HomeMy WebLinkAboutChairs' Committee Report 8 25 Oct 2005 Minutes Public* Revised 29 November 2005
OTTAWA - CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
TO: The Board
REPORT NO. 8, CHAIRS' COMMITTEE
DATE: 25 October 2005
A meeting of the Chairs' Committee was held this evening commencing at 7:40 p.m. in the
Trustees' Committee Room, 133 Greenbank Road, Ottawa, with Trustee Lynn Graham in the Chair, and
the following also in attendance:
TRUSTEE MEMBERS: Sheryl MacDonald, David Moen and Lynn Scott
OTHER TRUSTEES: Riley Brockington, Bronwyn Funiciello, Alex Getty, Margaret Lange
and Greg Laws
STAFF: Lorne Rachlis, Director of Education and Secretary of the Board
Diane Jeudy -Hugo, Coordinating Superintendent of Instruction (School
Operations)
Mike Carson, Superintendent of Facilities
Laura McAlister, Superintendent of Curriculum
Janice McCoy, Superintendent of Human Resources
Isabel Millington, Executive Officer of Instruction
Michele Giroux, Executive Officer (Administration)
Joan Melancon, Assistant Secretary of the Board
Judi Marshall, Human Resources Officer, Staff Development
James Wright, Audio Visual Technician
Bruce Fraser, Committee Coordinator
NON - VOTING
REPRESENTATIVES: Sandra Stewart, Elementary Operations Committee (EOC)
Pam FitzGerald, Ottawa - Carleton Assembly of School Councils
(OCASC)
Lisa Falls, Ottawa - Carleton Elementary Teachers' Federation (OCETF)
Myrna Laurenceson, Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAL)
David Steele, Student Trustee Advisory Committee (STAG)
Call to Order
The Chair called the public session of the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
2. Approval of Agenda
On a motion by Trustee Brockington, the agenda was approved as circulated.
* revised
Chairs' Committee 1 25 October 2005
Public Question Period
Jack Dekok, The Gideons, requested that the Director meet with members of the Gideon
executive to discuss how the association could provide students and parents with access to copies of The
Holy Bible.
Trustee Graham noted that the request would be taken under advisement and a written reply
would be provided.
4. Unfinished Business from 28 September 2005 meeting
a) Name Change for the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board
The following motion by Trustee Sheryl MacDonald was on the floor at the time of
adjournment with a pending amendment by Trustee Lange.
THAT Ontario School District 925 henceforth be known as the Ottawa Public School
Board.
Trustee Moen, substituting for Trustee Lange, moved THAT "and that the proposed name
be subject to consultation with the Board stakeholder groups prior to Board approval." be added.
Trustees speaking in support of the amendment expressed the view that all stakeholders
should be provided with an opportunity to comment on the proposed change and that including
the proposed name could increase the amount of feedback.
Trustees speaking against the amendment expressed concern that a new name is being
proposed prior to the consultation process and that a community exercise similar to that used for
schools could be undertaken.
Director Rachlis pointed out that the Board has adopted a number of matters in the past
subject to consultation. Trustee Scott submitted that in those situations, consultation would have
been done with respect to the implementation of a decision.
Pam FitzGerald expressed the view that stakeholders should be provided with the
rationale for the change and an opportunity for input. She noted that most comments that
OCASC has received to date do not support a name change.
The amendment was carried.
Trustee Scott moved in amendment THAT "- Carleton" be added following "Ottawa."
Trustees speaking in support of the amendment noted the history and heritage associated
with the former County of Carleton and that the current name was deliberately chosen to respect
both of the former school boards.
Pam FitzGerald expressed the view that "Carleton" should remain in the title to help
maintain the cooperative relationship that currently exists among school councils.
Chairs' Committee 2 25 October 2005
Trustee Sheryl MacDonald expressed the view that the Board name should acknowledge
the changes in the amalgamated City of Ottawa.
The amendment was defeated.
