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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard 10 Jan 2000 Minutes PublicOTTAWA- CAIU.ETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES 10 January, 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 pm with Trustee Jim Libbey in the chair and the following in attendance: Trustees Cynthia Bled, Albert Chambers, Alex Getty, Lynn Graham, Patty Anne Hill, Andrew Lam, Sheryl MacDonald, Pam Morse and Lynn Scott. Trustee Russ Jackson participated by teleconference. Staff: Director of Education and Secretary of the Board James Grieve; Superintendents Larry Archibald, John Brennan, Michael Clarke; Ross Donaldson; Judith Hoye, Dan Mason, Katharine Saunders, Barbara Stollery, Judy Turriff and Bonnie Viney; Manager, Facilities and Physical Planning, Michael Carson; Assistant Secretary of the Board, Joan Melancon; Management, Policy and Planning Advisor, Janice Sargent; Communications Coordinator, Paul Chislett; AN Technician Robert Giekes and Committee Coordinator, Bruce Fraser. Student Representatives Justin Millette and Russell Ullyatt were also in attendance. On a motion by Trustee Morse, seconded by Trustee Chambers, the Board resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider the items on the in camera agenda. Trustee Graham assumed the Chair in the Committee, and the Committee later rose and presented the report below (Board minute 42 -00 refers). 42. Report No. 2, Committee of the Whole (in camera) Trustee Graham presented Report No. 2, Committee of the Whole (in camera), and seconded the recommendations therein, viz: (a) Tentative Settlement OSSTF, Secondary Occasional Teachers (Motion by Trustee Getty, seconded by Trustee Graham) THAT the tentative settlement between the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board and the OSSTF Secondary Occasional Teachers, which will form a first collective agreement to be in effect from September 1, 1998 To August 31, 2000, be ratified, subject to ratification by the union. (b) Legal Issue (Motion by Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Graham) THAT staff be authorized to proceed as directed with regard to a legal issue as discussed in Committee of the Whole (in camera) Trustee Scott commended both of the negotiation teams for their hard work. -29- (c) Secondary School Principal Appointment (Motion by Trustee Lam, seconded by Trustee Graham) THAT the Board confirm the appointment of Neil Yorke - Slader to secondary principal for a one -year probationary period. Chair Libbey congratulated Mr. Yorke - Slader on his appointment. The recommendations were adopted by the Board. 43. Presentation to Former OCDSB Chairs of the Board Chair Libbey presented gavels to Trustee Lynn Scott and Trustee Albert Chambers in recognition of their former roles as Chairs of the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board. He thanked both Trustees for their hard work and guidance to the Board during their respective terms of office. In accepting the award, Trustee Scott thanked all Trustees and indicated that serving in the role of Chair had been a privilege and a challenge. Trustee Chambers thanked all of his colleagues and remarked that serving the education community has long been a tradition in his family. 44. Presentation of the Learning Resources Network (LERN) Award Superintendent John Brennan presented the Continuing Education Department with an award from the Leaming Resources Network (LERN) for achievement in the category of brochure /catalogue design. He explained that LERN is an international association offering information services to providers of learning programs, which presents annual awards to acknowledge exemplary practices. Superintendent Brennan remarked that this is the second acknowledgement received by the Continuing Education Department, as staff of the former OBE received an award in 1996 for Excellence in Programming. Jane Jones and Susan Nutbrown accepted the LERN award for the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board. 45. Approval of Agenda Trustee Lam, seconded by Trustee Morse, moved THAT the agenda be approved. Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Morse, moved THAT items 17 (d) Minor Boundary Review for Intermediate Programs in West Carleton, 17 (e) Minor Boundary Review for Elementary Schools in Goulbourn and 17 (f) Minor Boundary Review for Elementary Schools in Rideau Township be moved to follow item 14 (b). In response to Trustee Chambers' query, as to why the notices of motion were not being discussed first at the appropriate committee, it was noted that there was some urgency in addressing the motions included in the agenda. The motion to amend the agenda was carried. The agenda was approved as amended. 