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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard 12 Sept 2006 Minutes Public• [�17 � OTTAWA-CAUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 12 September 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 8:10 p.m. with Trustee Lynn Graham in the Chair and the following also in attendance: Trustees Riley Brockington, Bronwyn Funiciello, Alex Getty, Margaret Lange, Greg Laws, David Moen, David Primeau, Lynn Scott and Joan Spice. STAFF: Director of Education and Secretary of the Board, Lorne Rachlis; Executive Superintendent, Diane Jeudy -Hugo; Superintendent Dawn Paxton, Executive Officer, Michele Giroux, Manager of Board Services, Monica Ceschia; Communications Coordinator, Hyacinth Haddad, AV Technician Robert Giekes; and Committee Coordinator, Bruce Fraser. STUDENT TRUSTEES: Steven Robins and Oliver Kahn. On a motion by Trustee Funiciello, seconded by Trustee Primeau, 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 -308 refers). 306. Call to Order Chair Graham called the public session of the meeting to order at 8:10 p.m. 307. Presentation by Ontario's Chief Energy Conservation Officer, Peter Love Peter Love, Chief Energy Conservation Officer with the Ontario Conservation Bureau presented Chair Graham and Director Rachlis with a Certificate of Recognition for energy conservation achievements at the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board. The energy savings are a result of an eight - year energy management program with Ameresco Canada's Better Schools Partnership. Chair Graham thanked the Board's partners: Ameresco Canada's Better Schools Partnership, EarthCARE - An Environmental Education Partnership, Enbridge Gas Distribution, Natural Resources Canada and staff in the Facilities Department and in the schools, as well as the student teams, for their encouragement, enthusiasm, and commitment to the project. 308. Report No. 20, Committee of the Whole (In Camera) Trustee Scott presented Report No. 20, from Committee of the Whole (in camera) and advised that there were no recommendations. 309. Approval of Agenda Moved by Trustee Laws, seconded by Trustee Moen, That the agenda be approved. - Carried - 260 • [�17 � OTTAWA-CAUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 12 September 2006 An amendment by Trustee Brockington to add a Notice of Motion with regard to Canadian Armed Forces - "Red Fridays Campaign" did not receive unanimous consent. Trustee Brockington gave notice that he will bring the motion to the September 27, 2006 Chairs' Committee meeting. 310. Confirmation of Minutes Moved by Trustee Getty, seconded by Trustee Brockington, That the following minutes were received with amendments as noted: a. 22 June 2006 (special) • page191 - (folio 3), add the following to the 3r`' paragraph: Trustee Spice indicated that much work and consultation had gone into developing the staff recommendations and expressed her support for most of the measures proposed, in particular the day -of- the -week changes for Board and Committee meetings which would facilitate consultation with stakeholders and give Trustees more time than a weekend to review the packages. She expressed concern, however..." add "The amendment was defeated." following the 7`h paragraph replace "recommendation" with "motion" in the 91h and last paragraphs. b. 26 June 2006 (regular) • page 205 - (folio 17) d) Adult High School Parking Proposal - 70 space parking lot delete "attached" and replace "(appendix C of staff report)" with "(appendix C, folios 61 -62, June 26, 2006 Board agenda package)" c. 06 July 2006 (special) • pages 234 & 235 (folios 46 & 47) Parts C and B respectively of the motion - review punctuation d. 09 August 2006 (special) e. 22 August 2006 (special) L 28 August 2006 (special) 261 - Carried - • [�17 � OTTAWA-CAUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD 311. Business Arising from Minutes There was no business arising. 312. Chair's Report MINUTES 12 September 2006 Chair Graham congratulated the students and staff at A.Y. Jackson Secondary School in Kanata for being officially recognized by the International School Connection organization as a "Global Learning Centre ". A.Y. Jackson Secondary School is the first school in the world to achieve this status and the award is a result of students and staff joining forces to eradicate hatred and champion acceptance. Chair Graham reported that she had attended the McGregor Easson Public School launch event of "Save the Children, Rewrite the Future" earlier in the day. The program encourages the international community to help rewrite the future for 43 million students being denied an education in countries affected by conflict. 313. Director's Report Director Rachlis announced a smooth and successful start to the school year and welcomed back students and staff. He thanked school councils and all of the parents and community members who volunteer their time on behalf of the students. He reported that the budget process for this year has been completed and work has already begun on next year's budget. Staff will be outlining the budget planning process for next year's budget at the September 13, 2006 Business Services Committee meeting and the first step in that process is consultation with stakeholders. Director Rachlis noted that, in anticipation of a $20 million funding shortfall for next year, significant changes will be required to program and service delivery across the district and stakeholders will be asked to share their thoughts, suggestions and "Ideas for Education ". He encouraged public participation in the following two meetings and noted that comments may also be submitted in writing or through the Board website: "Ideas for Education" discussion at the Ottawa - Carleton Assembly of School Councils General Assembly meeting at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 21, 2006 at Fisher Park Public School, and "Ideas for Education" forum at 7:00 p.m. Monday, September 25, 2006 in the Boardroom at 133 Greenbank Road. 314. Public Question Period There were no questions from the public. 