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HomeMy WebLinkAboutChairs' Report 7, 24 Nov 1999 Minutes PublicOTTAWA - CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD REPORT NO. 7 CHAIRS' COMMITTEE (PARTIAL REPORT) TO: Board of Education DATE: 24 November 1999 A meeting of the Chairs' Committee was held this evening commencing at 7:40 t%jA the Trustees' Committee Room, 133 Greenbank Road, Nepean, with Trustee Albert Chambers in the Chair, and the following in attendance: MEMBERS: Trustees Lynn Graham, Jim Libbey and Pam Morse ALSO PRESENT: Trustees Alex Getty, Patty Anne Hill, Sheryl.SMacDoruX0'4nd L nn Scott Student Representative: Russell Ullyat STAFF: James Grieve, Director of Education/Secretary of the Board Michael Clarke, Superintendent of Financial Services Judith Hoye, Superintendent of Schools Judy Turriff, Superintendent of-Schools Bonnie Viney, Superintendent of Human Resources/Business and Learning Technologies Laura McAlister, Principal of Special Educations Maggie Melenhorst, Manager, Communications and Information Services Janice Sargent, Management, Policy and Planning Advisor Robert Giekes, Technician Bruce Fraser, Committee Coordinator REPRESENTATIVES: Mary McConnell, Ottawa - Carleton Elementary Vice - Principals' Association Cynthia Pohran, Ottawa - Carleton Assembly of School Councils Kerry Callan- Jones, Ottawa - Carleton Secondary School Administrators' Network No Entchev and Tim Chaplin, (Lisgar HS) Ottawa - Carleton Student Presidents' Council Lyndi McDonald, Ottawa - Carleton Elementary Principals' Association Dave Wildman, Ottawa - Carleton Elementary Teachers' Federation Mary Jones, Ottawa - Carleton Elementary Vice - Principals' Association Tony Pearson, Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation Approval of Agenda On a motion by Trustee Graham, the agenda was approved as presented subject to including item No. 6. Budget — Three Year Plan as an action item. 2. Public Ouestion Period -` There were no questions from the public. 3. Fall Proexess Resorts from Futures Action _Qr ous Your Committee had before it for consideration staff report 99 -252, providing fie fall' .'ogress reports from the OCDSB Futures Conference action groups formed in May 1999. Chairs' Committee -1- 24 November, 1999 In his opening remarks, Director Grieve acknowledged the participation of the 82 highly motivated and committed individuals at the conference. The Director noted that the purpose of the Futures Conference was an effort to engage the board's wide variety of stakeholders in the process of developing a long term strategic plan for the OCDSB. Using an electronic slide presentation, the Director reviewed the mandates and some of the strategies of the seven action groups. He noted that the groups will continue to study and make recommendations in the areas of; Board structure and process, Expectations for Learning/Accountability, The School as the Hub of the community, Safe Schools, Staff Training and Support, Student- Tailored Learning and Volunteerism. Director Grieve also noted that the original mandate of some groups has been refined to further clarify their objectives and that each group has developed time frames, information gathering strategies as well as methods to effectively measure their progress. The groups will reconvene at a follow up conference scheduled for 28 January 2000 to review their progress to date and to discuss future strategies. In conclusion the Director noted that the volunteer efforts of the participants has been inspirational and indicated that the present budget allocation should be sufficient to complete the project. Director Grieve also acknowledged the work of Janice Sargent in ensuring the success of the project. Trustee Graham thanked the Director for his presentation and acknowledged the work of everyone involved in the project. In response to questions from Trustee Graham, the Director indicated that the ongoing nature of the project would likely result in membership turnover within the action groups. He added that the success of the project would not rely on the status quo and that the size of the groups could increase due to increased participation by students. He also confirmed that the original $12,000 allocation was sufficient for the project although a small budget had been set aside in the Directorate to cover any incidental costs incurred at the follow up meeting. Trustee Scott commented that the project has been exciting to participate in and that there are many positive benefits resulting from the exercise, such as improved communication and the evolution of the two previous Boards as a single organization. In response to a query from Lawrence LeBlanc the Director noted that anti - racism will be included as a component of the Safe Schools Committee agenda. Trustee Scott moved the recommendation in the staff report. The motion was carried. On a motion by Trustee Scott, therefore, your committee recommends: THAT THE BOARD ENDORSE THE MANDATES, OBJECTIVES AND PLANS OF THE SEVEN FUTURES ACTION GROUPS AS A COMPONENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A LONG -TERM STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE OCDSB TO ASSIST GRADUATES OF THE OTTAWA - CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD TO BE SECOND TO NONE IN THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO. 4. Draft Letter to RMOC re: Regional Directions Document Your Committee had before it for approval a draft letter addressed to the Regional Municipality of Ottawa - Carleton in response to a document entitled Regional Directions. Pursuant to a Board motion of 13 September 1999, staff prepared a letter commenting on the Region's document. The letter was subsequently revised as the result of input from Trustees and staff and was brought to this Chairs' Committee for additional input from student trustees, associations, employee federations /unions and parents prior to finalizing the letter for approval by the Board. Chairs' Committee -2- 24 November, 1999 Discussion ensued on the content of the brief and a number of areas were commented on. Trustee Scott expressed concern over the preamble in the Region's document and suggested that it does not recognize the impact of both the current and continued migration into the region as well as the ongoing movement within. She suggested that the letter should state a concern over the continually changing demographics of the region and how that affects the services that both the Board and the Region must provide. She commented that the Region's plans do not reflect the potential affect of changing demographics on suburban and rural areas over the long term. She suggested, for example, that the need for services for teens in rural areas is an ongoing requirement and that the existing demand for these types of services is not being met. Trustee Scott also suggested that the word "existing" be added to the paragraph on folio 20 in reference to the "...use of Economic Development Charges to provide new pupil places..." Student Representative, Russell Ullyat commented that he had recently spoken with Regional Chair Chiarelli concerning the creation of a Youth Advisory Council for the Region and that he hopes that youth will have a voice in the Region's development. Lawrence LeBlanc noted that a statement regarding anti - racism is not mentioned in the letter and suggested that how students feel and act towards others is an important aspect in the region's development. He suggested that the reference on folio 19 to the consequences of the new provincial funding model should be stronger and that the reference on folio 20 to the role of school boards in achieving the Region's goals in economic growth should also stress the importance of funding. Trustee Scott moved that the draft letter to the Region, with the suggested changes and the removal of the last sentence, be approved. The motion was carried. On a motion by Trustee Scott, therefore, your committee recommends: THAT THE BOARD APPROVE THE LETTER TO THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF OTTAWA - CARLETON IN RESPONSE TO THE DOCUMENT ENTITLED REGIONAL DIRECTIONS ATTACHED AS APPENDIX A. 5. Board and Committee Calendar, January to August 2000 You Committee had before it for consideration Report 99 -256 providing the Board and Committee Meeting Calendar for the period January 2000 to August 2000. Trustee Graham suggested that the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) meeting on 5 January 1999, the Ottawa - Carleton Assembly of School Councils (OCASC) meeting on 23 April 1999 and the Board meeting on 23 May 1999 be rescheduled because of conflicts with religious holidays. Trustee Graham put the staff recommendation on the floor, subject to any necessary amendments and with the proviso that there be consultation with the appropriate groups. The motion was carried. On a motion by Trustee Graham, therefore, your Committee recommends: THAT THE BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETING CALENDAR FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 2000 TO AUGUST 2000 BE APPROVED, SUBJECT TO CHANGES FOR INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS AS MAY BE NECESSITATED DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR. Note: The SEAC meeting has been rescheduled to 6 January 2000 and the Board meeting to the 24 May 1999. Chairs' Committee -3- 24 November, 1999 6. Review of Agendas Trustee Scott noted that there is the possibility of an Audit meeting in December. 7. Trustee Expense Report Trustee Scott indicated that she had additional information regarding her expenses and therefore the report will require further amendment. Trustee Chambers noted that he would be bringing forward a motion at the Board meeting scheduled for 13 December 1999 concerning the Trustee Expense Report. Trustee Scott requested that a list of travel for Trustee professional development be produced. Albert Chambers Chair Chairs' Committee W Chairs' Committee -4- 24 November, 1999 • MIJ OTTAWA- CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD Bob Chiarelli Chair Region of Ottawa - Carleton Ottawa - Carleton Centre, Cartier Square 111 Lisgar St., Ottawa Ontario K2P 2L7 Dear Mr. Chiarelli gppeNDIX A . 