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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard 10 Apr 2006 Minutes Public• [�17 � OTTAWA-CAUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 10 April 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 7:05 p.m. with Trustee Lynn Graham in the Chair and the following in attendance: Trustees Bronwyn Funiciello, Alex Getty, Margaret Lange (by phone for item 12. Letter to Premier), 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; Superintendent Laura McAlister, Executive Officer (Administration), Michele Giroux, Manager of Board Services, Monica Ceschia; Communications Coordinator, Hyacinth Haddad, and Committee Coordinator, Bruce Fraser. STUDENT TRUSTEE: Ian Kasper On a motion by Trustee Laws 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 -162 refers) 160. Call to Order Chair Graham called the public session of the meeting to order at 8:17 p.m. 161. Approval of Agenda On a motion by Trustee Getty, seconded by Trustee Funiciello, the agenda was approved as circulated. 162. Report No. 10, Committee of the Whole (In Camera) Trustee Scott presented Report No. 10 from Committee of the Whole (in camera) and seconded the following recommendations therein, viz.: a) Provision of Legal Services (Motion by Trustee Getty, seconded by Trustee Scott) THAT staff proceed as directed in Committee of the Whole (In Camera) with respect to the provision of legal services. At the request of Trustee Moen, a recorded vote was held and the motion was carried on the following division: FOR: Trustees Getty, Graham, MacDonald, Primeau, Scott and Spice (6) AGAINST: Trustees Funiciello, Laws, Libbey, and Moen, (4) 114 • [�17 � OTTAWA-CAUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 10 April 2006 ABSTENTIONS: Nil (0) b) Negotiations Issue (Motion by Trustee Primeau, seconded by Trustee Scott) THAT staff proceed as directed in Committee of the Whole (In Camera) with respect to a negotiations issue. The motion was carried. C) Negotiations Issue (Motion by Trustee Primeau, seconded by Trustee Scott) THAT staff proceed as directed in Committee of the Whole (In Camera) with respect to a second negotiations issue. The motion was carried. d) Negotiations Issue (Motion by Trustee Getty, seconded by Trustee Scott) THAT staff proceed as directed in Committee of the Whole (In Camera) with respect to a third negotiations issue. The motion was carried. e) Special Education Appeal (Motion by Trustee Libbey, seconded by Trustee Scott) THAT, as per Section 30(1) of Regulation 181, the Board accepts the determination of the Special Education Appeal Board held on March 7, 2006 and so indicates to each of the persons indicated in Regulation 181, Section 29(1). The motion was carried. Recommendations a), b), c), d), and e) were adopted by the Board. 115 • [�17 � OTTAWA-CAUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD 163. Confirmation of Minutes. 27 March and continuation 30 March 2006 MINUTES 10 April 2006 Monica Ceschia noted that two revised pages had been circulated to clarify Trustee Graham's declaration of a potential conflict of interest during the March 27 and March 30 (continuation) meetings. She also noted that a revision to Report No. 4, Chairs' Committee, 29 March 2006 was circulated which changed the "two non - voting representatives" to "three non - voting representatives" in the Part A of the recommendation on page eight. Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee MacDonald, moved THAT the minutes of 27 March and continuation 30 March 2006 (regular) meetings be received. A motion by Trustee Moen, seconded by Trustee Funiciello, to defer receipt of the minutes was defeated on a tie vote. On a point of personal privilege Trustee Moen noted that he could not vote as he had not had an opportunity to review the circulated revisions. Chair Graham called a brief recess to provide trustees with an opportunity to review the revised pages. In response to a request by Trustee Moen that the following revisions be included, staff agreed to review their notes and to revise the minutes as appropriate: folio 4 (page 96) - Minute 146. Public Question Period - 2nd paragraph "...which is near capacity, to the new development." folio 6 (page 98) "The continuation of the OC'DSB meeting of 27 March 2006 was held this evening.... folio 8 (page 100) - 2nd paragraph "...made by February 2006..." folio 8 (page 100) 5th paragraph "...our By -laws, Annex 5, only reference the reconsideration of notions, not amendments." The motion to receive the minutes, as amended where appropriate was carried. 164. Confirmation of Minutes, 29 March 2006 (special) On a motion by Trustee MacDonald, seconded by Trustee Getty, the minutes of 29 March 2006 (special) were received as written. 