOARD OF EDUCATION
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2014, AT 6:30 P.M.
AT THE SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE
MINUTES
IN ATTENDANCE
Bruce Johnson, Chair
Tracy St. Claire, Vice Chair
Linda Beaven, Trustee
Shelley Clarke, Trustee
Walter Huebert, Trustee
Ginny Manning, Trustee
Linda Van Alphen, Trustee
Wendy Hyer, Superintendent of Schools
Bonnie Roller Routley, Secretary-Treasurer
Dave Burgoyne, Assistant Superintendent
Pam Butters, Director of Instruction
Doug Gorcak, Director of Facilities
Don MacIntyre, Director of Instruction
Maureen Maywood, Director of Finance
Daphne Adey, Executive Assistant
1.0
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Johnson called the meeting to order and acknowledged that we are on the traditional
territory of the Okanagan people.
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Beaven/St. Claire that the agenda 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:
Van Alphen/Huebert that the minutes from the inaugural and regular meetings held
on December 9, 2013 be adopted.
CARRIED
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
6.0
Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – January 13, 2014
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETINGS
Chair Johnson reviewed the following items which were discussed at the closed meeting held on
December 9, 2013:
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7.0
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Received correspondence;
Received information from the buildings, grounds, safety and transportation
committee meeting;
Received information and provided direction related to two land issues;
Discussed an invitation to participate in a study which could affect a contract;
Received information related to technology issues and agreed to invite the Minister
and Deputy Minister of Education to tour the district;
Received information from the finance and management committee meeting related
to CUPE bargaining, a contract, and the SOFI report;
Received a staffing report for teaching and CUPE support staff;
Received information on teacher bargaining;
Recommended acceptance of the CUPE Tentative Agreement;
Received information related to BCPSEA meetings; and
Received information regarding a meeting related to contracts.
CORRESPONDENCE
7.1
Letter from Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
A letter from the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development requesting input
on the second phase of campaign finance reform for local elections, requested by
January 31, 2014.
Comments provided by trustees indicated that putting limits on campaign expenses
would not make any difference in this area and secondly, the limits listed are way beyond
our means and would not be used.
MOTION:
7.2
Letter from Parent
A letter from Margaret Myslek and Tom Koczij requesting that their son be admitted to the
Late French Immersion program on exceptional basis for the second term.
Superintendent Hyer noted that this student is first on the waitlist and advised it would not
be appropriate to provide exceptional admission to the KVR Late French Immersion
program for an out-of-district student when we would not provide it for an in-district
student.
MOTION:
7.3
Manning/St. Claire that the Board will respond to the Minister with the
trustee comments provided.
CARRIED
Beaven/Manning that the Board of Education will uphold the policy and
deny admission to the Late French Immersion program at this time.
CARRIED
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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BCSTA to the Minister of Education requesting the opportunity to be involved in
any upcoming discussions regarding the use of physical restraint, seclusion, and
procedures for notifying parents;
Deputy Minister of Education Rob Wood to Teresa Rezansoff, President,
BCSTA, inviting her or a representative to participate in a discussion that will help
inform the Ministry’s development of guidelines to assist boards of education in
addressing issues related to the use of physical restraint and seclusion in school
settings;
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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MOTION:
8.0
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Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – January 13, 2014
Minister of Education Peter Fassbender to President of BCSTA extending an
invitation to join the Expect Respect and a Safe Education (ERASE) Provincial
Advisory Committee at its inaugural meeting on January 20;
Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review Bill
Bennett to President of BCSTA in response to her letter requesting that public
schools be exempted from BC Hydro rate increases indicating his Ministry will
not be granting an education utility rate or exempting public schools and
government operations from rate increases;
School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) to the Minister of Education regarding the
requirement to submit a savings plan to the Ministry, the disregard that the
Ministry is showing towards the work of boards, and the wage increase for CUPE
that was negotiated by the Ministry and should have been funded by the Ministry;
School District No. 38 (Richmond) to the Minister of Education regarding the
government’s proposed framework for long-term stability in education, including
the establishment of a $100 million Priority Education Investment Fund, and
expressing interest in learning more about the proposed framework and
participation in the development of the guidelines for the Priority Education
Investment Fund;
School District No. 38 (Richmond) to the Minister of Education regarding the
recommendations made by the school district to the Standing Committee on
Finance and Government Services;
School District No. 70 (Alberni) to the Premier and Cabinet regarding
recommendations to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and
Government Services;
School District No. 73 (Kamloops/Thompson) to the Minister of Education
regarding financial pressures faced by their district; and
School District No. 71 (Comox Valley) to the Minister of Education regarding the
cost of the CUPE settlement and their belief that the provincial government
should fully fund the increased costs related to wage and benefit settlements it
negotiates for support staff, teachers and exempt personnel.