In response to queries by Trustee Moen regarding the cost of signage replacement,
Director Rachlis advised that approximately $50 thousand would be spent over three years in
order to provide each school with one sign but that expenditure would be required regardless of
the Board's name. Superintendent Carson pointed out that it is possible to replace parts of signs
to reduce costs.
In wrap -up, Trustee Sheryl MacDonald noted that funds required to address the cost of
signage replacement would not affect the amount of money directed to classrooms.
The main motion was carried. On a motion by Trustee Sheryl MacDonald, therefore,
your Committee recommends:
THAT ONTARIO SCHOOL DISTRICT 925 HENCEFORTH BE KNOWN AS THE
OTTAWA PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD AND THAT THE PROPOSED NAME BE
SUBJECT TO CONSULTATION WITH THE BOARD STAKEHOLDER GROUPS
PRIOR TO BOARD APPROVAL.
b) Revision to Policy P.107.FAC, Naming of Schools and Educational Support Facilities
Notice having been given Trustee Brockington moved as follows:
THAT Policy P.107.FAC, Naming of Schools and Educational Support Facilities and Opening
Ceremonies be revised as follows:
A. THAT a new section be added to §2.0 to read:
All future schools offering programs from Kindergarten to Grade 8, or any combination
thereof, shall have the designation "Public School" as part of the official name, and
B. THAT §2.1a) be amended to read:
a) in honour of a famous Canadian event, achievement or individual, or
It was agreed to vote on Part B of the motion first.
Part B was carried.
Trustee Brockington noted that Part A was contained in a previous policy revision and that the
Board had approved its removal. He submitted that the wording reinforces what the Board does and
raises its profile in the media and in new communities.
Chairs' Committee 3 25 October 2005
In response to a query, Trustee Brockington confirmed that it was not his intent to include any
existing schools or schools soon to be opened.
Trustee Moen expressed the view that communities should retain a degree of flexibility and
moved in amendment THAT "All future schools" be replaced with "When naming a school" and "shall
have the designation" be replaced with "consideration shall be given to ".
The amendment was defeated.
Part B was carried. On a motion by Trustee Brockington, therefore, your Committee
recommends:
THAT POLICY P.107.FAC, NAMING OF SCHOOLS AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT
FACILITIES AND OPENING CEREMONIES BE REVISED AS FOLLOWS:
A. THAT A NEW SECTION BE ADDED TO §2.0 TO READ:
ALL FUTURE SCHOOLS OFFERING PROGRAMS FROM KINDERGARTEN TO
GRADE 8, OR ANY COMBINATION THEREOF, SHALL HAVE THE DESIGNATION
"PUBLIC SCHOOL" AS PART OF THE OFFICIAL NAME, AND
B. THAT §2.1A) BE AMENDED TO READ:
A) IN HONOUR OF A FAMOUS CANADIAN EVENT, ACHIEVEMENT OR
INDIVIDUAL, OR
Distribution of Religious Material in Schools
Your Committee had before it staff report No. 05 -228 recommending approval of a policy
revision regarding the distribution of religious materials in Ottawa - Carleton District School Board
schools.
Superintendent Jeudy -Hugo noted that a request was received from the Gideon Society to
reinstate past practice of delivering New Testament bibles to children through the schools. Senior staff
has considered options and is recommending that the OCDSB not support the promotion of any religion.
She noted that stakeholder groups overwhelmingly do not support the distribution of bibles within the
schools. Superintendent Jeudy -Hugo pointed out that the OCDSB supports many activities of many
religions through community use of schools and Part B of the recommendation would permit a principal
in consultation with the school council to provide information in the school newsletter with respect to
activities and resources available to students and their families.
In response to a query, Superintendent Jeudy -Hugo confirmed that a principal, in consultation
with the school council, could choose to provide parents with a contact name for the Gideon Society.