116 • [�17 � OTTAWA-CAUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 10 April 2006 165. Business Arising from Minutes, 27 March and continuation 30 March 2006 (regular) In response to a query by Trustee Funiciello with respect to a question by Greg Bonnah regarding the number of special education students suspended or expelled, Director Rachlis indicated that he would follow -up on the request and provide a response this week. In response to a comment by Trustee Moen that the information Mr. Bonnah requested should be available by cross referencing student identification numbers in the appropriate reports, Director Rachlis advised he would follow -up. 166. Business Arising from Minutes, 29 March (special) There was no business arising. 167. Chair's Report Chair Graham reported that Matthew Osmond, a grade nine student at Nepean High School, was awarded the National Police Services RCMP Award at the Ottawa Regional Science Fair, for the most outstanding scientific contribution to public safety. His project, "Putting the Freeze on Playground Head Injuries: What is the Effect of Rain and Sub -zero Temperatures on the Impact Performance of Playground Surface Materials" was one of forty -two Canadian high school projects chosen for submission to the International Science Fair. Along with his poster and research, Matthew wrote a paper, an abstract and produced a video of his work. Chair Graham invited trustees and members of the public to attend the upcoming "Gallery of Student Art" exhibit to be held on April 20, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room. The exhibit will include 142 new pieces of artwork by students from Superintendent Mike Neill's schools and provide an opportunity to meet and celebrate the young artists who produced the work. 168. Director's Report Director Rachlis reported that on March 21, 2006 Robert Bateman students in grades 1 to 6 presented a painting to the South African High Commissioner to commemorate International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Committee members, who Reach Out Against Racism (ROAR), also visited superintendents and staff at the Board office to hand out pins and commemorate the day. Their banner, which is hanging in the atrium, depicts the hands of many students and staff members who are committed to promoting equity and the appreciation of diversity. Director Rachlis reported that Bell High School recently received a Women in Sport Encouragement (WISE) Fund grant from the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport. He noted that teacher Lorna Bradley designed a program called Girls in Sports Day to show how grade eight girls from elementary and middle schools can get involved in school life through sports. The next Girls in Sport Day will be held May 31, 2006 and will showcase field hockey, floor hockey, rugby, and dance. 117 • [�17 � OTTAWA-CAUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD 169. Public Question Period MINUTES 10 April 2006 Elaine Morgan, Ottawa - Carleton Assembly of School Councils (OCASC), asked that the Board simplify the process to establish the Parental Involvement Committee. Director Rachlis agreed that there is an urgency regarding the establishment of the Committee and that the more complicated the process is the longer it will take to get underway. Chair Graham invited Ms. Morgan to listen to debate on this issue later in the meeting. 170. Report No. 4, Education Committee, 21 March 2006 On a motion by Trustee Laws, seconded by Trustee Funiciello, Report No. 4, Education Committee dated March 21, 2006 was received. The recommendations had been dealt with at the March 27 2006 and January 30, 2006 (continuation) Board meetings. 171. Report No. 4, Chairs' Committee, 29 March 2006 On a motion by Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee MacDonald, Report No. 4, Chairs' Committee dated March 29, 2006 was received. A recommendation regarding the Trustee Electoral Zone Boundary Review had been approved at the March 29, 2006 special Board meeting. Trustee Scott presented and seconded the following recommendations: a) Extension of Objectives and Goals to 2006 -2007 (Motion by Trustee Getty, seconded by Trustee Scott) THAT the following 2005 -2006 Objectives and Goals be extended to 2006 -2007. A) Improve student learning: i) Focus on literacy and numeracy at all grades ii) Foster attention for every child with individual learning opportunities to help each child achieve his /her potential iii) Ensure balanced choice, universal access to core programs, distribution of specialty programs B) Improve availability, quantity, and effective use of resources to support learning: i) Seek improvements to provincial funding and to OCDSB share of same ii) Allocate resources equitably within a balanced budget iii) Increase market share 118 • [�17 � OTTAWA-CAUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 10 April 2006 C) Increase the effectiveness of the organization through a positive corporate culture: i) Effective leadership ii) Establish respect, loyalty and trust iii) A more client- centered culture This was a consent item and the motion was carried. b) Parental Involvement Policy (Motion by Trustee Moen, seconded by Trustee Scott) A. THAT the OCDSB establish an interim Parental Involvement Committee comprised of nine members as outlined below: • two parents nominated by Ottawa - Carleton