HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.1.1 Board Meeting Minutes, 30 October 2023
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BOARD PUBLIC MINUTES
Monday, October 30, 2023, 7:00 pm
Board Room
Administration Building
133 Greenbank Road
Ottawa, Ontario
Trustees: Alysha Aziz (electronic communication), Justine Bell (electronic
communication), Donna Blackburn, Donna Dickson, Lyra Evans,
Jennifer Jennekens, Nili Kaplan-Myrth, Matthew Lee, Cathryne
Milburn, Suzanne Nash, Lynn Scott, Emma Hong (Student
Trustee)
Staff: Pino Buffone (Director of Education), Brett Reynolds (Associate
Director of Education), Michele Giroux (Executive Officer,
Corporate Services), James Proulx (Executive Officer,
Information Technology and Digital Transformation), Paula Hall
(Superintendent of People, Culture and Leadership), Reg
Lavergne (Superintendent of Instruction), Shawn Lehman
(Superintendent of Instruction), Richard Sinclair (General
Counsel), Shannon Smith (Superintendent of Instruction),
Carolyn Tanner (Human Rights and Equity Advisor), Sandy
Owens (General Manager, Business & Learning Technologies),
Diane Pernari (General Manager of Communications &
Information Services), Nicole Guthrie (General Manager, Board
Services), Michael Guilbault (Content Creator, Digital Multimedia
Technician), Sue Baker (Recording)
Guests: Monique Manatch (Chair/Facilitator, Indigenous Education
Council), Jody Kohoko (Principal, Indigenous Education)
1. Call to Order -- Chair of the Board
Chair Lyra Evans called the public meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
2. Acknowledgement of Territorial Lands
Chair Lyra Evans acknowledged that the meeting is taking place on unceded
Algonquin Homelands and thanked the Algonquin Nations for hosting the
meeting on their land.
3. Declarations of Interest
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Trustee Milburn declared a standing interest to be shown on all Committee and
Board meetings moving forward. She advised that she is employed by the City of
Ottawa's Transportation Services Department (OC Transpo) and will excuse
herself from any discussions or decisions related to transportation, funding or
resources.
4. Report from the Board (In Camera)
The Board met in camera this evening and Vice-Chair Scott reported that there
were no recommendations.
5. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Trustee Lee, seconded by Trustee Kaplan-Myrth,
THAT the agenda be approved.
Carried
6. Presentation of the D. Aubrey Moodie Award to Xuan Pham
Chair Lyra Evans, on behalf of the Board, introduced and congratulated Xuan
Pham for achieving the highest grade point average in the District for the 2022-
2023 school year with a graduating average of 99.5%. While at Cairine Wilson
Secondary School, Xuan was involved in the Newspaper Club, where she spent
a significant amount of her time as an editor, organizing tasks, planning
deadlines, and writing articles. Xuan is currently studying software engineering at
the University of Ottawa.
Director Buffone congratulated Xuan on her achievements and wished her
success in the future.
Ms. Ellen Boynton of the Bells Corners United Church presented Xuan Pham
with the D. Aubrey Moodie Award noting that for 18 years, Mr. Moodie's funds
have provided the sum of $200.00 to the top student in the District "to have fun."
Xuan Pham thanked the Board, staff and the Bells Corners United Church for the
D. Aubrey Moodie Award.
7. Presentation from the Indigenous Education Council, Monique Manatch, Jody
Kohoko
Monique Manatch, Facilitator/chair of the Indigenous Education Council (IEC),
and Jody Kohoko, System Principal for Indigenous Education, provided a
presentation on the work of the IEC over the past year.
During the presentation, and in response to querie s, the following information
was noted:
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) hosted a regional
meeting for 12 IEC's in Eastern Ontario last year;
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The OCDSB IEC is one of the few Districts that has a chair and terms of
reference;
The IEC is currently developing two campaigns to recruit community
members for the IEC and two individuals to represent the IEC on the
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC);
The IEC is working on a letter of support for the appointment of an Urban
Indigenous trustee to the Board;
The IEC appreciates any advocacy activities with Members of Provincial
Parliament (MPPs) that the Board undertakes with respect to the
appointment of an Urban Indigenous trustee;
The IEC would like more clarification on how the Grants for Student
Needs (GSNs) are calculated as well as the number of Indigenous
students in the OCDSB;
The IEC is looking at how to improve the self-identification of Indigenous
students in order to more accurately know the number of Indigenous
students within the District;
It was suggested that the Board could prepare for a change to the
legislation that would allow the appointment of an Urban Indigenous
trustee, including inviting an Algonquin Elder to attend Board meetings in
an advisory capacity, and to open and close Board meetings;
The IEC plans to bring forward a formal recommendation to the
Committee of the Whole (COW) for the appointment of an Indigenous
advisor to the Board. A trustee may also bring a notice of motion for the
appointment of an Indigenous advisor to the Board;
Staff advised that there would need to be a common understanding of
what the advisor would do, how long the appointment would last, and
whether it is possible for the District to implement the recommendation;
Ms. Manatch advised that the IEC has discussed the relationship between
the Indigenous community and the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) and
many Indigenous people do not feel safe with the OPS. Ms. Manatch
expressed the opinion that it is up to the OPS to identify what they intend
to do to help repair the relationship; and
Ms. Manatch advised that the IEC wishes to be consulted on all Board
policies and curriculum to ensure they have an Indigenous perspective.
