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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Board 25 October 2011 MINUTES 25 October 2011 A meeting of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board was held this evening in the Board Room, 133 Greenbank Road, Ottawa, Ontario, commencing at 7:02 p.m. with Trustee Jennifer McKenzie in the chair and the following also in attendance: Trustees Donna Blackburn, Rob Campbell, Cathy Curry, Mark Fisher, Pam FitzGerald (electronic communication), Bronwyn Funiciello, Katie Holtzhauer, Theresa Kavanagh, Lynn Scott, Shirley Seward and John Shea. STUDENT TRUSTEES: Kareen Ibrahim and Bill Lin STAFF: Director of Education and Secretary of the Board, Jennifer Adams; Superintendent of Instruction, Neil Yorke-Slader; Executive Officer, Corporate Services, Michèle Giroux; Manager of Board Services, Monica Ceschia; Communications Coordinator, Sharlene Hunter; Central Audio-visual Technician, John MacKinnon; and Senior Board Coordinator, Maureen Strittmatter. On a motion by Trustee Seward, seconded by Trustee Funiciello, the Board resolved into Committee of the Whole (in camera). Trustee Funiciello assumed the Chair in Committee and later -294 refers) 292. Call to Order Chair McKenzie called the public meeting to order at 7:58 p.m. 293. Advisory Committee on the Arts, Presentation of Arts Awards Chair McKenzie introduced Mr. Michael Wilson, Co-chair of the Advisory Committee on the th Arts (ACA). Mr. Wilson advised that this year the Arts Advisory Committee was celebrating their 25 anniversary, and noted that the annual awards are one of the accomplishments. Mr. Wilson called upon the following individuals who were chosen as recipients of the 2009- 2010 awards for their contribution to the arts: Staff Awards Jeremy Alward and Hedy Burton, teachers at Metcalfe Public School, jointly received the Elementary Drama Award, as director and producer respectively. Their production of Sleeping Beauty was a success, and through their teaching skills and mentoring, students were taught many effective theatre skills and that hard work in the arts brings great satisfaction and lasting memories. Mandar Gumaste, of Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School, received the Elementary Intermediate Music Award. Mr. Gumaste is an exceptional music educator and instills in students an enthusiasm for music and a desire to excel. Mr. Gumaste is also a key organizer of the OCDSB Grade 8 All-Star Jazz Band, which makes an outstanding contribution to the greater Ottawa educational community. D. Gregory Crossett, a teacher at Colonel By Secondary School, received the Secondary Drama was the summative project of his senior Drama class. This project became the highlight of the school year, with incredible performances that delighted the school community. _____________________________________________________________________________________ - 270 - MINUTES 25 October 2011 Pierre Masse, a teacher at Glebe Collegiate Institute, received the Secondary Integrated Arts Award. Pierre has almost tripled the size of the music department and has had many music ensembles, including the unique group called OFFBEAT, which creates its own percussion instruments and travels far and wide to entertain audiences. Mr. students have also integrated theatre technology into the Glebe auditorium and for many other events. Timothy Stanutz and Meredith Ward, teachers at Bell High School, jointly received the Secondary Music Award. Over the year, both Timothy and Meredith have nurtured and developed outstanding instrumental and vocal music programs. Their inspiring and award-winning music ensembles include Junior and Senior Bands, Jazz Band, Choir, Bear-i-tones, Belle-tones and Bell-Acapella. Through their love of teaching music, Timothy and Meredith have developed talent and creativity in many Bell High School students who have shared their musical talents to provide much-needed financial and moral assistance to South African students at Munya School. Barrie Hammond, former Director of Education, received the Leadership in the Arts Award in recognition for his work as the Chair of the Cappies Steering Committee during its initial five years. Both Barrie and Ruth Dunley of the Ottawa Citizen have been the driving forces in bringing the Cappies program and honouring high school theatre to its inception twelve years ago, the Cappies has increased in Ottawa from 13 to 38 schools. The thousands of talented students who have taken part in the Cappies and the many that will benefit in the future, thank Mr. Hammond. School and Community Awards David Jones, a volunteer at Elmdale Public School, received the Arts Volunteer Award. As an active member of the Parent Council and the chair of the Arts Committee, David has worked to enrich the exposure to the arts. Mr. Jones is renowned as a landscape painter, but has also supported music and drama. He has mentored teachers in art projects, arranged for guest artists in various fields, championed the annual Elmdale Arts Calendar and has demonstrated his