262 • [�17 � OTTAWA-CAUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD 315. Pending Amendment — By -laws & Standing Rules Moved by Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Primeau, MINUTES 12 September 2006 THAT section 14.0 of the Board's By -laws & Standing Rules be revised to reflect the following changes: "Unless otherwise directed by resolution of the Board, the regular meetings of the Board shall normally be held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, except for the months of July and August, commencing in Committee of the Whole (in camera) at 7:00 pm and in open public session at 8:00 pm. Where a meeting would fail on a recognized statutory holiday, it shall normally be held on the following Thursday. During July and August, regular meetings of the Board shall be held at the call of the Chair as required, or as pre- determined by resolution of the Board." - Carried — The motion was carried by a two - thirds majority. 316. Request for Ministry Release of Essential Guidelines Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Spice, moved: A. THAT the Board request the Minister to release the promised guidelines for school consolidation and closure by October 15, 2006, and B. THAT the Board request the Minister to release the promised standards for special education program delivery by December 31, 2006. Trustees speaking in support of the motion expressed the view that the Board requires both the guidelines for school consolidation and the standards for special education program delivery in order to move forward with improvement to facilities and to develop a plan for special education program delivery. Some trustees expressed concern with the date for the delivery of standards for special education as it would not provide sufficient time for consultation with boards across the province. In response to a request for a staff comment on the timelines, Director Rachlis expressed the opinion that, while the release of school closure guidelines by October 15, 2006 may be possible it is doubtful that the special education program delivery guidelines would be received by the end of the year. Trustee Getty, seconded by Trustee Moen, moved in amendment THAT "December 31, 2006" be revised to "March 31, 2007' in part B. 263 • [�17 � OTTAWA-CAUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 12 September 2006 A sub - amendment by Trustee Moen to add "following a period of consultation with district school boards" at the end of the amendment in part B was ruled in order. Trustee Scott challenged the ruling of the Chair and expressed the view that the sub - amendment should be moved as a separate amendment as it was not germane to the amendment on the floor. The Chair's ruling was overturned and the sub - amendment was ruled out of order. Moved by Trustee Moen, seconded by Trustee Spice, THAT part B of the motion, "THAT the Board request the Minister to release the promised standards for special education program delivery by December 31, 2006" and the pending amendment "to change the December 31, 2006 date to March 31, 2007 ", be referred to September 27, 2006 Chairs' Committee meeting. - Referral Carried — At the request of Trustee Moen, a recorded vote was held and part A of the motion was carried on the following division: FOR: Trustees Brockington, Funiciello, Getty, Graham, Laws, Moen, Primeau, Scott and Spice (9) AGAINST: Nil (0) ABSTENTIONS: Nil (0) Moved by Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Spice, That the Board request the Minister to release the promised guidelines for school consolidation and closure by October 15, 2006. - Carried - 317. Appeal to the Ministry of Education Regarding Inequities in Transportation Funding Trustee Laws advised that he was not prepared to put a motion regarding inequities in transportation funding on the floor at this time. He noted that a report on the item was going to the Business Services Committee meeting the next evening and an opinion from legal counsel was being prepared. 318. Citizens' Advisory Committee on Trustee Honoraria The Board had before it revised staff report No. 06 -181 recommending a structure for the membership of the Citizens' Advisory Committee on Trustee Honoraria and to establish the terms of reference for the Committee. 264 • [�17 � OTTAWA-CAUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 12 September 2006 Executive Officer Giroux advised that the timelines in the report have been revised due to new information being received from the Ministry and that it is being recommended that the committee report to the October 10, 2006 Board meeting. She noted that eleven nominations have been received, six for parent representatives and five for community representatives. Trustee Spice, seconded by Trustee Moen moved as follows: A. That staff contact the eleven school council members who have volunteered for the Citizens' Advisory Committee and determine their availability to meet and make recommendations on one or two specific date(s) between September 13 and September 22, B. That the Director of Education, in the presence of OCASC representatives, draw names at random from those who will be available to meet during the specified period, until three parent and three community members have been drawn, C. That the Committee report on its findings to the Board meeting of Tuesday, September 26, 2006 and that the Board make its decision at that meeting. D. That staff prepare an announcement on the honorarium approved for immediate release following the decision. Trustee Spice expressed the view