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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard 11 Sep 2000 Minutes Publickw • ML OTTAWA CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 11 September 2000 A meeting of the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board was held this evening in the Board Room, 133 Greenbank Road, Nepean, Ontario, commencing at 7:00 p.m. with Trustee Jim Libbey in the chair and the following in attendance: Trustees Albert Chambers, Alex Getty, Lynn Graham, Patty Anne Hill, Norm MacDonald, Sheryl MacDonald, Pam Morse and Lynn Scott. Staff. Director of Education and Secretary of the Board, James Grieve; Superintendents Rose -Marie Batley, John Brennan, Michael Clarke, Ross Donaldson, Dan Mason, Judy Turriff and Bonnie Viney; Manager, Facilities, Planning and Transportation, Michael Carson; Assistant Secretary of the Board, Joan Melancon; Manager of Communications, Maggie Melenhorst; Management, Policy and Planning Advisor, Janice Sargent; A/V Technician Robert Giekes; Committee Coordinators Kim Young (in camera session) and Bruce Fraser (public session). Student Representatives: Ryan Gilmour and Jennifer McIntyre. On a motion by Trustee Sheryl MacDonald, seconded by Trustee Scott, the Board resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider the items on the in camera agenda. Trustee Graham assumed the chair in Committee and the Committee later rose and presented the report below (Board minute 295 -00 refers). 295. ReRort No. 15 Committee of the Whole (in camera) Trustee Graham presented Report No. 15, Committee of the Whole (in camera) and seconded the recommendations therein. a) ProgeM Issue (Motion by Trustee Getty, seconded by Trustee Graham) THAT legal counsel proceed as directed in Committee of the Whole (in camera) with respect to a property issue. b) AARyointment of Manager of Physical Facilities/Design and Construction Services (Motion by Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Graham) THAT the appointment of Kathleen Lausman as Manager of Physical Facilities/Design and Construction Services be approved. C) Renewal of Basic Life Optional Term Life and Long Term Disability Policies (Motion by Trustee Scott, in substitution for Trustee Libbey, seconded by Trustee Graham) A. THAT the Basic Life, Optional Term Life and Long Term Disability (LTD) policies with Manulife be renewed with an increase of 8% on Basic Life, no increase on Optional Term Life, and a 10% reduction on LTD premiums, effective 1 October 2000 for fifteen months; and -238- B. THAT the Basic Life UDA funds of $412,000 (currently on deposit with Manulife) be used to fund the 28.5% deficit recovery premium increase for the period of 1 October 2000 to 31 December 2001. 296. Approval of Agenda On a motion by Trustee Norm MacDonald, seconded by Trustee Sheryl MacDonald, the agenda was approved as circulated. 297. Confirmation of Minutes 28 August 2000 On a motion by Trustee Norm MacDonald, seconded by Trustee Morse, the minutes of 28 August 2000 were confirmed as written. 298. Business Arising from the Minutes 28 August 2000 Trustee Chambers requested clarification regarding the process for members of the public and the various stakeholder groups to request information regarding the Area Review /School Closure Study. Superintendent Batley advised that trustee questions will be given priority and that questions from the public will be handled by staff as quickly as possible. It was suggested that public questions of an urgent nature should be forwarded through trustees. Several trustees expressed concern about the effectiveness of the response process and following unanimous consent agreed to add this item to the agenda for discussion. Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Morse, moved as follows: A. THAT staff be directed to provide responses to trustee questions related to the Area Review /School Closure Process for schools inside the Greenbelt, as expeditiously as possible, through a single point of contact; B. THAT questions from the general public be handled as effectively as possible through the Communications mailbox on the Board's Website. On a motion by Trustee Norm MacDonald, seconded by Trustee Getty, this item was deferred to later in the meeting under Board Member Motions. In response to a query by Trustee Scott, Michael Carson advised that the proposed development for the area known as "Moffat Farm" will result in a redistribution of growth involving approximately 40 - 45 elementary school students. Staff noted, in response to queries by Trustee Graham, that a report on the number of gifted students who have not been placed into congregated gifted classes will be completed by the end of the week. The information from the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI) regarding fees charged to other educational partners will be provided shortly. 299. Chair's Report The Chair acknowledged and thanked all staff for ensuring that the new school year has started smoothly. 