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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11 Education Committee Report 8 19 Jun 2006 Minutes PublicOTTAWA - CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD REPORT NO. 8, EDUCATION COMMITTEE To: The Board Date: 19 June 2006 A meeting of the Education Committee was held this evening in the Board Room, 133 Greenbank Road, Ottawa, commencing at 7:40 p.m. with Trustee Greg Laws in the Chair and the following also in attendance: TRUSTEE Margaret Lange, Greg Laws (Chair) and Joan Spice. MEMBERS: OTHER TRUSTEES: Riley Brockington and Lynn Scott STAFF: Superintendents Laura McAlister, Peter Gamwell, Isabel Millington and Glenda Stevenson, Principals of Curriculum, Margaret Dempsey and Barrie Hammond, and Committee Coordinator, Board Services, Kim Young. NON - VOTING REPRESENTATIVES: Lamar Mason, Special Education Advisory Committee. ALSO PRESENT: Student Trustee Steve Robins, Chair, Alternative Schools Advisory Committee (ASAC), Richard Deadman; Co- chairs, Arts Advisory Committee (ACA), Brad Christakos and Katherine Stauble; Community Representative, Children and Youth at Risk Advisory Committee (CAYARC), Michelle Parks, and Co- chairs, Community Council for Ethnocultural Equity (CCEE), Calvin and Pearl Downie, and CCEE Recording Secretary, Marilyn Wilson. Call to Order Chair Laws called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. 2. Approval of Agenda Trustee Spice moved THAT the agenda be approved. Trustee Spice moved in amendment THAT item No. 17, Review of Secondary Centres in the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board, presented for information, be moved to follow agenda item No. 14, Special Education Plan on the action/input section of the agenda. The amendment was carried with unanimous consent. On a motion by Trustee Spice, the agenda, as amended, was approved. Education Committee - 1 - 19 June 2006 Public Question Period There were no questions from the public. 4. Glebe Collegiate Institute School Council, Michelle Parks, Vice -chair re Review of Secondary Gifted Centres in the OCDSB Michelle Parks referred to a motion approved by quorum e -mail on 15 June 2006 by the Glebe Collegiate Institute School Council which urged the Board to approve Part B and C of the recommendation carried by SEAC at its 7 June 2006 meeting on the review of secondary Gifted centres in the OCDSB. With respect to Part A of the SEAC recommendation, the school council urged the Board to amend it as follows: A. Staff move forward immediately on recommendations 5 and 6 so that the consultation process can commence, with a recommendation for action being presented to SEAC at its Mai, 2007 meeting. Ms. Parks expressed the view that the timelines proposed in Part A of the SEAC recommendation do not allow sufficient time for all school communities to assess the impact of the proposed reduction in the number of secondary Gifted centres on all programs and students. Ms. Parks explained that Glebe Collegiate Institute is a secondary Gifted centre. She noted that more than half of the school's population are from families who live below the poverty line, the school has been designated a beacon school, and a significant proportion of the students are from families whose first language is other than English. Ms. Parks expressed concern that the consultant's report on the review of secondary Gifted centres does not address a number of implications related to the recommendations in the report, and does not address concerns regarding the proportion of Gifted students in schools in terms of best practice. Superintendent's Report Superintendent McAlister expressed pleasure about the number of excellent events that took place during the 2005 -2006 school year, including a number of central workshops and `at the elbow' support by Literacy Coaches at the school level. She noted that earlier today twelve students were selected for a summer program with the Ottawa Gee Gees. On behalf of the OCDSB, the Gee Gees and coaches were thanked for the time and support they provided to students as part of this initiative to promote respect and responsibility. The Isis Officer Ethnocultural Equity Award was recently presented to A.Y. Jackson Secondary School and will be presented to Glashan Public School as well in recognition of outstanding effort in eliminating racism and in promoting ethnocultural equity. Superintendent McAlister referred to the CAPPIES event which was recently held at the National Arts Centre, and described the event as a celebration of OCDSB schools in the area of the arts and literacy endeavours. Schools in both the OCDSB and the Ottawa - Carleton Catholic School Board ( OCDSB) participated, in partnership with a number of corporate sponsors including the Ottawa Citizen. Trustee Brockington noted that General Vanier Public School will not have a Multicultural Liaison Officer (MLO) allocated to the school for the 2006 -2007 school year, even though it has been designated a beacon school. Trustee Brockington expressed concern that he and the school had not been notified of this change, and asked staff to provide information on all of the MLO placements for the 2006- Education Committee - 2 - 19 June 2006 2007 school year. Superintendent McAlister noted that the needs of all of the schools are taken into consideration when allocating MLOs. MLO allocations are made by a committee and the list has not yet been finalized. She agreed to follow up on the issue regarding the process whereby school principals and trustees are notified of the MLO allocations. 