She added that the Indigenous perspective should begin with the
Algonquin perspective as the District is located on Algonquin territory.
8. Briefing from the Chair of the Board
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During the briefing from Chair Lyra Evans, the following information was
provided:
The OCDSB Family Conference will take place on 4 November 2023 from
8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Brookfield High School. It will include a number of
workshops on topics including supports for English language learners,
mental health and well-being, success in kindergarten, and special
education;
Consultation regarding the New Findlay Creek Elementary School began
this month. Working groups will be formed and be active in November
2023 and a public consultation will be held in December 2023; and
The annual Board organizational meeting will be held on 14 November
2023 to elect the Chair, Vice-Chair and Chair of the Budget Committee for
2023-2024, as well as appointing trustees to its statutory, ad hoc and
advisory committees.
9. Briefing from the Director
During the briefing from Director Buffone, the following informat ion was provided:
Grade 7-12 students and families are invited to the ‘All About High School’
virtual information session on 29 November 2023 to learn about subjects,
programs, and other aspects of high school. More details will be shared in
upcoming parent and student updates;
The Canadian Association of Communicators in Education’s Bravo
Awards Program, celebrates Canada’s best education communications
and the OCDSB Communications team received two awards for their
efforts in the 2022-2023 school year;
Friday, 3 November 2023 is a Professional Activity (PA) Day for OCDSB
elementary school staff. The focus is on key Ministry priorities including,
literacy and numeracy, curriculum implementation, and student mental
health and well-being. There will be no school for elementary students on
this day; and
OCDSB schools will be learning and reflecting as we approach Indigenous
Veterans Day on 8 November 2023, and Remembrance Day on 11
November 2023. As Remembrance Day falls on a weekend, schools will
be holding ceremonies during the week. Staff at 133 Greenbank will be
marking Remembrance Day with a special ceremony on 10 November
2023.
In response to a query from Trustee Bell, Director Buffone advised that a number
of staff and students from Jewish, Israeli, Palestinian, and Muslim communities
have reached out for support in dealing with the impacts of traumatic current
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events. Staff have shared a number of resources with educators to support them
in their work to uphold human rights.
10. Delegations
There were no delegations.
11. Confirmation of Board Minutes
11.1 26 September 2023
Moved by Trustee Dickson, seconded by Trustee Jennekens,
THAT the Board Minutes, dated 26 September 2023, be confirmed.
Carried
11.2 3 October 2023, Special Board
Moved by Trustee Dickson, seconded by Trustee Jennekens,
THAT the Special Board minutes, dated 3 October 2023, be
confirmed.
Carried
12. Business Arising from Board Minutes
There was no business arising from the minutes.
13. Matters for Action
13.1 Receipt of Committee Reports
13.1.a 3 October 2023, Committee of the Whole
Moved by Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Dickson,
THAT the Committee of the Whole report, dated 3 October 2023,
be received.
Trustee Scott noted that the date in Part A of the motion to approve
an Indigenous Student Trustee should read 1 August 2024.
Moved by Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Dickson,
THAT the Committee of the Whole report, dated 3 October
2023, be received, as amended.
Carried
13.1.a.a Approval of Indigenous Student Trustee
Moved by Justine Bell
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Seconded by Lynn Scott
A. THAT the position of Indigenous Student Trustee
be created, to take office effective 1 August 2024;
B. THAT the Indigenous Student Trustee be elected
directly by students identifying as Indigenous;
C. THAT the Indigenous Education Council be
involved in developing the necessary revisions to
Policy P.017.GOV Student Trustees and any other
relevant policies and procedures; and
D. THAT current Student Trustees, the Student
Senate, and Indigenous students be consulted.
For (11): Alysha Aziz, Justine Bell, Donna Blackburn, Donna
Dickson, Lyra Evans, Jennifer Jennekens, Nili Kaplan-Myrth,
Matthew Lee, Cathryne Milburn, Suzanne Nash, and Lynn
Scott
Carried (11 to 0)
13.1.b 17 October 2023, Committee of the Whole
Moved by Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Blackburn,
THAT the Committee of the Whole report, dated 17 October 2023,
be received.
Trustee Nash requested that the second bullet on page 5 of the
report be clarified. Staff agreed to check the notes of the meeting,
and the report will be amended to read: “An equitable recruitment
and hiring policy was approved by the Board in 2021 and
implementation, including refinements to hiring practices and
training on equitable recruitment, is underway. This initiative was
not reflected in the 2023-2024 Work Plan as the Work Plan focuses
on new areas of work to implement the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan.”
Moved by Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Blackburn,
THAT the Committee of the Whole report, dated 17 October
2023, be received, as amended.
Carried
13.1.b.a Approval of Letter Requesting the Appointment of an
Urban Indigenous Trustee
Moved by Justine Bell
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Seconded by Lynn Scott
THAT a follow-up letter be sent to the Minister of
Education requesting that the Ottawa-Carleton District
School Board be allowed to appoint an Urban
Indigenous Trustee.