46. Confirmation of Minutes, 13 December (regular), 21 December (special) and 21 December (special) On a motion by Trustee Bled, seconded by Trustee Morse, the minutes of the meeting held 13 December 1999 were confirmed subject to the a correction to reverse the FOR and AGAINST results of the first recorded vote listed on page 15. On a motion by Trustee Lam, seconded by Trustee Morse, the minutes of the special meeting held 21 December 1999 were confirmed subject to the addition of special in the first paragraph on page 17. -30- lk On a motion by Trustee Graham, seconded by Trustee Sheryl MacDonald, the minutes of the special meeting held 21 December were confirmed subject to the removal of the note on the bottom of page 27. 47. Business Arising from the Minutes Trustee Graham requested information on the number of students now receiving transportation as a result of the revised policy discussed at the 13 December meeting (Board minute 19 -00 refers). Staff replied that the information would be provided in the Trustee information package on Friday, 14 December 1999. Trustee Lam asked about the status of draft Board Policy P.086.CUR: Religious Holy Days (Board minute 25- 00 (c) refers). Staff noted that it has been been referred back to the Community Council for Ethnocultural Equity for a response and following that it will be presented to Chair's Committee. There was no business arising from the minutes of 21 December 1999 or 21 December 1999. 48. Chair's Report The Chair acknowledged the work of the Staff Development Department for the latest issue of the REACH publication. He commented on the wide range of courses and workshops being offered and thanked staff for their efforts. 49. Director's Report The Director reported on the progress that has been achieved over the first two years of the amalgamation process. He remarked that while there are a number of challenges remaining, each step forward should be considered an accomplishment. The Director indicated that some of the major highlights of the past year will be noted in the Director's Annual Report. 50. Public Question Period a) Student Exchange William Colls requested the Board's help in expediting the process for his son to participate in a student exchange program with a school in Switzerland. Mr. Colls explained that his son is due to leave on 21 January 2000 so time is of the essence. Superintendent Archibald explained that the Board's process for the approval of student exchange programs is coordinated through the Admissions Department and information has been forwarded to Mr. Colls via e-mail. The Director commented that student exchange endeavours are valuable learning opportunities and that staff will assist with the process wherever possible. b) Boundary Review Sandra Sheedy, Co -Chair of the A. Lorne Cassidy School Council noted the overcrowding at A. Lorne Cassidy and indicated that recent Board decisions will delay the construction of a new school in Goulboum. She urged the Board to address the current situation and requested that a consultative boundary review be undertaken for all five schools in the area. C) New School for Goulbourn Catherine Engler, Goulbourn Overcrowding Committee, asked how the Board will deal with the need for a new school in Goulbourn. The Director remarked that the issue will be discussed later on the agenda. -31- 51. Delegations a) Laura Bilyk & Stephanie Appotive, Rideau H.S. Introduction of French Immersion Proe_ram at Rideau H.S. Laura Bilyk and Stephanie Appotive presented an electronic slide show supporting the creation of an extended French or bilingual program at Rideau High School. The students reported that the students, School Council and members of the community support the concept and that Rideau H.S. is one of only four "mainstream" secondary schools that do not offer either an extended or a bilingual program. The students explained the importance of additional language skills for students residing in the Ottawa - Carleton region and that those skills result in a competitive advantage in the future. They stressed that students should not be required to change schools should they wish to pursue further studies in a French program. It was noted that the school has the full support of their area Trustee , has approached the Planning Department, feeder schools, and the Superintendent and is now requesting the Board's support to implement a French Immersion program for September 2000. b) Jim Smedley, Stonecrest E.S. Parents, Retention of Grade 6 at Stonecrest Jim Smedley and Arnold Murphy presented a request on behalf of parents of Stonecrest E.S. students for the implementation of an Intermediate program beginning in September 2000. Mr. Smedley indicated that there is strong support for this initiative within the community, as parents want to keep their children in their current location. He suggested that sending the children to other schools will increase the overcrowding at those schools as well as increase the busing requirements. The projected enrohnents for Stonecrest were reviewed and it was suggested that if students are relocated to schools outside of the community the phase II expansion of the school may be negatively affected. In response to a query by Trustee Chambers, staff indicated that if Grade 7 and 8 students continued to be directed to other schools, this temporary accommodation plan would not eliminate the need for phase II of the school. 