Chairs' Committee 4 25 October 2005
Trustee Scott moved as follows:
(A) THAT the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board forbid the distribution, circulation or
promotion of holy books or any religious materials that promote a particular religion or
set of beliefs through its schools, and
(B) THAT Policy P.046.SCO, School Communications: Distribution of Materials via
Students (attached as Appendix A) be revised by the addition of the following section:
3.7 The use of schools to distribute or circulate holy books or any religious materials
that promote a particular religion or set of beliefs is not permitted. The principal,
in consultation with the school council, may choose to provide a public service
announcement in the school newsletter about community activities and /or
resources available to students and their families.
Trustee Scott noted that she had been unaware of the previous decision by staff with regard to the
distribution of bibles and requested that trustees be provided with an opportunity to consider significant
administrative changes in future.
In response to a query regarding private prayer areas in some schools, Director Rachlis advised
that where feasible, prayer rooms have been provided in some schools for Muslim students. He noted that
the rooms are provided if they are not required by the school during the day and there is no disruption to
students.
Trustee Moen pointed out that the recommendation may contradict Policy /Program Memorandum
112 and would prevent religious organizations which rent OCDSB space from distributing religious
materials. Superintendent Diane Jeudy -Hugo confirmed that the recommendation was directed at regular
day - school programs.
A brief recess was called to allow staff to revise the wording of the recommendation.
The following revised motion was presented to the Committee:
THAT Policy P.046.Sco, School Communications: Distribution of Materials via Students be
revised by the addition of the following section:
3.7 The use of schools to distribute or circulate holy books or any religious materials
that promote a particular religion or set of beliefs is not permitted except for
activities normally associated with community use outside of the regular
instructional day. The principal, in consultation with the school council, may
choose to provide a public service announcement in the school newsletter about
community activities and /or resources available to students and their families.
Trustee Brockington noted for the record that he had previously raised the idea of the OCDSB
hosting a "religious awareness day" to provide students and parents with an introduction to many
religions. He recommended that the Board consider the idea for the near future.
Chairs' Committee 5 25 October 2005
At the request of Trustee Brockington, the motion was divided and a separate vote was held on
part A and part B.
THAT Policy P.046.Sco, School Communications: Distribution of Materials via Students be
revised by the addition of the following section:
A. 3.7 The use of schools to distribute or circulate holy books or any religious materials that
promote a particular religion or set of beliefs is not permitted except for activities
normally associated with community use outside of the regular instructional day.
B The principal, in consultation with the school council, may choose to provide a public
service announcement in the school newsletter about community activities and /or
resources available to students and their families.
Parts A and B were carried. On a motion by Trustee Scott, therefore, your Committee
recommends:
THAT POLICY P.046.SCO, SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS: DISTRIBUTION OF
MATERIALS VIA STUDENTS BE REVISED BY THE ADDITION OF THE FOLLOWING
SECTION:
3.7 THE USE OF SCHOOLS TO DISTRIBUTE OR CIRCULATE HOLY BOOKS
OR ANY RELIGIOUS MATERIALS THAT PROMOTE A PARTICULAR
RELIGION OR SET OF BELIEFS IS NOT PERMITTED EXCEPT FOR
ACTIVITIES NORMALLY ASSOCIATED WITH COMMUNITY USE
OUTSIDE OF THE REGULAR INSTRUCTIONAL DAY. THE PRINCIPAL,
IN CONSULTATION WITH THE SCHOOL COUNCIL, MAY CHOOSE TO
PROVIDE A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER ABOUT COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND /OR RESOURCES
AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
6. Final Report and Recommendations from Consultation Policy Task Group
(Original Motion by Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Moen)
The following motion was referred from the 11 October 2005 Board meeting:
A. THAT revised Policy P.I IO.GOV: Consultation by the Board, Schools and School Councils
with Constituent Groups and the Wider Community be approved. (Appendix C to Report No.
05 -189)
B. THAT staff undertake an awareness campaign to inform stakeholder groups within and outside
the OCDSB of the Board's desire for meaningful consultation on key issues and the existence
of the Consultation Policy and Consultation Procedure.
C. THAT training be incorporated into existing frameworks for Board staff groups, advisory
committees and school councils with regard to the Consultation Policy and Consultation
Chairs' Committee 6 25 October 2005
Procedure with a focus on the development of clear workable timelines, good communications
and overall design of the consultation process including practical examples.
