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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05d Board Special 9 Aug 2006 Minutes Public11 • OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 9 August 2006 A special meeting of the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board was held this evening in the Board Room, 133 Greenbank Road, Ottawa, Ontario, commencing at 7:38 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, Lorne Rachlis, Chief Financial Officer Michael Clarke, Executive Officer, Michele Giroux, Manager of Business and Learning Technologies, Dave Miller, Manager of Board Services, Monica Ceschia; Manager, Communications and Information Services, Maggie Melenhorst; Communications Coordinator, Sharlene Hunter, AV Technician Robert Giekes; and Committee Coordinator, Board Services, Kim Young. Student Trustees: Steven Robins and Oliver Kahn. 285. Call to Order Trustee Graham called the public session to order at 7:38 p.m. 286. Approval of Agenda On a motion by Trustee MacDonald, seconded by Trustee Lange, the agenda was approved as presented. 287. Report No. 06 -175, Process and Amended Schedule for Committee of the Whole (Budget) Debate The Board had before it for consideration report No. 06 -175 seeking approval for procedures to deal with amendments to the staff recommended budget and with associated motions during the Committee of the Whole (Budget) meetings, and for the addition of a Committee of the Whole (Budget) meeting on 22 August 2006. Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Clarke introduced the report noting that, based on past practice, and due to the time constraints, staff is recommending the budget process outlined in the report. Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Spice, moved the recommendation in the report. In introducing the motion, Trustee Scott noted that there is limited time available for the budget debate. The proposal to group the amendments to reduce the budget and to group amendments to increase the budget has been an effective method used in scheduling previous budget debates. She added that there will also be a need to deal with policy issues related to some budget decisions following the budget process. Trustee Moen, seconded by Trustee Funiciello, moved in amendment THAT Part B i) c be revised by deleting all of the wording following "the budget ". Trustee Moen noted that trustees were provided with the staff - recommended budget for 2006- 2007 only the day before, and have not yet decided if approving a balanced budget will be possible. 240 11 • OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 9 August 2006 In response to a query, CFO Clarke explained that the Education Act requires school boards to approve a balanced budget, and for this reason the phrase "budget room to fund them" was included in Part B i) c. The OCDSB is contractually required to pay teachers' salaries on 1 September, and according to the Act, would be unable to borrow from its lenders if its budget was not balanced. CFO Clarke confirmed that the Act and the legal implications of not adhering to its tenets have not changed on this issue in the past five years. follows: At the request of Trustee Graham a recorded vote was taken on the amendment. The amendment to Part B i) c of the motion was defeated on the following division: FOR: Trustees Funiciello, Graham, Laws, Libbey, Moen (6) and Primeau AGAINST: Trustees Brockington, Getty, Lange, MacDonald, Scott (6) and Spice ABSTENTIONS: Nil (0) Trustee Moen moved in amendment, seconded by Trustee Libbey, THAT Part B iii) be revised as B. iii) Any amendments (or motions) that will not change the dollar total of the recommended budget and provided iniplenientation can be delayed, will be dealt with at a future Committee meeting, to be scheduled after the start of the 2006- 2007 school year. The amendment was carried. Trustee Moen requested that Part B i) be voted on separately. Trustee Getty asked that a recorded vote be taken on Part B i) and on the remainder of the motion as well. In wrap -up, Trustee Scott noted that the Board is the decision making authority with respect to the budget process, and is free to amend its process and budget meeting schedule subsequently if the circumstances warrant it. Part A of the motion was carried on the following division: FOR: Trustees Brockington, Funiciello, Getty, Graham, Lange, (12) Laws, Libbey, MacDonald, Moen, Primeau, Scott and Spice AGAINST: Nil (0) ABSTENTIONS: Nil (0) 241 11 • OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 9 August 2006 Part B i) of the motion was carried on the following division: FOR: Trustees Brockington, Getty, Lange, MacDonald, (7) Primeau, Scott and Spice AGAINST: Trustees Funiciello, Graham, Laws, Libbey and Moen (5) ABSTENTIONS: Nil (0) Part B ii), iii) and iv) were carried on the following division: FOR: Trustees Brockington, Funiciello, Getty, Graham, Lange, (11) Libbey, MacDonald, Moen, Primeau, Scott and Spice AGAINST: Nil (0) ABSTENTION: Trustee Laws (1) In summary, the following motion, as amended, was carried. A. That the meeting schedule of the Committee of the Whole (Budget) be as set out in Appendix B, adding an additional meeting to the previously approved schedule. B. That the Board approve the deliberation process for Committee of the Whole (Budget) as follows: Notices of motion for amendments will be grouped by time of receipt within the following three categories: a. Motions dealing with reductions. b. Motions dealing with specific trade -offs in the proposed budget. c. Motions dealing with increases to the budget, to the extent that, per a. above, approved reductions have produced budget room to fund them. ii. In the case of amendments that are specific opposites, if the first motion is passed, the second will not be considered for debate without a notice of reconsideration, iii. Any amendments (or motions) that will not change the dollar total of the recommended budget and provided implementation can be delayed, will be dealt with at a future Committee meeting, to be scheduled after the start of the 2006- 2007 school year. iv. Any policy change necessary to implement motions will be dealt with at the appropriate standing committee during 2006 -2007. 