HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.0 Board Meeting (Continuation)_Jul10_2020
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BOARD PUBLIC MINUTES (CONTINUATION)
Friday, July 10, 2020, 9:00
am
Zoom Meeting
Trustees: Justine Bell, Donna Blackburn, Christine Boothby, Rob
Campbell, Chris Ellis, Lyra Evans, Mark Fisher, Wendy
Hough, Jennifer Jennekens, Keith Penny, Sandra Schwartz,
Lynn Scott
Staff: Camille Williams-Taylor (Director of Education), Mike Carson
(Chief Financial Officer), Janice McCoy (Superintendent of
Human Resources), Michele Giroux (Executive Officer,
Corporate Services), Carolyn Tanner (Human Rights and
Equity Advisor), Prince Duah (Superintendent of Instruction),
Mary Jane Farrish (Superintendent of Instruction), Eric
Hardie (Superintendent of Instruction), Shawn Lehman
(Superintendent of Instruction), Shannon Smith
(Superintendent of Instruction), Nadia Towaij
(Superintendent of Program and Learning K-12), Richard
Sinclair (Manager of Legal Services and Labour Relations),
Stacey Kay (Manager of Learning Support Services), Karyn
Carty Ostafichuk, (Manager of Planning), Joan Oracheski
(Manager of Research, Evaluation & Analytics Division),
Sandy Owens (Manager, Business & Learning
Technologies), Diane Pernari-Hergert (Manager of
Communications & Information Services), Nicole Guthrie
(Manager, Board Services), Rebecca Grandis (Senior Board
Coordinator), Amanda Pelkola (Board/Committee
Coordinator)
1. Call to Order -- Chair of the Board
Chair Scott called the special public meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. She
acknowledged that the meeting is taking place on unceded Algonquin Territory
and thanked the Algonquin Nations for hosting the meeting on their land.
2. Matters for Action
2.1 Report 20-061, Planning for Return to School in September (B. Reynolds)
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Chair Scott advised that the public meeting of 9 July 2020 did not receive
unanimous consent to continue past 11:00 p.m. The Board agreed to
resume its meeting on 10 July 2020 at 9:00 a.m.
At the time of adjournment on 9 July 2020, the following motion, as
amended, was on the floor:
Moved by Trustee Schwartz,
A. THAT the Board direct staff to orient all work around children’s human
right to education as per article 26 of the UN Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, and Canada’s commitment to achieve Sustainable
Development Goal #4 Quality Education;
B. THAT the Board direct staff to develop plans for the implementation of
scenarios for the delivery of public education during the 2020-2021
school year, commencing in September 2020, for approval by the
Board in accordance with guidance from the Ministry of Education and
the guiding principles outlined in Report 20-061, as amended;
C. THAT the 2020-2021 Staff Recommended Budget identify the
provisions and estimates associated with the implementation of the
scenario that will guide the return to school in September;
D. THAT regular financial reports be provided to the Board on the costs
and any recoveries arising as a direct result of the pandemic
throughout the 2020-2021 school year, such as the implementation of
the return to school plan and any other costs and recoveries
associated with operational adjustments that might need to be made
during the year in response to COVID-19;
E. THAT the Board include a standing item on each Committee of the
Whole agenda for the 2020-2021 school year in order to receive
regular updates on the implementation of the board’s pandemic
response plans, to evaluate the effectiveness of these plans, and to
determine on an ongoing basis whether adjustments need to be made
by the Board;
F. THAT staff be directed to work creatively, including the investigation of
how other jurisdictions in and outside Canada have safety provided to
classroom schooling, on an equal priority basis, and in close concert,
with Ottawa Public Health (OPH), to seek to develop a broadly costed,
workable, full-time September return plan for both school and EDP,
that is explicitly endorsed by OPH as satisfactory addressing all local
Ottawa full-time return risks as at endorsement time, for presentation
to the Ministry in expected August conferencing;
G. THAT staff be directed to carefully review such discretionary OCDSB
operating and capital spending, including possible pausing of current
multi-year investment or deficit management plans, as may be needed
for sufficient reprioritization of funds to support such emergency
spending as may be required in order to obtain local Public Health
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endorsement of a plan for the full-time return to school by September
and/or as consistently thereafter as possible; and
H. THAT the Chair of the Board write to the Minister of Education and to
the Premier of Ontario to express the Board’s concern that the current
Back to School Recovery plan, and the “hybrid” or “adapted” model, in
particular, leave working parents with young children, single-parent
households, and low-income families in the precarious position of
having to choose between educating their children and their own
employment and that any Back to School Recovery plan needs to
accommodate getting as many students as possible back into physical
schools and spaces, while respecting public health advice, the letter to
be copied to OPSBA, its member boards and Ottawa MPPs, and
include the following:
i. The OCDSB believes that a full and measured emergency
response to the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery/reopening
requires an ambitious and creative plan that supports
communities, families, and children, and prioritizes investment
in public education; and
ii. To ask the Ministry to provide emergency and continuing funding
to school districts to cover all extra COVID-19-related costs
including, but not limited to, personal protective equipment
(PPE), additional staffing, transportation, information technology
(IT), supports for mental health and well-being, cleaning
supplies, and essential school retrofitting and maintenance.
