HomeMy WebLinkAbout08c Report 99-130 Student Representation�D
OTTAWA- CARLETON
DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Date: 26 May 1999
Report No. 99 -130 to the Chair's Committee
RE: Student Representation
ORIGINATOR: John Brennan, Superintendent of Schools and Continuing Education
Leah Brown, Student Representative
PURPOSE:
To seek committee approval for:
i ) an increased number of student representatives to be elected by the Student Presidents' Council
ii) an amendment to Board Policy P.017.GOV to accomplish this objective.
BACKGROUND:
2. Board Policy P.017.GOV, Pupil Representation outlines the terms and condition of appointment for a
pupil representative to serve cn the Ottawa- Carleton District Board. The requirement for such
representation arises out of Regulation 461/97, issued under the authority of the Education Act.
3. The time commitment required for one individual has become unrealistic in terms of this representative
remaining in a successful academic program and acting as a truly effective representative. Other
Boards have recognized this fact by having a number of representatives, ranging from three to twelve.
STATUS:
4. At the April 19 meeting of the Student Presidents' Council a motion was passed requesting that this
obligation be shared among three representatives. The obligations and privileges of the position would
only be exercised by one student at any given time. The process would allow for an alternative
representation throughout the year. Board Services would be informed prior to the agenda setting of
each Board meeting as to who the representative would be. The existing process outlined within the
current policy would continue to be used to select the students.
Student representation on Board Committees would not change.
The proposed amendments to the policy are shown in bold (see Appendix A, attached).
RECOMMENDATIONS:
A. That policy P.017.GOV: Pupil Representation be amended to allow for three student representatives;
B. That only one representative act in this capacity at any given time.
James P. Grieve John Brennan
Director of Education/ Superintendent of Schools
Secretary of the Board and Continuing Education
APp
To Chair's Committee 26 May 1999 for approval as amended
OTTAWA- CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
POLICY P.017.GOV
TITLE: PUPIL REPRESENTATION
Date issued: 12 March 1998
Revised:
Authorization: Board 98/03/09
Next review: 03/2000
1.0 OBJECTIVE
To provide for pupil representation on the Board.
2:0 POLICY
2.1 A pupil representative shall have the same right as a Board member to participate in
discussions at Board and Standing Committee meetings, but shall not have voting
privileges or attend in- camera sessions.
2.2 Such participation shall provide for a student perspective to be heard at the table, and for
feedback to students regarding Board discussions and decisions.
3.0 SPECIFIC DIRECTIVES
3.1 The Board shall have up to three pupil representatives, who shall share inattending
Board meetings to represent students.
3.2 The pupil representatives shall be registered in a secondary school of the Board.
3.3 The pupil representatives shall be elected not later than June 30 each year for a one -year
term, to take effect on 1 August of that year until July 31 of the following year.
3.4 Each secondary school's student body shall be entitled to select one candidate for pupil
representative.
3.5 From the list of candidates, the Student Presidents' Council shall select up to three pupil
representatives as follows:
a) those entitled to vote shall be the current and incoming members of the Student
Presidents' Council;
b) the Student Presidents' Council shall nominate and elect the representatives by a
plurality of votes by closed ballot;
C) if the plurality for any of these elections is less than 33% of total votes cast, a
run -off will be held between the candidates with the largest number of votes.
U2
To Chair's Committee 26 May 1999 for approval as amended
3.6 A pupil is disqualified from office and /or the position is deemed vacant if:
a) the pupil is no longer registered in a secondary school of the Board.
b) the pupil is absent from three (3) consecutive Board meetings which he/she has
been designated to attend without approval of the Board.
3.7 If a pupil representative wishes to resign, the pupil must notify the Board Chair and the
Chair of the Student Presidents' Council in writing, preferably thirty (30) days in
advance. Such a letter will be deemed to be a resignation. Any vacancy within the term
of office shall be filled as soon as possible, using the process specified in 3.4 above.
Where such a vacancy occurs after 31 May, at the discretion of the Student Presidents'
Council the position may be left vacant for the balance of the term, or may be assumed by
the incoming pupil representative immediately following election.
3.8 Reasonable out -of- pocket expenses shall be reimbursed in accordance with Board Policy
P.004.GOV: Board Member Honoraria and Expenses. A Communications budget of up
to $1,500 will be available in accordance with Board Procedure PR.503.GOV: Trustee
Expenses for Professional Development and Communications.
3.9 Appropriate Board documents and reasonable access to the Board's electronic mailing
system shall be provided to the pupil representatives.
3.10 A designated staff member will provide liaison and support for the pupil representatives.
4.0 REFERENCES
The Education Act, as amended, Section X. and Education Act Regulation 461/97
Board Policy P.004.GOV: Board Member Honoraria and Expenses
Board Policy P.039.FIN: Travel, Meal and Mileage Claims
Board Procedure PR.503.GOV: Trustee Expenses for Professional Development
and Communications