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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard 27 Mar 2006 Minutes Public• I� L� OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 27 and 30 March 2006 27 March 2006 A meeting of the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board was held this evening in the Board Room, 133 Greenbank Road, Ottawa, Ontario, commencing at 6:32 p.m. with Trustee Lynn Graham in the Chair and the following in attendance: Trustees Riley Brockington, Bronwyn Funiciello, Alex Getty, Margaret Lange, Greg Laws, Jim Libbey, Norm MacDonald, David Moen, David Primeau, Lynn Scott and Joan Spice. STAFF: Director of Education and Secretary of the Board, Lorne Rachlis; Superintendents Mike Carson, Peter Gamwell, Diane Jeudy -Hugo, Janice McCoy, Laura McAlister, and Glenda Stevenson, Executive Officer (Administration), Michele Giroux, Legal Advisor, Roger Mills, Manager Board Services, Monica Ceschia; Manager of Communications and Information Services, Maggie Melenhost; Learning Support Consultant for the Gifted, Bill Morton, A/V Technician, James Wright, and Senior Board Coordinator, Maureen Strittmatter. STUDENT TRUSTEE: Kate Genest On a motion by Trustee Lange, seconded by Trustee Funiciello, the Board resolved into Committee of the Whole (in camera). Trustee Scott assumed the chair in Committee and later presented the Committee's report in public session. (Board Minute 06 -151 refers). 140. Call to Order The Chair called the public session of the meeting to order at 10:26 p.m. and apologized for the late commencement of the public session. Chair Graham declared a potential conflict of interest for the next three items on the agenda, (daughter employed as an elementary teacher with the OCDSB) and did not participate in any discussion or vote on the recommendation. * * * * Trustee Scott assumed the Chair 141. Approval of Agenda Trustee MacDonald, seconded by Trustee Getty, moved THAT the agenda be approved. An amendment by Trustee Moen, seconded by Trustee Spice, THAT the agenda include three delegations (Stefan Ginder, Lamar Mason, and Christal Becker) after the public question period was accepted as friendly. An amendment by Trustee Funiciello, seconded by Trustee Moen, THAT items 3 and 4 be moved to after the new item 10, Public Delegations was accepted as friendly. 93 • I� L� OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 27 and 30 March 2006 An amendment by Trustee Brockington, seconded by Trustee Laws, THAT a third item be added to item 13, under Report No. 6, Business Services Committee, 8 March 2006, Scheduling of the Committee of the Whole Budget meeting, 4 April 2006 was accepted as friendly. The agenda, as amended was carried. A vote to continue the meeting past 10:30 was carried by the required two - thirds majority. As the order of the agenda was amended, Trustee Graham was asked to return to the meeting. * * * * Trustee Graham assumed the Chair 142. Confirmation of Minutes, 27 February 2006 and 2 March 2006 On a motion by Trustee Spice, seconded by Trustee Laws, the minutes of 27 February, 2006 were confirmed as written with the following corrections: Trustee Funiciello requested that Phil Jourdeuil's delegation summary on folio 5 be revised to provide additional information. Trustee Funiciello noted the following corrections to the minutes. Firstly, folio 8, the first paragraph, wherein the second sentence, should be replaced with "Trustee Funiciello drew trustees' attention to the fact that trustees had all received an email from Sean Maddox, Chair of First Avenue School Council. He expressed the council's opposition to the closure of the French Immersion Gifted program at Vincent Massey Public School and raised concerns over the lack of consultation with First Avenue Public School, a school which is directly impacted by this decision." Secondly, the seventh paragraph, the following should be stated "regarding the report firom the Special Education Review Phase ii," after "In response to a query ". Trustee Brockington noted that the record should show his statement with regard to the Dual Diagnosis program being established at Lisgar Collegiate Institute. He had noted that Ridgemont High School would probably be the most appropriate location for establishing the Dual Diagnosis program because of space availability, the central location, existing special education programs, and the current principal has experience within this area. • ,, • I� L� OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 27 and 30 March 2006 Trustee Moen requested that the following be noted in the minutes: • "Only the students that have been identified as gifted and have stated their intention to enroll in the Gifted program were included in the projections. No allocation for identification during IPRCs, transfers or IPRC students who have not yet made their choice were included." • "In answer to a query, Bob Flewelling confirmed that there were a total of 1,073 students identified as gifted and enrolled in the system in 2004 -2005. • "In answer to a query, staff confirmed that the exact number of students wishing to transfer from Vincent Massey to First Avenue cannot be known, and also after the move whether all spaces at First Avenue would be filled." • "Trustee