300. Director's Report Director Grieve complimented all care staff and building maintenance staff for their efforts in preparing the schools for the new school year. -239- (W The Director reported that Manotick Public School has been chosen by the CBC to link directly via satellite to the Olympics in Australia on 25 September 2000. He noted that several students will be featured on CBC speaking to Canadian athletes during a live broadcast from the school library. The Manotick school choir sang the National Anthems of Canada and Australia at the opening ceremonies in Ottawa for the National Olympic Association on 29 April 2000. Trustee Getty congratulated Jamie Earle and Aaron Feltham, students at Sir Robert Borden HS, for their silver medal win as members of Canada's junior water polo team at the Pan American Championships recently held in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. 301. Public Question Period a) Don Buckingham, L.D. Billings School Council Don Buckingham asked when the fmancial data and specification sheets for renewal costs for L.D. Billings, as well as for schools remaining open, will be made available to his School Council. Superintendent Batley advised that the L.D. Billings information will be transmitted to the Principal by the end of the week. Staff will provide the cost information for schools remaining open upon completion of a full analysis of the Real Estate Capital Priority Planning ( RECAPP) data. b) Virginia Fobert, Stonecrest School Council In response to a query by Virginia Fobert, Superintendent Batley explained that a report on the Long Term Accommodation Plan will be presented at the 11 October Business Services Committee meeting. She advised that there will be an opportunity for public input, as provided for under Ministry guidelines, at various stages of the process after the plan has been presented. C) Mitchell Beer, Mutchmor Save Our Schools Committee In response to a number of queries by Mitchell Beer regarding the RECAPP process, Superintendent Batley noted that eight of the nine schools recommended for closure have received copies of their RECAPP reports. She advised that all narratives related to the reports are with the consulting firm in Toronto for use in the development of the OCDSB facility model. The facility analysis will be useful in the development of the Long Term Accommodation Plan. Superintendent Batley noted that the new Manager of Physical Facilities/Design and Construction Services has expressed the view that the projected renewal costs for schools are conservative estimates. d) Gga Hogg Gary Hogg expressed concern regarding the safety of Junior and Senior Kindergarten students in the Barrhaven area who are no longer being dropped off at the homes of their caregivers. He indicated that it is very inconvenient and could require some parents to change their child care arrangements. Mr. Hogg also expressed disappointment that the information was relayed to parents and caregivers by the bus drivers and not by OCDSB staff. Michael Carson advised that in an effort to standardize transportation services, the OCDSB is using congregated drop off points for children. Transportation staff are reviewing areas that will require some flexibility in the drop off arrangements. He noted that, in some situations, past practice has been to use bus drivers to apprise parents of transportation procedures. e) Monica Brown In response to a query by Monica Brown for information regarding transportation in the Barrhaven on the Green area, staff agreed to provide a copy of the OCDSB transportation budget but advised that the budget is not broken down by area. -240- f) Joan Spice Joan Spice withdrew her question, as to how questions related to the school closure process would be dealt with, pending discussion of the item later on the agenda. g) Marlene Pieppo Marlene Pieppo noted the recent increase in transportation funding and asked if busing for Barrhaven students in Grade 4 and 5 will be reinstated. Michael Carson advised that he will contact Ms. Pieppo to discuss the situation. 302. Receipt of Report No 6 Human Resources Committee, 5 September 2000 On a motion by Trustee Getty, seconded by Trustee Sheryl MacDonald, the Board received Report No. 6, Human Resources Committee, dated 5 September 2000. There were no recommendations in the report. 303. Strate i� Plan The Board had before it Report No. 00 -179 requesting that the proposed OCDSB Strategic Plan 2000 -03 be approved. Director Grieve introduced the report and noted that the Strategic Plan will focus on the development of a three -year operational plan that will include measurable objectives in the nine strategic areas which have been identified. Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Norm MacDonald, moved THAT the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board Strategic Plan for 2000 -2003 be approved. In speaking to the motion, Trustee Scott expressed her support for the development process as well as the plan itself. She noted that the Futures Conference was an effective method for informing stakeholders about the organization. Trustee Norm MacDonald expressed support for the Strategic Plan, but noted the importance of developing tangible methods which can be used to measure the effectiveness of the plan. He highlighted the importance of the next stages in the process. In response to a query by Trustee Graham, staff advised that revisions based on input from the questionnaires will be reflected in the operational plan. It was noted that the next Futures Conference will be scheduled following the completion of the operational plan. Staff will inform all participants. Trustees speaking in support of the motion noted that while there is still much work to be done, the process has been successful and that it will be of benefit to have a three -year operational plan as a reference. The motion was carried. 