An amendment moved by Trustee Schwartz,
THAT a new Part A be added to read “THAT the Board prefers all
students return to regular instruction, five days a week, with enhanced
cleaning and hygiene in September 2020."
Trustee Schwartz indicated that this proposed amendment is a duplication
of what was recommended by the OCSB.
Director Williams-Taylor recommended not using the word "regular" as it
implies a level of normalcy. While optimistically all students will return to
school five days a week, it is not anticipated that with the additional
measures being taken for safety that it will be business as usual as the
instructional day will need to be amended.
A sub-amendment moved by Trustee Campbell,
THAT “regular instruction” be replaced with “full-time instruction,
including the Extended Day Program (EDP)"
Carried, friendly
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An amendment moved by Trustee Schwartz,
THAT a new Part A be added to read “THAT the Board prefers all
students return to full-time instruction, including the Extended Day
Program (EDP), five days a week, with enhanced cleaning and hygiene in
September 2020."
Carried, friendly
Moved by Trustee Schwartz,
THAT the Board end the rules of Committee.
Carried
Trustee Penny assumed the role of Chair when Trustee Scott wished to
speak.
Trustee Scott noted that a fulsome debate was had on this topic. The
Board has heard from the community that it is a priority to have a full-time
return to school. Chair Scott confirmed that she would be writing a letter to
the Minister of Education and the Premier of Ontario highlighting the
community's clear preference.
Trustee Scott commented on Part C, which referenced "approval by the
Board" highlighting that she recognizes the Board has fiduciary
responsibilities; however, the majority of this work is operational in nature.
Trustee Scott suggested using the words “in principle” to follow "to
approve", or alternatively to make reference to the high level plans
opposed to detailed plans.
Director Williams-Taylor indicated that Trustee Scott's suggestion would
provide helpful direction for staff given the restrictive timelines and the
need for flexibility to be responsive. The terms "in principal" and "high
level", would allow staff to provide trustees with a plan that speaks to
specific areas, and allows detailed plans to emerge as information is
provided.
An amendment by Trustee Scott, seconded by Trustee Fisher,
THAT motion C be amended to add “high level” to read "THAT the Board
direct staff to develop high-level plans for the implementation of scenarios
for the delivery of public education during the 2020-21 school year,
commencing in September 2020, for approval by the Board in accordance
with guidance from the Ministry of Education and the guiding principles
outlined in Report 20-061, as amended".
Trustee Fisher stated he is supportive of the amendment but noted it
highlights the need to have a broader discussion on the Board's role. An
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emergency situation should not result in the Board no longer providing
assistance or discontinuing collaborative work, on these types of issues.
Trustee Scott stated that determining the parameters between operations,
oversight, guidance and direction, is an important responsibility for boards
to provide and the reason for adding the words "high level". The fact that
these plans are being presented for approval suggests that Director
Williams-Taylor will be providing considerable detail around planning, but
staff will not be prevented from implementing small changes without Board
approval.
An amendment by Trustee Scott,
THAT motion C be amended to add “high level” to read "THAT the Board
direct staff to develop high-level plans for the implementation of scenarios
for the delivery of public education during the 2020-21 school year,
commencing in September 2020, for approval by the Board in accordance
with guidance from the Ministry of Education and the guiding principles
outlined in Report 20-061, as amended".
Carried, friendly
Trustee Scott recognized that it has been difficult for trustees and staff to
hear the challenges parents have experienced, which have prevented
their children's needs from being met. Trustee Scott expressed her
appreciation to parents and staff during this difficult time.
In closing, Trustee Schwartz noted that the Board heard from parents who
indicated the difficulty they experienced over the last few months, and
their goal of providing a level of normalcy for their children. Trustee
Schwartz stated she is content with the direction of the amendments as
they illustrate to the public the Board's intentions to work towards a return
to school.
