HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 Human Resources Committee Report 2 6 Mar 2006 Minutes PublicOTTAWA- CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
TO: The Board
REPORT NO. 3. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE
DATE: 6 March 2006
A meeting of the Human Resources Committee was held this evening in the Trustees' Committee
Room, 133 Greenbank Road, Ottawa, with the public session commencing at 7:30 p.m. with Trustee Alex
Getty in the Chair and the following in attendance:
TRUSTEE MEMBERS: Lynn Graham, David Moen, David Primeau and Lynn Scott
OTHER TRUSTEES: Joan Spice
STAFF: Lorne Rachlis, Director of Education and Secretary of the Board
Janice McCoy, Superintendent of Human Resources
Sue Peter - Weeks, Manager of Human Resources
Jennifer Baldelli, Human Resources Officer
Janet Beer, Labour Relations Officer
Carolyne Lynch, Labour Relations Administrator
Bill McNeely, Human Resources Officer
Ann O'Dacre, Labour Relations Officer
Bruce Fraser, Committee Coordinator
ASSOCIATION
REPRESENTATIVES: Kerri Ferguson, Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF)
Wulf Heidecker, Ottawa - Carleton Elementary Teachers' Federation
(OCETF)
Wally Stagg, Elementary Operations Committee (EOC)
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. He welcomed everyone to the meeting and
introductions were made around the table.
2. Approval of Agenda
On a motion by Trustee Moen, the agenda was approved as circulated.
Public Question Period
There were no questions from the public.
4. Delegation
Community Council for Ethnocultural Equity CCEE) and LASI World Skills re InternationallX
Educated Teachers (IETs) Projects, Pearl Downie and Abdi Yunis
Pearl Downie and Abdi Yunis presented a proposal that the Ottawa - Carleton District School
Board partner with the Community Council for Ethnocultural Equity (CCEE) and LASI WorldSkills
Human Resources Committee -1- 6 March 2006
(LWS) to initiate a steering committee to oversee the development of a mentoring and coaching program
for internationally educated teachers (IETs). They noted that while the pool of certified internationally
educated teachers is growing there appears to be limited opportunities through which they may gain full -
time employment. The mentoring and coaching program would increase teaching opportunities as
teachers become familiar with Canadian school culture and would result in a workforce that increasingly
reflects the diverse student population as well as providing role models for immigrant children.
In response to a query by Trustee Scott regarding placement of IETs, the presenters suggested that
deploying them to schools with high immigrant populations would be an appropriate starting point and
over time they could be moved throughout the system.
In response to a query by Trustee Graham, Ms. Downie expressed the view IETs are experiencing
difficulties in obtaining full -time employment for a variety of reasons including limited networking
opportunities and a limited knowledge of the nuances of the system which could increase their
employment opportunities.
Trustee Getty thanked Ms. Downie and Mr. Yunis and noted the Committee would take the
information presented under advisement.
In response to a query by Trustee Scott, Superintendent McCoy advised that, following
consultation with representatives from CCEE and LWS, staff plans to provide a report on this and other
related issues to the May Human Resources Committee meeting.
Superintendent's Report
There was no report from the Superintendent.
6. New Business
Trustee Moen noted that he and Superintendent Cathy Nevins had recently attended a "Making
Ottawa Safe Together" (MOST) forum which included a presentation by a senior officer of the Ottawa
Police Service outlining efforts that have been made to hire and retain members of visible minorities. It
was noted that in order for those efforts to succeed, it is essential for organizations to make this a priority
and to task some employees with assisting new hires to help overcome any internal resistance.
Director Rachlis agreed that workforce diversity is a priority and that the proposal from CCEE
and LWS could be helpful to attracting and increasing the hiring of members of minority groups.
Kerri Ferguson expressed support for the proposal and noted her group's willingness to
collaborate on this type of initiative.
Trustee Primeau expressed the view that the Board should undertake initiatives in this area as
soon as possible, as flexibility could be limited should action be mandated by the province.
Trustee Moen submitted that methods should be developed to identify barriers to full -time
employment for IETs. Trustee Primeau noted that initiatives should be clearly targeted to members of
visible minorities, not just internationally educated teachers.
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The Committee went in camera at 8:00 p.m. and subsequently adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Alex Getty
Chair
Human Resources Committee
/BAF
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