Funiciello noted that the current enrolment for Vincent Massey (8 in Grade 5/6 and 25 in Grade 7/8 as of March 30, 2006), is higher than stated and predicted. The enrolment in the Grade 7 class is 12 students, which is double what staff had predicted last year." Trustee Funiciello requested the addition on folio 7, paragraph 6, that "Lamar Mason was not speaking on behalf of OCASC, but as an individual." On a motion by Trustee Brockington, seconded by Trustee Funiciello, the minutes of 2 March, 2006 were confirmed as written with the following corrections. On folio 16, Wh paragraph, replace "least proportional" with "least balanced ". In the 7tn paragraph, "Trustees who favoured the amendment "raised" concerns about "proportionate" representation.... Chair Graham noted that folio 17, middle paragraph, the reference "Baseline/Knoxdale- Merivale" should replace "Knoxdale ". Include the statement on folio 20 "Trustee Moen asked for assurance that future reference would have generic identifiable labels ". 143. Business Arising from Minutes, 27 February 2006 and 2 March 2006 In response to a query on the 2 March 2006 minutes, Michele Giroux noted staff did obtain e -mail addresses of local community associations, but the list was not complete and community associations were consulted to the extent possible. 144. Chair's Report Chair Graham congratulated Merivale High School student Jane Traversey, who received Entrepreneur of the Year award by the Ontario Junior Achievement Program for leading her company "The Barkery" to financial success. In total, Merivale High School companies received 20 awards from the Junior Achievement organization. 95 • I� L� OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD 145. Director's Report MINUTES 27 and 30 March 2006 Director Rachlis announced that A. Lorne Cassidy Elementary School's Grade 5 teacher, Nathan Toft's classroom website received top marks this month from the American Internet Corporation. This is not the only organization to admire the efforts of Nathan Toft and his students, Monitor Magazine, a Canadian technology publication also acknowledged the excellent quality of this classroom website. The Director congratulated Greenbank Middle School students Sharley Fan, Sylvia Benn, and Sadie Laurin who were named first, second and third place winners in the Youth Heritage Art Competition. The competition is designed to introduce the value of architectural structures and heritage buildings to elementary students through the visual medium of line drawing. * * * * Trustee Scott assumed the Chair 146. Public Question Period In response to Greg Bonnah's request that staff provide information on the number of Special Education students who were suspended, expelled and /or excluded from school, Superintendent Jeudy- Hugo noted that this data is not readily available and was not sure that it could be obtained. Trustee Scott suggested that staff determine the work that would be required. On behalf of Elizabeth Park Public School Council, Brian McCleery addressed the long -term viability of the EFI program. He noted by way of a map that there is no direct path from Sawmill Creek Elementary School, which is near capacity, to the new school. Pat Harris noted that Vincent Massey Public School has advertised the gifted program in community newspapers, prepared posters and information packages and planned an open house. She questioned why staff feel that they would not expect to see increased numbers in this program for the 2007 -2008 school year. Superintendent Stevenson confirmed that in terms of numbers predicted for 2006 -2007 staff looked at students who have met the criteria, and the projected numbers are the students in the system in which applications have come forward. Following the three delegations confirming that they would prefer to present at the new scheduled date, Trustee Brockington put forward a motion, seconded by Trustee Funiciello, to continue the meeting on Thursday, 30 March, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. In answer to a query, Superintendent McCoy stated that preference would be to have the sensitive item in Committee of the Whole (in camera) dealt with at this meeting but could work with a Thursday decision. •, • I� L� OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 27 and 30 March 2006 An amendment by Trustee Moen, THAT the meeting continue past 11:00 p.m. to receive the Committee of the Whole (in camera) report and then adjourn, was ruled out of order as this change would not allow another item to be dealt with and due notice had been given for that item. Motion to adjourn to Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 7:30 p.m. was carried. The meeting adjourned at 11:10 p.m. • I� L� OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 27 and 30 March 2006 30 March 2006 The continuation meeting of the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board was held this evening in the Board Room, 133 Greenbank Road, Ottawa, Ontario, commencing at 7:35 p.m. with Trustee Lynn Graham in the Chair and the following in attendance: Trustees Riley Brockington, Bronwyn Funiciello, Alex Getty (by phone), Margaret Lange, Greg Laws, Jim Libbey, Norm MacDonald, David Moen, David Primeau, Lynn Scott and Joan Spice. STAFF: Director of Education and Secretary of the Board, Lorne Rachlis; Superintendents Diane Jeudy -Hugo, Janice McCoy, Laura McAlister, and Glenda Stevenson, Executive Officer (Administration), Michele Giroux, Legal Advisor, Roger Mills, Manager of Planning and Transportation, Karyn Ostafichuk, Manager of Field Services, Bob Flewelling; Manager of Board Services, Monica Ceschia; Communications Coordinator, Sharlene Hunter, AN Technician, James Wright, and Senior Board Coordinator, Maureen Strittmatter. 