242 11 • OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 9 August 2006 288. OCDSB 2006 -2007 Budget Realities, Notice to Parents and Students, Trustee Laws Notice having been given, Trustee Laws, seconded by Trustee Moen, moved: Whereas the OCDSB is facing significant 2006 -2007 budget pressures, A. THAT the OCDSB immediately make plans to inform its parents and students (in a non - confrontational and non - defensive manner) of some of the 2006 -07 budget realities that it currently faces and the likely impact of spending reduction proposals in the staff recommended budget. B. THAT staff be directed to proceed with the most effective means of communicating this information early in the month of September. C. THAT the Minister of Education be copied on all OCDSB "budget related" communications to parents and /or students. In introducing the motion, Trustee Laws referred to the importance of informing parents and students as soon as possible regarding the likely significant reductions to the 2006 -2007 budget and the anticipated impact on students in schools. He noted the need to provide parents with a summary of the Board's budget decisions and its financial position, as defined by the OCDSB as opposed to this being defined by the media. An amendment by Trustee Moen, seconded by Trustee Scott, THAT Part A be changed as follows was accepted as friendly: A. THAT the OCDSB immediately make plans to inform its parents and students (in a non - confrontational and non - defensive manner) of some of the 2006 -07 budget realities that it currently faces and the likely impact of spending changes in the budget adopted for 2006- 2007. Trustee Moen moved in amendment, seconded by Trustee Funiciello, THAT Part A be amended as follows: A. THAT the OCDSB immediately make plans to inform its parents and students (in a non - confrontational and non - defensive manner) of some of the 2006 -07 budget realities that it currently faces, a suninialy of the political initiatives that the Board has undertaken in the pastnear, and the likely impact of spending changes in the budget adopted for 2006- 2007. Trustees speaking in favour of the amendment noted that there will likely be a great deal of media coverage of the budget debate, and the OCDSB needs to provide a summary directly to parents regarding the decisions it has made and the impact on service delivery. They also indicated the importance of sending a positive message to parents that despite the budgetary reductions, OCDSB schools will continue to provide exemplary programs to all of its students. They pointed out that the summer months are busy for parents, many of whom may not necessarily be following the media. Therefore, sending 243 11 • OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 9 August 2006 information to parents by student backpack is the most effective method for communicating with them on this issue. Trustees speaking against the amendment indicated that there is little to be gained by recounting the OCDSB's political efforts of the last year to parents and the media, or by criticizing the Ministry at this late date in the budget process. Some trustees expressed concern about sending too much information home to parents by student backpack, and noted that most parents' primary concerns are about what will happen to their children at their schools in September. In wrap -up, Trustee Moen confirmed that the scope of the issues that the OCDSB conveys to parents should only include those related to budget issues. At Trustee Moen's request, a recorded vote was held on the amendment to Part A of the motion. The amendment to Part A of the motion was carried on the following division: FOR: Trustees Brockington, Funiciello, Graham, Laws, Libbey, (6) and Moen AGAINST: Trustees Getty, Lange, MacDonald, Primeau and Spice (5) ABSTENTION: Trustee Scott (1) An amendment by Trustee Primeau, seconded by Trustee Laws THAT Part A be revised by deleting "likely ", was accepted as friendly. Trustees speaking in favour of the motion noted the importance of reaching a broad spectrum of parents with information regarding the OCDSB's financial situation and the possible impact of budget reductions on students. Trustees speaking against the motion noted that the message sent home to parents is unnecessary, given that there will likely be extensive coverage of the budget process by the media. They questioned the likelihood of the OCDSB being successful in taking a non - confrontational, non - defensive position, when its deficit for 2006 -2007 is as significant as it is. In response to queries, Director Rachlis explained that staff are already carrying out Part A of the motion. A Question & Answer document is currently being developed to send to parents, to be posted to the OCDSB web site and provided electronically to school councils. Trustee Getty, seconded by Trustee Spice, moved THAT the motion be referred to the Committee of the Whole (Budget) for consideration. Trustee Getty expressed support for communicating the results of the budget process to the public but also expressed the view that the intent of the motion on this issue is unclear and that it is premature to be dealing with it prior to the commencement of the budget process. 