6. Receipt of Advisory Committee Annual Reports a) Alternative Schools Advisory Committee (ASAC), Chair, Richard Deadman Richard Deadman presented an overview of the ASAC annual report, focusing on three major initiatives undertaken by the Committee: providing input on proposed French as a Second Language (FSL) renewal projects, issues related to the physical site of Grant Alternative School, and, the Alternative Schools' Global Village Day held in May 2006. Mr. Deadman referred to the positive support of ASAC efforts by the Board, and thanked Superintendent Millington for her support as ASAC's Board Liaison Officer for the last two years. In response to Trustee Spice's query about the number of students in the Alternative program who had written the EQAO tests this year, Mr. Deadman noted that he does not have the data for the 2005 -2006 school year available at this time. With respect to the FSL renewal projects, Mr. Deadman noted that, to date, none of the Alternative schools are involved in the pilot projects. ASAC provided input to the OCDSB outlining its interest in participating in new Intensive French delivery models, including its concerns, and Mr. Deadman was unaware of any further developments on the issue. b) Advisory Committee on the Arts (ACA), Co- chairs, Brad Christakos and Katherine Stauble Brad Christakos and Katherine Stauble provided an overview of the ACA annual report, drawing the members' attention to a number of initiatives completed during the 2005 -2006 school year including the Arts Recognition Awards 2004 -2005, the Encore Instrument Donation Program and the ArtsCan Circle. They expressed appreciation to the OCDSB for its decision to hire a full -time Arts Consultant, and noted that Dale Taylor in this role has assisted the Committee, enriched arts programming in the OCDSB and promoted arts in the Ottawa community. Mr. Christakos and Ms. Stauble thanked Board Liaison Officer Peter Gamwell for assistance during the school year, as well as Trustees Funiciello and Lange for their support. In response to Trustee Brockington's query about the proposed summer school for the Arts noted in the annual report, Ms. Stauble noted that the Committee has discussed the possibility of providing an integrated summer program at the secondary level, focusing on Arts offerings such as dance, music and drama. Trustee Brockington suggested that the ACA present recommendations on this issue to a fall 2006 meeting of the Education Committee. C) Children and Youth at Risk Advisory Committee ( CAYARAC), Community Representative, Michelle Parks Michelle Parks presented a summary of the CAYARAC annual report, noting that Heather Grant, CAYARAC Chair sent her regrets for being unable to attend the meeting. She Education Committee - 3 - 19 June 2006 outlined some of the topics addressed by guest speakers at Committee meetings held during the school year including child and youth mental health initiatives in Ottawa, and youth and poverty. Topics for the next school year include addiction support services and prevention initiatives, and multicultural students' needs and parental involvement. In response to Trustee Law's query about the Hub Project Proposal, Ms. Parks explained that CAYARAC's research - based, theoretical approach of conceptualizing a collective space as a `hub' was supported at the provincial level. However, further Ministry funding was not forthcoming, and the Committee felt that there were many other issues that required its attention at this time. It would be possible to resurrect the proposal should there be further interest in the project or should funding become available. Trustee Laws asked CAYARAC to provide a list of the hub - related projects that might be funded in the Toronto District School Board. d) Community Council for Ethnocultural Equity(CCEE), Co- chairs, Calvin and Pearl Downie Calvin and Pearl Downie provided an overview of the CCEE report, drawing the members' attention to a number of CCEE initiatives of the past school year, including the presentation of the annual Isis Officer Ethnocultural Equity Award to Glashan Public School and A.Y. Jackson Secondary School, an Open House on 11 May 2006 to raise awareness of the CCEE and to encourage participation in on -going activities that serve an ever increasing diverse population of students and their families. They also referred to a CCEE presentation to the Human Resources Committee of a proposal to develop a coaching and mentoring program to facilitate the hiring and employment mobility of certified Internationally Educated Teachers. Other activities included the continued monitoring of the English as a Second Language (ESL) /English Literacy Development (ELD) program delivery within the OCDSB, the production and distribution of the CCEE newsletter, and the development of a CCEE logo design. Mr. and Mrs. Downie extended thanks to the staff and trustee who assisted the Committee in achieving its goals in the 2005 -2006 school year. In response to Trustee Brockington's query, Ms. Downie explained that the CCEE is developing a proposal for the establishment of a culturally sensitive summer school program, which would provide an opportunity for students to engage in collegial activities in the context of improving their English skills in preparation for the school year ahead. She noted that the CCEE would appreciate the OCDSB's assistance with the initiative. The Committee will also pursue opportunities for funding by the federal government. Trustee Scott commented that much of CCEE's work is in keeping with anti - racism work being undertaken by school boards and advisory committees in other parts of the province. She expressed appreciation to the CCEE Co- chairs for their work in keeping the Committee focused on its mandate and working to resolve issues. Chair Laws thanked the advisory committees for their presentations and their work on behalf of OCDSB students. Education Committee - 4 - 19 June 2006 On a motion by Trustee Lange, the Annual Reports of the Alternative Schools Advisory Committee, the Arts Advisory Committee, the Children and Youth at Risk Advisory Committee and the Community Council for Ethnocultural Equity were received. On a motion by Trustee Lange, your Committee therefore recommends: THAT the 2005 -2006 Annual Report of the Community Council for Ethnocultural Equity be received. 