147. Call to Order The Chair called the public session of the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Trustee Graham declared a potential conflict of interest for the next three items on the agenda, (daughter employed as an elementary teacher with the OCDSB) and did not participate in any discussion or vote on the recommendation. * * * * Trustee Scott assumed the Chair 148. Delegations (Two Minutes) Stefan Ginder re Efforts to Date to Promote the Gifted Program at Vincent Massey Public School Mr. Ginder noted the efforts to promote the Gifted Program at Vincent Massey Public School that the parent community has undertaken to date, including advertising in local newspapers and the web, held an open house, and prepared information packages for parents. He stated that the issue was decided a month ago in good faith and questioned why it was being revisited. Lamar Mason re Support for Motion to Reconsider Closure of French Immersion Gifted Program at Vincent Massey Public School Lamar Mason expressed concern with leaving the French Immersion Gifted program open at Vincent Massey Public School. She noted that SEAC and the findings from the recent Special Education review report support this closure. Facing a significant deficit in the Special Education budget, Ms. Mason felt that closing these under - enrolled classes was the right •• • I� L� OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 27 and 30 March 2006 decision. Ms. Mason also requested that the OCDSB not spend any resources trying to attract more Gifted students to fill the under - utilized classes. Christal Becker re Motion to Reopen Debate on the Closure of the Vincent Massey Gifted Pro.. ream Christal Becker provided assessment and identification patterns for Giftedness from the OCDSB, Thames Valley DSB, Waterloo DSB and the Provincial average noting that there is a variety of identification rates within the province. Ms. Becker noted that the OCDSB Special Education Program and Service Review will not be presented to SEAC until April 5, 2006 and the report for action will be brought forward in June 2006 and felt that the reopening of the debate on the closure of the Vincent Massey Gifted program was a contradiction of the spirit of the document which advocates planning and review. On a motion by Trustee Funiciello, seconded by Trustee Moen, the Board resolved into Committee of the Whole (in camera). Trustee Scott assumed the chair in Committee and Trustee Brockington presented the Committee's report in public session. (Board Minute 06 -149 refers). The public session resumed at 8:15 p.m. 149. Report No. 9, Special Committee of the Whole (in camera), 30 March 2006 Trustee Brockington reported that a Special Committee of the Whole (in camera) was held on 30 March 2006 to review a legal issue. There were no recommendations. 150. Notice of Reconsideration re Closure of French Immersion Gifted Class at Vincent Massey Public School At the request of Trustee Brockington, Executive Officer Giroux reviewed the rules for reconsidering motions. (Motion by Trustee Lange, seconded by Trustee MacDonald) THAT the motion of 27 February 2006 regarding Specialized Classes/Programs for 2006 -2007 be reconsidered with respect to the specific amendment regarding the closure of the gifted French Immersion Program at Vincent Massey Public School. The closure of one French Immersion gifted class with the remaining class becoming a grade 8 only French Immersion gifted class for the 2006 — 2007 school year, and •; • I� L� OTTAWA- CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 27 and 30 March 2006 The remaining grade 8 French Immersion gifted class at Vincent Massey Public School be closed at the end of the 2006 — 2007 school year. Trustee Lange stated that since the motion had been passed, staff have received the Special Education Review information noting that the Board should move towards less congregated programming, and through the budget focus group meetings a $7,000,000 deficit in the special education envelope was noted. Trustee Moen requested that the reconsideration motion be ruled out of order. He noted that trustees had received a memo from the Director dated November 30, 2005 which stated that the location and number of special classes must be made by February 1, 2006 and in the Consultation Plan (timeline section) the decision date was February 27, 2006. He further noted that this item was subject to public consultation and the public was repeatedly told that the decision must be made by February 27, 2006. Superintendent McCoy confirmed that staff is required to have approval by the end of March in order to meet contractual obligations. The February date allowed sufficient time to bring forward the numbers to trustees. The academic staffing