Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 Board 10 Oct 2002 Minutes Public0 LT,- OTTAWA- CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 10 OCTOBER 2002 10 October 2002 A meeting of the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board was held this day in the Audi- torium at Sir Robert Borden High School, 131 Greenbank Road, Ottawa, Ontario, commencing at 4:00 pm with the provincially- appointed Supervisor of the Board, Mery Beckstead, in the Chair. Staff: Director of Education and Secretary of the Board (Interim), Ronald K. Lynch; Legal Advisor, Roger Mills; Superintendents Larry Archibald, Michael Clarke, John Fitzgerald, Judith Hoye, Diane Jeudy -Hugo, Nancy MacLeod, Laura McAlister, Judy Turriff, and Bonnie Viney; Manager, Facilities, Physical Planning and Transportation, Michael Carson; Manager of Physical Facilities and Design & Construction Services, Kathy Lausman; Assistant Secretary of the Board, Joan Melancon; Coordinator of Communications, Hyacinth Haddad; and Committee Coordinator Brenda Cooper. The following were in attendance in the audience: Trustees Lynn Graham, Margaret Lange, Myrna Laurenceson, Jim Libbey, Norm MacDonald, Sheryl MacDonald, David Moen, Pam Morse, Lynn Scott, Joan Spice, and Student Trustee Kyle Marsh. 358. Call to Order The provincially- appointed Supervisor of the Board, Mery Beckstead, called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm on Thursday, 10 October 2002, in the Auditorium at Sir Robert Borden High School, 131 Greenbank Road, Ottawa. Before commencing the meeting, Supervisor Beckstead noted that the consultation policy was being suspended in order to expedite the completion of his mandate to report to the Minister by 25 November 2002. He provided assurance that there would be ample opportunity for consultation with the various stakeholders over the coming months. 359. Motion to Suspend By -Laws, Policies and Standing Rules Governing the Calling and Conduct of Meetings of the Board and its Standing Committees, for the Term of the Supervisor's Appointment The Board had before it a staff report recommending the suspension of the Board's bylaws, standing rules and those policies pertaining to meetings of the Board and its standing and advisory committees. Director Lynch read the following recommendation into the record, using the word "suspended" rather than "rescinded" in the last paragraph: WHEREAS the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board has by -laws, policies and standing rules governing the calling and conduct of meetings of the Board and its standing and advisory committees; AND WHEREAS the Lieutenant Governor in Council has issued a Vesting Order pursuant to section 257.31(3) of the Education Act; - 281 - OnAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 10 OCTOBER 2002 "Its) AND WHEREAS the Vesting Order has delegated to the Supervisor the control and charge over the exercise and performance by the Board of its powers, duties, and obligations with respect to all matters, including but not limited to, matters outlined in section 257.33 of the Education Act; AND WHEREAS the Supervisor has determined that it is necessary and expedient to suspend Board by -laws, policies and standing rules governing the calling and conduct of meetings of the Board and its standing and advisory committees in order to fulfill the terms of reference specified by the Lieutenant Governor in a timely manner; THEREFORE the by -laws, policies and standing rules governing the calling and conduct of meetings of the Board and its standing committees are suspended effective as of the date of the Supervisor's appointment. Legal Advisor Roger Mills confirmed that this step was taken in recognition that the Board needs to change the way it does business in order to fulfill the Supervisor's mandate and timelines by 25 November 2002. Supervisor Beckstead approved the recommendation. 360. Approval of the Agenda Director Lynch confirmed the agenda was complete, and the Supervisor approved the agenda. 361. Supervisor's Report The Supervisor advised that his job is to recommend to the Minister of Education a plan to put the OCDSB back on a sound financial funding, while providing the best possible education to students, and supporting teachers in their important role. His first task was to ensure that the schools opened on time. Noting that he has had excellent professional support from Board staff, and has held the first of many meetings with various individuals and stakeholder groups, Supervisor Beckstead stated that he looks forward to doing the best job possible with help from the community, from staff, and from members of the teaching profession. Mr. Beckstead stressed the tight timeline inherent in his first milestone, the 25 November reporting deadline, and noted that he counts on assistance from the Board's community in identifying issues, constraints and potential solutions. Public hearings will begin the first week of November, and in the meantime, he is working with staff in reviewing and assessing the repercussions of the Rosen report. Some of the areas the Supervisor will be addressing include