Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard 28 Jan 2002 Minutes PublicOt OTTAWA-GRLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 28 JANUARY 2002 28 January 2002 A meeting of the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board was held this evening in the Board Room, 133 Greenbank Road, Ottawa, Ontario, commencing at 7:00 p.m. with Trustee Jim Libbey in the Chair and the following in attendance: Trustees Brian Gifford; Lynn Graham; Russ Jackson (by phone); Margaret Lange; Myrna Laurenceson; Sheryl MacDonald; David Moen; Pam Morse; Lynn Scott and Joan Spice. STAFF: Director Designate of Education, Bonnie Viney; Superintendents Michael Clarke; Nancy MacLeod; Dan Mason, and Judy Turriff; Planner, Ian Baxter; Transportation Coordinator, Blyth Helman; Assistant Secretary of the Board, Joan Melancon, Manager, Communications and Information Services, Maggie Melenhorst; Management, Policy and Planning Advisor, Janice Sargent; Principal, Program - Secondary, Peter Zion; A/V Technician, Robert Giekes; Committee Coordinators Brenda Cooper (in camera session), and Kim Young (public session). ALSO PRESENT: Student Trustee Trevor Robinson On a motion by Trustee Laurenceson, seconded by Trustee Sheryl MacDonald, the Board resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider the items on the in camera agenda. Trustee Lynn Graham assumed the chair in Committee and the Committee later rose to hear the presentation by the Red Cross officials, and then returned to the in camera session. 71. Presentation to the Board by Red Cross Officials Sue Cornette and Alistair Hensler Joan Fulcher, Communications Coordinator, noted that following the events of 11 September 2001 in New York City, some OCDSB schools expressed a desire to assist in the relief effort. The Pennies from Canada campaign, spearheaded by a student at Glen Ogilvie Public School, raised more than $35,000 in donations from fifty participating schools, to help the Red Cross in its relief efforts for the United States. On behalf of the Red Cross, Ms. Sue Cornette and Mr. Alistair Hensler, presented students, staff and parents from the participating OCDSB schools with certificates, and a book entitled If You Could See What I See, in appreciation for their generous contributions to the Red Cross relief efforts. Mr. Hensler expressed appreciation to the OCDSB students, noting that it was heartening to see such generous gestures from young people, and this augers well for the future. Trustee Libbey and Student Trustee Robinson accepted on the OCDSB's behalf, a plaque from the Red Cross in recognition of the Board's efforts related to the 11 September 2001 tragedy. * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** The Board returned to the in camera session at 8:35 p.m., and the public session reconvened at 8:55 p.m. 72. Report No. 4, Committee of the Whole (In Camera) Trustee Graham presented Report No. 4, Committee of the Whole (in camera), and seconded the recommendations therein, viz: a) Tentative Settlement with Plant Support Staff Unit (PSSU) 50 • 1j] i OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 28 JANUARY 2002 (Motion by Trustee Spice, in substitution for Trustee Sheryl MacDonald, seconded by Trustee Graham) THAT the tentative settlement between the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, District 25 Plant Support Staff Unit, which will form a renewal collective agreement to be in effect from 1 September 2001 to 31 August 2004, be ratified. Trustee Libbey expressed appreciation to trustees, staff, and the federation for their hard work in achieving a settlement. Trustee Graham also reported that the conditional transaction for the property at 1512 Walkley Road, previously approved by the Board, has now been completed. Richcraft Homes Ltd. has acquired the site for $950,000. The proceeds from the sale are directed to the Pupil Accommodation Reserve Fund. 73. Approval of Agenda On a motion by Trustee Morse, seconded by Trustee Scott, the agenda was approved subject to the deletion of item No. 11, Report No. 2, Committee of the Whole (Budget), 23 January 2002. The Chair advised that the recommendation regarding special education costing would be dealt with under item No. 13, Receipt of Special Education Advisory Committee report No.2, 9 January 2002. 74. Confirmation of Minutes, 14 January 2002, 17 January 2002 and 18 January 2002 On a motion by Trustee Morse, seconded by Trustee Gifford, the minutes of the 14 January regular Board meeting, the 17 January special Board meetings, and the 18 January 2002 extraordinary Board meeting were confirmed, subject to the following revisions: 14 January 2002 Trustee Graham requested that on page 34, the fourth paragraph be revised: "....discussion ensued about whether the eastern boundary line being used...." the fifth paragraph be revised: "....confusion would be created in the system if staff use the CPR rail line as the eastern boundary for D. Roy Kennedy PS.; Trustee Moen requested that the first paragraph of page 32 b) be revised as follows: "....the Centre is a licensed, before and after school, non - profit child care facility which offers a number ofsubsidized spaces, and whose students include those bused from Lamira Dow Billings Elementary School to the Centre on a daily basis. 