D. THAT staff be directed to implement an effective mechanism for keeping stakeholders
informed of the process and outcomes of district level consultations.
E. THAT the revised Policy and its implementation be reviewed by the Board two years after the
date of approval by the Board.
F. THAT the Consultation Policy Task Group be stood down.
It was agreed that this item would be placed on the November Chairs' Committee agenda.
7. Proposed Changes to the City of Ottawa Act
Your Committee had before it staff report No. 05 -239 recommending that the Board send a letter
to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Mayor of the City of Ottawa, expressing
opposition to regulatory proposals contained in the new City of Ottawa Act.
Executive Officer (Administration) Giroux advised that the City of Ottawa is proposing two
amendments in the new City of Ottawa Act which affect school boards, namely, the authority to charge -
back a pro -rated share of the cost of municipal elections to school boards and to have the same rights and
status as any school board for acquiring property being disposed of by another school board. She noted
that the OCDSB has not been consulted by City of Ottawa staff and the changes would involve significant
costs as well as set a precedent across the province. The second component of the proposed changes is
directly tied to Regulation 444/98 which is no longer in effect. School board properties are no longer
offered to other school boards at no cost.
Trustee Lange moved as follows:
A. THAT the OCDSB send a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and the Mayor of
the City of Ottawa expressing:
i) The Board's objection to the legislative proposals in the new City of Ottawa Act
relating to school boards,
ii) The Board's concern about the potential for these reforms to be precedent setting,
iii) The Board's disappointment at the lack of consultation on this issue, and
B. THAT the letter be copied to the Minister of Education, Ontario Public School Boards'
Association, and the Association of Municipal Managers Clerks and Treasurers of
Ontario (AMCTO)
An amendment by Trustee Scott to include the following statement in part A section i) was
accepted as friendly:
Chairs' Committee 25 October 2005
"...specifically the authority to charge back a pro -rated share of the cost of municipal elections to
benefiting school boards and the authority to have the same rights and status as the school board
for the purposes of acquiring property being disposed of by a school board,
An amendment by Trustee Brockington to copy the letter to local MPPs, City Councillors and
local school boards was accepted as friendly.
The motion was carried. On a motion by Trustee Lange, therefore, your Committee recommends:
A. THAT THE OCDSB SEND A LETTER TO THE MINISTER OF MUNICIPAL
AFFAIRS AND THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF OTTAWA EXPRESSING:
I) OUR OBJECTION TO THE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS IN THE NEW CITY OF
OTTAWA ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL BOARDS, SPECIFICALLY THE
AUTHORITY TO CHARGE BACK A PRO -RATED SHARE OF THE COST OF
MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS TO BENEFITING SCHOOL BOARDS AND THE
AUTHORITY TO HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS AND STATUS AS THE SCHOOL
BOARD FOR THE PURPOSES OF ACQUIRING PROPERTY BEING DISPOSED
OF BY A SCHOOL BOARD,
II) OUR CONCERN ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR THESE REFORMS TO BE
PRECEDENT SETTING,
III) OUR DISAPPOINTMENT AT THE LACK OF CONSULTATION ON THIS
ISSUE, AND
B. THAT THE LETTER BE COPIED TO THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION, LOCAL
MPPS, CITY COUNCILLORS, LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS, THE ONTARIO
PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARDS' ASSOCIATION AND THE ASSOCIATION OF
MUNICIPAL MANAGERS CLERKS AND TREASURERS OF ONTARIO (AMCTO)
Revisions to By-laws
a) Ad Hoc Committees
Notice having been given, Trustee Scott moved as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT, with respect to the sections of the Board's By -Laws relating to
ad hoc committees, the following changes be made for clarification, and to ensure continuity of
work and speedy completion of the assigned task within the terms of reference:
A. In Section 13.6 of the By -Laws, add a second paragraph, as follows:
13.6 The Board shall then proceed to elect or appoint members or other persons to
such standing, special purpose or ad hoc committees as have been established,
and its representatives to other organizations and agencies. Where it has been
determined that selection to committee membership or as Board representative is
by means of election, the procedure outlined in 13.4 shall be followed.
