HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.1.a. Committee of the Whole Report, 5 December 2023
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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE PUBLIC REPORT
Tuesday, December 5, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
Board Room
Administration Building
133 Greenbank Road
Ottawa, Ontario
Trustees Present: Alysha Aziz, Justine Bell (electronic communication), Donna
Blackburn (electronic communication), Donna Dickson
(electronic communication), Lyra Evans, Matthew Lee
(electronic communication), Cathryne Milburn, Suzanne Nash,
Amanda Presley, Lynn Scott, Emma Hong (Student Trustee),
Malaika Kamanzi (Student Trustee)
Staff Present: Pino Buffone (Director of Education), Brett Reynolds (Associate
Director of Education), Randy Gerrior (Associate Director,
Business Operations), Michele Giroux (Executive Officer,
Corporate Services), James Proulx (Executive Officer,
Information Technology and Digital Transformation), Mary Jane
Farrish (Superintendent of Instruction), Paula Hall
(Superintendent of People, Culture and Leadership), Reg
Lavergne (Superintendent of Instruction), Shawn Lehman
(Superintendent of Instruction), Richard Sinclair (General
Counsel), Brent Smith (Superintendent of Program & Learning),
Peter Symmonds (Superintendent of Learning Support
Services), Teri Adamthwaite (General Manager, Finance),
Stacey Kay (General Manager, Learning Support Services),
Sandra Owens (General Manager, Business & Learning
Technologies), Diane Pernari (General Manager,
Communications & Information Services), Andrea Rahim
(General Manager, Research Evaluation & Analytics Division),
Vatansho Vatanshoev (Research Officer, Research, Evaluation
and Analytics Division), Nicole Guthrie (General Manager of
Board Services), Michael Guilbault (Central Audio/Visual
Technical Specialist), Susan Baker (forms)
Non-Voting
Representatives
Present:
Seema Lamba (ACE), JoJoe Van Hooser (IEC), Melodie
Gondek (OSSTF), Stephanie Kirkey (OSSTF - District 25), Jean
Fulton-Hale (OCSSAN), Jennifer Capitani (OCSSAN), Pat Dixon
(OCETF)
1. Call to Order - Vice-Chair of the Board
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Vice-Chair Milburn called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Acknowledgement of Territorial Lands
Vice-Chair Milburn 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
No declarations of interest were filed.
4. Approval of Agenda
Moved by Trustee Aziz,
THAT the agenda be approved.
Carried
5. Briefing from the Chair of the Board
Trustee Scott reported the following:
Nominations are open for the 2024 Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching
Excellence. These awards recognize elementary and secondary teachers
in all disciplines for their commitment to education and preparing youth for
a digital and innovation-based economy;
A number of schools in the District have held food drives in support of
local food banks as a way of giving back to the community; and
Commencing at sundown on 7 December 2023, the Jewish community
will begin the eight-day Festival of Lights in celebration of Ḥanukkah.
6. Briefing from the Director
Director Buffone reported the following:
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) is partnering with
Carleton University for a School Within A University (SWAU) pilot proje ct
whereby targeted OCDSB students will have the opportunity to experience
university while earning a dual university and high school credit. Details
regarding a virtual information session, to be held on 11 December 2023,
are available on the 2023-2024 Parent Updates page of the District's
website;
A virtual information session on the process for applying to post-
secondary education programs, including apprenticeships, college, and
university, will take place on 20 December 2023 at 7:00 p.m.; and
The OCDSB Gratitude and Giving Campaign in support of the United Way
and the Education Foundation of Ottawa will take place from 6 December
to 20 December 2023.
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7. Delegations
7.1 Written Delegation
a. Shannon Boschy, re Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Program
Shannon Boschy provided a written submission on the skilled
trades apprenticeship program. In response to the submission,
Director Buffone stressed the importance of the apprenticeship
program and noted that the District is looking into ways of
accelerating it.
8. Matters for Action
8.1 Notice of Motion, Re: Needs Based Budget, Trustee Aziz
At the time of deferral, the following motion and amendment were on the
floor:
Moved by Trustee Aziz,
THAT the Board instruct the Director of Education to develop a n eeds-
based budget for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.
An amendment moved by Trustee Bell,
A. THAT the words “the parameters of which will be determined by the
CFO for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.” be inserted after
the word “tool-kit.”
B. THAT a human resource be reallocated from the OCDSB to
support the CFO in this endeavour, the parameters of which will be
determined by the CFO.
