HomeMy WebLinkAbout19 Business Services Report 3, 13 Jun 2000P WAP
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OTTAWA - CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
REPORT NO. 3, BUSINESS SERVICES COMMITTEE
TO: Board of Education
DATE: 13 June 2000
A meeting of the Business Services Committee was held this evening at 133 Greenbank
Road, Nepean, commencing at 7.30 pm, in the Trustees' Committee Room, with the following in
attendance:
MEMBERS: Trustees Lynn Graham and Trustee Morse (Chair)
ALSO PRESENT: Trustees Albert Chambers, Alex Getty Patty Anne Hill,
and Lynn Scott
STAFF: Jim Grieve, Director of Education & Secretary of the Board
Rose -Marie Batley, Superintendent of Facilities & Physical
Planning
Michael Clarke, Superintendent of Finance
Judy Turriff, Superintendent of School Operations
Brenda Cooper, Committee Coordinator
REPRESENTATIVES: Bill Hollingsworth, Ottawa Carleton Secondary School
Administrators' Network
Tony Pearson, Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation
(Teachers)
Janice Ritchie and Joan Spice, Ottawa - Carleton Assembly of
School Councils
Ron Lynch of the staff level Student Appeals Committee was also present.
Apvrov� al of Agenda
On a motion by Trustee Getty, the agenda was approved as presented.
2. Public Question Period
There were no questions from the public.
Policy P097.FAC. Energy Management
Your Committee had before it for consideration staff report 00 -145, recommending
approval of draft policy P097.FAC, Energy Management.
Superintendent Batley reported there had previously been a policy on energy
conservation. Although conservation is an important component of the proposed policy, energy
management encompasses considerably more.
Trustee Scott moved the recommendation in the staff report, remarking that she was
pleased to see a comprehensive and rational energy management policy come forth. Trustees
agreed, noting especially the emphasis on conservation and the development of a long term
strategic plan for energy management.
Business Services Committee - 1 - 13 June 2000
GM
Trustee Chambers moved in amendment that part 3.1 of the policy read The policy is to
be carried out by, along with the resultant grammatical changes in the following paragraphs,
and that assessing the performance be inserted in part 31(c). The latter will provide an
indication as to whether the energy management plan is meeting objectives regarding reductions.
These were accepted as friendly amendments and the motion to approve the policy was
carried. On a motion by Trustee Scott, your Committee recommends:
THAT POLICY P.097.FAC, ENERGY MANAGEMENT, BE APPROVED
(APPENDIX A).
4. Student Transfers
Following an earlier informal trustee /staff meeting about student transfers, the topic
was before the Business Services Committee as a discussion item. Trustee Graham noted that
she had not: attended the earlier meeting because she objects in principle to holding such
meetings without public notice. She has given notice of motion to end this practice.
Trustees requested staff notes, including the attendance, from the earlier trustee /staff
discussion of the issue. A summary of Ron Lynch's remarks was also requested, as well as a
summary of the impact the transfer policy will have on other areas. It was noted that the
transfer policy cannot be developed in isolation from staffing, transportation, program and other
issues.
Trustees held a productive discussion about student transfers, and agreed with the staff
advice that before a revised policy is developed, trustees must determine the purpose of the
policy, what it is to include, etc.
During discussion opinions diverged, ranging from more choice /easier access to concerns
about equity of access. On the one hand some felt the Board should be less concerned about
balancing enrolment. It should provide what students want by making the international
baccalaureate, stringed instrument programs, etc., available at key locations across the system,
using the centres of excellence concept.
Others felt that there can be no true choice without equity of access. For example, access
to programs may be inequitable for rural students (distance) or those with financial impediments.
Superintendent Batley advised that data on the reasons for transfer appeals would not
be particularly useful, as there are many more requests than appeals, and the appeals are not
necessarily representative of the reasons for transfer requests. Ron Lynch and Tony Pearson
cautioned that the programs requested may not be indicative of the underlying factors in a
transfer request.
Staff reported that data on the number of transfer requests is under development and
will most likely be available by the fall.
All those present congratulated Principal Bill Hollingsworth upon learning that the
grade 9 enrolment at Ridgemont High School has turned around, with growth in grade 9 up from
95 last year to 205 this year, and in the grade 9 gifted program from seven to 28-30. The number
of transfer appeals has been halved.
Business Services Committee - 2 - 13 June 2000
F3 4
5.
Your Committee had before it for information staff report No. 00 -136 providing an
update on capital projects completed in 1999.
The report included financial data indicating that overall, the projects were slightly
below budget, as well as a brief summary of the Maple Ridge Elementary School, Hilson
Elementary School, and John McCrae Secondary School projects.