Chairs' Committee S 25 October 2005
To ensure continuity of the work of an ad hoc committee, the trustee
membership of any ad hoc committee that has not completed its mandate as
of the date of the Board's annual organizational meeting shall remain the
same until the mandate of the committee has been completed, with the
proviso that trustee members shall be replaced at the time of the annual
Board organizational meeting if (a) the basis for their membership in the ad
hoc committee changes as a result of the election or appointment of the
Chair or Vice -Chair of the Board and Chairs of Standing Committees,
thereby creating a vacancy among the non -ex officio trustee members or
(b) they tender their resignations from the ad hoc committee as of the date of
the annual Board organizational meeting.
B. In Section 18 of the By -laws, modify sections 18.2 and 18.3 as follows:
18.0 The Board may establish by resolution such standing, special purpose and ad hoc
committees as it deems appropriate or as required under legislation or through
contractual obligations, and subject to any relevant legislation or contract:
18.1 determine their composition and the manner of selecting Chairs and members;
18.2 fie theef terms of fef fenee and r afting relationships, fix their terms of
reference, reporting relationships and expected date of completion of
mandate;
it thei * a fti i ship it 18.3 aT«�ee��t�e��e��s -�T e�e�c��ng�e�t�e„ ,
deem a at° � _m time to time, alter their composition, terms of
reference, reporting relationships and expected date of completion of
mandate, as it may deem appropriate from time to time;
18.4 dissolve committees.
C. In Section 4.0 of Annex 2 to the By -laws: Standing, Special Purpose and ad hoc
committees, add new subsections as follows:
4.0 ad hoc committees: as determined by the Board from time to time.
4.1 The Chair of the Board shall be, ex officio, a member of all ad hoc committees of
the Board with full privileges of Committee membership.
4.2 The membership of an ad hoc committee shall include one or more trustees
in addition to the Chair of the Board, and may include such members of
staff and /or members who are neither trustees nor staff, as determined by
the Board at the time of establishing the ad hoc committee.
4.3 An ad hoc committee shall be expected to complete its mandate within one
year of its establishment by the Board, or by the date specified by the Board
at the time of establishing the ad hoc committee, whichever comes sooner.
4.4 An ad hoc committee shall automatically be stood down when it has
completed its assigned task in accordance with its terms of reference.
Parts A, B and C of the motion were discussed and voted on separately.
Chairs' Committee y 25 October 2005
In response to a query regarding the term of an ad hoc committee, Trustee Scott advised that the
intent of the motion is to ensure continuity where possible and to permit ad hoc committees to continue,
where possible, with the existing members following an election.
Trustee Scott submitted that Part B would provide the Board with the ability to alter the
parameters dictating the creation and use of an ad hoc committee as well as the reporting timeframe in
order to prevent an ad hoc committee from continuing unnecessarily.
In response to a query by Trustee Moen regarding the requirement for an ad hoc committee to
complete its mandate within one year, Trustee Scott expressed the view that ad hoc committees are short-
term and struck for a specific purpose. Should the completion of an ad hoc committee's mandate be
expected to exceed one year, the responsibility for an item should fall to an advisory committee or
standing committee.
An amendment by Trustee Moen to add "...or at the end of the Board's term of office, whichever
comes sooner." at the end of §4.4 in part C was defeated.
An amendment by Trustee Moen to replace "the date" with "a date" in §4.3 of Part C was
accepted as friendly.
Trustee Moen moved in amendment THAT "when it has completed" be replaced with "when the
Board determines it has completed" in §4.4 in part C.
The amendment was carried.
Trustee Moen moved in amendment to delete "within one year of its establishment by the Board,
or" and "whichever comes sooner."
Trustee Moen expressed the view that the amendment would provide the Board with flexibility
should the need arise to extend the mandate of an ad hoc committee beyond one year.