25 November 1999 Pursuant to a Board motion of 13 September 1999 THAT staff be directed to prepare a brief commenting on the RMOC's Regional Directions document, we wish to make the following points in response to this document as a contribution toward the needed dialogue among partners in this Region who are concerned with the welfare of all our citizens. The draft Regional Directions document received by our Board on 2 September 1999 indicates your top priorities for the future. We regret we were unable to make a presentation during the Region's consultations in October; however, we hope you will accept our comments prior to finalizing this important regional document. A draft of our response has been circulated to trustees and Board stakeholder representatives including teacher, student and parent representatives and approved by the Board on 22 November 1999. As you may be aware, our Board undertook last May to hold a multi- stakeholder conference to discuss the future of our Board's students, with a view to ensuring their success upon graduation in their chosen work and career. From this very successful conference, which included representation from principals /vice - principals, teachers, affiliated and non - affiliated support staff, students and parents as well as from the wider community including the Government of Canada (Learning and Literacy Directorate), the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training, post - secondary institutions (Carleton University, University of Ottawa, and Algonquin College), business (Nortel, OCRI), health and social service providers (CHEO, Children's Aid, the Ottawa - Carleton Regional Police, and the RMOC Child Care Division) emerged seven action themes. Several of these themes clearly coincide with those of the Region as expressed in your Regional Directions document, for example: ➢ The School as Hub in the Community New and existing financial resources in our community are limited, therefore, increased efficiencies through co-operation are required. Schools can provide a "hub" in the community to serve the needs first of students and then of other community members. To achieve this vision, help will be needed from many agencies as well as local communities. ➢ Volunteerism There was agreement among conference participants that there should be a focus on parents' involvement in their children's education, ranging from at -home activities such as reading with each child, to at- school activities such as meeting with teachers for interviews, helping in the classroom, and becoming involved through school councils in a wide range of activities in support of students. In addition, the involvement of the wider community in children's education is sought as highly necessary to the success of our students. ➢ Safe Schools Objectives include ensuring a continuum of programs from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 which address 'kids caring for kids' on a daily basis, and which provide a support model for students at high risk for recidivism. ..2 A strategic plan is presently being developed to build upon these conference themes which articulate priority issues for the Ottawa- Carleton District School Board. In recognition of the fact that we share many goals with the Region, we wish to state our Board's support for your initiatives in the following areas: Funding/Delivery of Health and Social Services We agree that the 'downloading ' of provincial responsibilities has severely affected local governments. Increased or new revenue sources are urgently needed in order to meet the needs of all our citizens -- and specifically in our Board's case, the needs of our students. Your goal of negotiating a new partnership agreement with the Province of Ontario with respect to service delivery and funding for shared programs such as social services and health to achieve a stable, sustainable future is a goal of our education system as well. With respect to specific priorities, we would urge the Region to include in its health and social services priorities funding for projects related to children and, in particular to youth. As the draft Statement indicates on page 7, the "baby boom echo group" of children aged 5 to 14 will require a "temporary" increase, over the next 5 years, in the services available to teenagers. In the longer term, demographic trends indicate there will be a substantial impact for our Board and this Region due to in- migration. There is an ongoing need for permanent attention to the growth of our suburban and rapidly urbanizing rural regions, particularly with respect to services for youth. Over the vears, Boards of Education have become the default providers of such services, using extremely scarce education tax dollars to bolster such services and programs that should be funded through the social services and health envelopes, in partnership with school boards. As a consequence of the new provincial funding model, which provides fewer funds for non - classroom services such as social workers, psychologists, youth workers, etc., school boards will be forced to do less and many of the needs of youth will not be serviced unless we - Boards and the Region - develop new collaborative initiatives. Success by Six Program We fully agree that conditions experienced in the first six years of a child's life have a lifelong impact on health, well-being and productivity. Interventions to prevent abuse, increase stimulation, improve school readiness and parenting will dramatically improve outcomes for young children and their families. The OCDSB