17 January 2002 Special Meeting (Boundaries) Trustee Laurenceson requested that • Page 36 ,item No. 61 a), be revised as follows: "Karen Deterding, Sir Winston Churchill Public School, expressed concern about the overcrowding of Cedarview.... ". 51 P] 9 • Ti OTTAWA- CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 28 JANUARY 2002 • On page 43, the second paragraph be revised as follows: "Trustee Laurenceson, whose zone includes Sir Winston Churchill Public School, and the areas of Tanglewood and Centrepointe, which feed into Merivale Public School, noted that a community school is more than the building or the location." 75. Business Arising from the Minutes of 14 January 2002 With respect to her request on page 29 for information on suspensions and critical incidents in beacon schools, Trustee Graham noted that she has not yet received the report. Superintendent Viney agreed to follow up on the issue. 76. Business Arising from the Special Meeting Minutes (Boundaries) of 17 January 2002 With respect to her request under business arising about the school location maps in the Board Room, Trustee Graham thanked staff for having the maps displayed on both sides of the room. With regard to the status of the new name of the Longfields/Davidson Heights Public School, staff confirmed that Madame Adrienne Clarkson responded favourably to the Board's request that the school be named in her honour. 77. Business Arising from the Minutes of 17 January (French Immersion at Ridgemont HS) (6w and 18 January There was no business arising from the minutes of 17 or 18 January 2002. 78. Chair's Report Trustee Libbey commended Tess Acton, a Grade 8 student at A. Lorne Cassidy Elementary School, who is the Ontario long distance running champion in the 12 -13 year old bantam category. Tess has consistently won first place medals since she began running competitively and is now training for the Quebec provincials in March. Trustee Libbey pointed out that Tess accomplishes all of this while maintaining an "A" average. Trustee Libbey drew the members' attention to a display of holiday stamps on the Board Room's side wall that were created by Grade 4 students at Knoxdale Public School. United Nations officials thanked the students for the stamps at a special ceremony held at the school on 24 January 2002. 79. Director Designate's Report Superintendent Viney noted that the Royal Canadian Legion announced the winners of the Remembrance Day Literary Competition on 8 January 2002. Gloucester High School contributed seven entries, and won seven awards. In the French essay category at the senior level, Meghan Cartwright won first place, and Jennifer Wu, second place. In the intermediate level French poetry category, Erika Swinton won first place, and Elise Bell, second. Rachelle Szyc won first place at the senior level, and Bronwyn Hutton won second place. The students' entries will compete in the next level of competition, and if selected, will represent Ontario at the National Literary Competition. Superintendent Viney announced that Agincourt Road Public School is hosting its own Olympic Games in February. Students are researching the countries they will represent during the two -day event, and will be cheered on by former Olympians, Ann Alexander and Susan Antoft. 52 Ot OTTAWA-GRIETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD 80. Question Period MINUTES 28 JANUARY 2002 Greg Bonnah asked if the Ministry was notified last year with respect to the Board and SEAC's decision not to approve the 2001 -2002 Special Education Plan, and he requested that all of the related correspondence with the Ministry be provided to SEAC. Superintendent Mason confirmed that the Ministry was notified in July 2001 that both the Board and SEAC had not approved the Plan, and this correspondence was provided to SEAC at the time. He noted that the SEAC Executive is currently working on the revisions to the Plan it feels are necessary in order to approve the document. The revised Plan will be presented to the Board for approval prior to being submitted to the Ministry. In response to Mr. Bonnah's query about an OCDSB policy pertaining to students staying at home, Superintendent Viney noted that, according to Ministry regulations, under certain conditions, children are allowed to be home - schooled. Trustee Libbey noted that he would follow -up on this issue with Director Grieve, given that Mr. Bonnah has raised this issue previously. Debbie Glenney, a member of the Earl of March HS School Council, referred to the motion approved at the 26 November 2001 Board meeting with respect to the establishment of a working group to support Woodroffe High School's efforts to establish an arts program, and asked when school councils would be invited to participate in the process. Ms. Glenney also requested clarification as to whether the process to establish an Arts West program is a school -based initiative, or a board initiative. Ms. Glenney noted that an informal survey of west -end secondary schools has indicated that none were invited to join the process. 