Assembly of School Councils (OCASC) representatives • two parents nominated by school council representatives • three parents from community groups representing immigrants, cultural minorities and the socio- economic disadvantaged • one trustee and one alternate • Director of Education • three non - voting representatives - one elementary principal, one secondary principal, and one Multicultural Liaison Officer (MLO) B. THAT the Parent Involvement Committee be delegated authority for the allocation of the "school based initiatives funding" and "Provincial and regional project funding" ($59,652); and C. That staff take immediate action to distribute the $500 per school council and communicate the funding provisions, restrictions and reporting requirements, and develop the "Parent Involvement Project Funding Application" and related requirements. This was not a consent item and when it was dealt with later in the meeting, the following discussion ensued. An amendment by Trustee Moen, seconded by Trustee Funiciello, to revise the first sentence in Part A as follows, was accepted as friendly: THAT the OCDSB establish an interim Parental Involvement Committee comprised of nine voting members and three non - voting members as outlined below: 119 • [�17 � OTTAWA-CAUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 10 April 2006 An amendment by Trustee Moen, seconded by Trustee Libbey, to add "for the 2005 -2006 school year" was accepted as friendly. Trustee Moen, seconded by Trustee Funiciello, moved THAT "one trustee and one alternate" be revised to "two trustees." Trustees speaking in support of the amendment expressed the view that strong trustee representation is important to encourage a strong interaction between parents and the Board. Trustees speaking against the amendment expressed the view that an additional trustee would not increase the effectiveness of the Committee. The amendment was carried. Trustee Moen, seconded by Trustee Funiciello, moved in amendment THAT "one parent representing the parents of students with special needs" be added to Part A. Trustees speaking in favour of the amendment expressed the view that representation from this group of parents would be useful on the Committee as groups such as Ottawa - Carleton Assembly of School Councils (OCASC) and school councils will be focusing on issues other than those of special needs students. Trustees speaking against the amendment expressed the view that too many members could limit the effectiveness of the Committee and that many parents of special needs students are already actively involved in their children's education. At the request of Trustee Moen, a recorded vote was held and the amendment was defeated on the following division: FOR: Trustees Funiciello, Laws, Libbey and Moen, (4) AGAINST: Trustees Getty, Graham, MacDonald, Primeau, Scott and Spice (6) ABSTENTIONS: Nil (0) Trustee Moen, seconded by Trustee Funiciello, moved in amendment THAT the first two bullets in part A be combined to read, "two parents nominated by Ottawa - Carleton Assembly of School Councils (OCASC) representatives, and school council representatives" and "one of whom shall represent parents of students with special needs" be added. At the request of Trustee Moen, a recorded vote was held and the amendment was defeated on the following division: 120 • [�17 � OTTAWA-CAUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 10 April 2006 FOR: Trustees Funiciello, Laws, Libbey and Moen, (4) AGAINST: Trustees Getty, Graham, MacDonald, Primeau, Scott and Spice (6) ABSTENTIONS: Nil (0) An amendment by Trustee Scott THAT the first two bullets in part A be combined and revised to read "four parents to be selected by the Director of Education in consultation with Ottawa - Carleton Assembly of School Councils (OCASC), failed for lack of a seconder. An amendment by Trustee Scott to replace "socio- economic disadvantaged" with "socio- economically disadvantaged" was accepted as friendly. Trustee Scott moved in amendment THAT "the authority to confirm the membership other than the trustee members be delegated to the Director of Education," be added as a new Part B and the original parts B and C designated as parts C and D. The amendment was carried. An amendment by Trustee Scott to delete "representatives" from the second bullet in part A was accepted as friendly. Amendments by Trustee Spice to delete "representatives" from the first bullet in part A and to add "provided by the Ministry of Education" in part D were accepted as friendly. Trustee Primeau, seconded by Trustee Scott, moved in amendment THAT "community" be deleted and "immigrants" be replaced with "special needs children" in the third bullet of part A Trustee Moen expressed the view that "immigrants" should remain in the motion as there are many members of cultural minorities who are not immigrants and the involvement difficulties are different for both groups. At the request of Trustee Moen, a recorded vote was held and the amendment was carried on the following division: FOR: Trustees Getty, Laws, Libbey, Primeau, Scott