52. Report No. 1, Business Services Committee 8 December 1999 On a motion by Trustee Morse, seconded by Trustee Chambers, Report No. 1, Business Services Committee, dated 8 December 1999 was received by the Board. Trustee Morse presented and seconded the recommendation in the report, viz: Policy P.088.FIN: Admission of Students to Schools (Motion by Trustee Scott) THAT Policy P.088.FIN, Admission of Students, be approved. The recommendation was adopted by the Board. 53. Reports, Committee of the Whole (Phase II) 29 November, 14 December and 15 December 1999 On a motion by Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Morse, the Board received Reports, Committee of the Whole (Phase II), dated 29 November, 14 December and 15 December 1999 subject to the following changes on page 3 of the Report dated 15 December 1999. The replacement of all with many in the first paragraph, last sentence of item d, The committee members noted a lack of suitable free space to deal with children with special needs in many schools operating at 100% utilization. and the addition of some in the second paragraph of item d. She suggested that school closures..... exist in some schools operating at 90 %. There were no recommendations in the reports. -32- 7 54. Report No. 1, Education Committee, 20 December 1999 On a motion by Trustee Hill, seconded by Trustee Morse, the Board received Report No. 1, Education Committee, dated 20 December 1999 subject to the following changes. The reversal of Trustees who spoke in support of the motion and Trustees who opposed the recommendation in paragraphs seven (7) and eight (8) on page 6 of the report. Trustee Hill presented and seconded the recommendations in the report, viz: a) Receipt of Special Education Advisory Committee Report 1 December 1999 (Motion by Trustee Chambers, seconded by Trustee Hill) THAT Report No. 10 from the Special Education Advisory Committee, dated I December 1999, be received. b) Changes to Organizational Structures at Secondary Schools (Motion by Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Hill) THAT Brookfield High School and Glebe Collegiate Institute be semestered beginning in 2000 -2001. C) Letter to Ministry re: French Language Texts (Motion by Trustee Chambers, seconded by Trustee Hill) THAT a letter be forwarded to the Ministry of Education, and copied to the Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA), with regard to the process for the acquisition of French Language texts, and the importance of this issue to the OCDSB. (Note: This incorporates a friendly amendment by Trustee Lam, to copy it to OPSBA.) Recommendations a) and c) were carried. Recommendation b) was the subject of considerable debate regarding the implications of increasing the number of semestered schools across the system. Trustees speaking against the motion noted the imbalance that will result within the system and expressed concern over limiting choice for students who prefer non - semestered programs. Trustee Morse expressed strong concerns that the scope and intent of Policy P.077.PLG, Designated Schools /Student Transfers, concerning a student's choice of semestered or non - semestered schooling "for educational reasons," is not reflected in Procedure PR.569.PLG. In response to a query by Trustee Morse, staff confirmed that there would be ten non - semestered schools remaining if the recommendation is approved. Trustees speaking in support of the recommendation remarked that the schools have followed the required process and that they have the support of staff and the school communities. In response to Trustee Chambers' query regarding the Glebe application, Superintendent Mason indicated that the school had met the original timeline but the application was returned for additional information. Trustee Jackson requested that a separate vote be conducted for each school and Trustee Scott requested a recorded vote. -33- Part (A) of the motion THAT Brookfield High School be semestered beginning in 2000 -2001 was carried on the following division: FOR: Trustees Getty, Graham, Hill, Lam and Scott AGAINST: Trustees Chambers, Jackson, Sheryl MacDonald and Morse 4 ABSTENTION: Trustees Bled and Libbey 2 Part (B) of the motion THAT Glebe Collegiate Institute be semestered beginning in 2000 -2001 was carried on the following division: FOR: Trustees Getty, Graham, Hill, Lam Sheryl MacDonald and Scott AGAINST: Trustees Chambers, Jackson and Morse ABSTENTION: Trustees Bled and Libbey In summary, recommendations a) b) and c) were adopted by the Board. 