440) Superintendent Mason noted that the Arts West work plan was designed to support the Woodroffe initiative around an arts school for the western part of the jurisdiction. He pointed out that while the arts school may be established at Woodroffe HS, it could also be established at another west -end school, depending on the work of the working group, the interest in housing the program in other schools, and the suitability of the locations and facilities. He noted that recent school newsletters included information about the working group's efforts, principals are being asked to alert school councils and students about the Arts West process, and public meetings are scheduled for the 28, 29 and the 30th January to allow other schools to provide their input to the process. Chair Libbey noted that it is the Board's intention to engage in a thorough consultation with the community on this issue, and the timelines in the work plan have been devised to accommodate a comprehensive consultation process. Daphne Sexton noted that her son has been awaiting an IPRC assessment since November 2001, and asked how much time can elapse between a request for an IPRC, and the IPRC being conducted by the Board. Superintendent Mason noted that staff makes every effort to conduct IPRCs in a timely manner. He agreed to follow -up on the legislative requirements and will provide a response to Ms. Sexton as soon as possible. Lynne Oreck -Wener noted that the budget process information on the OCDSB web site is linked to Trustee Scott's web page, which includes a detailed questionnaire for public input. She asked if the Board sanctioned Trustee Scott's questionnaire as a research instrument to be used as part of the budget process. She also inquired about the reliability of the results of the questionnaire. P] 53 OR • OTTAWA-GRLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 28 JANUARY 2002 Trustee Scott noted that the results of the questionnaire will be analyzed using generally accepted statistical methodologies, and that all of the results would be provided to trustees, staff and the public through her web site. She pointed out that the questionnaire clearly indicates that it is intended to elicit input from constituents in her zone. 81. Receipt of Report No. 1, Committee of the Whole (Budget) 15 January 2002 - On a motion by Trustee Moen, seconded by Trustee Sheryl MacDonald, the Board received Report No. 1, Committee of the Whole (Budget), dated 15 January 2002. There were no recommendations in the report. With regard to the last paragraph of the OCSSAN presentation on page 3, Trustee Graham asked that staff provide information about which trustees were consulted by OCSSAN about issues related to the OCDSB budget. With respect to the sixth point on page 5, Trustee Scott expressed concern that there may be some public confusion about the Ministry directing a portion of education property taxes to municipalities, and requested that staff provide further clarification in writing on this issue. In response to Trustee Graham's query about the seventh point on page 5, regarding a breakdown of the $26 million gap between the funding formula and actual salaries, Superintendent Clarke confirmed that the information, which was provided to trustees during the previous week, can now be released to the public. With regard to the first paragraph on page 5, Trustee Scott asked that staff provide information about whether IPRCs direct gifted students to a congregated gifted program, or whether this service delivery is determined by parental choice. 