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HomeMy WebLinkAbout17 Student Trustee Report to Board 27 Mar 2006Student Trustee Report Presented to Board 27 March 2006 On Monday, March 10th, 2006, at 8:OOpm, the Student Trustee Advisory Committee (STAC) held a meeting in the mezzanine of 133 Greenbank. Inclement Weather In response to an e-mail from Laura Osman, South Carleton High School's Student Trustee Advisory, STAC considered the options available to the Board regarding bus cancellations. It was agreed upon that due to the fact that not all roads receive snow clearing services by the time the buses are running in the morning, that a board -wide decision to keep buses running is not beneficial, mainly in rural communities. The possibility of implementing a rural boundary, in which each area is considered separately for a bus cancellation, was discussed. STAC came to the conclusion that creating a boundary which would distinguish between rural and urban schools would be beneficial to the students throughout the Board. Course for Credit Upon a suggestion by Mr. Lafleur, STAC discussed the possibility of making involvement in STAC a credit course. All Student Trustee Advisors at the meeting were very enthusiastic at the sound of this. There was conversation about the nature of content and benefits of such a course, but all involved agreed that it would provide more time to STAC members to attend committee meetings, create full reports, and fully assist the Student Trustees in representing the student population. STAC By -Laws and Election Procedures At a previous meeting of STAC, the committee discussed their by -laws and how to further strengthen the role of Student Trustee and STAC within the OCDSB. The Student Trustees stressed the necessity of having the incoming Student Trustees elected prior to OSTA- AECO's annual general meeting, normally occurring near the end of May or beginning of June. This year, the AGM will be held in Toronto, from June 8 -10. For this year, the Student Trustees are requesting that the incoming Student Trustees be elected on the June 5th meeting of STAC (or at a special meeting in the second last week of May) and be authorized to attend the AGM. The AGM provides an invaluable opportunity for incoming Student Trustees to network with others from across the province, and to learn a vast amount regarding Board procedures, assisting them in the transition for the next school year. STAC also discussed the wording of the by -laws, noting the fact that'Student Trustee Advisors "should" be elected' would be better suited as 'Student Trustee Advisors "will" be elected' in order to establish a democratic representation of the school. Non - Binding Student Trustee Vote At previous meetings of STAC, the idea of a non - binding student trustee vote was discussed. All advisors present were in favour of the non - binding student trustee vote. STAC discussed many aspects of the non - binding vote, including if the two Student Trustees would have one vote, or two separate votes. It was decided that, to provide a unified voice, the Student Trustees should have one non - binding vote, if passed at Committee and Board. STAC also discussed various methods of electing /appointing Student Trustees and Student Trustee Advisors in order to ensure a democratic election. It was agreed that Student Trustee Advisors must be elected at their home school in order to ensure a proper and democratic election. Many advisors noted various ways that were in use now to obtain a Student Trustee Advisor, from an election, to an appointment by the principal, to a request from a teacher. Civics Class Presentations At previous meetings of STAC, as well as this meeting, STAC discussed how to get students involved in their education. Many ideas were discussed, such as holding a conference with different workshops on the education system, what STAC is, and how students can make a difference even if they are not a Student Trustee Advisor. An idea of a presentation to a Civics class was introduced, illustrating that it would be easier to organize and could provide a more targeted and focused message in a smaller time frame. At this meeting, a draft presentation was introduced by Mr. Lafleur, beginning with an outline of the Board and where STAC stands, as well as a description of STAC and its role within the Board. The presentation is currently being completed, and is expected to be presented to classes within the school year.