7. Mental Health Advoc Notice having been given, Trustee Lange moved: Whereas " The lack of mental health care for children and youth is creating a health care crisis" 1 in which it is estimated that 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental health problem during their lifetime, and almost one in five Ontario children and youth has at least one mental - health disorder (Offord, 1989) and of the children in need, only one in six receives any therapeutic treatment in the formal care system (CMHO, 2001).2 Whereas increasingly younger students in elementary school (Kindergarten to Grade 6) are being diagnosed with mental illness. Suicide, depression, eating disorders (such as bulimia and anorexia), drug and alcohol dependence, and self -harm (deliberately injuring the body in ways that are not life- threatening) are becoming the epidemics of adolescence (Stigma and Teens, 2002);.3 Whereas many people in need of mental health care are not able to access needed services and supports and there are increasing numbers of people with addictions and mental illness living lives of poverty and isolation in the "community" or living in prisons. Despite increasing emphasis on community -based care, many services continue to be delivered within an institutional framework, fostering dependency rather than recovery, , Whereas the mandate of the OCDSB's Children and Youth At Risk Advisory Committee is • to address the factors and circumstances that impact on the children and youth and their families that may increase their vulnerability to school failure and limit the likelihood of success and, • to provide feedback, advice and recommendations to the board of trustees of the OCDSB on the effectiveness and efficiencies of programs and services within the context of the Board's resources, and, • to reflect in discussions and comments to the OCDSB on the multitude of factors in our broader community that may negatively impact the family and increase the vulnerability of our children and youth, * Recommendation dealt with at the 6 July 2006 Special Board meeting. Education Committee - 5 - 19 June 2006 References ,Davidson, S., (2006) CAYARAC Committee meeting minutes. March 28, 2006, Ottawa - Carleton District School Board. CMHO Pre - budget Submission February 2004: Wright, 1996 3 Coulman, J.A. (2003) Education in Ontario: Education Resources and the Mental Health of Children and Youth. CAMH http: / /www. ontario. cmha. ca /content / mental_ health_ system/children _andyouuth. asp' ?cID =3 986 ,. Joint Submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy on Bill 36: Local Health System Integration Act. Karen McGrath, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario, Paul Garfinkel, President & Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, David Kelly, Executive Director, Ontario Federation of Community Mental Health and Addictions Program THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: A. THAT Board write to the Minister of Education with copies to the Minister of Health and the Minister of Community and Social Services advocating that: i) the Ministry of Education increase school board funding to meet the increased need for mental health services of children and youth, particularly through an increase in the number of service staff available per school (such as social workers, mental health workers, public health nurses), ii) the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Children and Youth Services work together to seek opportunities for integration of service delivery to better meet the mental health needs of children and youth in Ontario and to encourage more direct partnerships with community agencies, B. THAT the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board investigate the provision of free evening classes on parenting (provided either by Ottawa - Carleton District School Board staff or community partners), with daycare to be provided by students requiring Community Service volunteer hours and report back to Education Committee in the fall of 2006, C. THAT the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board raise awareness of the effects of unmet mental health needs on the education system by forwarding this motion to the Ontario Public School Board Association ( OPSBA) for consideration at the next OPSBA Board of Directors' meeting, and D. THAT the Board hire a full -time Community Services Coordinator (estimated cost of $80,000) to coordinate with community service agencies to ensure provision of mental health services to students in our system. In introducing the motion, Trustee Lange noted that concerns regarding students' unmet mental health needs were a focus at CAYARAC this year. It was noted by CAYARAC that the resources exist, but there is a need for them to be coordinated and made accessible to students. She referred to the pressing need to provide mental health supports to students in the OCDSB who require them, and noted that a number of mental health professionals assisted her in drafting this motion. Trustee Lange urged the trustees to support the motion so that it can be forwarded to the Committee of the Whole (Budget) process for consideration. Education Committee - 6 - 19 June 2006 Trustee Spice moved in amendment THAT Part D of the motion be revised as follows: D. THAT staffprepare a report to the next Committee of the Whole (Budget) meeting including a rationale and costing estimate on the proposal to hire a full -time Community Services Coordinator to coordinate with