82. Receipt of Report No. 2, Business Services Committee 16 January 2002 On a motion by Trustee Moen, seconded by Trustee Spice, the Board received Report No. 2, Business Services Committee, dated 16 January 2002. Trustee Graham requested that the first paragraph on page 3 of the report be revised as follows: " Trustee Graham explained that she wants to ensure that further analysis of the identified factors is completed and, she agreed, upon consultation with staff, to exclude the library and gymnasium from the list. Trustee Spice requested that on page 3, "since 1998" be deleted from the seventh paragraph and that it be revised as follows: "Staff will provide the reduction in the number of all congregated classes, as requested by Trustee Libbey." With respect to Michael Carson's comments on page 5 about the "sweatering" of transportation funding from the Ministry, Trustee Spice requested that staff confirm with the Ministry that there are no plans in place to sweater these funds. Superintendent Turriff agreed to follow -up on the issue. Trustee Moen presented the report, and seconded the recommendations therein, viz: 54 • ML OT AWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 28 JANUARY 2002 a) Elementary Functional Capacities (Motion by Trustee Graham, seconded by Trustee Moen) THAT staff continue to prepare an analysis of the following functional capacity factors, for which additional information, clarification or analysis is required, and bring forward a recommendation as to their utilization in the calculation of elementary functional capacities. i) Potential for portable placement; ii) Availability of playground space; iii) Availability of library space; iv) Availability of gymnasium space; V) Maximum size for elementary school; vi) Grade configuration; vii) English to French Immersion rooms: and viii) Core French to English rooms. In introducing the motion, Trustee Graham referred to the fulsome debate, which took place at the Business Services Committee meeting, and noted that the report on functional capacities will be available by the end of the school year. The motion was carried. b) Capacijy for Hopewell PS for the 2002 -2003 School Year (Motion by Trustee Graham, seconded by Trustee Moen) THAT the Board use for planning purposes, a temporary capacity of 800 pupil places for Hopewell Public School (88% of the MOET capacity) for the 2002 -2003 school year. Trustee Graham noted the importance of temporarily limiting Hopewell Public School's capacity to 800 pupil places for the 2002 -2003 school year, given that the functional capacities report will not be available until later in the year. She pointed out that Hopewell PS has the highest Ministry capacity of any school in the OCDSB system but the smallest playground space, and she referred to the likely impact of the recently revised student transfer policy on enrolment. Trustee Graham also noted the school's rapid growth especially given the establishment of a Middle French Immersion (MFI) program at the school, and the likely increased traffic congestion due to planned construction in the area. In response to a query, staff noted that if the motion is approved, MFI students and gifted students would still be able to access the programs, but student transfers to the school would be denied due to the 800 ADE limit. Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Morse, moved in amendment THAT "for the acceptance of student transfers" be inserted following "for planning purposes ". Trustee Scott noted that while she supports the a cap of 800 pupil places for the short term, it is important that the motion clearly indicate that the school would not be accepting student transfers for the next school year, except for those students who need to access specific programs, such as the gifted program. 55 91 P] Ot OTTAWA-CAnETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD REVISED MINUTES 28 JANUARY 2002 Trustees speaking against the amendment noted that the Hopewell PS School Council is requesting a planning cap, not a transfer cap and the purpose of the temporary cap is to address the school's unique situation until the functional capacities report is available. Trustee Spice expressed the view that the temporary capacity of 800 pupil places referred to in the motion includes, for planning purposes, a cap on student transfers. In wrap -up, Trustee Scott noted that a temporary capacity designation of 800 is useful only in the short term, and later, a different capacity may be more appropriate for the school. She noted that if the temporary capacity is only intended to cap student transfers, it should be made clear to the community. At Trustee Graham's request, a recorded vote was held and the amendment failed on the following division: FOR: Trustees Morse, Scott, and Spice AGAINST: Trustees Gifford, Graham, Lange, Libbey, Sheryl MacDonald, and Moen ABSTENTION: Trustee Jackson Trustee Scott requested that staff provide information regarding Hopewell Public School's indoor capacity as it relates to the temporary capacity of 800 pupil places, and to the 909.5 MOET capacity which is a reflection of how much space the Ministry thinks each student requires at the school. In wrap -up, Trustee Graham noted that the Ministry capacity of 909.5 is significantly more than Hopewell PS can handle, and that the school was renovated just prior to amalgamation to achieve a maximum of 790 ADE. The intent of the motion is to limit the number of student transfers to the school and alert the community that significant changes to the school's