Trustees speaking against the amendment expressed the view that a one -year time period is
realistic and reiterated that, if more than one year is required, the responsibility for the item should be
assigned to an advisory or standing committee.
The amendment was defeated.
Parts A, B and C (as amended) were carried. On a motion by Trustee Scott, therefore, your
Committee recommends:
A. IN SECTION 13.6 OF THE BY -LAWS, ADD A SECOND PARAGRAPH, AS
FOLLOWS:
13.6 THE BOARD SHALL THEN PROCEED TO ELECT OR APPOINT
MEMBERS OR OTHER PERSONS TO SUCH STANDING, SPECIAL
PURPOSE OR AD HOC COMMITTEES AS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED,
AND ITS REPRESENTATIVES TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND
AGENCIES. WHERE IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT SELECTION TO
Chairs' Committee 10 25 October 2005
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP OR AS BOARD REPRESENTATIVE IS BY
MEANS OF ELECTION, THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN 13.4 SHALL BE
FOLLOWED.
TO ENSURE CONTINUITY OF THE WORK OF AN AD HOC
COMMITTEE, THE TRUSTEE MEMBERSHIP OF ANY AD HOC
COMMITTEE THAT HAS NOT COMPLETED ITS MANDATE AS OF
THE DATE OF THE BOARD'S ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL
MEETING SHALL REMAIN THE SAME UNTIL THE MANDATE OF
THE COMMITTEE HAS BEEN COMPLETED, WITH THE PROVISO
THAT TRUSTEE MEMBERS SHALL BE REPLACED AT THE TIME OF
THE ANNUAL BOARD ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING IF (A) THE
BASIS FOR THEIR MEMBERSHIP IN THE AD HOC COMMITTEE
CHANGES AS A RESULT OF THE ELECTION OR APPOINTMENT OF
THE CHAIR OR VICE -CHAIR OF THE BOARD AND CHAIRS OF
STANDING COMMITTEES, THEREBY CREATING A VACANCY
AMONG THE NON -EX OFFICIO TRUSTEE MEMBERS OR (B) THEY
TENDER THEIR RESIGNATIONS FROM THE AD HOC COMMITTEE
AS OF THE DATE OF THE ANNUAL BOARD ORGANIZATIONAL
MEETING.
B. IN SECTION 18 OF THE BY -LAWS, MODIFY SECTIONS 18.2 AND 18.3 AS
FOLLOWS:
18.0 THE BOARD MAY ESTABLISH BY RESOLUTION SUCH STANDING,
SPECIAL PURPOSE AND AD HOC COMMITTEES AS IT DEEMS
APPROPRIATE OR AS REQUIRED UNDER LEGISLATION OR THROUGH
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS, AND SUBJECT TO ANY RELEVANT
LEGISLATION OR CONTRACT:
18.1 DETERMINE THEIR COMPOSITION AND THE MANNER OF SELECTING
CHAIRS AND MEMBERS;
18.2 FIX THEIR TERA4S OF DT,'FT,'RENCT AND REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS-,
FIX THEIR TERMS OF REFERENCE, REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
AND EXPECTED DATE OF COMPLETION OF MANDATE;
18.3 ALTER THEIR COMPOSITION TERMS OF DT,'FT,'DT,TTCE ATTTI
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS, TIONSHroc n S 1T MAY DEEM APPROPRIATE FROM
TIME TO TIME; ALTER THEIR COMPOSITION, TERMS OF
REFERENCE, REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS AND EXPECTED DATE
OF COMPLETION OF MANDATE, AS IT MAY DEEM APPROPRIATE
FROM TIME TO TIME;
18.4 DISSOLVE COMMITTEES.
C. IN SECTION 4.0 OF ANNEX 2 TO THE BY -LAWS: STANDING, SPECIAL
PURPOSE AND AD HOC COMMITTEES, ADD NEW SUBSECTIONS AS
FOLLOWS:
4.0 AD HOC COMMITTEES: AS DETERMINED BY THE BOARD FROM TIME
TO TIME.