that the original timeframe should be maintained to ensure that anyone considering running as a trustee in the upcoming election is aware of the honorarium. Trustee Primeau, seconded by Trustee Moen, moved THAT the following be added as a new part A: A. THAT the terms of reference for the Citizens' Advisory Committee (Appendix B of revised staff report 06 -181) be approved. A sub - amendment by Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Moen, THAT "subject to such changes as may be required for conformity with the process as applied this year" be added at the end of the new part A, was accepted as friendly The amendment, as sub - amended, was carried. Trustee Brockington, seconded by Trustee Getty, moved in amendment THAT "two" be added before " OCASC representatives" in Part C. Trustee Brockington submitted that the number of representatives should be specified in order to limit the numbers necessary. 265 • [�17 � OTTAWA-CAUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 12 September 2006 In response to a query by Trustee Moen, Director Rachlis confirmed that, should the amendment be defeated, staff would interpret the motion as requiring more than one. Trustee Moen moved in sub - amendment THAT "two" be replaced with "an" in before " OCASC representatives" in Part C. In response to a comment by Trustee Scott that the sub - amendment was hostile as it was a direct negative of the amendment, Chair Graham ruled the sub - amendment in order as it revised the number of representatives. The sub - amendment failed for lack of a seconder. The amendment was carried. In response to a query, Executive Officer Giroux advised that staff is preparing an information package based on the one provided to candidates applying to fill the trustee vacancy in zone 8. The process does not provide for trustees to meet with the committee members. An amendment by Trustee Moen, seconded by Trustee Spice, THAT the following part F be added, was accepted as friendly: F. THAT the Director of Education be authorized to proceed with the selection of the committee and notify the successful nominees. Moved by Trustee Spice, seconded by Trustee Moen, as amended A. THAT the terms of reference for the Citizens' Advisory Committee (Appendix B of revised staff report 06 -181) be approved subject to such changes as may be required for conformity with the process as applied this year. B. THAT staff contact the eleven school council members who have volunteered for the Citizens' Advisory Committee and determine their availability to meet and make recommendations on one or two specific date(s) between September 13 and September 22; C. THAT the Director of Education, in the presence of two OCASC representatives, draw names at random from those who will be available to meet during the specified period, until three parent and three community members have been drawn; D. THAT the Committee report on its findings to the Board at its meeting of Tuesday, September 26, 2006 and that the Board make its decision at that meeting. 266 • [�17 � OTTAWA-CAUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 12 September 2006 E. THAT staff prepare an announcement for immediate release on the approved honorarium. F. THAT the Director of Education be authorized to proceed with the selection of the committee and notify the successful nominees. - Carried - 319. Report No. 8, Education Committee, 19 June 2006 Moved by Trustee Laws, seconded by Trustee Getty, Report No. 8, Education Committee dated June 19, 2006 be received. - Carried - Trustee Brockington noted that the recommendations had been dealt with at the July 6, 2006 Board meeting. Trustee Spice indicated that a motion similar to the Committee recommendation (folios 107 & 108) regarding mental health advocacy had been approved by OPSBA at its February 2006 meeting. OPSBA staff have suggested that the Board's motion be cited for the record at the September Board of Directors' meeting and the follow -up by OPSBA staff be done concurrently for the two motions. Trustee Scott urged that OPSBA use the correct version, as the motion was revised significantly at the June 26, 2006 Board meeting (folio 23) prior to approval by the Board. 320. Receipt of Reports Committee of the Whole (Budget) Moved by Trustee Brockington, seconded by Trustee Getty, the following reports from Committee of the Whole (Budget) be received: a. Report No. 4, 05 July 2006 b. Report No. 5, 15 August 2006 c. Report No. 6, 22 August 2006 d. Report No. 7, 23 August 2006 e. Report No. 8, 24 August 2006 L Report No. 9, 28 August 2006 - Carried - 321. New Business In response to a query by Trustee Laws regarding the status of a request by Trustee Spice during the budget process for further detail regarding principal and vice - principal staffing, Director Rachlis advised that staff would follow -up. 267 • [�17 � OTTAWA-CAUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 12 September 2006 Trustee Scott noted that the public Board agenda did not include a list of topics to be discussed in camera. Executive Officer Michele Giroux advised that both the public and private agendas were posted to the website and that in future the in camera agenda page will be available. Trustee Scott expressed concern with the scheduling of a public meeting for discussion of the 2007 -2008 budget process in the absence of a Board approved plan. Director Rachlis advised that the meetings are intended to provide information to the public on the projected deficit and to encourage input. Trustee Brockington advised that he has been selected as a member of the OPSBA 2007 winter symposium planning committee and encouraged trustees to provide input. 322. Adjournment BAF/ The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m. Lorne M. Rachlis, Lynn Graham, Director of Education/Secretary of the Board Chair of the Board 268