boundaries and/or programs may be required in a year or so. At Trustee Graham's request, a recorded vote was held and the motion was carried on the following division: FOR Trustees Gifford, Graham, Lange, Libbey, Sheryl MacDonald, Moen, and Spice AGAINST: Trustees Jackson, and Morse ABSTENTION: Trustee Scott 83. Report No. 2, Education Committee, 21 January On a motion by Trustee Lange, seconded by Trustee Graham, the Board received Report No. 2, Education Committee, dated 21 January 2002. Trustee Graham requested that on page 3, eighth paragraph of the report, 'Canterbury HS School Council members' be revised to'Canterbury HS School Council Chair'. In response to Trustee Graham's query, Superintendent Mason clarified comments he made at the Education Committee meeting regarding optimum numbers for secondary schools and programs. He *revision 56 • OTTAWA- CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 28 JANUARY 2002 indicated that in his experience as a secondary principal he felt that he could run a wide number of programs with a student body of approximately 1000. He also noted that he had established a French Immersion program with 19 students. In response to a query about MFI registrations, Superintendent Mason reported that the submission deadline is 25 January 2002, and that the report would be presented to trustees as soon after that as possible. In response to a query about Trustee Spice's request on page 5 for a staff report which included information on secondary school class sizes, and enrolment figures by school, grade, and program for Core French, French Immersion and gifted programs, Superintendent Mason noted that the request represents an enormous amount of work and that the staff resources are unavailable at this time. Trustee Spice reiterated the viewpoint that this information would be very useful to trustees, and she may bring forward a motion to address this issue. Trustee Graham referred to the meeting being scheduled with staff and stakeholders to address issues related to Arts Canterbury, and the participation of one or two trustees, and suggested that all trustees should have the opportunity to volunteer to participate in the meeting. Trustee Spice and Trustee Lange volunteered to represent the Board at the Arts Canterbury meeting. During a discussion of the Arts West work plan, staff confirmed that while there is documentation related to Woodroffe High School's interest in an arts program, including materials associated with the area reviews, minutes and motions of the Education Committee, and submissions to the New Vision public forum in the spring of 2001, the school has not submitted an actual proposal to establish an arts program. Trustee Scott requested that staff provide the documentation related to Woodroffe High School's statements of intent regarding the establishment of an arts program at the school, and a clarification of the current school - initiated process for the establishment of programs, in relation to the former staff-initiated process. Trustee Morse expressed the view that establishing a working group based on a arts program proposal that does not exist is problematic, and she questioned whether the motion related to the establishment of the working group is in order. Joan Melancon advised that the motion was approved by the Board and therefore cannot be ruled out of order at this point. Trustees may reconsider an issue if the motion has not been substantially implemented. Superintendent Mason noted that in recent years, Woodroffe High School has presented a number of statements of intent regarding the establishment of an arts program at the school, and the work plan is designed to address the Board motion approved at its 26 November 2001 meeting with respect to facilitating the development of arts program proposals from schools in the western region of the Board. He indicated that principals would be asked to inform their school councils about the Arts West work plan and any statements of interest on the part of west -end schools. Trustee Lange noted that under the former process for the establishment of programs, the Woodroffe HS School Council was repeatedly discouraged from submitting a proposal, despite a long -time community interest in establishing an arts program at the school. P] 57 cr� OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 28 JANUARY 2002 Trustee Scott noted that to date, not all of the west -end schools have received notification of the upcoming meetings regarding the Woodroffe HS arts program. Trustee Lange presented the report and seconded the recommendation therein, viz: a) Policy P.105.CUR: Changes to Program and Program Delivery Structures at Secondary Schools (Motion by Trustee Sheryl MacDonald, substituting for Trustee Laurenceson, seconded by Trustee Lange) THAT Policy P.105.CUR: Changes to Programs and Program Delivery Structures at Secondary Schools be approved. Trustee Scott expressed concern that the policy does not contain the statements, including a clear objective, that are usually included in OCDSB policies, and she suggested that the policy requires further work by staff before it is approved. Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Moen, moved THAT Policy P.105.CUR: Changes to Programs and Program Delivery Structures at Secondary Schools be referred back to the Education Committee for further discussion at its 18 February 2002 meeting. The motion was carried. b) Receipt of Report No. 1, Special Education Advisory Committee 5 December 2001 (Motion by Trustee Lange, seconded by Trustee Sheryl MacDonald) THAT Report No. 1 from the Special Education Advisory Committee, dated 5 December 2001, be received. The recommendations in the report were dealt with at the 17 December 2001 Board meeting. C) Receipt of Report No. 2, Special Education Advisory Committee 9 January 2001 (Motion by Trustee Lange, seconded by Trustee Moen) THAT Report No. 2 from the Special Education Advisory Committee, dated 9 January 2002, be received. d) Separation of LOG and Special Education Grants for Budget Consideration (Motion by Trustee Sheryl MacDonald, seconded by Trustee Lange) THAT in the OCDSB budget deliberations, trustees receive and consider information related to Learning Opportunities Grants (LOG) and spending, and special education QW grants, and spending, as separate items. 58 • ML OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 28 JANUARY 2002 Trustee Sheryl MacDonald noted the need for trustees to know what grants are allocated to LOG spending, and what grants are allocated to special education spending. In response to a query, Superintendent Clarke referred to the special education costing summary on Folio 8 of the agenda package, and noted that while it is possible to identify and separate special education grants and spending, the Ministry is still defining LOG. It may be necessary, therefore, to present LOG and the Foundation Grant together. . With respect to the special education/student services 2001 -2002 budget, Trustee Sheryl MacDonald requested that staff provide a breakdown of the 49.52 central positions in elementary teaching, and the 72.0 special education program positions at the secondary level. During the detailed discussion of the special education budget summary, Superintendent Clarke responded to trustees' queries and agreed to provide trustees with special education budget material that had been given to them on 11 December 2001. He offered to meet individually with trustees who wished to review the information in greater detail. Some trustees volunteered to meet with Superintendent Clarke to clarify a number of issues related to the special education/student services budget. Trustee Graham noted that importance of LOG being separated from the Foundation grant in the budget as the Foundation grant specifically supports students at risk. The motion was carried. In response to a query, Superintendent Clarke noted that the dividing line between ESL and special education funding and spending, and between LOG and the Foundation grant is not always very clear, but emphasized that he will make every attempt to present them as separate items in the staff - recommended budget for 2002 -2003. On a motion by Trustee Moen, seconded by Trustee Morse, it was agreed to continue the meeting past 11:00 p.m. 84. Proposed Process for Public Input and Budget Deliberations 2002 -2003 The Board had before it for consideration report No. 02 -022 presenting a process for receiving additional public input to the budget and for budget deliberations. Joan Melancon provided an overview of the report, noting that the proposed process is similar to that used last year, with the exception of receiving delegations at each meeting, and a change in the start time of the public portion of the budget meetings to 7:00 p.m. She noted that SEAC, as a statutory committee of the Board, would be given an opportunity to make a 15 to 20 minute presentation at the meeting when special education issues are scheduled for discussion. Trustee Sheryl MacDonald, seconded by Trustee Gifford moved THAT the process for receiving additional public input to the budget and for budget deliberations be approved. Trustee Morse, seconded by Trustee Scott, moved in amendment THAT the agendas for the Committee of the Whole (Budget) meetings be reordered so that the delegations follow the public question period. Trustee Morse noted that some parents travel a considerable distance to get to the Administration Building and it will be difficult for them to arrive by 7:00 p.m. 440) 59 • ML OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD The amendment was carried. MINUTES 28 JANUARY 2002 An amendment by Trustee Moen THAT B.5 be revised as follows, was accepted as friendly: B.5. Subject to No. 6, amendments will be dealt with in the order of giving notice; however, where more than one is received on a particular issue, amendments will be grouped by topic in the order they were received. An amendment by Trustee Moen THAT B. 8 be revised as follows, was accepted as friendly: B.8. Debate will begin at the 12 of February 2002 meeting and conclude at the final Committee of the Whole (Budget) meeting before the Board meeting on the 25th of February 2002. Amendments by Trustee Moen THAT "(20 February)" be deleted from B. 9. and THAT "approval of be deleted from B. 10. were also accepted as friendly. The motion, as amended, was carried. 