Chairs' Committee 11 25 October 2005
4.1 THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD SHALL BE, EX OFFICIO, A MEMBER OF
ALL AD HOC COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD WITH FULL PRIVILEGES
OF COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP.
4.2 THE MEMBERSHIP OF AN AD HOC COMMITTEE SHALL INCLUDE
ONE OR MORE TRUSTEES IN ADDITION TO THE CHAIR OF THE
BOARD, AND MAY INCLUDE SUCH MEMBERS OF STAFF AND /OR
MEMBERS WHO ARE NEITHER TRUSTEES NOR STAFF, AS
DETERMINED BY THE BOARD AT THE TIME OF ESTABLISHING
THE AD HOC COMMITTEE.
4.3 AN AD HOC COMMITTEE SHALL BE EXPECTED TO COMPLETE
ITS MANDATE WITHIN ONE YEAR OF ITS ESTABLISHMENT BY
THE BOARD, OR BY A DATE SPECIFIED BY THE BOARD AT THE
TIME OF ESTABLISHING THE AD HOC COMMITTEE, WHICHEVER
COMES SOONER.
4.4 AN AD HOC COMMITTEE SHALL AUTOMATICALLY BE STOOD
DOWN WHEN THE BOARD DETERMINES IT HAS COMPLETED ITS
ASSIGNED TASK IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS TERMS OF
REFERENCE.
9. Revision to Policy P.046.SCO, School Communications.
Distribution of Materials to the Home via Students
A motion by Trustee Laws to revise policy P.046.SCO School Communications, Distribution of
Materials to the Home via Students was deemed moot due to the recommendation from staff report 05-
228 approved earlier by the Committee.
10. Trustee Remuneration
Notice having been given, Trustee Scott moved as follows:
WHEREAS prior to the amalgamation of the City of Ottawa, an independent study of
remuneration for municipal councillors in the new City of Ottawa recommended a substantial
increase in compensation over that of any councillor in the predecessor municipalities, to
approximately $70,000 per year, on the basis of increased workload and responsibilities arising
from the municipal amalgamation,
WHEREAS remuneration for school board members was arbitrarily fixed at $5,000 per year
beginning concurrently with school board amalgamation as of 1998, with no review comparable
to those conducted for MLA and municipal councillor compensation,
WHEREAS reviews of school board member remuneration have several times been promised,
with no action by the provincial government,
WHEREAS school board members are, in many cases, responsible to more electors than
municipal politicians, provide governance to significantly larger organizations, administer larger
budgets, have experienced increases in workload as a result of new provincial legislation such as
the Safe Schools Act, and increasingly require a high level of background knowledge and
understanding for effective decision - making,
Chairs' Committee 12 25 October 2005
WHEREAS a reasonable formula for calculating maximum allowable campaign expenditures,
that recognizes differences in electoral areas, already exists and has been in use at the municipal
level for council and school board candidates for many years,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
A. THAT, as an interim measure to address the longstanding failure to provide adequate and
appropriate remuneration for school board members commensurate with their
responsibilities, the Board urge the Minister of Education to implement and fund annual
trustee remuneration, effective 1 December 2005, equivalent to the average maximum
allowable campaign expenditure for members of each district school board, calculated in
accordance with the formula in effect for the 2003 municipal elections,
B. THAT OPSBA and other provincial school board associations be urged to support this
proposal to implement appropriate and equitable remuneration for school board members.
C. THAT the Board request the Minister of Education to initiate a review of school board
member remuneration as soon as possible, involving broad consultation with school
board members and provincial school board organizations,
An amendment by Trustee Moen to add "...for members of a board..." after "trustee
remuneration" and replace, "...members of each district school board..." with "members of that district
school board." in Part A, was accepted as friendly.
Pam FitzGerald noted the commitment of time and amount of work involved in being a trustee
and commented that the lack of appropriate remuneration makes it difficult for many people to run for
office.