community service agencies to ensure provision of mental health services to students in our system. In introducing the amendment, Trustee Spice noted the need to revise the motion to reflect the wording of other motions with financial implications being forwarded to the budget process. Trustees speaking against the amendment noted that it is unnecessary to ask staff to invest additional time into providing information on this issue, given that the hiring of the Community Services Coordinator would not involve a considerable expense to the Board. Other trustees expressed the need to focus on whether the motion has merit and should be forwarded to the budget process. Trustees speaking in favour of the amendment expressed support for having information from staff regarding the rationale and cost of creating and filling this Coordinator position. Superintendent McAlister recalled that trustees had previously requested that staff provide a rationale and costing information on all motions being forwarded to Committee of the Whole (Budget). The amendment was defeated. Trustee Brockington moved in amendment THAT Part D of the motion be incorporated into Part A as section iii) of the motion as follows: A. THAT Board write to the Minister of Education with copies to the Minister of Health and the Minister of Community and Social Services advocating that: i) the Ministry of Education increase school board funding to meet the increased need for mental health services of children and youth, particularly through an increase in the number of service staff available per school (such as social workers, mental health workers, public health nurses), ii) the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Children and Youth Services work together to seek opportunities for integration of service delivery to better meet the mental health needs of children and youth in Ontario and to encourage more direct partnerships with community agencies, 111) the Ministei, of Education provide $80, 000 to the OCDSB for the hiring of a fdl- tlnle Con1n111nit1' Serhlces Coordinator. Trustees speaking against the amendment expressed support for the Ministry funding the position, but noted that, in all likelihood, the Ministry would suggest that all school boards be provided with this funding, which, given the total cost of the funding needed across the province, would then likely result in the demise of the initiative. In wrap up, Trustee Brockington noted that given that staff has not been provided with an opportunity to provide input on the issue, it is appropriate for the Board to request the funding for the position directly from the Ministry. Education Committee - 7 - 19 June 2006 The amendment was defeated. Trustee Scott moved in amendment THAT the motion by revised by adding "subject to budget considerations" at the end of Part D. Speaking to the amendment, Trustee Scott submitted that the revised wording of Part D of the motion would indicate the Education Committee's support for the issue, as well as a recognition that the Committee of the Whole (Budget) needs to deal with issues related to the prioritization of and allocation of funding. The amendment was carried. Lamar Mason recalled that the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAL) wrote a letter to the Ministry regarding the lack of support for students with mental health needs, and noted that SEAC would support Trustee Lange's motion. She expressed the view that mental health issues should be addressed by all school boards to ensure that students have access to services through their school board and in their community. Trustee Scott requested that each part of the motion be voted on separately. Part A through D of the motion were carried. On a motion by Trustee Lange, your Committee therefore recommends: A. THAT Board write to the Minister of Education with copies to the Minister of Health and the Minister of Community and Social Services advocating that: i) the Ministry of Education increase school board funding to meet the increased need for mental health services of children and youth, particularly through an increase in the number of service staff available per school (such as social workers, mental health workers, public health nurses), ii) the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Children and Youth Services work together to seek opportunities for integration of service delivery to better meet the mental health needs of children and youth in Ontario and to encourage more direct partnerships with community agencies, B. THAT the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board investigate the provision of free evening classes on parenting (provided either by Ottawa - Carleton District School Board staff or community partners), with daycare to be provided by students requiring Community Service volunteer hours and report back to Education Committee in the fall of 2006, * Recommendation dealt with at the 26 June 2006 Board meeting. Education Committee - 8 - 19 June 2006 C. THAT the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board raise awareness of the effects of unmet mental health needs on the education system by forwarding this motion to the Ontario Public School Board Association ( OPSBA) for consideration at the next OPSBA Board of Directors' meeting, and D. THAT the Board hire a full -time Community Services Coordinator (estimated cost of $80,000) to coordinate with community service agencies to ensure provision of mental health services to students in our system, subject to budget considerations. Arts Incentive Fund Notice having been given, Trustee Lange moved: Whereas the Arts experience is an important part of any curriculum and the Board wishes to ensure that Arts forms part of the long -term plan at every school, Whereas the Board wishes to enhance student