improving access to grants, the effective use of facilities and transportation, the impact of changing demographics, maintenance and repair planning, and the continuing harmonization of the programs of the predecessor boards. - 282 - 0 ML OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 10 OCTOBER 2002 Supervisor Beckstead stressed that he will continue to talk and meet with stakeholders, and is aware that shared ideas and different perspectives help create the kind of system that helps children be their best. He provided assurance that decisions that need to be made in public will be made in public and that, as a minimum, Ontario laws governing education matters, notification and consultation will be adhered to and respected. Noting that keeping the public informed is a priority, Supervisor Beckstead suggested that stakeholders and members of the community visit the Board's website to keep abreast of upcoming meetings, including public consultation opportunities. Agendas and their accompanying staff reports will be posted. The next meeting will be held on 28 October 2002. Keeping citizens, staff, and the media informed is a priority. The Supervisor noted that Dr. Rozanski's report on the funding formula will be submitted to the Minister of Education by the end of November for budget planning for the 2003 -2004 school year. In the meantime, as work proceeds toward the plan for the 2002 -2003 budget, it will be necessary that some things remain constant, while others will need to be changed. Throughout time, we have advanced as a society because we have had the ability to recognize what needs to be changed and have had the will to do it. Supervisor Beckstead provided assurance that the tradition of providing quality education in this area will be maintained, and that this will be achieved by working together to make the required decisions in the best interests of students now and in the future. Note: The full text of the Supervisor's remarks is available on the Board's website at <www.ocdsb.edu.on.ca >. 362. Director's Report The Director reported that school opening went very well this year, and thanked both in- school and central staff for their extra work on staffing, which enabled schools to open on time. He also thanked school office staff, who accommodated many last - minute changes; custodial staff for their excellent job getting schools ready over the summer; and teachers for creating welcoming classrooms. He commented that this was one of the best September school openings ever, thanks to the concerted efforts of all staff. 363. Delegations (a) Our Schools Our Communities, Bronwyn Funiciello & Gail Stuart Noting that there are many errors in the Rosen Report, Bronwyn Funiciello, Co- Chair of Our Schools Our Communities (OSOC), felt that the Supervisor has a responsibility to consult on the Rosen findings before implementing them. She also expressed concern about the suspension of the by -laws, which provide rules of conduct to be followed, the suspension of the consultation policy, and the failure to consult the Special Education Advisory Committee before cuts were made. She asked what rules of conduct will now apply. - 283 - OTTAWA- CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 10 OCTOBER 2002 Gail Stuart expressed OSOC's strong concern about the short notice for the meeting, the suspension of the Board's bylaws, and the inconvenient timing for parents and children. She reported that OSOC is not opposed to school closures, but disagrees with closing schools to move children into schools which have to add portable classrooms because they cannot accommodate the influx of new students. (b) JH Putman School Council, Kellie Denny Kellie Denny recalled that last spring the Board voted against closing JH Putman, and reiterated some of the reasons against closing the school, i.e.: it is a well - equipped intermediate facility; its location away from shopping malls, fast food outlets and convenience stores; and the school would leave a huge gap in intermediate grades for a large geographical area south of the Queensway. She noted that both of Putman's feeder schools — Agincourt and Woodroffe — continue to increase their numbers, and that the areas around these schools are experiencing both growth and transition, and the school's closure may leave no OCDSB buildings in the area. Ms Denny submitted that the redirection options for Putman students are unacceptable, and pointed out that the estimated savings will not materialize for all the reasons outlined last spring. In response to a comment by the Supervisor on the CBC, Ms Denny recalled that one of their ideas to better utilize JH Putman had been adopted by the Board last spring, i.e., the Agincourt grade 6s were transferred to Putman. This has been most successful: increasing utilization at Putman by over 25 %, reducing it at Agincourt to 104% and eliminating portables. She remarked that while no one wants to see children outside the greenbelt in portables, portables should not be added inside the greenbelt in order to close schools. Ms Denny expressed concern about revisiting the school closure process. She