In response to a query by Trustee Getty regarding the impact of the proposal on trustees in
smaller school boards, Executive Officer (Administration) Giroux noted that it may be an issue in some
northern French school boards.
Trustees agreed that the issue of trustee remuneration should be reviewed by the province.
Trustee Scott noted that the concept of relating compensation to campaign expenditure would
provide a workable option across the province.
The motion was carried unanimously. On a motion by Trustee Scott, therefore, your Committee
recommends:
A. THAT, AS AN INTERIM MEASURE TO ADDRESS THE LONGSTANDING
FAILURE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE AND APPROPRIATE REMUNERATION FOR
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS COMMENSURATE WITH THEIR
RESPONSIBILITIES, THE BOARD URGE THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION TO
IMPLEMENT AND FUND, EFFECTIVE 1 DECEMBER 2005, ANNUAL TRUSTEE
REMUNERATION FOR MEMBERS OF A BOARD EQUAL TO THE AVERAGE
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE CAMPAIGN EXPENDITURE FOR MEMBERS OF
Chairs' Committee 13 25 October 2005
THAT DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD, CALCULATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE FORMULA IN EFFECT FOR THE 2003 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS,
B. THAT OPSBA AND OTHER PROVINCIAL SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATIONS BE
URGED TO SUPPORT THIS PROPOSAL TO IMPLEMENT APPROPRIATE AND
EQUITABLE REMUNERATION FOR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS,
C. THAT THE BOARD REQUEST THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION TO INITIATE A
REVIEW OF SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER REMUNERATION AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE, INVOLVING BROAD CONSULTATION WITH SCHOOL BOARD
MEMBERS AND PROVINCIAL SCHOOL BOARD ORGANIZATIONS.
10. Board and Committee Calendar Issues
Chair Graham noted that, as Trustee Spice was unable to attend the meeting, this item would be
added to the November Chairs' Committee agenda.
11. Annual Report on Trustee Expenditures
Your Committee had before it staff report No. 05 -238 providing a summary of trustee expenses
for the period 1 September 2004 to 31 August 2005.
The following revisions were noted:
- Trustee Brockington - Communications Budget, item 1 ($234.41) to be removed.
- Trustee Moen - Professional Development Budget, item 4 ($529.75) to be removed as he was
the Board's representative at this conference
12. Action Plans to Support the Implementation of the 2005 -2006 OCDSB
Objectives and Goals
Your Committee had before it staff report No. 05 -223, presenting the action plans to support the
implementation of the OCDSB Objectives and Goals for 2005 -2006.
Executive Officer (Administration) Giroux noted that specific action plans have been developed
to support the achievement of the OCDSB's goals for 2005 - 2006 and the Board's three key objectives:
• Improve student learning:
• Improve availability, quantity, and effective use of resources to support learning:
• Increase the effectiveness of the organization through a positive corporate culture:
She highlighted a few of the initiatives being undertaken and noted that an evaluation framework
to measure their success is being developed and would be brought to the Board.
In response to a query by Trustee Brockington, Ms. Giroux advised that the framework should be
presented in December.
In response to a query by Trustee Scott, staff agreed to provide clarification of the establishment
of a focus group to develop a budget format and content list.
Chairs' Committee 14 25 October 2005
13. Report on School Board Management Conference
Trustee Brockington noted that he had recently attended a School Board Management Conference
hosted by Hicks - Morley (Barristers and Solicitors) and that a binder containing workshop information has
been placed in the Trustees' Lounge for information.
14. City of Ottawa Ward Boundary Review
Your Committee had before it staff report No. 05 -237 providing an update on the City of
Ottawa's Ward Boundary Review and the implications for the establishment of trustee zones.
Interested trustees were invited to participate in a working group to discuss various issues related
to trustee zones. Trustees Brockington, Funiciello, Laws and Moen volunteered to participate in the
working group.
A motion to continue the meeting past 10:30 p.m. did not receive a two - thirds majority vote. The
meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
Lynn Graham
Chair
Chairs' Committee
BAF/
Chairs' Committee 15 25 October 2005