Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard 28 Oct 2002 Minutes Public0 ML OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 28 OCTOBER 2002 28 October 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 7:05 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 Michael Clarke, Judith Hoye, Laura McAlister, and Bonnie Viney; Manager, Planning and Transportation, Michael Carson; Assistant Secretary of the Board, Joan Melancon; Manager of Communications and Information Services, Maggie Melenhorst; Planner, Estelle Butler; Technician, Robert Giekes; and Committee Coordinator, Brenda Cooper. The following trustees were present in the audience: Lynn Graham, Myrna Laurenceson, Jim Libbey, Norm MacDonald, David Moen, Pam Morse, Lynn Scott, and Joan Spice. 369. Call to Order The Provincially- appointed Supervisor of the Board, Mery Beckstead, called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm. 370. Approval of the Agenda The Director confirmed that the agenda was complete. The Supervisor approved the agenda, subject to moving up the item pertaining to updated information on JH Putman PS, Lakeview PS and Riverview PS (Cumberland), to follow his opening statement. 371. Supervisor's Opening Statement on Reconsideration of School Closures Supervisor Beckstead recalled that at the last meeting of the Board, staff were asked to provide more information about the possibility of closing the JH Putman, Lakeview and Riverside (Cumberland) schools. He reported that there has been a great deal of discussion within the Board's community since the meeting, and he thanked the school councils, trustees and community for their input and advice. Staff have now reported back as directed with updated information about the three schools being considered for closure. They have recommended that instead of being considered for closure in September 2003, the schools be included in the Board -wide area review/ school accommodation review process now underway. Mr. Beckstead reported that he has considered staff's advice, keeping in mind the need to balance the budget. He recalled that Dr. Rosen was clear that the Board should move to close schools as early as January 2003. Mr. Beckstead agrees with the need to close schools in order to reduce up to 2500 pupil places in order to make the best use of the Board's resources and facilities. - 292 - 0 IL T�__ OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD 372. Report No. 02 -185, Updated Information Pertaining to IH Putman PS, Lakeview P. S. and Riverview PS (Cumberland) MINUTES 28 OCTOBER 2002 Pursuant to Board direction, the Board had before it a staff report providing updated information regarding the possible closure of JH Putman Public School, Lakeview Elementary School, and Riverview Public School (Cumberland) (Board minute 366 -02 refers). The report contained a recommendation that the previous Board decision to reconsider the possible closure of these schools by September 2003, and an accompanying consultation process, be withdrawn. Supervisor Beckstead asked staff to speak to the report. Before introducing staff report 02 -185, Michael Carson noted two clarifications: the map on folio 68 shows the grade 6 EFI attendance boundary at JH Putman, not grades 6 -8; and the map on folio 138 shows the attendance boundary for all grade 7 -8 students at JH Putman. In briefly reviewing the staff report, Mr. Carson drew attention to the updated enrolment projections (where there is no significant change), and the updated financial information. He advised that in view of the savings achieved by twinning schools under one principal, the Board -wide area review already in progress, and the mandate to achieve 90- 95% occupancy within the greenbelt, staff are recommending that the three schools being considered for closure in September 2003 be withdrawn at this time, and that those schools be included in the Board -wide study. Mr. Carson confirmed the need to proceed with school closures, and noted that the savings on twinning schools would be lower than those which would be found in operating expenses if the schools in question were closed. Mr. Carson read the following staff recommendation into the record: A. THAT the recommendations noted in staff report No. 02 -080 dated 26 March 2002 with respect to JH Putman PS, Lakeview PS, and Riverview PS (Cumberland), be withdrawn at this time; and B . THAT the possible closure of JH Putman PS, Lakeview PS, and Riverview PS (Cumberland) be reviewed within the context of the Board -wide elementary area review process approved by the Board on 10 October 2002. Supervisor Beckstead approved the recommendation. 373. Presentations from Affected Schools Supervisor Beckstead reported that the affected school councils have provided excellent input and advice to staff over the past two weeks. He remarked that although the schools are no longer under consideration for closure next fall, he would be pleased to hear the two presentations from the affected schools on the agenda for this evening. Both speakers indicated that they wished to make their presentations. - 293 - Ic PC 0 L__, T�=j OTTAWA- CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD (a) Riverview PS School Council, Debra Wyatt MINUTES 28 OCTOBER 2002 Debra Wyatt, a parent volunteer at Riverview (Cumberland) expressed agreement with the inclusion of Riverview in the Board -wide review. She stressed that the school is in one of the Board's highest growth areas, and submitted that moving the Riverview students into already overcrowded schools would add to the problems. Ms Wyatt stated that Riverview school community is asking to be part of the solution, not a contributor to the problem. (b) Lakeview PS School Council, Joan Kavanagh - Wilson Joan Kavanagh - Wilson, past Chair of the Lakeview School Council, expressed support for including the school in the Board -wide study. She argued that the closure of the school now would not result in savings, could create obstacles to effective program delivery in the family of schools, and may result in increased costs to the Board. Ms Kavanagh - Wilson reported that the Council believes that the Board -wide elementary and secondary studies should be conducted together, with a top - down approach: secondary, then middle school, then elementary. In order to reduce conflict, there should be realistic goals, and uniform guidelines for the review of each school. She noted that they look forward to participating in the review. 374. Director's Report Director Lynch reported that this year's United Way campaign at the OCDSB is winding up. He thanked everyone for their enthusiastic participation. While the total contributions will be announced soon, the Director noted that there are still some final activities. He drew attention to Ridgemont's United Way drive - through breakfast on Wednesday 30 October. Cash donations will be welcomed with all proceeds going to the United Way. 375. Confirmation of Board Minutes, 10 October 2002 In response to the Director's advice that the Board minutes from the meeting held 10 October 2002 were correct, the Supervisor confirmed the minutes as written. 376. Business Arising from Minutes of 10 October 2002 There was no business arising from the meeting of 10 October 2002. - 294 - 0 LM OTTAWA- CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 28 OCTOBER 2002 377. Receipt of Report No. 9 Special Education Advisory Committee 2 October 2002 Report No. 9, from the Special Education Advisory Committee meeting. dated 2 October 2002, was received. 378. Receipt of Recommendations from Meeting of Trustees 15 October 2002 A report containing recommendations from a Meeting of Trustees, held 15 October 2002, was received. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm. Approved by: yle Mur y, Supervisor f the Board Date BLC /cb BE- 021028 - 295 -