BOARD OF EDUCATION
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 67 (OKANAGAN SKAHA)
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, APRIL 14, 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
Danny Francisco, Director of Information Technology
Doug Gorcak, Director of Facilities
Don MacIntyre, Director of Instruction
Maureen Maywood, Director of Finance
Jane Owen, Executive Assistant
1.0
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Johnson called the meeting to order and acknowledged that we were on the traditional
territory of the Okanagan people.
2.0
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION:
Beaven/Huebert that the agenda be adopted.
CARRIED
3.0
PRESENTATIONS BY SCHOOLS AND/OR STUDENTS
3.1
SMARTLearning Simulation
School trustees were invited to participate in a simulation involving the SMARTLearning
process and tools that are used to create deep thinking and authentic experiences for
students and teachers across SD67. Using research on change theory (Senge article on
Systems Thinking), participants worked through the steps of the SMARTLearning
process in its simplest form, without technology or any costly resource, to illustrate the
layers within the process and its links to all other district initiatives. The presentation was
led by Tammy Kay, a teacher within the school district, in the same manner as she would
use with students and teachers.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 2
Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – April 14, 2014
Chair Johnson thanked Ms. Kay for the presentation and her time and involvement with
the project.
4.0
RECEIVING OF DELEGATIONS AND GUESTS
5.0
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
MOTION:
St. Claire/Manning that the minutes of the regular meeting held on March 10, 2014
and the special meeting held on March 31, 2014 be adopted.
CARRIED
6.0
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
6.1
2014-15 School Calendar: Impact on CUPE Staff
At the March 10, 2014 board meeting, staff was asked to prepare a report estimating how
the calendar change would affect CUPE staff as well as the district financially. Assistant
Superintendent Burgoyne created the report circulated with the agenda package and
discussed the possible changes that would occur.
Financial numbers were discussed from this report as well as the possibility of providing
additional training, i.e. Health & Safety, project cleaning for custodial staff, could be
completed within the work day versus days off. Directors had discussed a partial list that
had several beneficial ideas noted to incorporate changes, which could be valuable. It
was mentioned that the next step would be to discuss these possibilities with SD67
partner groups and what that may look like for them.
Chair Johnson thanked Assistant Superintendent Burgoyne and all staff who were
involved in the preparation of the report.
7.0
REPORT FROM CLOSED MEETINGS
Chair Johnson reviewed the following items which were discussed at the closed meeting held on
March 10, 2014:










8.0
Received correspondence;
Received a report from the finance and management committee meeting;
Discussed contractual issues related to the draft school calendar;
Received a bargaining update;
Received information related to student suspensions;
Received a staffing report related to teaching and CUPE support staff;
Received an update on teacher bargaining;
Approved support for an increase to BCSTA fees;
Approved a bargaining strategy; and
Received information regarding a recent OLRC meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE
8.1
Letter from British Columbia School Trustees Association
A letter from Teresa Rezansoff, President, BCSTA, regarding conversations with the
Minister of Education related to how the government will be funding seismic upgrades
and other capital projects in school district.
Trustee Van Alphen expressed concern that this situation is emergent and that she had
received an email on April 14, 2014 from the president of the BCSTA urging districts in
the province to speak to their local MLA’s immediately.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
MOTION:
8.2
Page 3
Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – April 14, 2014
Van Alphen/Manning that the Board of Education write a letter to the
Ministry of Education, sending copies to the Treasury Board and MLA’s,
expressing concern with the recently announced expectation that boards
will provide funding to capital projects from operating fund surpluses.
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:









School District No. 68 (Nanaimo Ladysmith) to the Minister of Education
expressing their board’s strong support of the following three actions: that the
BC Government withdraw the appeal of the BC Supreme Court Ruling by Judge
Griffin; that the BC Government provide funding to cover costs related to the
settlement arising from the same BC Supreme Court Decision; and that the BC
Government negotiate in good faith at the bargaining table to achieve a new
collective agreement prior to the 2014-15 school year;
School District No. 71 (Comox Valley) to the Minister of Transportation and
Infrastructure, BC Ferry Services, and Minister of Education requesting that any
changes for ferry schedules be delayed until proper consultation with Education
Authorities have occurred, to ensure route changes do not adversely affect
students’ educational opportunities;
School District No. 5 (Southeast Kootenay) to the Premier and Minister of
Education regarding the BCTF versus Government and the Government versus
the BCTF and their board’s belief that everything about education should be
about cooperation and consultation, not litigation and legislation;
School District No. 46 (Sunshine Coast) to the Minister of Education expressing
concerns regarding the impact of Judge Griffin’s decision and the subsequent
labour relations instability with the teachers of the province and district;
Vancouver Island School Trustees’ Association to the Minister of Education
expressing disappointment in the Ministry of Education’s lack of interest in
exploring and supporting the benefits of the openStudent student information
system developed by the Saanich school district in collaboration with BC public
schools;
School District No. 71 (Comox Valley) to the Minister of Education regarding
funding for the BC Education Plan;
School District No. 57 (Prince George) to the Premier and Minister of Education
expressing extreme disappointment that the 2014 budget did not prioritize or
provide additional funding to public education or address needs of vulnerable
families;
School District No. 57 (Prince George) to the Minister of Education endorsing the
BCSTA Stability for Students Action Plan;
School District No. 74 (Gold Trail) to the Board of Education of School District
No. 67 expressing heartfelt thanks for the well-organized branch meeting which
took place in Penticton. Appreciation for the fantastic work that SD67 is doing in
guiding and supporting the district and community was also expressed.
MOTION:
Clarke/Beaven that the correspondence be received.
CARRIED
8.3
Summary of Letters on Behalf of the Board
Letters from the Board are listed below:


Letter to the President, BCSTA, and copied to the Minister of Education,
supporting the Stability for Students Action Plan;
Letter to Naramata Elementary PAC regarding their request for an increase in the
catchment area for the school.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
9.0
Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – April 14, 2014
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
9.1
Education Committee
Trustee Clarke reported on the education committee meeting visitation to Skaha Lake
Middle School on April 8, 2014, noting how middle schools were working together on
several projects and explorations, in particular, aboriginal education.
MOTION:
10.0
Page 4
Clarke/Van Alphen that the report of the education committee meeting be
received.
CARRIED
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
10.1
10.2
Field Trips
Director of Instruction MacIntyre reviewed field trip requests, three of which had been
approved by the superintendent pursuant to district policy.
MOTION:
St. Claire/Manning that the field trip request for September 17 to 21, 2014,
for approximately 20 Geography 12 students from Summerland
Secondary School to travel to Mount Saint Helens in Washington, USA, to
explore and learn about the unique geography of Washington State be
approved in principle.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION:
Manning/Van Alphen that the field trip request for May 28 to 31, 2014, for
35 band students from Summerland Middle School to travel to Edmonton,
Alberta, on a band tour, performing at various schools and taking in
cultural events be given final approval.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Clarke/Huebert 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 given final approval.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Beaven/Huebert that the field trip request for May 7 to 10, 2014, for 47
grade 8 band students from KVR Middle School to travel to Edmonton,
Alberta, for a spring band tour to be given final approval.
CARRIED
Enrolment
The superintendent of schools reported on enrolment. The student headcount as of
March 31, 2014 was 5969, a decrease of 16 students.
MOTION:
Clarke/St. Claire that the report be received.
CARRIED
11.0
REPORT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER
11.1
2014-15 Annual Facilities Grant Bylaw
Secretary-Treasurer Roller Routley reported that the district had received notification of
funding in the amount of $1,052,360 for the capital portion of the Annual Facilities Grant
from the Ministry of Education. This funding is intended to assist school districts with
minor renovations and purchases of a capital nature.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Page 5
Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – April 14, 2014
MOTION:
Huebert/St. Claire 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 the Capital Bylaw No.
126779 – Annual Facilities Grant at this meeting.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION:
Huebert/Van Alphen that the School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Capital Bylaw 126779 – Annual Facilities Grant in the amount of
$1,052,360 be read a first time this 14th day of April, 2014.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Manning/Beaven that the School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha) Capital
Bylaw 126779 – Annual Facilities Grant in the amount of $1,052,360 be
read a second time this 14th day of April, 2014.
CARRIED
MOTION:
Clarke/Van Alphen that the School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
Capital Bylaw 126779 – Annual Facilities Grant in the amount of
$1,052,360 be read a third time, passed and adopted this 14th day of April,
2014.
CARRIED
12.0
NEW BUSINESS
13.0
REPORT OF REPRESENTATIVES
13.1
BCSTA Annual General Meeting
The BCSTA AGM will be held in Vancouver, April 24 to 27, 2014.
13.2
Trustee Comments
Trustee Manning reported that ‘White Hat’ was in the district presenting on cyber safety
at several schools and she was pleased to see over 50 parents from Penticton
Secondary taking in this presentation. Trustee Manning also reported that Lowery
Olafson was conducting song writing workshops with K-5 students at Naramata
Elementary. Each student wrote a song with this musician and a performance was given
with their lyrics and music. The students were very proud of what they accomplished.
Trustee Van Alphen attended the DARE Graduation as did Director of Instruction
MacIntyre. The students spoke about alcohol and drugs. Another topic mentioned was
bullying and how additional exposure is needed to bring awareness which will be
represented in an upcoming Art Show on April 17 to May 3, 2014. All art for the show
was commissioned to represent bullying in some form.
Trustee Huebert recognized and thanked partner groups and media for their attendance
and ongoing support.
Trustee Beaven extended an invitation to attend the Summerland Secondary School
William Shakespeare Festival on May 8, 2014. A formal invitation for the performance,
lunch and workshop will be sent out in the near future. Over 400 students will be taking
part in writing, singing, art or drama.
“Working Together for Student Success”
School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha)
14.0
Minutes of the Regular Board of Education Meeting – April 14, 2014
INFORMATION ITEMS
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 Giant’s Head Elementary School for
their artwork currently on display at the school board office.
14.3
Date of Next Meeting
 May 12, 2014, 6:30 p.m., Regular Meeting, School Board Office.
14.4
Invitation to MLA’s
Trustee Manning suggested that the Board of Education invite MLA’s Linda Larson and
Dan Ashton to a meeting to discuss upcoming goals and initiatives.
MOTION:
15.0
Page 6
Manning/St. Claire that invitations to a meeting be sent to MLA’s Linda
Larson and Dan Ashton to discuss upcoming goals and initiatives.
CARRIED
QUESTION PERIOD
Questions from the media focussed on how capital funding would financially affect the district in
the future and how CUPE budget considerations would look in the coming year.
It was mentioned that a DPAC budget meeting would be held on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at
6:30 p.m. at the Penticton Secondary Library.
16.0
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION:
Beaven/Clarke that the meeting be adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
CARRIED
____________________________________
Bruce Johnson, Chair
____________________________________
Bonnie Roller Routley, Secretary-Treasurer
April 29, 2014
Ref: U:\SBO-ST-Data\DA\2013-2014\00100 - 00999 - Admin\00300-05 Minutes Open\2014-04-14 OP Minutes.docx
“Working Together for Student Success”