244 11 • OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 9 August 2006 Trustees speaking in support of the referral motion noted that decisions regarding the content of a message to parents on the budget should be made after the Board has approved the budget. Trustees speaking against the motion to refer stated that staff needs sufficient time to develop a framework for the message that will be sent to parents, and it is preferable to provide direction to staff now so that they can begin working on the message. The motion to refer was defeated. In wrap -up, Trustee Laws noted the importance for the OCDSB to develop its own message to the public, rather than permitting the media to frame the issues related to the budget and its impact on the system. He expressed confidence in staff to disseminate the information to parents by the most effective method possible. At Trustee Moen's request, a recorded vote was held on the amended motion. The motion was carried on the following division: FOR: Trustees Brockington, Funiciello, Graham, Laws, Libbey, (8) Moen, Primeau and Scott AGAINST: Trustees Getty, Lange and MacDonald (3) ABSTENTION: Trustee Spice (1) In summary, the following motion, as amended, was carried. A. THAT the OCDSB immediately make plans to inform its parents and students (in a non - confrontational and non - defensive manner) of some of the 2006 -2007 budget realities that it currently faces, a summary of the political initiatives that the Board has undertaken in the past year, and the impact of spending changes in the budget adopted for 2006 -2007, B. THAT staff be directed to proceed with the most effective means of communicating this information early in the month of September, C. THAT the Minister of Education be copied on all OCDSB "budget related" communications to parents and /or students. Trustee Brockington moved, seconded by Trustee Primeau, THAT the agenda be revised to move item No. 4 regarding the motion to dissolve the Foundation Advisory Board and No. 6, a discussion of the 2006 -2007 budget and funding strategy to follow No. 3 b), before dealing with the remainder of the agenda. Trustee Brockington noted that it is important to deal with agenda item No. 6 as soon as possible, and expressed the view that given that item No. 4 would not likely result in an extensive discussion, it should be dealt with at this meeting. 245 11 • OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 9 August 2006 Trustees speaking against the motion to revise the agenda noted that the budget and funding strategy discussion might be lengthy and would result in the trustees not having an opportunity to deal with agenda item No. 5, changes to the trustee honoraria. They noted the importance of dealing with this item before the deadline for trustee nominations. Trustees speaking in support of the motion to revise the agenda noted that the budget and funding strategy issue is important and should take precedence in the ordering of the agenda. The motion to revise the agenda was defeated. 289. Request for Budget Information, Trustee Moen Notice having been given, Trustee Moen, seconded by Trustee Laws, moved: THAT staff be directed to provide to trustees, at or before the next meeting of the COW (Budget), a written report giving: A. An explanation for: Why the increase in cost of elementary and secondary special education teachers is significantly higher than the increase in cost of regular teachers, especially since the 2005 -2006 per teacher cost of special education teachers is already significantly higher than the cost of regular teachers, ii. The size of the increase in cost for Educational Assistants and Special Education Administration and Support Staff. B. An analysis of the number of Ontario school boards facing financial challenges in 2006- 2007 proportionally similar in magnitude to those facing the OCDSB, and i) If this number is small, an explanation of what makes the OCDSB and the few others in our situation different from the remaining boards in the province, with respect to costs and revenues, or ii) If this number is not small, a summary of the common financial issues faced by the OCDSB and these boards, and, C. An analysis of the 2006 -2007 Grants for Student Needs for the OCDSB in comparison with the grants for 2005 -2006, which divides the grants between those for ongoing programs and those for new provincial government initiatives, and indicates how grants for ongoing programs have changed as measured in: i) Absolute dollars, ii) Real dollars, iii) Absolute dollars per student FTE enrolment, and ., 11 • OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD iv) Real dollars per student FTE enrolment MINUTES 9 August 2006 In introducing the motion, Trustee Moen noted that it is important for trustees to be provided with as much information as possible in order to make budgetary decisions and approve a balanced budget for 2006 -2007. If the OCDSB is in a different financial position than other school boards in