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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.4a Report 7 Ad Hoc to Develop Advocacy Strategy 30 August 2018 REPORT NO. 7 AD HOC COMMITTEE TO DEVELOP AN ADVOCACY STRATEGY TO: The Board DATE: 30 August 2018 A meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee to Develop an Advocacy Strategy was held commencing at 3:30 p.m. in the Trustees’ Committee Room, 133 Greenbank Road, Ottawa, with Michele Giroux, Executive Officer, Corporate Services, in the chair, and the following in attendance: TRUSTEE MEMBERS: Erica Braunovan, Theresa Kavanagh, Christine Boothby, Lynn Scott, and Shirley Seward OTHER TRUSTEES: Chris Ellis, Keith Penny, and Sandra Schwartz STAFF: Jennifer Adams, Director of Education Mike Carson, Chief Financial Officer Michèle Giroux, Executive Officer, Corporate Services Katrine Mallan, Manager, Board Services Sue Baker, Senior Board Coordinator 1. Call to Order Executive Officer Giroux called the meeting to order at 3:35 pm. 2. Matters for Action: a. Appointment of the Chair Trustee Scott nominated Trustee Braunovan. Moved by Trustee Blackburn, THAT nominations be closed. - Carried – By acclamation, Executive Officer Giroux declared Trustee Braunovan as Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee to Develop an Advocacy Strategy. Report 7, Ad Hoc Committee to - 1 - 30 August 2018 Develop An Advocacy Strategy 3. Approval of Agenda Moved by Trustee Blackburn, THAT the agenda be approved. - Carried – 4. Matters for Discussion: a. Key Issues Executive Officer Giroux advised that, in response to recent changes announced by the Ministry of Education, the key issues listed below were identified for discussion. The Ad Hoc Committee agreed to discuss the implication of each of these issues and determine whether the Board already has taken a position or if a position needs to be developed. i. Health and Physical Education Executive Officer Giroux noted that the Ministry has released the revised 2010 Health & Physical Education, interim edition curriculum document, effective September 2018. Principals have been advised of the requirement to develop lesson plans based on the expectations in interim edition, and a parent guide and fact sheet were provided to them. The Chair has written to the Ministry requesting that public consultation begin immediately. During discussion, the following points were noted: • Trustee Penny advised that Thames Valley DSB obtained a legal opinion stating that if a school board teaches curriculum that is not supported by the province, they could be subject to supervision. Other school boards have indicated that they would not adopt the 2015 curriculum; • Trustee Seward noted that she has written to the Minister on this topic and the Director of Education spoke to it at the meeting of system leaders on Tuesday, 28 August 2019. The District will retain the literature it already has in schools, some of which deals with gender identity and gender expression. Principals were directed to teach the interim re-issued 2018 curriculum; • Trustee Seward proposed that the Board be heavily involved in the provincial consultation to ensure that community’s views are heard; • Trustee Blackburn echoed concerns that have been expressed about the provincial mechanism (“snitch line”) established for parents to report teachers who do not conform to the interim 2018 curriculum; • Trustee Scott expressed the view that parents would bypass the Board’s complaint resolution process. She suggested that the Board issue a statement about its process for resolving complaints; Report 7, Ad Hoc Committee to - 2 - 30 August 2018 Develop An Advocacy Strategy • Trustee Kavanagh expressed the opinion that a “snitch line” bypasses boards and it represents another step in making school boards irrelevant; • Trustee Seward noted that in a recent CBC interview, she said that the online complaint tool both duplicates and undermines the existing ombudsman system which empowered local school boards to resolve complaints before escalating them to the Ministry of Education or College of Teachers; • Trustee Schwartz noted the importance of supporting teachers, participating in provincial consultations, and talking to area MPPs about the Board’s perspective, rather than responding with anger and aggression; • Executive Officer Giroux cautioned against reminding parents about the District’s Complaint Resolution policy as it could generate numerous complaints. She noted that the Ministry’s consultation process is supposed to begin in September; • The Growth and Development component of the Healthy Living strand was removed from the 2015 curriculum and replaced by the 1998 version. These components will not be taught to elementary students until later in the school year; • Trustee Scott advised that she has scheduled meetings with MPPs in her zone to discuss parents’ and teachers’ concerns and highlight the Board’s policy initiatives to support parents with concerns; • Trustee Blackburn expressed concern that the provincial consultation would have a bias against LGBTQ issues; and • Committee members agreed that it is important to convince their constituents to participate in the provincial consultation in support of the 2015 curriculum; • Trustee Seward suggested that the Board write a fact-based letter about the “snitch line” to the Minister, and encourage the public to take part in the provincial consultations. ii. Indigenous Education Executive Officer Giroux advised that the District has not received any additional information since learning that the curriculum writing sessions were cancelled. The Chair has written to the Minister requesting support for curriculum revision and the timely provision of appropriate resources. Chief Financial Officer Carson noted that he is seeking clarification on the amount of funding that can be expected from the Ministry. Director Adams added that the sessions were cancelled on the Friday before they were to begin. The sessions were targeted at the primary level which does not yet have curriculum. During discussion, the