is brought forward as a recommendation and amendments can be made provided that they are in the discretionary (non - contractual) staffing. Trustee Scott ruled the motion in order. It was noted that the Board has made adjustments to staffing after the staffing report has been received in the past, and advice from legal counsel has been received on this matter. Trustee Moen requested that the reconsideration motion be ruled out of order because it was not a reconsideration of the substantial motion. He noted that the standing rules specify in Kerr and King that the motion in proper form returns to the meeting, but this reconsideration motion attempts to limit the scope of the debate. Approval of the reconsideration would require the Board to debate the entire motion passed. Kerr and King distinguishes between motions and amendments, and our By -Laws, Annex 5, only references motion. Trustee Moen continued that there were other ways in our rules to make change to a part of the substantial motion but no notice was given for that. He furthered that legal advice has been received and an amendment is not and cannot be a substantive motion. Trustee Scott agreed that there are several ways to bring a matter back including by reconsideration to amend a motion previously approved. She stated that the intent is very clear and that it has not been the practice of the Board of resorting to dealing with complex motions by division. She further noted that the objective of procedural rules is not to frustrate the Board's ability to move the business forward, but to facilitate the Board's ability to move decisions forward. Trustee Scott ruled the reconsideration motion in order as notice had been given, the intent was clear, and we are looking at one substantial issue as part of a multipart motion, that had been previously voted on separately. Trustee Moen challenged the Chair noting that items in a motion being debated and voted separately does not make that portion a substantial motion unless they were debated and voted separately, one at a time. 100 • I� L� OTTAWA- CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 27 and 30 March 2006 The ruling of the Chair was upheld on a vote. Superintendent McCoy confirmed that staff are awaiting the final approval of the academic staffing and have completed what they could in the absence of the final decision so that the school staff decisions could go out to schools early next week. Trustees speaking against the reconsideration motion stated that the work had been substantially completed, there had been a delegation indicating that the process is well underway, and the IPRCs have begun, and parents are being told they have spots in the school. It was noted that no new information had been presented to warrant reconsideration. The Special Education Review is still out for consultation, and the $7,000,000 deficit in the education funding envelope had been known by staff and trustees for some time. Trustees favouring the reconsideration motion stated that the numbers at Vincent Massey Public School have been decreasing every year. In wrapup, Trustee Lange noted that this is the first opportunity to bring this matter back as there was only one Board meeting in March and the original motion had failed on a tie vote. She continued that due to declining enrolment the use of these funds for a class of 7 or 8 students would be a misuse of funds. At the request of Trustee Laws, a recorded vote was held and the reconsideration motion failed on the following division: FOR: Trustees Getty, Lange, MacDonald, and Scott 4 AGAINST: Trustees Brockington, Funiciello, Laws, Libbey, Primeau, and Spice 6 ABSTENTIONS: Trustee Moen 1 * * * * Trustee Graham assumed the Chair 151. Report No. 8, Committee of the Whole (in camera), 27 March 2006 Trustee Scott presented Report No. 8, Committee of the Whole (in camera), and seconded the recommendations therein, viz.: 101 • I� L� OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 27 and 30 March 2006 a) Teacher Staffing 2006 -2007 (Motion by Trustee Spice, seconded by Trustee Scott) THAT staff proceed as directed in Committee of the Whole (in camera) with the 2006- 2007 academic staffing allocations, as amended. Trustee Graham declared a potential conflict of interest (daughter employed as an elementary teacher with the OCDSB) and did not vote on the recommendation. At the request of Trustee Laws, a recorded vote was held and the motion was carried on the following division: FOR: Trustees Brockington, Funiciello, Getty, Lange, Libbey, MacDonald, Primeau, Scott, and Spice 9 AGAINST: Trustees Laws and Moen 2 ABSTENTIONS: 0 b) Legal Defence Support (Motion by Trustee Libbey, seconded by Trustee Scott) THAT the Board proceed as directed in Committee of the Whole (in camera) with respect to a legal matter. The motion was carried. C) Employee Issue (Motion by Trustee Getty, seconded by Trustee Scott) THAT the Board authorize the Chair to proceed regarding an employee issue as directed in Committee of the Whole (in camera). At the request of Trustee Laws, a recorded vote was held and the motion was carried on the following division: FOR: Trustees Brockington, Getty, Graham, Lange, Libbey, MacDonald, Primeau, Scott, and Spice 9 AGAINST: Trustees Funiciello, Laws and Moen 3 ABSTENTIONS: 102 0 • I� L� OTTAWA- CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 27 and 30 March 2006 Recommendations a), b), and c) were adopted by the Board. 