strongly believes that programs for children in this age group are an essential investment by society in its future that will have an enormous preventative impact in years to come. We are proud to play a primary role in active partnership with the Region and other stakeholders in this program. We also see an ongoing role for our Board and our schools. Once again, using schools as hubs for the delivery parenting centres and early learning opportunities would strengthen linkages and make prudent use of existing community investments in facilities. Public Safety We applaud the high priority you have placed on safety in your Community Vision. Like you, we support preventive measures and agree that safety is not the sole responsibility of the police. We fully support the new Community Policing model, in which we are active partners. We share your goal of developing strong links among our Board, police, health, social services and other community agencies with a view to ensuring the safety of all Ottawa - Carleton citizens. We share your goal of actively working with community organizations and the private sector to create opportunities for youth at risk to develop their talents. We also share your goals and support initiatives to reduce alcohol- related injuries among youth and young adults, and innovations to enforce traffic regulations and improve road safety to reduce injuries and deaths. Improvements to OC Transpo Service Levels One of your stated objectives is the increased effectiveness of OC Transpo consistent with Regional Official Plan objectives and requirements. We agree with tEe target initiatives you have listed, namely of enhancing reliability by improving schedules, service control and vehicles available, and of improving accessibility to OC Transpo services. 3 Given the decreased provincial resources we anticipate in coming years, we support initiatives to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of OC Transpo, and urge that you make students, who increasingly must (W rely on OC Transpo when travelling to and from school within the Urban Transit Area each day, a high priority. You have stated that your community- focused priorities include achieving increased ridership by improving customer services and reliability, and focusing service where and when it will be best used, as well as improving safety and security for passengers and staff. We fully support your initiatives and directions in this regard, especially as they benefit our students. Economic Growth of Ottawa- Carleton We agree that the Region needs to build a strategy for its long -term investment in economic development. Strengthening such economic sectors as advanced technologies, bio- technologies and life sciences and identifying new emerging sectors as a high priority goal will assist in promoting the economic health and renewal of the Ottawa - Carleton Region. Along with our regional partners, we support: • a comprehensive Economic Development Strategy with broad stakeholder participation; • co- ordination of initiatives in advanced technologies, life sciences, tourism and in other sectors identified in this Strategy; • development of programs to increase the employability of the unemployed; • better workforce planning to tailor training to needs of the economy; and • social service delivery tailored to increase workforce participation. School boards can play a direct role in achieving these goals. First, the quality of a region's public schools is often a determining factor in the decision - making of both mobile firms and highly mobile employees. It is therefore essential that Ottawa - Carleton be clearly identified as a national leader in the provision of public education. Under the new funding regime, this is a challenge that will require strong OCDSB leadership and the full support of the Ottawa - Carleton community. Collectively, we will need to convince the Province that the economic success of our region does depend on the both the quality of the education we provide and the " quality of life" of the students themselves. On this latter point, the OCDSB has urgently requested that the province permit the use of existing Economic Development Charge reserves to provide new pupil places in our growth areas so that our Board can construct much- needed schools. We trust that we can count on your support in this area, as the construction of new schools is essential to the health of new and growing communities in the Ottawa - Carleton Region. Finally, our Board can assist the Region in achieving its objectives of increasing the employability of the unemployed and tailoring training needs. In particular, we believe that our Adult High School is an excellent and cost - effective means of assisting adults to complete their secondary education and prepare themselves for either jobs or further training. Regrettably the province's funding formula also threatens the future of this contribution to our community. We thank you for this opportunity to comment on the important initiatives for the future of Ottawa - Carleton contained in the draft Regional Directions document. We ask your support for our Board's initiatives to benefit the children and youth of this region. r. James P. Grieve Director of Education/ Secretary of the Board