304. Board and Committee Calendar - September to December 2000 The Board had before it Report No. 00 -191 providing a proposed Board and Committee Calendar for September to December 2000. Trustee Morse, seconded by Trustee Norm MacDonald, moved THAT the proposed Board and Committee calendar for September to December 2000 be approved subject to the rescheduling of the 31 October 2000 Special Purpose Budget meeting. -241- (W In response to a query by Trustee Graham, staff confirmed that the Special Board meeting scheduled for 28 September will be a continuation of the 26 September meeting and that the Committee of the Whole meeting for trustee deliberation on school closures scheduled for 17 October will continue on the 19 October. Staff agreed to include the dates, when known, of the Board's Advisory Committee meetings. The motion was carried. 305. Appointment /Election of Additional Members & Chair of Special Purpose Budget Committee Trustees Scott and Chambers volunteered and were appointed to the Special Purpose Budget Committee and will join the Chair (Trustee Libbey) and Vice -chair (Trustee Graham) of the Board and the three Standing Committee Chairs (Trustees Getty, Hill and Morse) as members. Trustee Morse was acclaimed as the Chair of the Special Purpose Budget Committee. 306. Board Member Motions a) Establishment of International Baccalaureate Program in the Western Area of the Board, Trustee Morse Notice of motion having been given, Trustee Morse, seconded by Trustee Scott, moved as follows: WHEREAS there is a high demand for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program; WHEREAS, because of limited space the Board is currently not able to accept students who meet the criteria for the program; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: THAT a second International Baccalaureate (IB) Program be established in the western area of the Board's jurisdiction. In speaking to the motion, Trustee Morse noted that the current IB program has been successful and the strong demand for the program currently exceeds the space available. She expressed the view that an additional program should be created in the western area to increase the opportunity for students to attend this program. In response to an inquiry by Trustee Hill, staff advised that it would be possible to research the expansion of the IB program to the south and central areas, as well as the western, as part of the secondary school program review. Trustee Hill, seconded by Trustee Getty, moved THAT the motion be referred to the October 2000 Education Committee meeting. The motion was carried. b) Revision to By -laws, Public Question Period, Trustee Scott Notice of motion having been given, Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Getty, moved as follows: WHEREAS the public question period has not been optimally effective in allowing individual members of the Board's public, in accordance with Annex 4 of the existing By -laws and Standing Rules, "to ask questions relevant to Board and school programs, services, and operations in general "; -242- WHEREAS the purpose and appropriate management of the public question period does not appear to be understood and accepted in any consistent way by board members, staff or members of the public; WHEREAS it would be desirable to re -focus the public question period on the answers to questions of general interest, in accordance with the original intent of Annex 4, Paragraph 1 of the By -laws; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: A. THAT questions from individual members of the Board's public be submitted in writing at the beginning of meetings of the Board and its standing committees, using an appropriate form; B. THAT a place be set aside in the agenda for the Chair to provide brief answers to questions of general interest that are relevant to Board and school programs, services, and operations in general; C. THAT, where a question of general interest cannot be answered at the meeting, a written answer will be provided to the questioner as soon as possible, copied with the question to all trustees, and reported during the public question period at the next meeting of the Board or standing committee; D. THAT, where a question of individual interest is asked, a written answer will be provided to the questioner as soon as possible, copied with the question to all trustees; E. THAT the time allocated to the public question period at a meeting be limited to ten minutes, subject to a five- minute extension at the discretion of the Chair; and F. THAT Annex 4 to the By -laws, "Public Question Period at Board and Standing Committee Meetings ", be amended accordingly. In speaking to the motion, Trustee Scott noted that when an answer cannot be provided at the meeting, members of the public are not made aware of the response. She remarked that written questions could be reviewed by the chair of a meeting to allow for more efficient handling of multiple questions on a particular subject. In response to a query by Trustee Norm MacDonald, the Assistant Secretary confirmed that a two - thirds majority is required for a revision to the By -laws. Trustees speaking in favour of the motion expressed the view that it