experiences in the Arts as well as ensure equitable access to an arts education, Whereas the Board wishes to ensure all students have an opportunity to access programs /artists that can have an enduring impact on students, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: A. THAT as part of each school's improvement planning process, staff be encouraged to look critically at their Arts program, assess their needs, plan for growth and new experiences, and B. THAT $170,000 be added to the instruction budget for 2006 -2007 to allow each school in the Board to have some funds to teach the arts and to allow the Board's Art Coordinator to hold an "Arts Incentive Day" for teachers to access arts resources as outlined in the proposal for the "Arts Incentive Fund ". In introducing the motion, Trustee Lange noted that with input from OCDSB's Arts Consultant, Dale Taylor, a cost of $170,000 has been estimated to provide the release time for half of its teachers each year to attend a one -day professional development (PD)workshop on arts education. The estimated cost also includes funding to schools to permit them to pursue arts- related initiatives. She urged the trustees to support the motion so that it can be forwarded to the budget process for consideration. Ms. Mason referred to the fact that the Ministry approved additional PD days for the 2006 -2007 school year, and suggested that the teachers' federations assign one of the already allocated PD days to Arts education, in an effort to reduce the amount of time that teachers are away from the classroom, and to reduce costs. An amendment by Trustee Brockington THAT the motion be amended by adding "subject to budget considerations" to the end of Part B, was accepted as friendly. Superintendent McAlister confirmed that if approved, the recommendation would be accompanied by an impact statement by staff when it is presented for consideration at the budget process. Education Committee - 9 - 19 June 2006 In response to a query, Trustee Lange explained that during Arts Incentive Day one teacher from each elementary school attends the one -day event and brings back arts - related ideas to share with the other teachers at their school. The Arts Incentive Fund was established to provide funding, typically in the amount of $2,000 to $5,000, for proposals from schools to carry out art- related projects. Trustees speaking in favour of the motion expressed concern that $170,000 may be an inadequate amount to address the needs of 150 elementary schools. They expressed support for the allocation of the funding if possible, but noted that the Board should allow the schools some latitude in how they spend the funds on arts education. In wrap -up, Trustee Lange noted that the $170,000 would be allocated to only half of the OCDSB schools each year, i.e., approximately 65 schools. She noted that the Advisory Committee on the Arts would be consulted regarding how the funding would be spent. The motion, as amended, was carried. On a motion by Trustee Lange, your Committee therefore recommends: * * A. THAT as part of each school's improvement planning process, staff be encouraged to look critically at their Arts program, assess their needs, plan for growth and new experiences, and B. THAT $170,000 be added to the instruction budget for 2006 -2007 to allow each school in the Board to have some funds to teach the arts and to allow the Board's Art Coordinator to hold an "Arts Incentive Day" for teachers to access arts resources as outlined in the proposal for the "Arts Incentive Fund ", subject to budget considerations. 9. Receipt of Special Education Advisory Committee Report, No. 7, 3 May On a motion by Trustee Scott, your Committee recommends: THAT Report No. 7 of the Special Education Advisory Committee, dated 3 May 2006 be received. Lamar Mason drew the members' attention to the AutoSkill presentation at the 3 May 2006 meeting, and urged trustees to ask staff to present a report on the AutoSkill software at a fall meeting of the Education Committee. Superintendent Stevenson noted that the AutoSkill program would likely form part of the comprehensive review of Special Education programs and delivery, if the Special Education Review Report recommendations are approved by the Board. 10. Receipt of Minutes, Trades and Technology Steering Committee, 23 March 2006 and 13 April 2006 On a motion by Trustee Spice, your Committee recommends: THAT the Minutes of the Trades and Technology Steering Committee Meeting dated 23 March 2006 and 13 April 2006 be received. * Recommendation dealt with at the 26 June 2006 Board meeting. ** Recommendation dealt with at the 6 July 2006 Special Board meeting. Education Committee - 10- 19 June 2006 11. Receipt of Secondary School Program Review Ad Hoc Committee Minutes, 21 March 2006 and 18 April 2006 On a motion by Trustee Lange, the minutes of the Secondary School Program Review Ad Hoc Committee, dated 21 March 2006 and 18 April 2006, were received. Trustee Brockington noted that he had been in attendance at the 21 March 2006 meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee. 12. Receipt of Special Education Advisory Committee Report, No. 8, 7 June 2006 On a motion by Trustee Scott, your Committee recommends: THAT Report No. 8 of the Special Education Advisory Committee, dated 7 June 2006 be received. Ms. Mason, on behalf of SEAL, provided an overview of the recommendations in the report on additional Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) supports, the approval of the 2005 -2006 Special Education Plan, the Special Education Review report, and the review of secondary Gifted centres. During the ensuing discussion, Trustee Spice expressed the view that the Education Committee should have been presented with a staff report on the Special Education Review, and been provided with an opportunity to discuss the philosophy of the external consultants' report, as well as its recommendations, prior to the working committee beginning its work. Ms. Mason pointed out that SEAC recommendation K on Folio 56, with respect to the hiring of additional central staff for Learning Support Services, is the only recommendation that staff did not also recommend. SEAC will likely suggest the number of staff to be hired, and ask staff for cost estimates, at the 5 July 2006 Committee of the Whole (Budget) meeting. Superintendent Stevenson confirmed that the recommendation on Folio 53 regarding ASD supports, and Part K. of the list of recommendations on Folio 56 have already been added to the list of items to be considered during the budget process. 