and Spice (6) AGAINST: Trustees Graham and Moen (2) ABSTENTION: Trustee Funiciello (1) 121 • [�17 � OTTAWA-CAUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 10 April 2006 The motion, as amended, was carried, viz.: A. THAT the OCDSB establish an interim Parental Involvement Committee comprised of ten voting members and three non - voting members as outlined below: • two parents nominated by the Ottawa - Carleton Assembly of School Councils (OCASC) • two parents nominated by school councils • three parents from groups representing special needs children, cultural minorities and the socio - economically disadvantaged • two trustees • Director of Education • three non - voting representatives - one elementary principal, one secondary principal, and one multicultural liaison officer (MLO), B. THAT the authority to confirm the membership other than the trustee members be delegated to the Director of Education, C. THAT the Parent Involvement Committee be delegated authority for the allocation of the "school based initiatives funding" and "provincial and regional project funding" ($59,652) for the 2005 -2006 school year, and D. That staff take immediate action to distribute the $500 per school council provided by the Ministry of Education and communicate the funding provisions, restrictions and reporting requirements, and develop the "Parent Involvement Project Funding Application" and related requirements. Trustees Brockington and Laws were confirmed as the trustee members of the Committee. 172. Report No. 4, Human Resources Committee, 3 April 2006 On a motion by Trustee Getty, seconded by Trustee Primeau, Report No. 4, Human Resources Committee dated April 3, 2006 was received. There were no recommendations. 122 • [�17 � OTTAWA-CAUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD 173. Letter to Premier, Shortcomings in Funding Formula (GSNs 2006 -2007) Notice having been given, Trustee Libbey moved as follows: MINUTES 10 April 2006 WHEREAS the government has yet to deal with the fundamental flaws in the funding formula reported by Dr. Rozanski in 2002, WHEREAS the most significant flaw in the funding formula, the under funding of salaries, has once again been confirmed by the government's own investigator into financial management at the Dufferin -Peel Catholic District School Board, WHEREAS the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board has highlighted its concerns about education funding in the OCDSB Position Paper on Education Finance (February 16, 2006), THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: THAT the Chair immediately send an open letter along the lines of the draft letter attached hereto regarding the inadequate funding formula, to the Premier of Ontario and the Minister of Education, with copies to the Minister of Finance, all MPPs, the media, Ontario School Boards, the Ontario Public School Boards' Association, People For Education and the Ottawa - Carleton Assembly of School Councils. Trustee Libbey expressed the view that the government has not addressed the basic funding problems related to areas identified in the " Rozanski Report" such as salaries, transportation and special education. He submitted that this was recently confirmed by the independent review of the Dufferin -Peel Catholic Board's budget situation. Trustee Libbey noted that funding shortfalls in those areas are being covered by redirecting funds from others such as facility maintenance deferring much needed work on major assets. Trustees speaking in support of the motion expressed the view that it would be appropriate to increase pressure on the government at this time to address ongoing funding problems as the new Minister of Education, Sandra Pupatello, has just been appointed. Some trustees expressed the view that while a letter to the minister would be valuable, an open letter may not be appropriate. Trustees speaking against the motion expressed the view that the current lower key strategies should be maintained and that a media campaign is not required at this point in time. In wrap -up Trustee Libbey noted that provincial budget decisions will be made prior to the Board's presentation to the eastern Liberal caucus and that action should be taken now to influence the government's budget allocations. 123 • [�17 � OTTAWA-CAUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 10 April 2006 A motion to continue the meeting past 10:30 p.m. was carried by a two - thirds majority vote. At the request of Trustee Laws, a recorded vote was held and the motion was defeated on the following division: FOR: Trustees Funiciello, Laws, Libbey, and Moen, (4) AGAINST: Trustees Getty, Graham, Lange, Primeau, Scott and Spice (6) ABSTENTIONS: Nil (0) 174. New Business In response to a query by Trustee Laws, Director Rachlis advised that a staff review committee found the book "Three Wishes" acceptable for use in the junior division. 175. Adjournment BAF/ The meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m. Lorne M. Rachlis, Director of Education/Secretary of the Board 124 Lynn Graham, Chair of the Board