talents by publicly creating one of his own works in view of the students. Jamie Fine, a Merivale High School student, received the Student Leadership in the Arts Award. -president last year, Jamie has given unwavering support for the arts programs. Her vibrant, enthusiastic motivation and public address system morning raps made things deserve recognition. The Elementary School Event (Performance) Award was presented to W.O. Mitchell Elementary School for its production of Beauty and the Beast, directed by Sue Brown and produced by Debbie Pratt. Leading a team of 34 teachers, 5 volunteers, 43 cast members and 26 crew members, Sue and Debbie thrilled the school and community with six sold-out performances. The Secondary School Event (Display) Award was presented to Nepean High School for its Maurice Haycock Retrospective Art Display, organized by Glenn Turner and Donna McPhail. These teachers dedicated countless hours outside their regular workdays for many months to organize and mount an exceptional art exhibit which showcased the work of a talented Canadian landscape painter, who has _____________________________________________________________________________________ - 271 - MINUTES 25 October 2011 characteri The Secondary School Event (Performance) Award this year goes to Bell High School for its production of Medea, directed by Perry Van Allen. Mr. Van Allen motivated his group of students to create a script adaptation of the Greek tragedy, compose an original score, design and construct a set, costumes and life-size puppets, and perform the challenging dialogue of this drama. The high caliber of this production was recognized by the judge of the Ontario Sears Drama Festival, Ottawa Sector, and was sent to the provincial finals where again it was lauded. Principal Bruce Whitehead accepted the award for Bell High School. Irv Osterer received the Marjorie Loughrey Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is given to either an OCDSB employee or community member, who has exhibited continual and distinguished excellence in arts education over the course of a career spanning a minimum of 25 years. Mr. Osterer has been the head of Arts at Merivale High School for many years and a teacher of the arts in the OCDSB for 30 years. Irv Osterer is a leader, an arts advocate, a mentor, a coach for teachers and students, and a true believer in the arts, arts education and ALL students. His unbridled enthusiasm, tireless promotion of students and their events, innovative ways to enrich arts experiences and unfailing support for teachers make him a resounding choice for this honour. 294. Report from Committee of the Whole Trustee Funiciello reported that Committee of the Whole met in camera this evening and reports and recommends as follows: a. Approval of pre-tender budget estimate for addition at Steve MacLean Public School Moved by Trustee Fisher, seconded by Trustee Funiciello, THAT staff proceed, as directed in Committee of the Whole in camera, with respect to the pre-tender budget estimate for the addition to Steve MacLean Public School. - Carried - A recorded vote was held and the motion was carried on the following division: FOR: Trustees Blackburn, Campbell, Curry, Fisher, FitzGerald, (12) Funiciello, Holtzhauer, Kavanagh, McKenzie, Scott, Seward and Shea AGAINST: Nil (0) ABSTENSIONS: Nil (0) 295. Approval of Agenda Moved by Trustee Shea, seconded by Trustee Funiciello, THAT the agenda be approved, with Student Trustee Report, agenda item 15 moved up to after agenda item 9, Public Question Period. _____________________________________________________________________________________ - 272 - MINUTES 25 October 2011 - Carried 296. Confirmation of Minutes a. 11 October 2011 Moved by Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Seward, THAT the minutes of the 11 October 2011 Board meeting be confirmed. - Carried 297. Business Arising from the Minutes a. 11 October 2011 There was no business arising from the minutes of the Board meeting of 11 October 2011. 298. Di and staff at A.Y. Jackson Secondary School, due to the terrible tragedy last week, the loss of a student, Jamie Hubley, by suicide. She thanked the staff at A. Y. Jackson Secondary School and the Tragic Events Response Team for the support received during this difficult time. Director Adams advised that, in the OCDSB, bullying and homophobic comments and actions, have not and never will be tolerated. The OCDSB has a Safe Schools policy and a Code of Conduct that clearly defines these as offences which may lead to suspension within the context of progressive discipline. She added that, over the past few years, the OCDSB has been proactive and focused on embedding Character attributes, emphasizing respect, acceptance, and empathy directly in all classrooms from Kindergarten to grade 12. The OCDSB is one of the first school districts to conduct a fulsome student survey, which includes questions regarding sexual orientation. The district also participated in the Gay Pride Parade to highlight our commitment to providing a sense of belonging