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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03c COW Budget Minutes 20 Mar 20009/ OTTAWA - CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE (BUDGET) MINUTES DATE: 20 March 2000 A meeting of Committee of the Whole (Budget) was held this evening at 133 Greenbank Road, commencing at 7:30 p.m. with Trustee Pam Morse in the Chair, and the following in attendance: Trustees Albert Chambers, Alex Getty, Lynn Graham, Patty Anne Hill, Andrew Lam, Jim Libbey, Norm MacDonald, Sheryl MacDonald, and Lynn Scott. Trustee Russ Jackson participated via teleconference. Staff. Director of Education and Secretary of the Board, James Grieve; Superintendents Rose -Marie Batley, John Brennan, Michael Clarke; Ross Donaldson; Judith Hoye, Dan Mason, Barbara Stollery, Judy Turriff and Bonnie Viney; Principals Laura McAlister, Bob Powell and Margaret Dempsey; Manager, Facilities and Physical Planning, Michael Carson; Manager /Comptroller of Finance, Marie- Louise Chartrand; Coordinator of Budget Services and Financial Systems Support, Charles D'Aoust; Assistant Secretary of the Board, Joan Melancon; Manager of Communications, Maggie Melenhorst; Management, Policy and Planning Advisor, Janice Sargent; Chief of Social Work, Dan Wiseman; A/V Technician Robert Giekes and Committee Coordinator, Bruce Fraser. Non - Voting Representatives: Ottawa- Carleton Elementary Principals' Association, Lyndi McDonald; Donald Cram; Ottawa - Carleton Elementary Vice - Principals' Association, Mary McConnell; Ottawa Carleton Secondary School Administrators' Network, Phil O'Brien; Ottawa Carleton Elementary Teachers' Federation, Dave Wildman; OSSTF Teachers, Tony Pearson, Ed Filby; OSSTF/Professional Student Services Personnel, Christine DiZazzo; OSSTF/Educational Assistants, Linda Moran, OSSTF/Education Support Professionals, Helen Hume, Ottawa - Carleton Assembly of School Councils, Lamar Mason, Cynthia Pohran; Ottawa - Carleton Student Presidents' Council, Justin Millette, Russell Ullyatt; Special Education Advisory Committee, Casey van der Grient. Trustee Morse called the meeting to order at 7:40. Approval of Agenda On a motion by Trustee Lam, the agenda was approved as presented. 2. Public Question Period Thomas Layer asked if the Board had planned to approve a transfer of sufficient funds to the Capital Reserve to allow for the construction of new schools. Trustee Morse explained that there is approximately $2.6 million in Capital Reserves and that more could be added during budget deliberations. In response to a request from Bruce Myers, Trustee Morse indicated that a list of the number of children requiring assessment for special needs could be provided without identifying individuals. Director Grieve noted that the number of assessments required has been discussed at recent Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) meetings and that staff will have a reasonable estimate available for trustees to assist in their budget deliberations. Director Grieve explained, in response to a question from Jim Keith, that the single page of budget information that was inadvertently omitted from a package presented at a recent SEAC meeting was circulated by the end of the meeting and will be posted on the Board's Website. In response to a query by John Lloyd, the Director explained that the Board has made numerous (W representations to the Minister of Education to explain the many issues surrounding the new provincial funding model and will continue to submit its concerns on behalf of the community. Committee of the Whole (Budget) - I - 20 March 2000 3. Delegations a) Central Children's Choir of Ottawa - Carleton, Keith Jeacle Keith Jeacle and Arnold Earl of the Central Children's Choir of Ottawa - Carleton expressed the Choir's appreciation to the Board for the financial and logistical support that was provided for the 1999/2000 academic year. Mr. Earl noted that since the inception of the choir more than 30 years ago, several thousand students have benefited from the program. The program is open to all students of the OCDSB and currently 70 schools have members on one of the two choirs. Mr. Earl commented on the value of the program for the students involved, the Board and the community and requested that the same level of support be continued for 2000/2001. In response to a query from Trustee Graham, staff noted that the Director's Office budget includes $11,900 to support the Choir this year, and that the accommodation of the choir at McNabb School is being reviewed. Trustee Graham expressed disappointment that the link to the OCDSB has been dropped from the choir's name. Mr. Earl indicated that he would take the issue back to the Board of Directors for discussion but assured Trustees that the strong association with the Board is still promoted at all of the concerts. In response to a query, it was explained that