Ontario, it is essential for the OCDSB trustees to have this information. In response to a number of queries, CFO Clarke noted that it would likely be possible to provide the information requested in Part A of the motion by the 15 August Committee of the Whole (Budget) meeting. He explained that with respect to Part B, most Ontario school boards have approved balanced budgets, with the exception of the OCDSB and the Toronto Public and Catholic School Boards. With regard to Part C, CFO Clarke noted that staff will provide as much information as possible, given that they are currently working to provide costing for approximately twenty budget - related items. Director Rachlis confirmed that if this motion is approved, the other budget - related work will be delayed in order to provide the information outlined in the motion. An amendment by Trustee Libbey that Part C i) through iv) of the motion be deleted, failed for lack of a seconder. Trustees speaking against the motion questioned the relevance of the information being requested in Part C of the motion, and noted that all of the information being asked for could be provided by staff at a later date. In wrap -up, Trustee Moen clarified that the reference to `absolute dollars' in Part C i) means the dollars quoted, while Part C ii) regarding `real dollars' refers to dollars that take inflation into account. The motion was defeated. 290. Costing of OCDSB Student Transportation Services, Trustee Laws The following motion by Trustee Laws failed for lack of a seconder. A. THAT a report be prepared immediately on the anticipated costs of transportation services for OCDSB students in the 2006 -2007 school year, showing cost per program (where possible) and age division (JK/SK, G1 -8, G9 -12) as follows (i.e., resulting in a 3x5 matrix): a) regular program — urban b) regular program — rural c) EFI program — urban d) EFI program (including FI centres) — rural e) special education program — all. 247 11 • OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 9 August 2006 B. THAT the report outline geographic areas or program types offered, including those serving special education, magnet and rural students — where it would be impossible to reduce or eliminate student transportation services. C. THAT the report also advise the Board of the purpose (if any) of the "90 day notice" clause in the transportation services contract and the potential for renegotiating current and future transportation services contracts to reduce and /or eliminate any transportation services that may not be required by the OCDSB in the future. 291. Foundation Advisory Board — Motion to Dissolve The Board had before it for consideration a recommendation of the Foundation Advisory Board (FAB) that the FAB be formally dissolved, as recorded in the FAB's minutes of 13 June 2006. Trustee MacDonald, seconded by Trustee Scott moved THAT the OCDSB Foundation Advisory Board be formally dissolved. Trustee MacDonald noted that the new board of directors of the Education Foundation of Ottawa held its first annual general meeting in June 2006 and is now the formal governing body of the foundation. The members of FAB therefore recommend that FAB be stood down. An amendment by Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Brockington, THAT the motion be revised as follows, was accepted as friendly: THAT the OCDSB Foundation Advisory Board be formally dissolved and that the nienibers of the Foundation Advisory, Board be thanked for their seJ- vices. The motion, as amended, was carried. 292. Report No. 06 -176, Changes to Trustee Honorarium The Board had before it for consideration report No. 06 -176 providing information on recent changes by the provincial government that pertain to trustee honoraria and seeking approval to commence with the process of complying with the new provincial regulation. Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Brockington, moved THAT A. THAT the Board proceed immediately to establish a citizens' advisory committee on trustee honoraria for the 2005 -2006 school year and on trustee honoraria for the term of office beginning in December 2006, by the following process: i) That each school council be invited to nominate one parent member and one community representative member (if any) from that school council for consideration as members of the Citizens' Advisory Committee on trustee honoraria, 248 11 • OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 9 August 2006 ii) That the Ottawa - Carleton Assembly of School Councils ( OCASC) be asked to recommend a geographically and demographically representative structure for the membership of the Citizens' Advisory Committee, considering such factors as elementary /secondary, east /west /south/central, and /or urban/suburban/rural, iii) That staff be directed to draw names from among those nominated until six potential members have been found to meet the requirements of Ontario Regulation 357/06 and the OCASC /staff recommendation on geographic /demographic structure, iv) That the recommended membership of the Citizens' Advisory Committee on trustee honoraria be considered at the Board meeting of 12 September 2006; and, B. THAT the Citizens' Advisory Committee report and recommend to the Board meeting of 26 September 2006 regarding trustee honoraria for the 2005 -2006 school year and for the first year of the term of office beginning in December 2006. Trustee Scott introduced the motion, noting that the trustee compensation process outlined