13. Receipt of Minutes, Trades and Technology Steering Committee, 11 May On a motion by Trustee Lange, your Committee recommends: * * THAT the Minutes of the Trades and Technology Steering Committee Meeting dated 11 May 2006 be received. Superintendent McAlister drew the members' attention to the Steering Committee minutes which included as Appendices A and B, a Multi -year Work Plan for technology education and costing information on the Demonstration Focus Program. She noted that the Plan needs to be referred to the budget process, and confirmed that staff would present impact statements at Committee of the Whole (Budget). * Recommendation dealt with at the 26 June 2006 Board meeting. ** Recommendation dealt with at the 6 July 2006 Special Board meeting. Education Committee - 11 - 19 June 2006 Trustee Brockington noted the importance of moving forward with trades and technology initiatives as soon as possible, and moved THAT the Multi -year Plan be approved. Speaking to the motion, Trustee Brockington pointed out that the Plan was reviewed by the Trades and Technology Steering Committee, and it is important that further discussion of the issue take place at the next Board meeting. Trustees speaking against the motion noted that clarification is needed regarding the process of dealing with the Plan. At this stage, based on the minutes of recent Trades and Technology Steering Committee minutes, it is not clear as to whether the Steering Committee approved of the Plan being presented this evening. Trustee Brockington moved THAT the motion be withdrawn. The motion was carried unanimously. A number of trustees expressed concern about the process of bringing this Plan forward through the minutes of the Trades and Technology Steering Committee, and asked that staff re- submit the Multi- year Plan to the Education Committee at its September 2006 meeting. Trustee Spice requested that staff also provide information on the Trades and Technology Steering Committee's mandate at the September 2006 Education Committee meeting. Trustee Laws asked staff to provide confirmation whether the Trades and Technology Steering Committee is recommending that the Board approve the Multi -year Plan. Superintendent McAlister agreed to follow up on the issues, and noted that the report presented to the Committee at its September meeting would likely include the same general information as was presented at this meeting. She reiterated that the Plan was developed by the Steering Committee. moved: With respect to the Demonstration Focus Program Project budget on Folio 73, Trustee Scott THAT the 2006 -2007 budget include funding to support a demonstration focus program for implementation in 2006 -2007 such as the cabinet making project, as outlined in Appendix B of the Trades and Technology Steering Committee minutes of 11 May 2006. Speaking to the motion, Trustee Scott indicated that this motion differs from others forwarded to the budget process only in that the OCDSB already has funding in place for the February 2007 aspect of the proposal, as long as during the budget process, the funding is not re- allocated. The motion was carried. On a motion by Trustee Scott, your Committee therefore recommends: * * THAT THE 2006 -2007 BUDGET INCLUDE FUNDING TO SUPPORT A DEMONSTRATION FOCUS PROGRAM FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN 2006 -2007 SUCH AS THE CABINET MAKING PROJECT, AS OUTLINED IN APPENDIX B OF THE TRADES AND TECHNOLOGY STEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES OF 11 MAY 2006. ** Recommendation dealt with at the 6 July 2006 Special Board meeting. Education Committee - 12- 19 June 2006 During the course of the discussion on the work of the Trades and Technology Steering Committee and the Secondary School Program Review Ad Hoc Committee, Trustee Spice acknowledged the significant contributions of Virginia Fobert to the work of both committees, and noted that Ms. Fobert is resigning from her roles on both Committees as she will soon no longer have a child in the OCDSB system. Trustee Spice moved THAT the Chair of the Board write a letter of appreciation to Virginia Fobert for her considerable efforts in advancing educational issues with respect to the Secondary School Program Review Ad Hoc Committee and the Trades and Technology Steering Committee. On a motion by Trustee Spice, your Committee therefore recommends: THAT the Chair of the Board write a letter of appreciation to Virginia Fobert for her considerable efforts in advancing educational issues with respect to the Secondary School Program Review Ad Hoc Committee and the Trades and Technology Steering Committee. 