for all students in the district. To assist in dealing with mental health issues, including depression and suicide, the district has a strong team of psychologists and social workers who provide direct support to all schools and also many partnerships within the health community to assist in identifying risk behaviours and provide access to community resources. Director Adams stated that the OCDSB is committed to moving forward and teachers will be focusing on critical thinking skills in the classroom, which provide students with practice in solving complex problems. The information gathered from the student survey will assist in providing additional supports and services to students in need. More training will be provided to staff on equity and inclusionary practices. Director Adams advised that this evening the OCDSB is hosting a second information session for parents in partnership with CHEO and the Royal Ottawa Hospital, with respect to teen mental health, and will be updating the OCDSB website to provide links to healthcare resources. _____________________________________________________________________________________ - 273 - MINUTES 25 October 2011 This year, the OCDSB will be analyzing the student survey data and this work will be supported by the development of a mental health framework to support student learning, the expansion of staff training in the areas of equity, inclusion and character development, and continued commitment to reduce the achievement gap for students by providing additional supports to students in need. Trustee Blackburn proposed that, next year the OCDSB march in the Pride Parade in honour of Jamie Hubley. Trustee Blackburn questioned what the district could do to ensure that all staff feel safe and accepted so they can become role models for other students. Director Adams advised that in the past few years the district has taken a steady path looking at equity and inclusion practices for both students and staff. She added that the training will continue for both students and staff. the media messaging. She added th thorough and sincere and thanked all trustees who attended the funeral, the staff at A.Y. Jackson Secondary School, and the staff who covered the teachers so they could attend the funeral. Trustee Curry thanked Allan Hubley and his wife, Wendy, for being helpful to ensure the message was clear in the media; and thanked the Priest at the Holy Redeemer Church who provided a strong message for the students. 299. Chair McKenzie expressed condolence to the Hubley family and advised that the OCDSB would be making a donation to the Youth Services Bureau. She added that a letter has been written to the Ottawa Citizen, and it would be circulated to all trustees prior to issuance. Chair McKenzie advised that the Community Council for Ethnocultural Equity is hosting its annual Open House on Thursday, 03 November at 440 Albert Street from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and invited all interested members of the public to attend. Chair McKenzie congratulated the grade two and three students at Roch Carrier Elementary School who have raised $10 thousand in two years to build a new school in Sierra Leone. Their efforts were inspired by the work of Craig Kielburger and the Free the Children Organization. 300. Public Question Period Melissa Haussman, Associate Professor of Political Science at Carleton University, offered to assist the OCDSB by providing support by way of a Speakers Bureau for any students and staff regarding their sexual orientation. She expressed the view that support is needed for the gay or lesbian members of the school community Director Adams thanked Melissa Haussman for her offer. She added that the OCDSB is looking at ways to make schools more inclusive and is seeking support from the community. Ross Hammond, Parish Priest at St. James the Apostle in Manotick, stated that he was gay and was attending the meeting with his husband, Albert Cline. He expressed the view that it is important that the community and the school board work together across the many layers and sections of the community; _____________________________________________________________________________________ - 274 - MINUTES 25 October 2011 noted that there are teens that are struggling with their identity; and offered his assistance in this regard. idea and the offer of assistance with the OCDSB Diversity and Inclusion Task Force. 