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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11 Human Resources Report 1 7 Jan 2002/ C6. OTTAWA- CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD REPORT NO. 1, HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE TO: Board of Education DATE: 7 January 2002 A meeting of the Human Resources Committee was held this evening in the Trustees' Committee Room, 133 Greenbank Road, Nepean, commencing at 7:30 pm with Trustee Lynn Scott in the Chair and the following in attendance: MEMBERS: Trustees Lynn Graham, Jim Libbey, Norm MacDonald, and Sheryl MacDonald (by phone) ALSO PRESENT: Trustees Myrna Laurenceson, David Moen, Pam Morse, and Joan Spice STAFF: Jim Grieve, Director of Education Bonnie Viney, Superintendent of Human Resources & Business & Learning Technologies Rose -Marie Batley, Superintendent of School Operations Michael Clarke, Superintendent of Finance Judith Hoye, Superintendent of Schools Janet Beer, Labour Relations Officer Janice McCoy, Executive Officer, Human Resources Janice Sargent, Management, Policy & Planning Advisor Brenda Cooper, Committee Coordinator NON - VOTING REPRESENTATIVES: Mike Hadskis, Ottawa - Carleton Elementary Teachers' Federation Tony Pearson, Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (Teachers) Approval of the Agenda On a motion by Trustee Morse, the agenda was approved as presented. Public Question Period There were no questions from the public. 3. Plan for the Provision of Co- instructional Activities Your Committee had before it for information staff report 01 -364, regarding the consultation process for the draft plan for the provision of co- instructional activities in OCDSB elementary and secondary schools. Superintendent Viney noted that the plan was based on Ministry guidelines released this past summer, in compliance with recent legislation requiring such a plan. Superintendent Batley reported that a small committee had been working on the first draft of the Board's plan this fall, in preparation for sending it out for consultation and (W feedback. The committee included both elementary and secondary principals. Human Resources Committee - 1 - 7 January 2002 /'f It is intended that the plan be used as a framework for schools to develop their own plans. The plan has been reviewed by principals and incorporates their suggested revisions. It has the approval of the principals. In order to provide latitude for individual school plans, the proposed Board -wide plan meets the minimum Ministry requirements. In response to a query about the inclusion of graduation and awards ceremonies in the list of Board -wide required co- instructional activities, Superintendent Batley explained that the list was not intended to include everything, but these activities could be added. It was agreed that the term "may not be comprehensive and" in the last paragraph of item 3 in the draft plan should be removed. In a discussion of the Ministry's list of "good practices ", it was learned that the Board uses all of them except the first (clauses in collective agreements preventing unions from using co- instructional activities in a work -to -rule action) and third (school funding of an in- school coordinator). Superintendent Viney reported that there are contract clauses recognizing that extracurricular activities are voluntary. Trustee Moen requested that staff ask the Ministry for clarification regarding the in- school coordinator. In response to a questions and concerns, there was a wide - ranging discussion of the terms co- instructional /co- curricular and extracurricular. Staff explained that the Ministry of Education only uses the term co- instructional.1 The OCDSB continues to use both co- curricular and extracurricular as appropriate, as well as the Ministry term. Staff noted that co- curricular refers to activities normally considered a part of the curriculum responsibilities of a teacher, while extracurricular normally describes outside activities offered in addition to the curriculum. Tony Pearson expressed regret that the elementary and secondary teachers had not participated in the development of the first draft of the plan, and expressed hope that consultation will be interactive, with teachers included as full partners in the process. In response to an earlier query about performances which may arise from instructional activities, Mr. Pearson stated that such performances may be part of a music course. He added that remediation may also be part of the curriculum, and emphasized that in the view of OSSTF, everything else is extracurricular and voluntary. Mike Hadskis advised that he would have to consult with his executive before commenting on the proposed plan. He stressed that this is a significant issue for OCETF, and that there are strong concerns about formalizing volunteer activities. Trustee Graham suggested that it would be useful to have a discussion of this issue with the federations at the Human Resources Committee. 1 The Educational Accountability Act 2000 amended the Education Act by adding the following definition: "co- instructional activities" means activities other than providing instruction that, (a) support the operation of schools, (b) enrich pupils' school - related experience, whether within or beyond the instructional program, or (c) advance pupils' education and education- related goals, and includes but is not limited to activities having to do with school - related sports, arts and cultural activities, parent - teacher interviews, letters of support for pupils, staff meetings and school functions but does not include activities specified in a regulation made under subsection (1.2). Human Resources Committee - 2 - 7 January 2002 16' (W Superintendent Viney noted that various consultation options were possible. If the federations wish to have a private discussion, given the long history of this issue and its relation to collective bargaining, they are welcome to meet with Superintendent Batley and herself. If a more public discussion is desired, this can be scheduled for a Human Resources Committee meeting. In addition, staff confirmed that the federations will be included in the consultation process, and may, if they wish, also work through their Board /federation committees, and /or make a presentation at a standing committee. Mr. Hadskis indicated that he would consult with his Executive and advise staff whether the federations wish to meet with staff or discuss the matter further at a Human Resources meeting. 4. New Business There was no new business. The Committee went into the in camera session at 8:25 pm, and the meeting later adjourned at 10:45 pm. Lynn Scott, Acting Chair Human Resources Committee BLC:cb HRC- 020107 Human Resources Committee - 3 - 7 January 2002