152. Receipt of Revised Special Education Advisory Committee, Revised Report No. 4, 9 February 2006 On a motion by Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Funiciello, the Special Education Advisory Committee, Revised Report No. 4 dated 9 February 2006 was received. There were no recommendations. 153. Report No. 3, Education Committee, 20 February 2006 On a motion by Trustee Laws, seconded by Trustee Funiciello, the Board received Report No. 3 Education Committee, dated 20 February 2006. Trustee Spice noted the following revisions: that on folio 32, first paragraph, the sentence finish after "French as a Second Language (FSL) students" and on folio 37, middle paragraph, remove the sentence "In an effort to keep all of these students together, she asked whether a DHH program could be established at Hillcrest High School ", as this was meant to be in the future. The recommendations were dealt with at 27 February and 2 March 2006 Board meetings. 154. Report No. 3, Human Resources Committee, 6 March 2006 On a motion by Trustee Getty seconded by Trustee Primeau, Report No. 3, Human Resources Committee, dated 6 March 2006 was received. There were no recommendations. 155. Report No. 6, Business Services Committee, 8 March 2006 On a motion by Trustee Brockington seconded by Trustee Funiciello, Report No. 6, Business Services Committee, dated 8 March 2006 was received. Trustee Spice noted that on folio 49, the first two sentences of sixth paragraph be replaced with the following: "Trustee Spice expressed concern that, given the low and declining enrolment at Severn and Regina (about 150 FTE forecast for each school for September 2006), the study had not considered the possibility of consolidating Severn and Regina in one of those schools and accommodating Grant Alternative in the other. She recommended that this be considered in the next phase of the study, which ideally should be started before the end of June this year so that decisions could be implemented in September 2007." 103 • I� L� OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 27 and 30 March 2006 Trustee Brockington presented and seconded the following recommendations: a) Scheduling of the COW Budget Meeting, 4 April 2006 (Motion by Trustee Moen, seconded by Trustee Brockington) THAT the first meeting of the Committee of the Whole, Budget be held on 4 April 2006. This was a consent item and the motion was carried. b) Proposed Schedule and Timeline - New Longfields- Davidson Heights Secondary School (Motion by Trustee Laws, seconded by Trustee Brockington) THAT the proposed schedule and timeline for the construction of a new secondary school in Longfields- Davidson Heights, as shown in Appendix A of report No. 06 -050 be approved. This was a consent item and the motion was carried. C) Canada Lands Development, Confirmation of Elementary Boundaries (Motion by Trustee Moen, seconded by Trustee Brockington) THAT the Board confirm the inclusion of the Canada Lands Development area within the attendance boundary for Sawmill Creek Elementary School, as shown in Appendix B of report no.06 -052. This was not a consent item (debate took place after receipt of Ad Hoc Committee for Board Evaluation and Director Performance Appraisal Processes, but is included here for ease of reference) Trustee Laws, seconded by Trustee Scott, moved in amendment: A THAT the Board confirm the inclusion of the Canada Lands Development area within the regular English /core French attendance boundary for Blossom Park Public School, and B. THAT the Board confirm the inclusion of the Canada Lands Development area within the early French immersion attendance boundary for Elizabeth Park Public School. Trustee Laws noted that a map had been circulated by a delegation at the Board meeting of 27 March that indicated there will not be a street developed for students to walk through the area until at least the final phase of the development. He stated that the students will need to be 104 • I� L� OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 27 and 30 March 2006 bussed from this area and thus the enrolment at the two schools should be addressed to take the pressure off of Sawmill Creek Elementary School. In answer to a query, staff confirmed that the rational for directing the children to Sawmill Creek Elementary School is that it is in walking distance and is part of the Sawmill catchment area. Ms. Ostafichuk confirmed that both Sawmill Creek and Elizabeth Park are approximately 1.6 to 1.7 km. from the Canada Lands development and there is a concern of Bank Street with regard to Blossom Park and Elizabeth Park. The numbers for the Canada Lands development seem to be dropping, yet the net yield could be just over 100 with Findlay and Leitrim being directed to Elizabeth Park Public School. Trustee Moen noted that there is no foot path connecting Sawmill Creek Elementary School to the Canada Lands Development site, so bussing would be a requirement or alternatively the students walk along Bank Street, which is a provincial highway. Given that the students would be bussed, the issue of program