children from the OCDSB schools comprise approximately 98% of the membership of the choir. It was noted that the choir's membership fees are kept very low to provide an opportunity for all children to participate and that 10% of the annual grant is used to assist choir members in offsetting costs where required. b) Ottawa Carleton Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO) Mitch Kitagawa, President of the Board of Directors of the Ottawa - Carleton Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO), noted the importance of English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction and requested that the Board reconsider the proposed reductions to the ESL and ESD instruction budgets. He pointed out that a significant percentage of immigrants and refugees arrive in the Ottawa area and noted the importance of language proficiency for children if they are to succeed in other areas of their education. He commented that the new funding formula provides ESL instruction only for children who have been in Canada less than three years, however, children require 5 to 7 years of support in order to achieve proficiency in a second language. As a result of this new formula, only 40% of students currently in ESL programs will continue to receive ESL support. He urged the Board to use discretionary funds to maintain a reasonable level of ESL support and to lobby the government to change the funding formula to ensure that adequate second language instruction is provided for all children. c) Goulbourn Township Overcrowded Schools Committee, Catherine Engler Withdrawn. d) Mutchmor School Council, Special Education, Ben Anthony Speaking on behalf of the Mutchmor School Council, Ben Anthony expressed concern regarding the proposed changes to the delivery of special education services in the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board ( OCDSB). He submitted that these changes, which include the integration of special needs students into regular classes and the reduction of teaching staff in a number of key areas, will affect all students, not only those in the Special Education programs. He suggested that inadequately funded special education programs may result in increased social and economic costs in the future. He invited trustees to visit the special education program at Mutchmor P.S. and urged the Board to reconsider the reductions to the special education program. e) Sir Robert Borden School Council, Charlie Pilson Charlie Pilson, Chair of the Sir Robert Borden School Council, requested that the Board consider providing funding to upgrade the science labs at Sir Robert Borden H.S. He noted that the school is operating at ministerial capacity with 1170 science students. As the new secondary school curriculum is heavily science -based, Committee of the Whole (Budget) - 2 - 20 March 2000 ga (W he suggested that it is essential for the labs to be updated in order that the program can be provided in a safe teaching environment. While one of the seven labs at the school was upgraded several years ago, the majority of the current labs are 30 years old and have not been updated. He expressed concern regarding the safety of these labs and the reduction of funds to address this issue. 4. Special Education Advisory Committee On behalf of the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC), Myrna Laurenceson, Co -Chair of SEAC, commented on the membership, mission statement and principles of SEAC. She noted that while SEAC was not in favour of the changes made to the delivery model of special education services in the 1999/2000 budget, it is encouraged by the increase in teacher development to support special education proposed in the 2000/2001 budget. SEAC is also pleased with the multidisciplinary approach the new models suggests, however, it has concerns regarding the ability of this model to meet the needs of children with exceptionalities. SEAC believes that this new model moves toward forced integration and away from offering a continuum of services that would better meet the needs of all students. While the concept of inclusion is beneficial, reducing the number of congregated classes and the support services provided to students is not an effective means of integration. The model recognizes the need for professional development; however, the proposal is inadequate to meet the demands placed on teachers with respect to the integration of exceptional student and has not proven to be successful to date. The majority of SEAC members support ceasing the implementation of the Special Education Delivery Model pending the completion of appropriate evaluations of the changes and their impact. Ms. Laurenceson noted that, as an alternative to the proposed Delivery Model, SEAC has made a number of recommendations to the Budget Committee and she explained the rationale for these recommendations. She commented on the concept