in Regulation 357/06 is straightforward, but needs to be started by the Board as soon as possible in order to make decisions by 31 October 2006. It is also important that the Citizens' Advisory Committee be as representative of the community as possible. Trustee Moen expressed the view that the OCDSB should have a policy on trustee honoraria in place before the close of trustee nominations for the 2006 -2009 term, to ensure that potential candidates are able to make their decisions in the context of having up to date information on the level of trustee honoraria. Trustee Moen, seconded by Trustee Laws, moved in amendment THAT in Part B of the motion, "26 September 2006" be revised to "12 September 2006 ". Trustees speaking against the amendment expressed concern about that there is little likelihood of school councils and OCASC being able to make recommendations for membership on the Citizens' Advisory Committee to meet the proposed time line of 12 September 2006. Other trustees questioned whether the annual amount of trustees compensation is a significant factor in potential trustee candidates' decision to run for school board trustee. They also pointed out that there is no need to expedite the process since the province has given school boards until 31 October to make decisions on trustee compensation. Trustees speaking in favour of the amendment expressed support for commencing with the process immediately, but noted that the membership of the Citizens' Advisory Committee needs to be considered by the Board earlier than 12 September 2006. 249 11 • OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 9 August 2006 In wrap up, Trustee Moen confirmed that the approval of the amendment to Part B would then require an amendment to Part A iv). He noted that in his experience, many people take into consideration the level of the honoraria when making a decision to run for public office. The amendment was carried. Trustee Moen moved in amendment, seconded by Trustee Laws, THAT in Part A, iv), "the Board meeting of 12 September 2006" be changed to "the special Board meeting of 28 August 2006 ". In response to a query, Director Rachlis noted that if consideration of the recommended membership of the Citizens' Advisory Committee was not dealt with at the 28 August 2006 special Board meeting, the issue would be dealt with at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting unless a special Board meeting was called to deal with that item of business. The amendment was carried. Trustee Moen moved in amendment, seconded by Trustee Laws, THAT Part A i) be deleted and replaced with the following: A. i) THAT the Chair of the Board nominate the members of the Citizens' Advisory Committee, keeping in mind the recommendations of the Ottawa Carleton Assembly of School Councils, Trustee Moen noted that the intent of the amendment is to streamline the membership selection process. He noted that the Chair of the Board is in a likely position to know of those individuals who would be interested in and available to participate on the Advisory Committee. Trustees speaking against the amendment expressed concern about imposing this responsibility on the Chair of the Board. Other trustees agreed and noted that the proposed process of having each school council nominate one parent member and one community representative member is efficient and unbiased. They acknowledged however, that it might be difficult for school council to find members who are available to participate at this time of the year. Trustees speaking in support of the amendment noted that the revised process is similar to that which was recommended by staff in report No. 06 -176. In wrap -up, Trustee Moen expressed confidence in the Chair's ability to nominate suitable individuals for the Citizens' Advisory Committee. The amendment was defeated. Trustee Spice, seconded by Trustee Scott, moved in amendment THAT Part A ii) be revised as follows: A. ii) That the Ottawa - Carleton Assembly of School Councils (OCASC) be asked to recommend a geographically and demographically representative structure for the membership of the citizens' advisory committee, considering such factors as 250 11 • OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 9 August 2006 elementary /secondary, east /west /south/central, and /or urban/suburban/rural. If OCASC is not in a position to respond to the request, that staff be requested to reconiniend a structure as outlined; In speaking to the amendment, Trustee Spice noted the importance of having a process in place should OCASC be unable to make recommendations for membership on the Citizen's Advisory Committee. Trustees speaking against the amendment expressed the view that if OCASC does not wish to participate, the process will still proceed with members being approved by the Board at its meeting of 12 September 2006. In wrap -up, Trustee Spice noted that the trustee compensation issue is important, and given the tight timelines, the process needs to be clearly defined. The amendment was carried. Trustee Spice, seconded by Trustee Laws, moved in amendment THAT Part A iii) be revised as follows: A. iii) THAT staff be requested to provide a list of names and rationale of each nominee and that the Board select the Citizen's Advisory Committee from this list. Trustees speaking against the amendment noted that random selection is an accepted method for jury selection and expressed support for the random selection of the members for the Citizens' Advisory