6. Year to Date Financial Report to 30 April 2000
and 1999 -2000 Year End Forecast
Your Committee had before it for information staff report No. 00 -148 providing the
Board's financial results to 30 April, and a projection of the Board's financial position at the
fiscal year end, 31 August 2000. Expenditures to date are in line with expectations.
Superintendent Clarke distributed a revised year end forecast, updated to reflect the
Board decision of 12 June to use the anticipated surplus to fund next year's unbudgeted
expenditures, and the need to have a Board motion earmarking the reserve funds for the
additional congregated gifted classes. There was also a memo with a further breakdown
regarding the anticipated surplus. Both documents will be distributed to all trustees and the
committee's non - voting representatives.
Trustee Getty reported that he may ask the Board to reconsider its 12 June 2000 decision
regarding two additional congregated gifted classes. He will ask staff to comment on whether
the process used when the Board overturned a previous Board decision this issue without
reconsideration was correct.
Superintendent Clarke gave an oral update on the Ministry of Education's recent
announcement about increased funding in certain areas.
Although it appears that the CICDSB may receive roughly an additional $12 million,
the money must be spent as directed by the Ministry (e.g., class size reduction, children at risk
in the early grades, etc.). Unfortunately, this means that the additional funding will not help
alleviate the Board's need to cut an additional $23 million from its budget to be within the
provincial funding formula.
With respect to the early years, staff are working to clarify with the Ministry
whether some of the Board's current programs qualify for the funds, thus enabling some
discretion in the use of the new allocation.
Trustees shared a concern that continual reductions in plant expenditures to bolster
classroom funding could lead to considerable problems in maintaining the Board's facilities in
good repair, and to a reduction in the provincial allocation for plant expenditures.
In response to a suggestion that the Board show what its budget would look like if the
Ministry's funding allocation directives were followed to the letter, the Director indicated
that this can be brought forward as a discussion point at Chair's Committee in the early fall.
The Chair's Committee will be examining how the budget process may change.
Business Services Committee - 3 - 13 June 2000
9/-1.
Staff provided assurance that the problems experienced last fall with student
transportation will not be repeated this year.
There will be a reduction in the number of routes shared with the coterminous
board, and little likelihood of an increase this year despite provincial
encouragement of shared services. John Grochot continues to provide input on
this issue at the Ministry of Education's transportation committee.
In response to a concern, staff advised that the facilities with wells are tested
three times a year, and more frequently if there are indications of problems.
When problems arise, bottled water is used.
(c) New School Construction
Trustee Morse advised that she is considering bringing a motion to the Board
regarding the need for public input before making decisions about new school
construction.
The meeting adjourned at 9:55 pm.
Pam Morse, Chair
Business Services Committee
BLC /cb
BSC /000613
Business Services Committee - 4 - 13 June 2000
1+-r',6n1P1'X 0 ' FY'
Draft to Board for approval 26 June 2000
OTTAWA - CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
POLICY P.097.FAC
TITLE: ENERGY MANAGEMENT
Date issued:
Revised:
Authorization: Board
Next review: 06/2001
1.0 OBJECTIVE
To provide a framework for the implementation of energy management measures which use
energy as conservatively as possible while maintaining the best possible learning environment
for students and working environment for staff.
2.0 POLICY
2.1 The Board is committed to:
a) meeting or exceeding the letter and spirit of provincial environmental legislation
or regulations;
b) adhering to the principle of conserving electricity, fossil fuels and water by
optimizing energy use while seeking ways to reduce consumption, reduce costs,
reduce harmful emissions, and maintain the highest possible level of safety,
comfort and health for students and staff;
C) maintaining the integrity of the natural environment in relation to issues arising
from the use of energy; and
d) instilling in its students and staff an awareness of and commitment to energy
management and conservation issues by establishing a leadership role in
environmental stewardship, seeking to change personal attitudes, and
developing a holistic approach to energy utilization.
3.0 SPECIFIC DIRECTIVES
3.1 The policy is to be carried out by:
a) developing a long range strategic energy plan to address all Board energy related
matters, including but not limited to facility renewal programs, facility
operations, new construction projects, lighting, heating, air conditioning,
ventilation, water usage, fleet operations, solid waste procedures, education and
research, and product selection;
b) allocating appropriate resources to implement the strategic energy plan; and
f6• Draft to Board for approval 26 June 2000
C) reviewing, updating and assessing the performance of the energy plan every
three years.
3.2 'The Director of Education is authorized to establish and issue such procedures as may be
necessary to implement and support this policy.
4.0 REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
The Education Act, 1998, Section 11(9),170 -171