Moved by Trustee Schwartz, seconded by Trustee Fisher,
A. THAT the Board prefers all students return to full-time instruction,
including the Extended Day Program (EDP), five days a week, with
enhanced cleaning and hygiene in September 2020;
B. THAT the Board direct staff to orient all work around children’s
human right to education as per article 26 of the UN Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, and Canada’s commitment to
achieve Sustainable Development Goal #4 Quality Education;
C. THAT the Board direct staff to develop high-level plans for the
implementation of scenarios for the delivery of public education
during the 2020-21 school year, commencing in September 2020,
for approval by the Board in accordance with guidance from the
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Ministry of Education and the guiding principles outlined in
Report 20-061, as amended;
D. THAT the 2020-2021 Staff Recommended Budget identify the
provisions and estimates associated with the implementation of
the scenarios that will guide the return to school in September;
E. THAT regular financial reports be provided to the Board on the
costs and any recoveries arising as a direct result of the
pandemic throughout the 2020-21 school year, such as the
implementation of the return to school plans and any other costs
and recoveries associated with operational adjustments that
might need to be made during the year in response to COVID-19;
F. THAT the Board include a standing item on each Committee of
the Whole agenda for the 2020-21 school year in order to receive
regular updates on the implementation of the board’s pandemic
response plans, to evaluate the effectiveness of these plans, and
to determine on an ongoing basis whether adjustments need to
be made by the board;
G. THAT staff be directed to work creatively, including the
investigation of how other jurisdictions in and outside Canada
have safely provided return to classroom schooling, on an equal
priority basis, and in close concert, with Ottawa Public Health
(OPH), to seek to develop a broadly costed, workable, full-time
September return plan for both school and EDP, that is explicitly
endorsed by OPH as satisfactorily addressing all local Ottawa
full-time return risks as at endorsement time, for presentation to
the Ministry in expected August conferencing;
H. THAT staff be directed to carefully review such discretionary
OCDSB operating and capital spending, including possible
pausing of current multi-year investment or deficit management
plans, as may be needed for sufficient reprioritization of funds to
support such emergency spending as may be required in order to
obtain local Public Health endorsement of a plan for the full-time
return to school by September and/or as consistently thereafter
as possible; and
I. The Chair of the Board write to the Minister of Education and to
the Premier of Ontario to express the Board’s concern that the
current Back to School Recovery plan, and the “hybrid” or
“adapted” model, in particular, leave working parents with young
children, single-parent households, and low -income families in
the precarious position of having to choose between educating
their children and their own employment and that any Back to
School Recovery plan needs to accommodate getting as many
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students as possible back into physical schools and spaces,
while respecting public health advice, the letter to be copied to
OPSBA, its member boards and Ottawa MPPs, and include the
following:
i. The OCDSB believes that a full and measured emergency
response to the COVID-19 pandemic and
recovery/reopening requires an ambitious and creative
plan that supports communities, families, and children,
and prioritizes investment in public education; and
ii. Ask the Ministry to provide emergency and continuing
funding to school districts to cover all extra COVID-19-
related costs including, but not limited to, PPE, additional
staffing, transportation, IT, supports for mental health
and well-being, cleaning supplies, and essential school
retrofitting and maintenance.
Carried
A recorded vote was held and the motion was carried unanimously by
those present:
FOR: Trustees Boothby, Hough, Campbell, Ellis, Jennekens, Penny, Lyra
Evans, Bell, Fisher, Schwartz, Scott, (11)
AGAINST: Nil (0)
ABSTENTION: Nil (0)
Trustee Campbell requested that staff post the key principles outlined in
Report 20-061 and amended as follows at the Special Board Meet ing on 9
July 2020 for the public to view.
2.2 Report 20-062, Revisions to the School Year Calendar- Key Dates 2020-
2021(N.Towaij)
At the time of adjournment on 9 July 2020, the following motion, as
amended, was on the floor:
Moved by Trustee Campbell,
THAT the revised school year calendars attached as Appendix A and
Appendix B to Report 20-062 be submitted to the Ministry of Education as
the official 2020-2021 school year calendar for the Ottawa-Carleton
District School Board's elementary and secondary schools.
There was no further discussion on the motion.
Moved by Trustee Campbell, seconded by Trustee Hough,
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THAT the revised school year calendars attached as Appendix A and
Appendix B to Report 20-062 be submitted to the Ministry of
Education as the official 2020-2021 school year calendar for the
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board's elementary and secondary
schools. (Attached as Appendices A and B)
Carried
A recorded vote was held and the motion was carried unanimously by
those present:
FOR: Trustees Boothby, Hough, Campbell, Ellis, Jennekens, Penny, Lyra
Evans, Bell, Fisher, Schwartz, Scott, (11)
AGAINST: Nil (0)
ABSTENTION: Nil (0)
3. Matters for Information
4. Adjournment
Trustee Scott shared her appreciation to Manager Guthrie, Board Services staff
and all staff who supported the 9 July 2020 meeting.
Adjourned at 9:43 a.m.
Lynn Scott, Chair of the Board