viability should be a consideration. Trustees speaking in support of this amendment noted that the Sawmill Creek parents are concerned with additional portables being added and the long term viability in particular with the EFI program at Elizabeth Park Public School as per the staff predictions for 2010. Trustees speaking against this amendment noted that the community should not be broken up if in fact the Canada Lands Development is considered to be part of the Sawmill Creek natural community. Also, families who have children in both EFI and ENG would be sending their children to different schools. In wrapup, Trustee Laws stated that the amendment was to address the program viability and provide an extra source of students for the EFI program at Elizabeth Park Public School. He noted that the Canada Lands Development is in it's early stages and is not part of a natural community yet. Trustee Laws requested that Parts A and B be voted on separately. Both Parts A and B of the amendment were defeated. Trustee Laws, seconded by Trustee Moen, moved in amendment: A THAT the Board confirm the inclusion of the Canada Lands Development area within the regular English /core French attendance boundary for Elizabeth Park Public School, and B. THAT the Board confirm the inclusion of the Canada Lands Development area within the early French immersion attendance boundary for Sawmill Creek Elementary School. 105 • I� L� OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 27 and 30 March 2006 Trustees speaking in favour of the motion noted that it was a question of whether we want to overcrowd Sawmill Creek Elementary School or place children into facilities where there is room as bussing would be needed either way. It was noted that Sawmill Creek is over capacity, with a cap of 632 and enrolment of 673 students. Staff confirmed that there was a concern with already one growth area, Findlay Creek, being directed to Elizabeth Park Public School and now adding an additional program that staff had not anticipated and fully assessed. They are anticipating 111 school age students over the next five years from the Canada Lands Development area and this would bolster the decline in enrolment at Sawmill Creek Elementary School. Trustee Libbey, seconded by Trustee Primeau, moved to defer to the next Board meeting, 10 April, 2006. Staff confirmed that the information on staffing would be forwarded to schools early next week but the numbers from the Canada Lands Development for the upcoming year would not be significant and may not affect staffing. Trustees speaking against the deferral noted that this item first came to a Special Business Services Committee meeting and was referred to the March Business Services Committee and did not feel that another deferral was necessary. The motion to defer to the 10 April Board meeting was defeated. In wrapup, Trustee Laws stated that the inclusion of the 100 students over the five years would benefit Elizabeth Park Public School and the system as a whole. The amendment was defeated. In response to a query, staff confirmed that Sawmill Creek Elementary School does have the capacity to absorb another 100 students. At the request of Trustee Moen, a recorded vote was held and the motion was carried on the following division: FOR: Trustees Getty, Graham, Lange, Libbey, MacDonald, and Spice 6 AGAINST: Trustees Laws and Moen 2 ABSTENTIONS: Trustees Brockington, Funiciello, Primeau, and Scott 4 Recommendations a), b) and c) were adopted by the Board. 106 • I� L� OTTAWA- CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 27 and 30 March 2006 156. Partial Report No. 4, Education Committee, 21 March 2006 On a motion by Trustee Laws, seconded by Trustee MacDonald, Partial Report No. 4, Education Committee dated 21 March 2006 dated was received. Trustee Laws presented the report and seconded the following recommendations: a) Receipt of Minutes, Trades and Technology Steering Committee, June, September, November and December 2005 (Motion by Trustee Brockington, seconded by Trustee Laws) THAT the minutes of the Trades and Technology Steering Committee, dated 13 June 2005, 15 September 2005, 17 November 2005 and 15 December 2005, be received. This was a consent item and the motion was carried. b) Receipt of Special Education Advisory Committee Report, No. 5, 1 March 2006 (Motion by Trustee Graham, seconded by Trustee Laws) THAT Report No. 5 of the Special Education Advisory Committee, dated 1 March 2006, be received. This was a consent item and the motion was carried. i) Community Representative Leave of Absence (Motion by Trustee Libbey, seconded by Trustee Laws) THAT the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board grant a leave of absence to Debi Kirwan, Community Representative on the Special Education Advisory Committee, until such time as she is able to resume her duties or new applicants are approved at the time of SEAC's reconstitution in December 2006. This was a consent item and the motion was carried. 