argued that a Board -wide review of programs, boundaries and populations is required; that Mr. Rozanski's changes to the funding formula are required; and that closing JH Putman in an effort to reach an arbitrary number does not make sense. She requested that any future meetings be held at a more appropriate time for parents, communities and families, as a 4:00 pm start time is inconvenient. (c) Ottawa- Carleton Assembly of School Councils Rob Campbell Rob Campbell, the Chair of the Ottawa - Carleton Assembly of School Councils, expressed the Assembly's concern with the current state of consultation at the Board, and the proposed recission of the consultation policy. He pointed out that under the Education Act, school councils are mandated to provide advice, and school boards are required to take such advice into consideration. - 284 - 0 7L-, "JI OTTAWA- CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 10 OCTOBER 2002 Mr. Campbell described the components of "genuine" consultation (e.g., providing options and details, adequate timelines for response, timely access to decision makers), and noted that the consultation policy is not onerous. In providing an escape clause, it recognizes that timelines may have to be adjusted and consulting resources may be scarce. The process is intended to help with "buy -in" on decision making. He also urged that if this step is required, the policy be suspended, not rescinded. (d) Southpointe Community Association, Captain Brian Nelson Captain Brian Nelson emphasized the strong growth in south Nepean both now and in the future, and reported that he supports Supervisor Beckstead in his efforts to bring the OCDSB's budget in line with the funding formula. Captain Nelson stressed that the Board is losing students to other school boards because it does not have schools in the growth areas, and used statistics to back up his position. He noted that there will not be any money for schools in growth areas until under - populated schools in low- growth areas are closed. (e) Kanata Interschool Council, Bev Graham Bev Graham, Chair of the Kanata Interschool Council, reported that she represents nine elementary and two secondary schools in Kanata, an area with very high student growth and severe overcrowding. Ms Graham recalled Board motions approving two new elementary schools, one in Kanata north and another in Kanata south, and for fast - tracking the one to be built in Kanata north (Board minutes 244/292/293 -01 and 324 -02 refer). A site for the Kanata north school has not been found, and although the economic downturn may have provided some flexibility, no action has been taken on the school or the boundary review for Kanata. She pointed out that staff had previously confirmed that there was money in the budget for this project, and expressed concern that the proposed review of elementary schools may delay the new school in Kanata even longer. Ms Graham urged Supervisor Beckstead to confirm that the new elementary school in Kanata as the Board's top new construction priority, and that the project will be expedited. (f) Stittsville Overcrowded Schools Committee, Leonard Baak Leonard Baak, of the Stittsville Overcrowded Schools Committee reported that their goal is to see the construction of a new school in Stittsville. - 285 - OTTAWA- CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 10 OCTOBER 2002 Mr. Baak argued that the main obstacle to achieving that goal has been Board intransigence on the issue of school closings. He described parents' frustration with the overcrowding and urged the Supervisor to deal with the board's excess capacity this year to make the board eligible for new school funding next year. He also urged the Supervisor to ignore the regional special interests in the interest of fairness and equity of service, and to listen to staff, who are the professionals who know what needs to be done. He expressed pleasure at the Supervisor's appointment, and expressed hope for impartiality. 364. Receipt of Minutes /Reports of Previous Board Meetings, Meetings of Trustees, SEAL, Previous Trustee Recommendations & Stakeholder Input (a) Board, 2 July 2002 (Regular), 31 July 2002 (Special), & 8 August 2002 (Extraordinary) The minutes of the regular Board meeting of 2 July 2002, the special Board meeting of 31 July 2002, and the extraordinary Board meeting 8 August 2002 were received. (b) Meetings of Trustees, 9 September 2002 (Board Issues) and 11 September 2002 (Business Services Issues) The minutes of a meeting of trustees held 9 September 2002 on Board issues, and a report from the 11 September meeting of trustees on Business Services issues, were received. (c) Special Education Advisory Committee 18Committee 18 September 20022002 A revised report No. 8 from the Special Education Advisory Committee, dated 18 September 2002 was received. (d) Stakeholder Stakeholder Input The Director noted that two written submissions were received. The Adrienne Clarkson Elementary School Council described the difficulty in getting the funding for the school, and urged that the necessary decisions be made regarding school closures. The Executive of