With the consent of the Committee, Trustee Bell withdrew her
amendment, and Trustee Aziz moved the following motion in substitution
for the motion on the floor:
Moved by Trustee Aziz,
THAT staff develop an analysis of needs in the following areas as part of
the 2024-2025 budget process:
Transportation;
Special Education;
Mental Health and Well-Being;
Cost pressures related to facilities, renovations and new builds;
Employee Replacement Costs; and
Cybersecurity.
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Trustee Aziz noted that she is not asking for an additional budget to be
created, but rather information that can be used as a tool for the Board's
advocacy work. She added that she is looking for examples of the impact
that additional Ministry funding would have on OCDSB students.
During discussion, and in response to queries, the following points were
noted:
Equity, student achievement, and well-being are not specifically
addressed in the budget; however, they are inherent underpinnings
that are part of the budget framework;
An amendment moved by Trustee Lyra Evans,
THAT "education supports and programs related to educational outcomes"
be added to the list of areas to be addressed in the motion.
During discussion on the amendment, the following points were noted:
Trustee Lyra Evans clarified that she is referring to students who
are in special education programs or who may be struggling, for
example, poverty impact work, early numeracy and literacy,
disengaged students, and barriers related to identity. She
contended that the current budget process does not provide a
needs analysis for these areas and it is important to understand
what additional funding the District needs to meet the needs of, for
example, students residing in low-income areas who may not be
succeeding at the same rate as other students;
Director Buffone noted that the entire budget process (for example,
special education, transportation, mental health) is built around
educational outcomes. The Strategic Plan highlights the goals and
objectives of the Board and student needs are not solely financial in
nature;
Associate Director Gerrior added that Ministry funding depends on
enrolment projections for next year which is unknown at this time.
He added that staff does not have the capacity to do a needs
analysis as part of the budget process due to limited time and
resources; and
Trustee Scott submitted that learning, achievement and equity are
part of a larger discussion on instructional practice and support that
cannot not be assigned a monetary value at this point in time.
Moved by Trustee Presley,
THAT the debate be closed.
Carried
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In conclusion, Trustee Lyra Evans submitted that additional funding may
not solve all problems entirely, but it is a good place to start.
An amendment moved by Trustee Lyra Evans,
THAT "education supports and programs related to educational outcomes"
be added to the list of areas to be addressed in the motion.
Defeated
In wrap up, Trustee Aziz reiterated her request for financial analysis and
that it is an important opportunity for the Board to assess its financial
capacity.
Moved by Trustee Aziz,
THAT staff develop an analysis of needs in the following areas as
part of the 2024-2025 budget process:
Transportation;
Special Education;
Mental Health and Well-Being;
Cost pressures related to facilities, renovations and new
builds;
Employee Replacement Costs; and
Cybersecurity.
Carried
a. Supplemental Information
Provided for information.
9. Report from Statutory and Other Committees
9.1 Advisory Committee on Equity (ACE), 26 October 2023
Moved by Trustee Presley,
THAT the report from the Advisory Committee on Equity (ACE) dated
26 October 2023, be received.
Carried
9.2 Audit Committee, 27 November 2023
Moved by Trustee Lyra Evans,
THAT the report from the Audit Committee, dated 27 November 2023,
be received.
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Carried
10. Matters for Discussion:
10.1 Report 23-088, Student Achievement Planning and Reporting (R.
Lavergne)
Your Committee had before it Report 23-088, seeking to provide an
update on student achievement planning and reporting, and discussing
alignment with direction provided from the Ministry of Education.
Superintendent Lavergne, Executive Officer Giroux, General Manager
Andrea Rahim, and Research Officer Vatanshoev introduced the report
and highlighted the following areas:
This is the first of three reports on student learning that are
scheduled for presentation in 2023-2024; and
This report on achievement of learning outcomes in core academic
skills focuses on literacy and mathematics and includes
achievement data from the Education, Quality and Accounta bility
Office (EQAO), report card data, and perceptual data.