Clarke/Huebert that the letters in the summary of correspondence be received.
CARRIED
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
8.1
Policy Committee
Trustee Clarke reported regarding the policy committee meetings held on December 11,
2013 and January 8, 2014:
December 11, 2013
a.
Policy No. 305 – Choice and Flexibility
Secretary-Treasurer Roller Routley provided an overview of the 21 pieces of
correspondence related to proposed changes to the choice and flexibility policy. Of
the 21 responses, there were three main concerns: keeping the sibling clause,
having all students being able to enter the Late French Immersion program, and
that the superintendent would allocate the number of classes. There were some
other comments regarding the process, an application process, and commitment of
the parent to the program.
Following discussion, it was agreed the following recommendation would be
presented at the January board of education meeting.
MOTION:
Van Alphen/Manning that Policy No. 305 – Choice and Flexibility be
adopted with the following changes:
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Amend 1.2.3. to read “Denial of Enrolment”;
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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b.
Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – January 13, 2014
Remove last sentence in 2.3;
Amend 3.2.1 to read “Application for Late French Immersion
must be received at the Board office by noon on February 1
of each year (Should February 1 fall on a weekend the
deadline will be noon on the first school day after February
1.”);
Amend 3.2.3 to remove “February 1” and add “by the
deadline established in 3.2.1.”;
Add new 3.2.4 that states “The number of Late French
Immersion classrooms and in which schools these
classrooms will reside will be confirmed by the Board of
Education when it passes the budget during its regular
budget process.”
CARRIED
Procedural Bylaw #1 – Meeting Procedures
The secretary-treasurer presented draft changes to Procedural Bylaw #1 – Meeting
Procedures to reflect discussions raised during a board planning session and to
update the procedure to what is presently occurring during board meetings.
Committee members suggested changing the word “chairperson” to “chair”
throughout the document and changing the words “is anxious” to “welcomes” in
2.13 (a) before voting to move the amended bylaw to the next board meeting for
first reading. Trustee Clarke advised the following motion required unanimous
consent to proceed with all three readings at tonight's meeting.
MOTION:
Clarke/Manning that, in accordance with Section 68(4) of the School
Act, the Board of Education of School District No. 67 (Okanagan
Skaha) unanimously agrees to give all three readings of Procedural
Bylaw No. 1 – Meeting Procedures at this meeting.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Clarke/Van Alphen that the “Procedural Bylaw No. 1 – Meeting
Procedures” bylaw of the Board of Education of School District No.
67 (Okanagan Skaha) be read a first time this 13th day of January
2014.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Clarke/Beaven that the “Procedural Bylaw No. 1 – Meeting
Procedures” bylaw of the Board of Education of School District No.
67 (Okanagan Skaha) be read a second time this 13th day of January
2014.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Clarke/Huebert that the “Procedural Bylaw No. 1 – Meeting
Procedures” bylaw of the Board of Education of School District No.
67 (Okanagan Skaha) be read a third time, passed and adopted this
13th day of January 2014.
CARRIED
January 8, 2014
a.
Proposed Policy No. 318 – Workplace Bullying and Harassment
Director of Facilities Gorcak reviewed the draft Policy No. 318 indicating that
WorkSafeBC has changed its regulations and now every employer must have a
policy on workplace bullying and harassment and, further, that all employees must
be trained. It was noted that the policy statement applies to all workers including
permanent, temporary, casual, contract, and student workers.
Assistant Superintendent Burgoyne has worked with a teacher to develop a training
program which can be completed on-line using Moodle software. All current staff
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – January 13, 2014
will need to complete this training, after which a completion certificate will be
printed and forwarded to Human Resources. Completion of this training will
become part of the orientation process for new employees.
MOTION:
Clarke/Beaven that draft Policy No. 318 – Workplace Bullying and
Harassment be adopted by the Board of Education.
CARRIED
Work is continuing on proposed policies for Trustee Code of Conduct, Trustee
Conflict of Interest, and Whistleblower; details are available in the policy minutes.
MOTION:
8.2
Clarke/St. Claire that the report of the policy 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 January 7, 2014:
a.
Vandalism Report
For trustee information, Director of Facilities Gorcak reviewed a listing of vandalism
work orders for the past year noting the numbers of incidents are trending
downwards. The report indicated 350 for 2010, 252 for 2011 and 181 for 2012
compared to 161 for 2013. Mr. Gorcak did point out, however, that the district is
still working with the insurers regarding one major incident which occurred at
Uplands Elementary. Reported costs in the vandalism report indicated $64,296 in
2010, $47,000 in 2011, and $28,048 in 2012 compared to $26,570.17 in 2013.
b.