14. Special Education Program and Service Review — Phase II — Recommendations Your Committee had before it for consideration report No. 06 -145, seeking approval of staff recommendations regarding the Special Education Program and Service Review, Phase II report. Superintendent Stevenson presented an overview of the report, noting that the Special Education Steering Committee endorsed, with some minor amendments and clarifications, all seven of the recommendations contained in the Special Education Program and Service Review —Phase II report by consultants Dr. Jean Hewitt and Mr. Gerry Clarke. She also noted that staff recommendations were presented in report No. 06 -145 to the 7 June 2006 meeting of the Special Education Advisory Committee, and some suggested changes in wording to the staff recommendations have been included in the recommendations being presented in the report to the Education Committee this evening. Superintendent Stevenson explained that a SEAC recommendation regarding the hiring of additional central staff for Learning Support Services to ensure the implementation of the Special Education Program and Service Review was not included as part of the staff recommendations, and SEAC was informed that this recommendation would be dealt with as part of the budget process. A motion by Trustee Spice to continue the meeting past 10:30 p.m. was carried with a two - thirds maj ority. Trustee Spice moved the recommendation in the staff report. During a brief discussion, Trustee Spice commented that trustees have not had adequate opportunity to review the consultants' report on the Special Education Program and Service Review — Part IL Trustee Scott concurred that trustees have not discussed the consultants' report in depth, but not for lack of opportunity, given that the report was presented as an information item at both SEAC and Education Committee meetings early in the spring. * Recommendation dealt with at the 26 June 2006 Board meeting. Education Committee - 13- 19 June 2006 In response to a query, Superintendent Stevenson provided a more in -depth overview of the report, noting that the recommendations include both short -term initiatives that would not be dependent on the outcome of the Special Education framework - related recommendations, and longer -term goals related to the program delivery model and an assessment of its effectiveness for the coming years. Trustees speaking in support of the motion noted that there will be an opportunity to further discuss the implications and recommendations for changes to Special Education programs and delivery when staff presents a report on the proposed work plan and timelines at the October 2006 meeting of the Education Committee. They noted the importance of providing direction to staff to proceed with the next step in the process. Ms. Mason, a member of the Special Education Review Steering Committee, noted that the Steering Committee felt that focusing on the recommendations in the consultants,' report was preferable to debating the merits of the background data included in their report. On a motion by Trustee Spice, your Committee recommends: ** THAT taking into consideration the comments accompanying the recommendations of the Special Education Program and Service Review, Phase II (January 2006) and recommendations of the Special Education Steering Committee on the Report of the Special Education Review, Phase II (May 2006) the Board approve: A. Establishment of a representative panel that includes trustees, senior staff, experts from the field, and stakeholder groups, including SEAL, to undertake the development of a comprehensive plan for special education for the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board, B. A review of the organizational structure within the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board by the Director and Senior Staff in order to consider a closer alignment of Learning Support Services and Curriculum Services and the possible decentralization of central special education support staff, C. Establishment of a small working committee made up of trustees, senior administrators and an outside facilitator to consider ways to bring a stronger sense of common purpose to the delivery of special education within the governance and management sectors and to build a renewed respect for both professional and guardianship roles inherent in the organizational structure, D. The development of a framework document by Learning Support Staff which sets out standards for delivery of special education programs and services, E. The development of detailed guidelines by Learning Support Staff, in consultation with relevant staff groups regarding the roles, responsibilities and accountability of support and professional staff within the special education delivery model, ** Recommendation dealt with at the 6 July 2006 Special Board meeting. Education Committee - 14- 19 June 2006 F. The development of a multi -year professional development plan by Learning Support Services, in conjunction with other central departments and professional associations that targets all staff to increase the knowledge and needs of students with exceptionalities, G. The practice of including in any submission prepared by Learning Support staff for Board approval, where feasible, the true costing of the proposals, including expenditures related to transportation, facility changes or renovations, staff training and the impact to other programs in the system, H. The development of clear information tools and resource materials in collaboration with Special Education Advisory Committee, Ottawa - Carleton Assembly of School Council, parents and other stakeholders, I. The development of a mechanism to acquire and maintain an adequate supply of assessment instruments for use by OCDSB professional staff, and The development of a work plan including timelines with a report to the October 2006 Education Committee meeting to address the following: (i) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) (viii) 15. Special Education Plan protocol for entry to school for special needs students establishment and expectations for operation of In- School Teams administration and training of CCAT testing tracking of students