During discussion of the data, and in response to queries, the following
points were noted:
OCDSB EQAO results are on par with provincial averages, and
there has been a small decrease in report card outcomes;
Report card data is explored using student demographic
characteristics from the District's student information system and
the Valuing Voices - Identity Matters! Student Survey;
The Valuing Voices survey was completed in 2019-2020 by
approximately 25% of the District's students, and will likely be
repeated in the spring of 2024;
EQAO has advised school districts to limit data comparisons to the
past two years due to changes in curriculum and testing questions;
The undertaking of intersectionality analysis of the identity data
based on survey data from 2019-2020 would require additional
resources that may delay the implementation of new instructional
strategies;
In addition to using survey data to identify specific barriers for
underserved students, the District considers input from the
community, advisory committees, and the OCDSB’s Student
Achievement Through Equity (SATE) Inquiry which aims to reduce
barriers, overcome emotional and psychological hurdles, and
create the right learning conditions;
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In response to a suggestion to map low-income neighbourhoods
and under- and over-achieving schools to identify potential areas of
focus in the District, staff noted that this could potentially identify
students and population. Rather, staff meets with principals of
schools to discuss their individual school results;
Trustee Presley assumed the chair.
Staff indicated that they were surprised by the lower EQAO scores
for grade three compared to grade 6 and queried whether the
impact of the changes to the learning environment during the
COVID-19 pandemic on younger children, and the increase in the
number of English language learners were factors;
Trustee Milburn requested a summary for the progress report on
the Board's work plan;
Trustee Milburn resumed the chair.
During discussion of action plans to develop strategies and provide
support to schools and students, the following points were noted:
The OCDSB Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement
and Well-Being (BIPSAW) identifies learning priorities,, and
strategies, practices, and approaches to support student learning,
achievement, and well-being;
The Mathematics and Math Achievement Action Plan (MAAP)
required by the Ministry is designed to build capacity to support
increased student achievement and enhance student learning
experiences;
The School Improvement Plan for Achievement and Well-being
(SIPSAW) requires principals to develop school plans to identify
learning goals in literacy, math, and well-being. Staff from the
Research, Evaluation & Analytics Division (READ) work directly
with principals to establish metrics and indicators for their SIPSAW
plans;
In response to a request to identify additional resources required to
improve EQAO scores, staff noted that early intervention in
Kindergarten and grades one and two, professional development,
networking, and learning tools are key to learning a nd reinforcing
basic reading and math skills. In addition, providing regular
opportunities for students to answer EQAO assessment-type
questions is desirable;
The Ministry uses EQAO achievement data to identify which
schools have the greatest need of support. The District deploys
instructional coaches for one school year to schools with the
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greatest need to assist them to increase capacity through
instruction and practice at the classroom level. For example,
reading intervention teachers may use specific to ols to measure
progress over short periods of time;
Chair Milburn declared a 10 minute recess from 9:10 to 9:20 p.m.
In addition, another group of nine instructional coaches work with
the other schools requiring coaching for six weeks at a time to
assist them in building staff capacity;
The Board will receive annual progress reports on the information
provided, as well as regular reports on progress made on the
Strategic Plan and the Indigenous, Equity and Human Rights
Roadmap;
While staff is unlikely to assume that a specific change to a Board
policy would result in a significant closing of achievement gaps,
staff, where appropriate, may suggest revisions to policies;
Trustees will have an opportunity this year to receive professional
development on looking at data through an equity lens;
The Ministry of Education is working with School Mental Health
Ontario to create three mental health modules for grades seven
and eight to identify what mental health looks like and where to get
help. Additional modules will be coming next year for secondary
grades; and
The District's priorities for program and learning are informed by
the Board's strategic priorities, which also match well with the
Ministries priorities.
11. Information Items:
11.1 Report from OPSBA (if required)
There was no report from the OPSBA representatives.
11.2 OSTA Update (if required)
Trustee Lee advised that the 2022-2023 Annual Report of the Ottawa
Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) is available on the OSTA
website.
The OSTA Board elected Trustee Lee as President/Chairperson and
Joanne MacEwan (OCSB) as Vice-President at its meeting of 4 December
2023.
11.3 Memorandum
a. Air Quality Standards
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Memo No. 23-077, Air Standards, was provided for information in
response to inquiries from the Committee of the Whole meeting of
12 September 2023.
In response to a query about monitoring carbon dioxide in schools,
Associate Director Gerrior advised that the Facilities department
has installed carbon dioxide monitoring equipment in all schools
and is responsible for monitoring the process. Monitors are not
placed in individual classrooms because there are many reasons
for fluctuations in confined spaces. He added that the OCDSB is
considered to be leading the province on air quality compared to
other school districts.
12. New Business - Information and Inquiries
There was no new business.
13. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:44 p.m.
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Cathryne Milburn, Chair