301. Student Trustee Report Student Trustees Kareem Ibrahim and Bill Lin advised that the 2011 Ontario Student and Parent Survey results have been released. Some of the highlights provided from the survey included: 88% of students think that a student wanting to establish a Gay Straight Alliance Club in their school should be allowed to do so; 45% of students did not feel that sex-education classes adequately addressed concerns of a sexual nature that they had or expected to encounter; and 36% of students said they would not know where to go to seek assistance if they or a friend was experiencing mental health problems, and 26% of parents noted the same. With respect to the OCDSB, Kareem Ibrahim advised that the student trustees are considering commencing different events, such as , which is a week-long awareness event regarding mental health issues and a Board-wide Rainbow week. Student Trustee Ibrahim noted that the Equity Documentary which was to be released at the Ontario Student Trustees Association meeting has been postponed until the end of January. Student Trustee Lin reported that the first Student Senate meeting had been held and the students were very enthusiastic and have been communicating various initiatives through Facebook and email. He added that both he and Student Trustee Ibrahim would like to send newsletters in the future to all school council presidents to be shared with the schools. Another initiative is to school council presidents to bring back to the schools for discussion and the topic for the upcoming month will be equity and diversity. In response to a query from Trustee Curry regarding whether the Ontario Student Trustee Association (OSTA) would be having a discussion on why the Physical Education grade 9 course is the only Physical Education course which is mandatory and, in the following years, Physical Education marks are not counted in their average for University, Student Trustee Ibrahim noted that they have been working on some recommendations with regard to curriculum and physical education as a whole, and are requesting a more cross-curricular approach for health and sexual education. The comments from the survey have indicated that students would like to have more assemblies and workshops because the sexual education provided in grade 9 was not sufficient. In response to a query from Trustee Scott regarding whether OSTA has reviewed what occurred last year when the Ministry pulled the curriculum that covered sexual education from Kindergarten through the grades because of controversy, Student Trustee Lin advised that he would bring this item up for discussion at the next OSTA meeting. _____________________________________________________________________________________ - 275 - MINUTES 25 October 2011 In response to a question from Trustee Seward regarding the future plans with respect to the survey, the student trustees provided the following information: OSTA has finalized the recommendations to the Ministry; They are hoping that the student survey will be done annually; The next survey will probably be seeking responses to new issues that have not yet been discussed in the present survey; and They are hoping that the next student survey will also be in partnership with a parent survey. Student Trustee Lin also advised that OSTA was currently preparing a report to the Ministry of Education on school fees, which will include additional recommendations from the previous report. student survey. She added that the OCDSB survey responses are expected in January. 302. Report 9, Strategic Planning & Priorities Committee, 05 October 2011 Moved by Trustee Funiciello, seconded by Trustee Scott, THAT Report 9, Strategic Planning and Priorities Committee, dated 05 October 2011 be received. - Carried Trustee Funiciello advised that the recommendation was dealt with at the 11 October Board meeting. 303. Report 8, Business Services Committee, 12 October 2011 Moved by Trustee Holtzhauer, seconded by Trustee Funiciello, THAT Report 8, Business Services Committee dated 12 October 2011 be received. - Carried a. Approval of Long Term Financing Schedule 2011-2012 Moved by Trustee Campbell, seconded by Trustee Holtzhauer, A. THAT staff be directed to make the necessary arrangements for the long- term financing arrangements on 25 November 2011 and 09 March 2012 as set out in Report 11-162, so that the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board can participate in the provincial loan agreement, and B. THAT the Chair, Director of Education and staff of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board be authorized to sign all necessary documentation to participate in the loan. - Carried - _____________________________________________________________________________________ - 276 - MINUTES 25 October 2011 A recorded vote was held and the motion was carried on the following division: FOR: Trustees Campbell, Curry, Fisher, FitzGerald, (11) Funiciello, Holtzhauer, Kavanagh, McKenzie, Scott, Seward and Shea AGAINST: Nil (0) ABSTENSIONS: Nil (0) b. Approval of the Revised Terms of Reference for the Kanata North and Kanata South Accommodation Studies Moved by Trustee Curry, seconded by Trustee Holtzhauer, A. THAT the Terms of Reference for the Kanata North Accommodation Study be revised to include Earl of March Secondary School and West Carleton Secondary School; and B. THAT the Terms of Reference for the Kanata South Accommodation Study be revised to include A.Y. Jackson Secondary School. - Carried - A recorded vote was held and the motion was carried on the following division: FOR: Trustees Campbell, Curry, Fisher, FitzGerald, (11) Funiciello, Holtzhauer, Kavanagh, McKenzie, Scott, Seward and Shea