55. French Immersion Program at Rideau H.S. Notice of motion having been given, Trustee Bled, seconded by Trustee Sheryl MacDonald moved as follows: THAT a French Immersion Program be added to Rideau High School beginning in Grade 9 in 2000 -2001. Trustee Bled noted that the school community has made a strong case for the creation of a French Immersion Program and that they have the support of the Principal, their School Council and the students. She indicated that this program would initially serve only 22 students. This small number would not disrupt any programs at other schools and would not be a problem in future should program changes be necessary. Superintendent Donaldson confirmed that the program would only affect 22 students and all but one of the students currently resides within the Rideau H.S. attendance area. Trustees speaking in support of the motion noted that the required process has been followed and that the motion appears to have the support of the school community, staff and students. Trustee Chambers expressed concern that implementing a program at Rideau H.S. will affect the viability of the programs at other schools and limits students' choices. He moved in amendment THAT until further decision by the board, students be permitted to choose between the French Immersion program at Rideau H.S. and the French Immersion programs they would otherwise be permitted to attend at Lisgar, Glebe and other affected schools. Trustee Chambers, in speaking to the amendment, noted that students' current choices should be maintained. Trustees speaking against the amendment indicated that it could undermine the success of the program being proposed. At the request of Trustee Bled, a recorded vote was held. The amendment was defeated on the following division: FOR: Trustees Chambers and Graham AGAINST: Trustees Bled, Getty, Hill, Libbey, Sheryl MacDonald, Morse and Scott ABSTENTIONS: Trustees Jackson and Lam -34- Student Representative Justin Millette remarked on the advantage to students of being bilingual and urged Trustees to support the motion. At the request of Trustee Bled, a recorded vote was held. The motion was carried on the following division: FOR: Trustees Bled, Getty, Hill, Jackson, Lam, Libbey, Sheryl MacDonald, Morse and Scott AGAINST: Trustees Chambers ABSTENTION: Trustee Graham 56. Minor Boundary Review for Intermediate Programs in West Carleton Notice of Motion having been given, Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Morse moved as follows: Whereas all West Carleton elementary schools are currently operating over capacity, with an overall utilization over 116 %; Whereas the capacity to accommodate different degrees of overcrowding varies from one West Carleton elementary school to another, with utilization currently ranging from 108.49% at Stonecrest to 127.02% at Huntley Centennial; Whereas there has been no positive response as yet from the Ministry of Education to the Board's January 1999 request to be allowed to use existing Education Development Charge reserves as originally intended to build new schools in areas of enrolment growth and overcrowding; Whereas the Board's December 1999 postponement of decisions on school closures may lead to further delays in becoming eligible for New Pupil Place Grants for the construction of urgently needed new schools; Whereas enrolment in West Carleton elementary schools continues to increase; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED A. THAT a minor boundary review be carried out for Intermediate programs in West Carleton elementary schools; B. THAT this boundary review include consultation with all five West Carleton elementary schools and their school communities; and C. THAT a report be provided for Board consideration at the Board meeting of 28 February 2000, for implementation of any changes to boundaries and/or program locations effective September 2000. Trustee Scott noted that, while the opening of Stonecrest E.S. did help to alleviate some of the problems in West Carleton, all schools remain overcrowded. The postponement of the school closure process, the delay in response from the Ministry on the use of Education Development Charges (EDC) and the increasing enrolment levels in that area makes it necessary to consider short-term solutions. She noted that staff would have been looking at this issue in the future, but the motion adds a component of consultation as the community is very concerned with the overcrowding situation. Trustees speaking in favour of the motion submitted that it is unlikely that all of the overcrowding situations throughout the Board can be dealt with at the same time and this will allow staff to review this area and propose short term corrective action. -35- Trustee Morse noted that, in the past, minor boundary adjustments have been made to correct imbalances in the population of rural areas. vi Trustees speaking against the motion suggested that this is a "band aid" approach to a wide ranging problem and that overcrowding should be addressed in all areas of the Board. Some concern was expressed over a possible realignment of municipal boundaries and that the motion would result in additional work for staff. The motion was carried. 