of `Centres of Excellence' noting that they would be similar to the Canterbury model for the delivery of specialized arts programs, and would consist of several classes in which students are grouped according to exceptionality. As it will take some time to develop this concept fully in order to (W implement it in September 2001, SEAC is recommending that for September 2000, the composition of the current SELCs be based on exceptionality. It was pointed out that the staffing re- allocations recommended by SEAC would remain within the constraints of the proposed Special Education budget and Ms. Laurenceson noted the committee's preference to have teachers instructing students as opposed to instructing other teachers. Ms. Laurenceson noted that the arbitrary elimination of speech and language support for students nine years of age and older does not address the needs of these students. SEAC recommends that the speech and language positions which were eliminated in the 1999/2000 budget be reinstated to provide services to students nine years and older who can benefit from them. SEAC recommends the development of specialized itinerant programs of services for students with exceptionalities and special needs such as physical disabilities. This proposal will provide cost effective access to specialized services for students in need. Ms. Laurenceson noted that the establishment and maintenance of lists of students needing and/or awaiting specialized assessments and/or supports would be an effective tool in lobbying the government for additional funding for special education programs. In order to assist the community in understanding special education in the OCDSB, SEAC recommends that information about the Committee, the funding model and requirements for Special Education grants, special education program options, the Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) and Individual Education Plan (IEP) processes, and the Parent Guide to Special Education and Student Services be posted on the OCDSB Website. Funds allocated for technological efficiencies in the 2000/2001 budget would cover the cost of this recommendation. Committee of the Whole (Budget) - 3 - 20 March 2000 On behalf of the Special Education Advisory Committee, Ms. Laurenceson asked that the Board consider SEAC's recommendations as an attempt to ensure the provision of appropriate education for all students of the OCDSB. In response to a query by Trustee Norm MacDonald, staff will provide information on the feasibility of implementing a few Centres of Excellence as pilot projects. 5. Update on Provincial Funding Superintendent Clarke presented an update on the Ministry of Education's recent grant announcement. The Ministry has responded to requests to review the impact of the new funding model and has increased funding in a number of areas. He noted that the new funding model will increase the OCDSB operational grant in the long term but cause it to exceed the mitigation fund ceiling in 2001 -2002. This will eliminate mitigation funding at the end of the 2000 -2001 school year and will have major implications on the 2001 -2002 budget. Superintendent Clarke pointed out that the increases in the ongoing operating grant will lower the Board's funding shortfall to approximately $40 million from $55.0 million assuming there is no change in the OCDSB's spending pattern. He also noted that the province will partially pay for the grant enhancements by deducting a deemed OMER's contribution savings amount. This `clawback' will reduce the OCDSB's overall funding by approximately $4.0 million in 2000 -2001. 6. Special Education Advisory Committee Report No.4, 1 March 2000; Report No. 5, 2 March 2000; Report No. 6, 9 March 2000 On a motion by Trustee Lam, the Special Education Advisory Committee Reports No. 4 dated 1 March 2000, No. 5 dated 2 March 2000 and No. 6 dated 9 March 2000 were received. With respect to the recommendations, in the SEAC reports, having budget implications, Trustee Sheryl MacDonald gave notice to have them added to the agenda for the next Committee of the Whole (Budget) meeting. Staff agreed to provide trustees with an analysis and costing for each of the motions included in the SEAC reports for the Committee of the Whole (Budget) meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 22 March 2000. In response to a request from Trustee Libbey to have staff at the Ministry of Education review and comment on the SEAC motions, staff indicated that contact names would be provided. 