Committee from the nominees. Trustees speaking in support of the amendment noted that nominees might not be equally qualified to sit on the Advisory Committee. The amendment was defeated. An amendment by Trustee Spice THAT Part A i) be revised as follows, failed for lack of a seconder: A. i) THAT each school council be invited to nominate one parent member and one community representative (if any) from that school council for consideration as members of the Citizens' Advisory Committee on trustee honoria, or if the school council is not going to meet, that the school council chair circulate the request to school council nienibers and ask for volunteers; An amendment by Trustee Getty THAT in Part A iii) " OCASC recommendation" be revised to "OCASC /staff recommendation" was accepted as friendly. Trustee Laws asked that a separate vote be taken on Part A and Part B of the motion. 251 11 • OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 9 August 2006 In wrap -up on the motion, Trustee Scott expressed the view that the proposed process is efficient, transparent, unbiased and broad in scope. She suggested that school council chairs be reminded that the Board is asking for nominations of school council members, not from the broader pool of parents with children enrolled in OCDSB schools. Part A of the motion, as amended, was carried. Part B of the motion, as amended, was carried. In summary, the following motion, as amended, was carried: A. THAT the Board proceed immediately to establish a citizens' advisory committee on trustee honoraria for the 2005 -2006 school year and on trustee honoraria for the term of office beginning in December 2006, by the following process: i) That each school council be invited to nominate one parent member and one community representative member (if any) from that school council for consideration as members of the citizens' advisory committee on trustee honoraria, ii) That the Ottawa - Carleton Assembly of School Councils ( OCASC) be asked to recommend a geographically and demographically representative structure for the membership of the citizens' advisory committee, considering such factors as elementary /secondary, east /west /south/central, and /or urban/suburban/rural. If OCASC is not in a position to respond to the request, that staff be requested to recommend a structure as outlined. iii) That staff be directed to draw names from among those nominated until six potential members have been found to meet the requirements of Ontario Regulation 357/06 and the OCASC /staff recommendation on geographic /demographic structure, iv) That the recommended membership of the citizens' advisory committee on trustee honoraria be considered at the Special Board meeting of 28 August 2006, B. THAT the Citizen's Advisory Committee report and recommend to the Board meeting of 12 September 2006 regarding trustee honoraria for the 2005 -2006 school year and for the first year of the term of office beginning in December 2006. On a motion by Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Moen, the Board resolved into Committee of the Whole (Public). INIKKKKK! 252 11 • OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD 293. Committee of the Whole (Public) MINUTES 9 August 2006 Director Rachlis provided an update on the issue of Ministry funding, noting that staff has been in regular contact with the Assistant Deputy Minister, who is consistently indicating that there is no further funding forthcoming from the Ministry. The Ministry is suggesting that the OCDSB use its assets if it is unable to make reductions in expenditures in order to balance its budget for 2006 -2007. Staff have asked for assurance in writing that this is a viable option for the OCDSB. Chair Graham indicated that at this time, there is little information available regarding the budgetary situations at other school boards, other than the fact that the Toronto District School Board and the Upper Canada District School Board are in a similar budgetary situation to that of the OCDSB. During the course of the discussion, some trustees noted that the OCDSB needs to provoke public pressure to increase education funding, and expressed the view that using one -time capital funding to balance the budget will not solve the long -term issue of education under funding across the province. They expressed the view that the Ministry should provide school boards with the capital grant funding formula. Other trustees pointed out that the budget must be balanced by 31 August 2006, and trustees and staff should be focusing on this issue now and strategies at a later date. A motion to continue the meeting past 10:30 p.m. was carried with a two - thirds majority. In response to trustees' queries, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Clarke noted that the grant structure has been revised, and includes a reference to new construction, but there is no information available about how it has changed and the process by which school boards can apply for the grant. On a motion by Trustee Brockington, the Committee rose to report. 294. Report of the Committee of the Whole (Public), 9 August 2006 Trustee Scott presented the report of the Committee of the Whole (Public) held on 9 August 2006, noting that a discussion of the 2006 -2007 budget and funding strategy took place, and that no recommendations were made. The meeting adjourned at 10:48 p.m. Lorne M. Rachlis, Director of Education/Secretary of the Board /ky 253 Lynn Graham, Chair of the Board