the Special Education Advisory Committee outlined their statutory duty to make recommendations to the Board regarding any matter affecting special education programs and services, and recalled an 18 September motion asking for the establishment of a sub - committee to examine special education costs and funding allocations to ensure that they are reflective of OCDSB programs and services. They submitted that this information is essential before any further cuts are made in this area. - 286 - A 0 LT,- OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 10 OCTOBER 2002 365. Motion to Rescind Board Policy 110 -GOV, Consultation by the Board, Schools and School Councils with Constituent Groups and the Wider Community The Board had before it a staff report recommending recission of the Board's policy on consultation with schools, school councils, and other stakeholders. Director Lynch read the following recommendation into the record: WHEREAS the terms of reference for the Supervisor require the development of a strategic plan by 25 November 2002, that will return the Board to a balanced financial position, taking into account the recommendations and findings outlined in the investigator's report; AND WHEREAS the investigator's report recommended the closure of schools as one means of fulfilling the requirement that the Board be returned to a balanced financial position; AND WHEREAS there exist extraordinary circumstances which require the closure of certain schools in a timely manner; THEREFORE Board Policy 110 -GOV, Consultation by the Board, Schools and School Councils with Constituent Groups and the Wider Community, is rescinded. Legal Advisor Roger Mills clarified that there is no intent to remove the consultation process, and provided assurance that there will be meaningful consultation. As noted by the Supervisor earlier, it is necessary to suspend the consultation policy and reformat the process in order to expedite the completion of the Supervisor's mandate to report to the Minister by 25 November 2002. Supervisor Beckstead approved the recommendation. 366. Motion of Reconsideration re the School Closures of JH Putman Public School, Lakeview Public School, and Riverview (Cumberland) Public School, and Approval of Consultation and Decision Timelines The Board had before it a staff report recommending reconsideration of 14 May 2002 school closure decisions by the Board, i.e., the Board defeated motions proposing to close JH Putman Public School, Lakeview Elementary School, and Riverview Public School (Cumberland) (Board minute 242 -02 refers). The second part of the recommendation pertained to a proposed process for public consultation and decision - making about these schools. The Director read the following recommendations into the record: WHEREAS staff recommended school closures as part of its 2002 -03 budget proposal, as part of a plan to reduce expenditures and thereby reduce the need for further cuts in programs and services; - 287 - ®r OTTAWA- CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 10 OCTOBER 2002 AND WHEREAS the Board requires Grants for New Pupil Places in order to properly meet the needs of its students in high growth areas of the Board; AND WHEREAS the Board, as part of its 2002 -03 budget deliberations had considered school closures, and on 14 May 2002 approved the closure of L.D. Billings Elementary School for September 2002; AND WHEREAS, the Board defeated the following motions on 14 May 2002: (a) JH Putman Public School THAT effective September 2002 the Board: (i) Close JH Putman Public School; (ii) Redirect grade 7 -8 EFI students to Fisher Park PS; (iii) Redirect grade 7 -8 English program students to Pinecrest PS; (iv) Remove the JH Putman PS /Pinecrest PS Grades 7 -8 English 'option area' and direct all Grade 7 -8 English students to Pinecrest PS; (v) Relocate the General Learning Program (GLP) and Special Support Unit(SSU) system classes currently at Pinecrest PS to Fisher Park PS; (vi) Relocate the Primary Assessment Centre (PAC) system class currently at Pinecrest to Century PS. (b) Lakeview Elementary School THAT effective September 2002 the Board: (i) Close Lakeview Elementary School; (ii) Redirect JK ENG and SK -5 EFI program students to Bell's Corners PS; (iii) Relocate the Language learning Disabilities (LLD) system program currently at Bell's Corners PS to Bayshore PS. (c) Riverview Public School (Cumberland) THAT effective September 2002 the Board: G) Close Riverview Public School (Cumberland); (ii) Redirect the JK -8 ENG program students to Trillium ES; (iii) Redirect students residing in the growth area east of Trim Rd to Fallingbrook CES for JK -8 ENG /EFI; students currently attending Riverview PS residing within this area would be permitted to attend Trillium ES, and would be provided transportation in accordance with applicable Board policies. AND WHEREAS the Board continues to face the need to reduce its expenditures, in order to minimize further cuts in programs and services; Vj - 288 - 0 ) ML OTTAWA- CkUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 10 OCTOBER 2002 AND WHEREAS there has previously been extensive