57. Motion to Continue Past 11:00 pm Trustee Morse, seconded by Trustee Hill moved THAT the meeting continue past 11:00 pm. The motion carried. 58. Minor Boundary Review for Elementary Schools in Goulbourn Notice of Motion having been given, Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Getty, moved as follows: Whereas elementary schools in Goulbourn Township are currently operating at an overall utilization over 109 %; Whereas there are significant imbalances in overcrowding at different elementary schools in Goulbourn Township, with A. Lorne Cassidy at 123.10% of capacity despite redirecting all its JK students to other schools; Whereas the Goulbourn community has been awaiting word on a consultative boundary review since the conclusions of the 1998 -99 board -wide school accommodation study; Whereas there has been no positive response as yet from the Ministry of Education to the Board's January 1999 request to be allowed to use existing Education Development Charge reserves as originally intended to build new schools in areas of enrolment growth and overcrowding; Whereas the Board's December 1999 postponement of decisions on school closures may lead to further delays in becoming eligible for New Pupil Place Grants for the construction of urgently needed new schools; Whereas enrolment in Goulbourn elementary schools continues to increase, especially in the Stittsville area, exacerbating the imbalance in degrees of overcrowding; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED A. THAT a minor boundary review be carried out for elementary schools in Goulbourn Township to seek alternative temporary solutions for the imbalance in enrolments and overcrowding; B. THAT this boundary review include consultation with all five Goulbourn elementary schools and their school communities; and C. THAT a report be provided for Board consideration at the Board meeting of 28 February 2000, for implementation of any changes in boundaries and/or program locations effective September 2000. Trustee Scott pointed out that there is an overcrowding problem at all schools in Goulboum Township and that A. Lorne Cassidy is still overcrowded despite redirecting the Junior Kindergarten program to two other area schools. She noted that this recommendation adds consultation with the community to the process. The motion was carried. -36- F 59. Minor Boundary Review for Elementary Schools in Rideau Township Notice of Motion having been given, Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Morse, moved as follows: Whereas concerns have been expressed by Rideau parents about imbalances in school utilization among elementary schools in Rideau Township, with two schools currently underutilized and two schools currently overcrowded; Whereas it not yet known whether the imbalance might be partly addressed by the introduction of a Middle French Immersion program at Kars P.S.; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED A. THAT, coincident with the current examination of the potential for introducing a Middle French Immersion program at Kars P.S., a minor boundary review be carried out for elementary schools in Rideau Township; B. THAT this boundary review include consultation with all four Rideau elementary schools and their school communities; and C. THAT a report be provided for Board consideration at the Board meeting of 28 February 2000, for implementation of any changes in boundaries and/or program locations effective September 2000. In speaking to the motion, Trustee Scott noted that although not all Rideau Township schools are overcrowded there is an imbalance in enrolments. It is not known whether the imbalance will be addressed by the introduction of a Middle French Immersion Program at Kars PS. Trustee Scott expressed her concern that a review could be delayed by two or three years and that she has difficulty in asking the community to wait once again for these issues to be addressed. In the discussion that followed, staff indicated that a review of the area is scheduled for the year 2000 for implementation in 2001. The community would like to address immediate concerns, therefore if the motion is approved, the review would be moved up on the priority list. Some Trustees expressed the view that this issue does not have the same sense of urgency as the previous areas where all schools are overcrowded. Trustees in support of the motion noted that this review, in conjunction with the review in the West Carleton area, could help to improve the overall enrolment balance of those rural areas. The motion was defeated on a tie vote. 60. Report No. 1, Audit Committee, 5 January 2000 On a motion by Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Bled, the Board received Report No. 1, Audit Committee, dated 5 January 2000. There were no recommendations in the report. -37- 61. Motion to Adjourn On a motion by Trustee Morse, seconded by Trustee Getty, the meeting adjourned at 11:55 pm. Jim Libbey Chair of the Board BAR BOE 000110 -38- James P. Grieve, Director of Education/ Secretary of the Board lki