107 • I� L� OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 27 and 30 March 2006 C) Receipt of Minutes, Trades and Technology Steering Committee, 26 January (Motion by Trustee Funiciello, substituting for Trustee Graham, seconded by Trustee Laws) THAT the minutes of the Trades and Technology Steering Committee, dated 26 January 2006, be received. This was a consent item and the motion was carried. d) Support for the Artists in Schools Model (Motion by Trustee Lange, seconded by Trustee Laws) THAT the OCDSB express its support for the artists -in- the - schools model, which the Marjorie Loughrey Endowment Fund (MLEF) for Artists in the Schools will help implement. This was not a consent item, (debate took place after receipt of Ad Hoc Committee for Board Evaluation and Director Performance Appraisal Processes, but is included here for ease of reference). Trustee Lange noted that this motion was recommended by the Advisory Committee of the Arts, through Education Committee to endorse the Artists in the School Program. The committee will accept applications from schools and the objective is to fund an artist in the school for one week. The endowment fund thought it would be helpful to have the endorsement of the Board, as Marjorey Loughey was a longtime trustee and served on the Advisory Committee of the Arts. In response to a query, confirmation was given that the project will be entirely funded by the endowment fund. An amendment by Trustee Moen, seconded by Trustee Funiciello, to replace the word "express its support for" with "endorse" was accepted as friendly. The motion, as amended, was carried: 108 • I� L� OTTAWA- CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 27 and 30 March 2006 e) Declining Enrolment at Beacon Schools (Motion by Trustee Spice, substituting for Trustee Graham, seconded by Trustee Laws) THAT a report be prepared for June Education Committee providing an analysis of the reasons why enrolment is declining at elementary Beacon Schools faster than at other elementary schools and that the report include recommendations, if appropriate, as to how this situation should be addressed. This was a consent item and the motion was carried. f) Increasing Awareness of the Specialized Gifted Program (Motion by Trustee Funiciello, seconded by Trustee Laws) THAT staff take steps to increase awareness of the OCDSB's specialized gifted program where space is expected to be available for September 2006. This was not a consent item, (debate took place after receipt of Ad Hoc Committee for Board Evaluation and Director Performance Appraisal Processes, but is included here for ease of reference). Trustee Funiciello, seconded by Moen, moved an amendment to insert the words "a variety of steps, "including paid newspaper advertisements" to increase .... Trustee Funiciello stated that staff had indicated at the Education Committee that several of the steps included in the original motion were items that would be carried out. She further noted that success has been obtained with advertising and this amendment would ensure that those steps are taken on a broader basis across the district. In response to a query, the Director confirmed that items A, B, C, E, and G (based on the premises that there are vacancies) as noted in the 21 March Education Committee report, would be implemented by staff. Trustee Brockington, seconded by Trustee Laws, moved a sub - amendment to include the words "local community" newspaper..... Trustee Brockington noted that this sub - amendment would target our markets by community, not the entire district and incur less costs. A motion to continue the meeting past 10:30 p.m. received a two- thirds majority vote. 109 • I� L� OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 27 and 30 March 2006 Trustee Moen suggested that magazines targeted at parents be included in the advertising and confirmation was given that this amendment would not preclude advertising in magazines. The sub - amendment carried. Trustee Moen noted that a portion of the OCDSB strategic plan has to do with market share and this could be a way to reach people who are not currently within our system. Trustees speaking against the amendment questioned why staff would spend money to promote the Specialized Gifted Program in view of earlier discussions and Phase II of the Special Education Report, and objected to the concept of using public funds to market programs. Concern was raised by Trustee Scott, that the Specialized Gifted Program should not be singled out for advertising but dealt with as an overall advertising campaign by the OCDSB communications staff. Since there is a small number of Gifted spaces throughout the system, there would be a need to advertise in a number of community newspapers and questioned the overall cost and effectiveness. At the request of Trustee Moen, a recorded vote was held and the amendment, as sub - amended, was carried on the following division: FOR: Trustees Brockington, Funiciello, Getty, Laws, Libbey, Moen and Spice 7 AGAINST: Trustees Graham, Lange, Primeau and Scott 4 ABSTENTIONS: 0 Trustee Moen noted that the main motion was consistent with practice, policy and goals. Trustee Scott stated that focus should be on programming and equitable distribution of programs. The OCDSB has an approved marketing plan and strategy and if that plan includes advertising for the Gifted program then it should be done. In response to an enquiry, the Director noted that the estimated cost for such advertising would depend on the sites and the quantity of newspapers. He stated the funds should fall within the marketing campaign budget. In the past, the cost could be up to $10,000 for the same type of advertising. 