Video Surveillance Report
The director of facilities advised that under Policy No. 725, the district is required to
review annually video surveillance procedures in the district. The report circulated
with the agenda package indicated no change to the previous year for either new
cameras being installed or cameras being decommissioned. Mr. Gorcak added
this policy needs to be updated and, once this is completed, the need for existing
and new cameras will be reviewed.
In response to an inquiry if the district had given any consideration to going “dark”
as a means of vandalism prevention, Mr. Gorcak advised there had been only
preliminary discussions and there would be some costs associated with this
change in practice as well as some possible savings in electricity costs. A study
related to one of the schools will be prepared.
MOTION:
8.3
Huebert/St. Claire that the report of the buildings, grounds, safety, and
transportation committee be received.
CARRIED
Education Committee
Trustee Beaven reported on the education meeting held on January 7, 2014:
a.
Me to We Tina Myers, CEA, and Principal Rob Zoppi, Queen’s Park Elementary, as well as
two students reviewed the events and activities that the Queen’s Park Me to We
Leadership Group has organized this year in their efforts to build community and
global awareness. As well, an overview of student participation across the district
in the We Act Program (Me to We) for the 2012-13 school year was provided. A
copy of the activities was included in the agenda package for this meeting.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – January 13, 2014
b.
Professional Learning Opportunities
Don MacIntyre, Director of Instruction provided an overview of the multitude of
professional learning opportunities available to staff. A synopsis of each was
provided as an attachment to the agenda, as well as a one page calendar outlining
the dates and times for 11 different events happening this year.
c.
“Heart-Mind” Summer Conference
Don MacIntyre, Director of Instruction provided an overview of the “Heart-Mind”
Summer Conference to be held on August 17-19, 2014 at the Penticton Trade and
Convention Centre. School District No. 67 is hosting this conference with support
from UBC Okanagan and the Dalai Lama Centre in Vancouver. Featured speakers
and presenters include Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl, Roy Henry Vickers, Richard
Wagamese, Linda Lantieri, Maria LeRose and closing the conference, the
afternoon of August 19, Shane Koyczan.
MOTION:
Beaven/Clarke that the report of the education committee be received.
CARRIED
Appreciation was extended to Director of Instruction MacIntyre for his organization of the
conference.
9.0
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
9.1
Ministry of Education Funding Recalculation
The secretary-treasurer provided an overview of how districts receive Ministry funding
noting it is based on preliminary projected enrolment; these preliminary allocations are
then adjusted after each enrolment count on September 30, February, and May. Ms.
Roller Routley further explained holdback funds, targeted funding, and funding protection
and advised that this school district is under funding protection which ensures that
districts do not experience a funding decline of greater than 1.5% compared to the
previous year for the September count. The Operating Funding Grant Comparison
circulated with the agenda package indicated the district lost 152 students from the
estimated enrolment and, if not under funding protection, the district would have lost
$300,000 compared to the actual of $60,000 without funding protection. The total funding
received amounts of $52,559,669 to which funding from other means, such as the
Learning Improvement Fund, CommunityLINK, and Ready Set Learn, is added.
9.2
City of Penticton Electrical Rates
For trustee information, Secretary-Treasurer Roller Routley advised that the City of
Penticton had provided notice that the City would be considering an increase in electrical
rates. If approved, this would increase the district’s electrical budget by approximately
$30,000 per year. Following discussion,
MOTION:
Manning/Van Alphen that a letter be sent to the City of Penticton
requesting a rate abatement for increases in electrical rates.
CARRIED
The Board requested that the same request be sent to the District of Summerland if
electrical rates are increased by that municipality.
10.0
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
2014-15 Draft School Calendar
Further to discussions at the previous Board meeting at which the Board approved in
principle the request by the OSTU to move the 2014-15 pro-d days into the school
calendar and increase the daily minutes of instruction per day in order to continue to
accommodate a two-week spring break, trustees reviewed a draft calendar which shows
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – January 13, 2014
four dates on which schools will be closed for professional development days (September
29, 2014; November 28, 2014; February 20, 2015 and May 1, 2015. The Board is
required to make the calendar available at least one month for consultation; however,
based on these additional changes, an eight-week consultation period was considered.
Assistant Superintendent Burgoyne advised that consultations with partner groups would
begin if approved by the Board. It was noted that the calendar was not brought forward
as a cost savings measure but as a better way to present professional development.
MOTION:
10.2
10.3
Manning/St. Claire that the Board of Education approve the 2014-15 draft
calendar in order to begin the consultation period.
CARRIED
Field Trips
Director of Instruction MacIntyre reviewed the attached listing of field trip requests
circulated with the agenda package, three of which had been approved by the
superintendent pursuant to district policy.