For (11): Alysha Aziz, Justine Bell, Donna Blackburn, Donna
Dickson, Lyra Evans, Jennifer Jennekens, Nili Kaplan-Myrth,
Matthew Lee, Cathryne Milburn, Suzanne Nash, and Lynn
Scott
Carried (11 to 0)
13.1.b.b Approval of Board Work Plan and Areas of Focus
This was a non-consent item and was dealt with later
in the meeting under agenda item 13.2.
13.1.b.b.a Supplemental Information, Memo 23-075
Amendments to the 2023-2024 Board Work Plan
Memo 23-075, Amendments to the 2023-2024 Board
Work Plan, was provided for information.
13.1 Receipt of Committee Reports
13.1.c 19 September 2023, Ad Hoc Policy Committee
Moved by Trustee Milburn, seconded by Trustee Dickson,
THAT the Ad Hoc Policy Committee Report of 19 September
2023, be received.
Carried
13.1.d 12 October 2023, Ad Hoc Policy Committee
Moved by Trustee Milburn, seconded by Trustee Blackburn,
THAT the Ad Hoc Policy Committee Report of 12 October 2023,
be received.
Carried
13.1.d.a Approval of Revisions to Policy P.107.SCO, Naming
of Schools and Educational Support Facilities and Opening
Ceremonies
Moved by Nili Kaplan-Myrth
Seconded by Cathryne Milburn
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THAT the revised Policy P.107.SCO - New Schools And
Other Board Facilities - Naming, Signage, And Opening
Ceremonies, attached as Appendix B to Report 23-073,
be approved (Attached as Appendix A).
For (11): Alysha Aziz, Justine Bell, Donna Blackburn, Donna
Dickson, Lyra Evans, Jennifer Jennekens, Nili Kaplan-Myrth,
Matthew Lee, Cathryne Milburn, Suzanne Nash, and Lynn
Scott
Carried (11 to 0)
13.1.e 11 October 2023, Ad Hoc Advocacy Strategy Committee (Notes)
Moved by Trustee Aziz, seconded by Trustee Scott,
THAT the Ad Hoc Advocacy Strategy Committee notes of 11
October 2023, be received.
Carried
13.2 Non-Consent Items
13.2.a Approval of Board Work Plan and Areas of Focus
Moved by Trustee Bell, seconded by Trustee Scott,
THAT the 2023-2024 Board Work Plan and ‘Areas of Focus’ as
outlined in Appendix A to Report 23-071 be approved, as amended.
Trustee Milburn expressed concern that the Work Plan does not
include metrics for measuring progress on the work, nor does it
include timelines for when the work be completed. Executive
Officer Giroux advised that the student achievement report that will
be presented to the Committee of the Whole in the next few months
and it will contain a framework and targets for measuring progress
on student achievement. A professional development session is
tentatively scheduled for January 2024 at which Board members
will have an opportunity to discuss equity in data. Staff is currently
working on a format and metrics for reporting on progress made in
the previous strategic plan to be presented to the Board.
Moved by Justine Bell
Seconded by Lynn Scott
THAT the 2023-2024 Board Work Plan and ‘Areas of
Focus’ as outlined in Appendix A to Report 23-071 be
approved, as amended (Attached as Appendix B).
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For (11): Alysha Aziz, Justine Bell, Donna Blackburn, Donna
Dickson, Lyra Evans, Jennifer Jennekens, Nili K aplan-Myrth,
Matthew Lee, Cathryne Milburn, Suzanne Nash, and Lynn Scott
Carried (11 to 0)
14. Matters for Discussion
14.1 Report from OPSBA Representatives (if required)
Trustee Jennekens advised that OPSBA's Advocacy Day meeting with
Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) will take place at Queen's Park
on 27 November 2023.
Trustee Scott advised that she would attend the Eastern Regional Council
meeting in Gananoque on 4 November 2023.
14.2 OSTA Update
Trustee Lee advised that although the Ottawa Student Transportation
Authority (OSTA) is making progress on hiring drivers, there is currently a
shortage of 40 drivers. OSTA will provide regular updates on its website
on the 15th and 30th of every month, including reasons why they are
unable to provide compensation to families who are driving their children
to school due to cancellation of their school bus.
Trustee Scott noted that there are approximately 20 bus routes in the
western rural area that have been without bus service since the beginning
of school in September. Noting that one secondary school has several
hundred students with sporadic attendance because of a lack of
transportation, she queried whether additional support is being provided to
help students keep up to date in their studies. Director Buffone advised
that there may be an opportunity for teachers to use Google Classroom,
where feasible. Also, an OSTA "Solutions Sub-committee" has been
investigating other possible solutions.
Associate Director Reynolds advised that senior staff are working closely
with principals of rural schools to identify attendance patterns. He added
that staff is working with the teachers' federations to strongly encourage
teachers to use Google Classroom.
15. Matters for Information
There were no matters for information.
16. New Business -- Information and Inquiries
There was no new business.
17. Adjournment
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The meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.
Lyra Evans, Chair of the Board