following points were noted: • Trustee Braunovan noted that school boards have a responsibility to provide an opportunity for students to learn about Indigenous people Report 7, Ad Hoc Committee to - 3 - 30 August 2018 Develop An Advocacy Strategy as directed in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action. She suggested that the Board advocate for curriculum writing at the primary level; • Director Adams noted that the Ministry consultation in September is expected to focus on curriculum for Mathematics and Health & Physical Education; • Trustee Seward suggested that this topic be included in an advocacy paper. She also suggested that trustees invite MPPs to a meeting in a school to discuss the Board’s advocacy priorities; • Trustee Braunovan suggested that teachers be encouraged to teach students about Indigenous heritage by prioritizing it in professional development sessions and bringing in community partners; and • Director Adams noted that funds were allocated in the budget to support improvement in FNMI graduation rates. iii. Math Curriculum Director Adams noted that there has been no change to the math curriculum. The District has received a new teacher’s guide and a new parent’s guide and information on these resources will be distributed to schools. During discussion the following points were noted: • Trustee Scott noted that math EQAO results would be released today; • Director Adams advised that the District included a focus on balanced math in its Board Improvement Plan three years ago and no additional changes are anticipated for the District. The Ministry has indicated it expects school districts to organize a professional activity day on the fundamentals of math; and • Trustee Schwartz suggested that the School Council Newsletter include information about the District’s math program. iv. Technology in Classrooms It was noted that the Progressive Conservative platform for the Ontario election includes a pledge to remove cellphones from classrooms. According to the platform, a PC government would ban the phones in all elementary and high schools “in order to maximize learning time.” It is not yet known whether this will be implemented or if there will be any consultation on this topic. v. Executive Compensation Executive Officer Giroux advised that the planned increments to executive compensation and trustee honorarium will not be implemented on 1 September 2018 due to the salary freeze imposed by the province. Trustee Seward noted that Mike Naufal of Boyden advises that the salary freeze is having negative repercussions in the health and education sector. She added that it is important Report 7, Ad Hoc Committee to - 4 - 30 August 2018 Develop An Advocacy Strategy for school boards to continue their actions behind the scenes as there is little public support to increase salaries. During discussion the following points were noted: • The media is not interested in doing an article on executive compensation; • A re-evaluation of executive compensation would be very expensive; • There may be a need for strong advocacy with respect to changes in education funding levels and the expectation by the Ministry that Ontario students can attain a high level of educational achievement without the previous year-over-year trend of budget inflation; and • Trustees Penny and Scott suggested that trustees discuss the role of executives and the impact of lower funding levels when meeting with MPPs. vi. Labour Relations Executive Officer Giroux advised that negotiations will commence this year. During discussion the following points were noted: • There is little that individual school boards can do within the provincial bargaining framework and funding formula; • It is important to keep schools running through difficult negotiations; • There may be opportunities to do things locally that bring people together and help them feel secure; • Some staff may opt for early retirement or extended sick leave rather than deal with difficult labour relations; • OPSBA sees budget and labour relations as the two main issues before them; and • It will be important for the new director to build good relationships with the unions and province. b. Participation in Provincial Consultation on Education Trustee Braunovan noted the importance of mobilizing the community to participate in the provincial consultation on education. She also noted that it would be useful for the Board to prepare an advocacy paper for 2018-2019. c. Strategies for Working with the Provincial Government and Area MPPs The following strategies for working with the provincial government were noted: • Trustee Schwartz suggested inviting MPPs into schools to build relationships, demonstrate work that is going on in classrooms, and Report 7, Ad Hoc Committee to - 5 - 30 August 2018 Develop An Advocacy Strategy stress the effect their policy decisions will have on students in the OCDSB; • Trustee Scott submitted that additional meetings of the Ad Hoc committee are required to develop the Board’s positions on the above- noted topics; and • Trustee Seward suggested that these areas be explored further at the upcoming Board/Senior Staff Professional Development session on 18 September. 5. New Business- Information and Inquiries Trustee Schwartz suggested inviting a local lobbyist who works closely with the new government to make a presentation on who the key people are and how to talk to them. Trustee Schwartz submitted that the topic of replacing the carbon tax rebate for facilities maintenance could be an advocacy position where the Board could gain some momentum and funding. Trustee Blackburn noted that closing underused school facilities is one way of achieving efficiencies and asked whether there has been any indication when accommodation reviews can go forward. Director Adams advised that, to date, no information has been provided. 6. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m. Trustee Braunovan, Chair Ad Hoc Committee to Develop an Advocacy Strategy Report 7, Ad Hoc Committee to - 6 - 30 August 2018 Develop An Advocacy Strategy