85. Voluntary Education Levy Notice of motion having been given, Trustee Graham, seconded by Trustee Gifford, moved: WHEREAS the province has complete control of education funding; WHEREAS the decline in provincial revenues for education since 1998 has had a serious negative effect on the quality of public education in Ottawa; WHEREAS this community places high value on quality public education and a recent Decima Research poll has indicated there is strong support for additional resources for the OCDSB; WHEREAS some local control of education funding is urgently needed; WHEREAS Ottawa Councillor Clive Doucet has proposed a voluntary education levy to help ensure quality public education in Ottawa; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Chair of the OCDSB write to the Mayor of Ottawa, requesting that the city consider a voluntary education levy to support Ottawa's public education system. Trustee Graham noted that the Ministry assumed control of public education funding in 1998, and the OCDSB should consider any proposal that would result in the Board gaining some control of its funding. Trustee Graham referred to Ottawa Councillor Clive Doucet's proposal for a voluntary education levy, and emphasized the importance for the public to engage in a debate about the merits of the education levy. In response to a query, Trustee Graham noted that the option of donating funds to the OCDSB (aw would be included on the local tax forms. She explained that the specific allocation of the funds to OCDSB programs and services would form part of the public debate about the levy. 60 • —j OT- TAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 28 JANUARY 2002 Trustees speaking in support of the motion noted the need to increase the public's awareness of the school board's financial situation, and a public debate about the voluntary education levy would provide an opportunity to do this. They noted that the OCDSB Foundation is still in the development stage, and that the Board needs another avenue for contributions as soon as possible. Trustees speaking against the motion referred to the need for information about the legalities and administration of the education levy prior to requesting the City's consideration of the initiative, including information about the issuing of tax receipts, and the tracking of directed donations. They suggested that it might be more appropriate to ask the City of Ottawa to promote the existing OCDSB Foundation in terms of public donations to education. It was also noted that the Ministry might decide to match the donated funds, or conversely, it might decide that increasing the OCDSB's funding is unnecessary, given that the school board has access to an alternate source of funding. Student Trustee Robinson noted that students would support the creation of a voluntary education levy. At Trustee Sheryl MacDonald's request, a recorded vote was held, and the motion was carried on the following division: FOR: Trustees Gifford, Graham, Jackson, Lange, Libbey, Sheryl MacDonald, Moen, and Spice AGAINST: Trustees Morse, and Scott ABSTENTIONS: W Trustee Graham noted that Councillor Clive Doucet intends to give notice of motion with regard to the voluntary education levy at the 13 February Council meeting, with the debate to take place at the Council's 27 February 2002 meeting. 87. Meeting with MPPs Notice of motion having been given, Trustee Spice, seconded by Trustee Morse, moved: THAT the Chair invite government MPPs from the Ottawa area to a meeting to apprise them of the Board's budgetary situation, explain the gap between the funding provided by the province and the needs of OCDSB students, and seek their support for increased funding. In introducing the motion, Trustee Spice noted that the meeting would include no more than six trustees, and would not be a public meeting. The motion was carried. 88. 31 October 2001 Elementary and Secondary Enrolment Report The Board had before it for information report No. 02 -016 providing a comparison of the 31 October 2000 actual enrolments with the 31 October 2001 enrolments. The figures in the report represent the actual number of students enrolled at the elementary and secondary levels, and do not represent the full - time equivalent (FTE) or average daily enrolment (ADE). 