AGAINST: Nil (0) ABSTENSIONS: Nil (0) 304. Report 9, Education Committee, 18 October 2011 Moved by Trustee Seward, seconded by Trustee Fisher, THAT Report 9, Education Committee dated 18 October 2011 be received, with the following revisions: Folio 34, after first parag sending in her email which resulted in an immediate investigation and the - Carried - _____________________________________________________________________________________ - 277 - MINUTES 25 October 2011 Trustee Curry pointed out that the report on student achievement was an information report at this Education Committee meeting and expressed the view that some reports, including this one, should probably be brought by the Director of Education directly to the Board for discussion. Chair McKenzie noted that this could be discussed at a future Governance Task Force Committee meeting. a. Receipt of Special Education Advisory Committee Report 8, 29 September 2011 Moved by Trustee Kavanagh, seconded by Trustee Seward, THAT Report 8, Special Education Advisory Committee, dated 29 September 2011, be received. - Carried - b. Receipt of Special Education Policy Ad Hoc Committee Report 8, 26 September 2011 Moved by Trustee Kavanagh, seconded by Trustee Seward, THAT Report 8, Special Education Policy Ad Hoc Committee, dated 26 September 2011, be received. - Carried b. Moved by Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Seward, THAT the Board approve the submission of the OCDSB Feedback on the Ministry of Education Draft Fundraising Guidelines as set out in Appendix B to Report 11-177, as amended. - Carried A recorded vote was held and the motion was carried on the following division: FOR: Trustees Campbell, Curry, Fisher, FitzGerald, (11) Funiciello, Holtzhauer, Kavanagh, McKenzie, Scott, Seward and Shea AGAINST: Nil (0) ABSTENSIONS: Nil (0) _____________________________________________________________________________________ - 278 - MINUTES 25 October 2011 305. OPSBA Report, Eastern Regional Meeting, 15 October 2011 Trustee Shea noted that he had attended the OPSBA Eastern Regional Meeting on 15 October on behalf of the OCDSB and advised that there was low attendance. There was a number of interesting discussions, one centered on rural poverty versus more visible poverty. He noted that consensus around the table was that this was an issue that the Eastern Region would like to pursue so they will be bringing it to the OPSBA executive. Other discussions at the meeting included the new minority government. Trustee Shea expressed the view that there was not a lot of commonality between the OCDSB and the other school boards in the Eastern Region. He suggested that better discussions may arise from meeting in an urban/rural model instead of by region, and noted that he would be pleased to speak to OPSBA regarding this issue. Chair McKenzie agreed and noted that the OCDSB has more commonalities with the larger schools boards in Ontario. 306. New Business Trustee Curry noted that she had heard at the Advisory Committee on the Arts meeting that the National Arts Centre usually offers the OCDSB 900 tickets for a concert; however, this year there was only interest in 290 tickets as teachers felt that they could not ask for the fees to cover the cost of bussing. She questioned whether this was the direction from the Ministry that bussing costs could not be requested. Director Adams responded that it will take a few years to help schools transition through the changes caused by the new school fees policy. Staff is currently providing communication to schools regarding the interpretation of the policy. The policy indicates that schools can charge a fee, and some schools may choose to use some of the fee to pay for presentations to come to the school rather than for transportation costs. Also, if the activity is classified as extra-curricular, then they are allowed to charge for field trips; however, schools tend to be careful of the number of times they request funds for field trips from parents. Trustee Curry suggested that a conversation be held with the National Arts Centre regarding this situation. Trustee Scott congratulated staff for the Fall Leadership Day and expressed the view that it was one of the most successful and interesting leadership days that she has attended as a trustee. Daniel Pink several years in terms of leadership and brought some coherence to the whole set of concepts. In response to a suggestion from Trustee Shea that a congratulatory letter be sent to the new Minister of Education, Laurel Broten and the Education Critics, Chair McKenzie advised that letters had been prepared for the Minister of Education and all local Members of Provincial Parliament. _____________________________________________________________________________________ - 279 - MINUTES 25 October 2011 307. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:26 p.m. Jennifer Adams Jennifer McKenzie Director of Education and Chair of the Board Secretary of the Board _____________________________________________________________________________________ - 280 -