MOTION:
Huebert/Clarke 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
given final approval.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Manning/Beaven that the field trip request for March 15 to 26, 2014 for 44
students from Penticton Secondary, Princess Margaret Secondary, and
Summerland Secondary schools to travel to Ireland, Wales, England, and
France to experience and learn about those countries and cultures be
given final approval.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Clarke/Van Alphen that the field trip request for March 14 to 17, 2014 for
13 grade 11 and 12 students from Penticton Secondary School to travel to
Peru for a humanitarian experience volunteering on a building project be
given final approval.
CARRIED
Enrolment
Superintendent Hyer reported that enrolment as of December 31, 2013 showed 5,969
students, a decline of 48 from November. This decrease is attributed to removing from
the enrolment figures inactive student files in distributed learning.
11.0
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
12.0
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
12.1
Notice of Motion
At the December 9, 2013 meeting, Trustee Huebert gave notice of the following motion to
be presented at the next regular meeting of the Board of Education on Monday, January
13, 2014: “That all students who apply for Late French Immersion for the school year
2014-15 be placed in the program.”
Requested information by trustees related to registration trends and additional costs was
included in the agenda package as well as a letter from Derek Hurst, a parent, requesting
time for consultation prior to a binding vote. Assistant Superintendent Burgoyne
reviewed the cost associated with adding each additional student and division to the
program. Current class sizes and numbers of IEP’s in each class were provided for both
English and French tracks at the four middle schools. Superintendent Hyer provided
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
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Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – January 13, 2014
information related to French Immersion programs in other districts, feedback from
principals and vice principals, and historical applicant and waitlist numbers.
MOTION:
12.2
Committee and Representative Appointments
Chair Johnson presented committee and representative appointments as well as trustee
school liaisons for the period January 2014 to November 2014.
MOTION:
12.3
12.4
Huebert/St. Claire that all students who apply for Late French Immersion
for the school year 2014-15 be placed in the program.
DEFEATED
Johnson/St. Claire that committee, representative, and trustee school
liaison appointments for the period January 2014 to November 2014 be
appointed.
CARRIED
BCSTA Thompson Okanagan Branch Motions
Consideration of the following motions was requested by the BCSTA Thompson
Okanagan Branch for presentation to the BCSTA Provincial Council meeting:
a.
Band Width and Connectivity Issues
MOTION:
Van Alphen/St. Claire that BCSTA lobby the BC Ministry of
Education for expedited band width and connectivity improvements
throughout rural and urban BC.
CARRIED
b.
Provincial Funding of Traditionally Covered Items
MOTION:
Manning/St. Claire that BCSTA continue to strongly advocate for BC
Public Education funding to cover all traditionally covered cost items.
CARRIED
c.
Transportation of BC Public Education Students
MOTION:
St. Claire/Clarke that BCSTA lobby the BC Ministry of Education and
provincial government to enact legislation recognizing directly
accountable and safe district student transportation is fundamental to
equity of public education in BC.
CARRIED
Notice of Motion
Trustee St. Claire gave notice of the following motion to be presented at the next regular
meeting of the Board of Education on Monday, February 3, 2014:
“That Board committee meetings be scheduled consecutively starting at 2:00 p.m.,
once a month on the Monday two weeks prior to a regular Board meeting, and that
this new schedule take effect on April 1, 2014.”
13.0
INFORMATION ITEMS
13.1
BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting
The deadline for BCSTA to receive provincial council meeting motions of an emergent
nature is January 17, 2014. The provincial council meeting will be held on February 21
and 22, 2014.
13.2
Date of Next Meeting
 February 3, 2014, 6:30 p.m., Regular Meeting, School Board Office
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School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
14.0
15.0
Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – January 13, 2014
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 KVR Middle School for their artwork
currently on display at the school board office.
14.3
Trustee Comments
Trustee Clarke provided flyers for the 2014 International Children’s Festival and Trustee
Van Alphen congratulated teachers, staff and students for providing great choirs at the
recent Christmas concerts.
QUESTION PERIOD
Questions/comments from the audience included:
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An inquiry on funding protection;
An acknowledgement by the OSTU President that the reason teachers wanted the
professional development days throughout the school calendar was purely professional;
A question related to Late French Immersion;
Inquiries related to the aboriginal statement, the electrical rate abatement, and estimated
savings generated by putting professional development days inside the school calendar;
The basic allocation for distributed learning students; and
The cost of lunches for committee meetings.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
St. Claire/Beaven that the meeting be adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
CARRIED
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Bruce Johnson, Chair
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Bonnie Roller Routley, Secretary-Treasurer
January 21, 2014
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“Working Together for Student Success”