110 • I� L� OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 27 and 30 March 2006 Trustee Brockington stated that the $10,000 amount was excessive and the target area should be in close proximity to the schools. Trustee Brockington, seconded by Trustee Scott, moved an amendment to add Part B "THAT the budget for paid advertising not exceed $2,500." Trustee Libbey called the question for the amendment, and received the required 2/3 vote. The amendment was carried. Trustee Libbey called the question for the main motion, and received the required 2/3 vote. At the request of Trustee Moen, a recorded vote was held and the motion, as amended, was carried on the following division: FOR: Trustees Brockington, Funiciello, Graham, Laws, Libbey, Moen, and Spice 7 AGAINST: Trustees Getty, Lange, and Primeau ABSTENTION: Trustee Scott g) English as a Second Language (ESL) /English Literacy Development (ELD) Program Delivery (Motion by Trustee Lange, seconded by Trustee Laws) THAT staff respond to the following recommendations in their report to the May 2006 Education Committee: A. THAT staff review the data on the EQAO test results of the ESL/ELD students demitted from the program as a measure of the ESL program's success and, if necessary, define what other testing would be appropriate to undertake to assess the success of this body of students to allow for the development of a benchmark for ESL /ELD student achievement, B. THAT staff provide to the Board information on the number of teachers in both the elementary and secondary panel who have completed the recommended ESL training programs to achieve their certification to teach ESL, along with an indication of whether these teachers are teaching ESL /ELD or regular program, 111 • I� L� OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD Board. MINUTES 27 and 30 March 2006 C. THAT the Board undertake a pilot summer school ESL program for secondary students in partnership with OCISO as part of their "Step Ahead program" and that afterwards the staff report back to the Board on the results with recommendations for ESL summer school for the subsequent year, D. THAT the Board appoint a Principal for ESL to develop an Action Plan for improved delivery of programming for students in the ESUELD program in the OCDSB to achieve better outcomes for ESUELD students and also achieve the most effective use of resources, E. THAT staff prepare a proposal and cost estimate for a training program that would ensure that all teachers in the OCDSB, elementary and secondary panels, would have the necessary skills to teach ESL students, and, F. THAT staff provide an estimate of the cost to add Multi- Cultural Liaison Officers (MLO's) to all the Beacon Schools in the OCDSB not already served by an MLO and a manager to oversee the delivery of this service in the Board. Trustee Brockington confirmed that the motion is only asking for staff's responses, not recommendations. This was a consent item and the motion was carried. Recommendations a), b), b -i), c), d) as amended, e), f) as amended, and g) were adopted by the 157. Community Consultation on New MFI Program Locations (Motion by Trustee Laws) THAT: A. As part of a review of French Immersion (FI) entry points and programming, an examination of the potential for expansion of the MFI program elsewhere within the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board will be conducted. B. Based on a confirmation of market demand in the final report on FI, specific recommendations about additional MFI program locations in the south and east portions of the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board shall be part of the final report. 112 • I� L� OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 27 and 30 March 2006 C. If, for reasons beyond the control of the board, a complete review of FI cannot be conducted, a report outlining the steps required to thoroughly examine the potential for an expansion of the MFI program in the south and east portion of the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board, will be prepared for presentation to a future meeting of the Education Committee. At the request of Trustee Laws this motion was withdrawn. 158. Report No. 2, Ad Hoc Committee for the Board Evaluation and the Director Performance Evaluation Processes, 6 March 2006 On a motion by Trustee Moen, seconded by Trustee Scott, Report No. 2, for the Ad Hoc Committee for the Board Evaluation and the Director Performance Evaluation Processes, dated 6 March 2006 dated was received. Trustee Moen presented the report and seconded the following recommendation: (Motion by Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Moen) THAT the report on the findings of the 2004 -2005 review of the integrated board evaluation and director performance processes by received. This was a consent item and the motion was carried and adopted by the Board. Unanimous consent was not granted to continue the meeting past 11:00 pm. 159. Adjournment Ms/ The meeting adjourned at 11:02 p.m. Lorne M. Rachlis, Director of Education /Secretary of the Board 113 Lynn Graham, Chair of the Board