7. Trustee Notices of Motion, Reduction to the Budget a) Paired Schools, Trustee Scott Trustee Scott, having given notice, moved as follows in amendment to the budget: WHEREAS the Board decided not to close any additional operating day schools for the 2000 -01 school year; WHEREAS part of the savings in operating expenses realized through school closures relates to reduced school administration costs; WHEREAS the Fitzroy schools (Fitzroy Harbour/Fitzroy Centennial) have operated successfully with a shared principal and vice - principal for many years, despite being located about 12 km apart; WHEREAS there are a number of pairs of schools of similar combined enrolment, most of which are located in much closer proximity to each other than the Fitzroy schools; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Committee of the Whole (Budget) -4- 20 March 2000 e_r THAT the following seven pairs of schools be operated in accordance with the Fitzroy model, with regard to principal and vice - principal staffing, beginning in September 2000, to reduce the 2000 -2001 operating budget by approximately $250,000: (a) Bayview and General Vanier (b) Carleton Heights and McGregor Easson (c) Christie and Leslie Park (d) Connaught and Devonshire (e) Lamira Dow Billings and Le Phare (f) Overbrook and Queen Mary (g) Meadowview and Riverview (Cumberland) In speaking to her amendment, Trustee Scott explained that the pairing of the recommended school sites is based on an average daily enrolment (ADE) similar to that of Fitzroy Harbour and Fitzroy Centennial schools, and a close geographic proximity which would ensure the Principal's familiarity with the local communities. Staff advised that the net savings from the pairings would be approximately $365K. This estimate is based on the savings of seven principal salaries, minus the cost of a half -time vice principal salary for each site, and additional funding for a principal designate where necessary. In response to a query, staff explained that previous attempts at pairing schools were met with concerns from parents that the principal was not easily accessible. The pairing of schools would require consideration of a number of factors, such as the location of the principal and vice principal as well as the needs of the students and community. Trustees speaking in favour of the amendment indicated that the sharing of principals and vice principals would provide cost savings as well as development opportunities for teachers when they assume the role of principal or vice principal designate. Trustees speaking against the amendment expressed concern regarding the safety of students both within the school and in the schoolvard. They submitted that the principal sets the tone of the school and it is difficult to administer a school without a full time principal. Concern was also expressed about the additional workload for principals and the required travelling time between schools. In response to a query by Trustee Chambers, staff advised that the Ministry of Education funding formula suggests those schools with less than approximately 370 students are not funded for a full time Principal. Trustee Chambers moved in sub - amendment, THAT schools with less than 325 average daily enrolment be operated in accordance with the Fitzroy model with regard to principal and vice - principal staffing, beginning in September 2000; and that the 2000 -2001 operating budget be reduced accordingly. On a point of order by Trustee Scott, the Chair ruled that the sub - amendment was in order as it was not hostile to the amendment according to the recent changes to the Board's by -laws Trustee Hill moved THAT the amendment and sub - amendment be deferred to-the 22 March 2000 Committee of the Whole (Budget) meeting. The motion to defer was defeated. Trustees speaking in support of the sub - amendment noted that it broadens the scope and allows for additional savings. Trustees speaking against the sub - amendment expressed concern with the lack of information and submitted that the move would be too drastic without undertaking the required research. Some Trustees expressed concern regarding the criteria used and the impact t h a t the decision would have on the system. Some of the non- Committee of the Whole (Budget) - 5 - 20 March 2000 voting representatives urged trustees to vote against the amendment and sub - amendment, due to the potential negative impact on both the system and staff, and recommended that the some of the schools be closed as an alternative. In wrap -up, Trustee Chambers expressed the viewpoint that alternate management models should be considered in order to reduce costs. He indicated that he would prefer to see a principal in every school but noted that the OCDSB must reduce spending to meet the provincial guidelines. The sub - amendment was defeated. In wrap up to the amendment, Trustee Scott noted that the pairing of the Fitzroy schools has worked effectively and that the recommended pairings could work equally well. She noted that the closing of schools would not allow for any cost savings over the next year. The amendment was defeated. On a motion by Trustee Lam the meeting adjourned at 12:20 am. Pam Morse Chair Committee of the Whole (Budget) Committee of the Whole (Budget) - 6 - 20 March 2000