for whom referral procedures have been initiated protocol for transition of exceptional students protocol for third party professionals staff allocation formula based on school profiles and student needs inventory of school and system equipment and plan to support program indicators for specialized classes. Your Committee had before it for consideration report No. 06 -160 seeking approval of the Special Education Plan 2005 -2006. Trustee Scott moved the recommendation in the report. On a motion by Trustee Scott, your Committee therefore recommends: THAT the Special Education Plan for 2005 -2006 be approved. ** Recommendation dealt with at the 6 July 2006 Special Board meeting. Education Committee -15- 19 June 2006 16. Review of Secondary Gifted Centres in the OCDSB Your Committee had before it report No. 06 -140 providing for information the report "A Review of Secondary Gifted Centres in the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board ". Superintendent Stevenson introduced the report, noting that it had been presented by staff as an information item based on the fact that staff felt that the review should be considered in the context of the Secondary School Program Review currently underway. Trustee Spice asked, and the members agreed, that the Secondary School Program Review Ad Hoc Committee be asked to add the report on the review of secondary Gifted centres to the agenda for its 22 June 2006 meeting. Although anomalous, the members asked that the Ad Hoc Committee consider the Review report, and present recommendations to the Board at its 26 June 2006 meeting. Trustee Scott moved THAT the meeting continue until 11:15 p.m. for the purpose of completing the discussion on the Secondary Gifted Centres report. Trustee Lange moved in amendment THAT the meeting continue until 11:15 p.m. to deal with the secondary Gifted centres report, and the motion regarding a study on a west -end Arts program. The amendment was carried. The motion, as amended, was carried. Trustee Spice referred to the SEAC recommendation regarding the consultant's recommendations regarding a review of secondary Gifted centres, and expressed the view that the OCDSB's review, including the consultation process, should not commence until September 2006, instead of being undertaken immediately as recommended by SEAL. Trustee Scott noted that it would be useful to receive input from the Secondary School Program Review Ad Hoc Committee as soon as possible. However, if input is not possible, the Board has a responsibility to address the issues related to the program quality of secondary Gifted programs immediately. Ms. Mason recalled that SEAC requested a review of secondary Gifted centres three years ago, recognizing that a decline in enrolment was having a negative impact on the viability and quality of the programs. She urged the trustees to address the recommendations in the consultants' report as soon as possible. Steve Robins noted that as the Board reviews the location and quality of secondary Gifted centres, and possibly reduces the number of centres, it is likely that students will be required to travel greater distances to access a Gifted centre. 17. Study for a West -end Arts Program Notice having been given, Trustee Lange moved: Whereas, there is need for improved access to enhanced arts programming in the western part of the City of Ottawa, and, Whereas, many of the issues impeding the OCDSB from dealing with that long- standing objective have been resolved, Education Committee - 16- 19 June 2006 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff prepare a report /study to determine how the delivery of an enhanced arts programme in the western section of the City could be met, which would include the location and the process for implementation and report back to Education Committee in the fall of 2006. In introducing the motion, Trustee Lange noted that the Board has dealt with a number of secondary school issues in recent years, including school closures, and the establishment of a Secondary School Program Review. It is now the appropriate time to ask that staff revisit the issue of enhancing the offering of Arts programming at the secondary level in the western area of the district. She suggested that enhanced programming might include the OCDSB offering to students a magnet program on the Arts, a regional program or a clustering of programs. An amendment by Trustee Scott THAT the motion be revised as follows, was accepted as friendly: THAT staff prepare a report /study to determine how the delivery of an enhanced Arts programme in the western section of the City could be met, which would include one or more location(s) and the process... An amendment by Trustee Spice THAT "programme" be revised to "programming" was accepted as friendly. On a motion by Trustee Lange, your Committee recommends: THAT staff prepare a report /study to determine how the delivery of enhanced arts programming in the western section of the City could be met, which would include one or more location(s) and the process for implementation and report back to Education Committee in the fall of 2006. Trustee Spice requested that the motion on a study to establish a west -end Arts program be added to the agenda for the 22 June 2006 meeting of the Secondary School Program Review Ad Hoc Committee for discussion. Note: The Committee received information reports related to declining enrolment in elementary Beacon schools, and peace and global education. Agenda item No. 15, regarding Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 will be dealt with at the September 2006 meeting of the Education Committee. The meeting adjourned at 11:20 p.m. Greg Laws, Chair Education Committee * Recommendation dealt with the 6 July 2006 Special Board meeting. Education Committee - 17- 19 June 2006