61 P] 9 P] • �-jl OTTAWA- CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 28 JANUARY 2002 Trustee Morse requested that staff provide a report on the difference between the estimated and actual Grade 9 enrolment for 2000 -2001 and 2001 -2002, on a school by school basis. In response to a query, Superintendent Turriff confirmed that they expect to receive information on the Ministry capacities during the first week of February 2002, and the figures will be provided to trustees and to principals at that time. In response to a query, Superintendent Turriff agreed to follow up on the issue of whether it is the planning department or principals who are working on the development of capacities for student transfers. 89. OPSBA Report Trustee Moen noted that at recent OPSBA symposiums on funding and transportation, Ministry officials Peter Gooch and Nancy Nayler reported that the General Learning Grants (GLG) have not yet been finalized, and a new transportation funding formula is being developed that would address each school board's individual needs for school buses, based on travel distances, and special education students' needs. He also that Nancy Nayler is leaving the Ministry of Education, and is transferring to the Finance Branch. Trustee Moen noted that OPSBA approved two motions, one with respect to not reducing LOG grants for schools that demonstrate success in dealing with students at risk of failure, the other related to the leaked provincial government reports about planned reductions to child care funding. 90. New Business Trustee Morse asked that the issue of schools being used as polling stations for election be added to the February Chair's Committee agenda. She asked that staff provide information at the meeting regarding the process and assessments used to determine those OCDSB schools that are suitable for this purpose. Trustee Moen noted that some schools have expressed concern about school properties being properly secured, and noted that a draft policy on building security would be presented at the 30 January 2002 Chair's Committee meeting. In response to Trustee Moen's query, staff confirmed that the OCDSB web site link to Trustee Scott's web page regarding the budget process, would be removed. The meeting adjourned at 12:00 a.m. Jim Libbey, Chair of the Board Bonnie Viney, Director Designate of Education/ Secretary of the Board 62 • l OTTAWA-CAnITON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 28 JANUARY 2002 Trustee Morse requested that staff provide a report on the difference between the estimated and actual Grade 9 enrolment for 2000 -2001 and 2001 -2002, on a school by school basis. In response to a query, Superintendent Turriff confirmed that they expect to receive information on the Ministry capacities during the first week of February 2002, and the figures will be provided to trustees and to principals at that time. In response to a query, Superintendent Turriff agreed to follow up on the issue of whether it is the planning department or principals who are working on the development of capacities for student transfers. 89. OPSBA Report Trustee Moen noted that at recent OPSBA symposiums on funding and transportation, Ministry officials Peter Gooch and Nancy Nayler reported that the General Learning Grants (GLG) have not yet been finalized, and a new transportation funding formula is being developed that would address each school board's individual needs for school buses, based on travel distances, and special education students' needs. He also that Nancy Nayler is leaving the Ministry of Education, and is transferring to the Finance Branch. Trustee Moen noted that OPSBA approved two motions, one with respect to not reducing LOG grants for schools that demonstrate success in dealing with students at risk of failure, the other related to the leaked provincial government reports about planned reductions to child care funding. 90. New Business Trustee Morse asked that the issue of schools being used as polling stations for election be added to the February Chair's Committee agenda. She asked that staff provide information at the meeting regarding the process and assessments used to determine those OCDSB schools that are suitable for this purpose. Trustee Moen noted that some schools have expressed concern about school properties being properly secured, and noted that a draft policy on building security would be presented at the 30 January 2002 Chair's Committee meeting. In response to Trustee Moen's query, staff confirmed that the OCDSB web site link to Trustee Scott's web page regarding the budget process, would be removed. The meeting adjourned at 12:00 a.m. Jim Libbey, Chair of the Board ky/bdmins28jan02.doc Bonnie Viney, Director Designate of Education/ Secretary of the Board 62 9 D PC