is a reasonable attempt to make more effective use of public question period and to provide answers to questions of general interest. Trustees speaking against the motion suggested that requiring that questions be submitted in writing might be restrictive to some members of the public and could reduce public participation. Trustee Scott requested a recorded vote and the motion was defeated on the following division: FOR: Trustees Getty, Morse and Scott (3) AGAINST: Trustees Chambers, Graham, Hill, Libbey, Sheryl MacDonald and Norm MacDonald (6) ABSTENTIONS: nil -243- (0) PC C) Revision to By -laws, Public Question Period, Trustee Chambers Notice of motion having been given, Trustee Chambers, seconded by Trustee Graham, moved as follows: THAT the Board's By -laws with respect to Public Question Period be revised to reduce the time allotted to each questioner from two minutes to one minute. Trustee Chambers expressed the view that the Board needs to improve public question period to ensure the public has an opportunity to ask questions, but to restrict the time in order to prevent mini - presentations. Trustee Hill, seconded by Trustee Scott, moved in amendment THAT the following be added to the motion as part B: THAT the time allocated to the public question period at a meeting be limited to ten minutes, subject to a five - minute extension at the discretion of the Chair. Trustee Hill remarked that meetings are becoming very long and there is a need to limit the length of public question period. Trustees speaking in support of the amendment noted that the amendment provides the Chair with a degree of flexibility. Trustees speaking against the amendment expressed the viewpoint that the Board should be encouraging input from the public and that the time saving would be minimal. The amendment was defeated. Trustees speaking in support of the main motion agreed that meetings are too long and that reducing the time for a question could increase the efficiency of public question period. Trustees speaking against the motion remarked that two minutes to present a question is not unreasonable and that the Board should be encouraging the public to come forward. In wrap -up, Trustee Chambers reiterated his view that the time allocated to public question period should be controlled in order to discourage mini - presentations and that one minute is adequate time to pose a question. Trustee Scott requested a recorded vote and the motion was defeated on the following division: FOR: Trustees Chambers and Graham (2) AGAINST: Trustees Getty, Libbey, Morse, Sheryl MacDonald, Norm MacDonald and Scott (6) ABSTENTION: Trustee Hill d) Board's Funding Awareness Campaign, Trustee Scott (1) Notice of motion having been given, Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Morse, moved as follows: WHEREAS the publication of Formula Facts, the first step in the Board's funding awareness campaign, has been successful in attracting public attention to the problems posed for the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board by the provincial funding formula; -244- WHEREAS follow -up is needed to keep attention focused on the funding problems until they are mutually resolved; WHEREAS advertisements providing more detail on issues already brought to the public's attention in Formula Facts may be useful for continuing to highlight the negative impacts of provincial education funding policies on public education in Ottawa - Carleton; WHEREAS the use of public tax dollars for advertising with a significantly "political" message is generally considered to be inappropriate; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: THAT the trustees of the Board invite private donations for advertisements to support the funding awareness campaign, and that the teachers' federations, the Ottawa - Carleton Assembly of School Councils, and the member associations of the Special Education Advisory Committee be asked whether they would be interested in assisting financially with the Board's efforts. Trustee Scott explained that she was bringing this motion forward as the Board has made no provision for the funding of its funding awareness campaign and because other levels of government have been criticized for using public funds to provide "political" information. Trustees speaking against the motion expressed the view that the Board should not be requesting financial assistance from its partners and should not antagonize the provincial government. Trustee Chambers remarked that the purpose of the campaign is to present facts to the public and to convey the issues related to the funding formula. He noted that the Board's partners have expressed a willingness to assist in getting the message out to the public. Trustee Chambers, seconded by Trustee Hill, moved in amendment THAT the Board invite the teachers' federations, OCASC and the member associations of the Special Education Advisory Committee, to assist the Board's efforts in building awareness around the funding situation. Trustees speaking against the amendment expressed the view that the amendment is redundant as the various partners provided input during the campaign's development. On a motion by Trustee Hill, seconded by Trustee Getty the meeting adjourned at 11:25 p.m. James P. Grieve Director of Education and Secretary of the Board BAFBE- 000911 -245- Jim Libbey Chair of the Board