consultation regarding the recommendation to close the above -noted schools, and the Supervisor wishes to revisit these potential closures; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, (a) THAT the Board reconsider the decisions of 14 May 2002 with respect to JH Putman, Lakeview, and Riverview (Cumberland) schools; and (b) THAT staff be directed to provide an updated report to the Board, no later than 28 October 2002, with respect to the possible closure of JH Putman, Lakeview, and Riverview (Cumberland) schools, effective September 2003; and (c) THAT the following public Board meetings be scheduled to allow the Board to hear delegations and make its final decision on 16 December 2002 regarding school closures for September 2003: 28 October 2002 To receive staff's updated recommendations 2, 5, and 10 December 2002 To hear delegations from the affected schools (Tentative: 12 December if and the community required) 16 December 2002 Final decisions re school closures for September 2003. Supervisor Beckstead highlighted the public consultation opportunities, and noted that a final decision on the future of these schools was not being made until 16 December. Supervisor Beckstead approved the recommendation. 367. Elementary Board -wide Area Review /School Accommodation Review Process for September 2004 The Board had before it a staff report recommending approval of a Board -wide elementary area review and school closure process for September 2004 implementation, and direction to staff regarding options for inside and outside the Greenbelt. Superintendent Viney introduced the staff report, noting that the Board understands the concern and uncertainty that potential school closures cause among parents and the larger community. She explained, however, that in recognition of its responsibility to do everything possible to operate its space and manage its resources for the benefit of all children, this is a step that the OCDSB must take. - 289 - OTTAWA-CAJUETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 10 OCTOBER 2002 Michael Carson pointed out that the Board's problems with overcrowded schools and under- utilized schools in different areas of the Board, has been exacerbated by opening new schools without closing sufficient existing spaces. Without school consolidation, the Board will not be able to generate sufficient grants to deal with the backlog of required new schools or existing schools needing major upgrading and renewal. He noted that the proposed review will examine delivery options for programs, and alternatives which would ensure better access to Board mandated programs. Some changes would be linked to decisions on other changes. The Supervisor observed that this was the first step in a long process, with extensive public consultation, that would result in better use of the Board's facilities, as well as savings on operating expenses. Supervisor Beckstead approved the following recommendation: A. THAT the Elementary Area Review /School Closure process outlined in Appendix C (Annex I hereto) of staff report No. 02 -182 to the Board /Supervisor be approved; B . THAT staff be directed to develop options that would result in an overall utilization of between 90 -95% Inside the Greenbelt; and C. THAT staff be directed to identify potential school closures Outside the Greenbelt as well. 368. Secondary Board -wide Area Review /School Accommodation Review Process for September 2004 The Board had before it a staff report recommending approval of a Board -wide secondary area review and school accommodation review process for September 2004 implementation, and direction to staff regarding options for inside and outside the Greenbelt. Director Lynch read the following recommendation into the record: A. THAT the Secondary Area Review /School Accommodation process outlined in Appendix 3 (Annex II hereto) to staff report 02 -183 to the Board /Supervisor be approved; and B . THAT staff be directed to develop options that would result in the closure of approximately 1,000 -2,000 spaces in the secondary panel. Michael Carson reported that system -wide, the secondary schools are operating below capacity. With the double cohort of graduating students and secondary school reform, the number of surplus spaces could grow considerably. - 290 - L T,4z OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 10 OCTOBER 2002 During the review of secondary school accommodation, some of the factors which will be taken into consideration are the new vision documents, the possibility of serving intermediate students in secondary schools, adaptive programs, etc. Mr. Carson advised that in order to maximize the Board's Pupil Accommodation Grants and provide flexibility for program decisions, a reduction of about 1,000 to 2,000 spaces will be required. Supervisor Beckstead approved the recommendation. The Supervisor advised that the next Board meeting would be held on Monday, 28 October 2002. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:55 pm. Ronald K. Lynch, Director of Education and Secretary of the Board (Interim) BLC /cb BE- 021010 - 291 - Mery Beckstead Supervisor of the Board