Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11 Report 6 Business Services 11 May 2011 REPORT NO. 6, BUSINESS SERVICES COMMITTEE TO: The Board DATE: 11 May 2011 A meeting of the Business Services Committee was held this evening commencing at 7:33 p.m. in the Board Room, 133 Greenbank Road, Ottawa, with Trustee Katie Holtzhauer in the chair and the following also in attendance: TRUSTEE MEMBERS: Rob Campbell and Cathy Curry (electronic communication) OTHER TRUSTEES: Donna Blackburn, Mark Fisher, Pam FitzGerald, Theresa Kavanagh, Jennifer McKenzie, Lynn Scott, Shirley Seward and John Shea STAFF: Michael Carson, Superintendent of Facilities Karyn Carty Ostafichuk, Manager of Planning Peter Wright, Manager of Facilities Eleanor Heap, Manager of Early Learning Sue Baker, Board/Committee Coordinator NON-VOTING REPRESENTATIVES: Lillian Thomsen, Ottawa-Carleton Assembly of School Councils (OCASC) 1. Call to Order Chair Holtzhauer called the public meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. and welcomed the members of the public to the meeting. 2. Approval of Agenda Moved by Trustee Seward, THAT the agenda be approved. - Carried - In response to a query from Trustee McKenzie, the Chair confirmed that the Committee will meet in camera following the public meeting. 3. Public Question Period a.Chad Hartnell Chad Hartnell, referring to the plan for consultation regarding the delivery of the extended day program in the OCDSB, asked how the Board will make stakeholders aware of the consultation process, how many and where the sessions will be held, and whether the proposed budget of $5,000 is sufficient to adequately cover the cost of advertising. Noting the need to publicize the consultation sessions to ensure they are well attended, Mr. Hartnell also asked how the budget compares to other studies of similar size. Business Services Committee - 1 - 11 May 2011 Report No. 6 Superintendent Carson advised that stakeholders would be invited to attend the consultation sessions through a grassroots network of schools, partner agencies, and other organizations across the city, and experience has shown that advertisements in the media have not been particularly effective at engaging stakeholders. The consultation budget is used for advertising in local community newspapers and paid time for staff in attendance at the sessions. Two public meetings are planned for late September early October; one for the childcare community and one for parents and community members. Superintendent Carson reported that he was not able to comment on consultation plans or budgets at other school boards, but the budget for this consultation is similar to other consultations undertaken at the OCDSB. Staff is confident that it can get the word out and manage the consultation process appropriately. b.Jennifer Groulx Jennifer Groulx referring to Report 11-094 on the status of the delivery of the extended day program as part of the full-day kindergarten program provision of childcare for students in grades one and above. Superintendent Carson advised that the consultation process is aimed at the provision of childcare services in kindergarten and grades one to six. c.Derek Black Derek Black commented that although decisions regarding extended day programs have not yet been made, some schools have been informed that existing childcare services will cease to exist. Expressing concern that some third-party operators may make premature decisions, he asked the Board to consider accelerating the timelines for the consultation so that a final decision can be made in late September rather than November. Superintendent Carson clarified that the District has not told any organization that they will no longer be able to deliver childcare services. This information was explained at a meeting of third-party operators on 28 April 2011 at which time the operators indicated that although they would prefer knowing August. Consultations will begin in September and a report will be presented to the November meeting of the Business Services Committee. d.Mark Bell Mark Bell referred to Report 11-094 on the status of the delivery of the extended day program and asked about the criteria that will be used to determine whether the extended day program will be offered if there are less than 20 children enrolled. Superintendent Carson advised that the Ministry of Education has informed school boards of the factors that should be considered when offering the program. As the District does not feel it is appropriate to run the program with only one staff person and, with a specified ratio of 13 students for each teacher, the District would require a minimum of 20 students in the program to meet the financial targets established by the Ministry of Education. The Ministry also specifies that 20 percent of the children enrolled in the program should be in grades one to six. Business Services Committee - 2 - 11 May 2011 Report No. 6 4. Delegations a.Sarita Khubchandani and Ann Gillen re Implementation of Extended Day Program in OCDSB Schools Sarita Khubchandani and Ann Gillen introduced themselves as parents of children enrolled in Child.Family.Connect Inc. programs and active on the parent board of directors at their respective daycare centres. Noting that they are aware of the proposed amendments to Bill 173, they expressed support for third-party delivery of childcare services in OCDSB schools and asked the Board to consider the provision of childcare services to children aged six to twelve years old as is the current model for their third-party childcare providers. Ms. Khubchandani and Ms. Gillen expressed concern that the current OCDSB fee for full day childcare services is considerably more than what they currently pay to their providers, and this increase would be too large a burden for full fee paying families. They also noted their concerns about the accessibility of the program during the summer months if there is insufficient enrolment and the disruption that it would cause families if their children were required to move to another daycare centre during the summer. As parents, they requested assurances from the Board that childcare services will be offered through an established program that guarantees continuity throughout the year including during professional development days, March and Christmas breaks, and summer holidays. Citing the long-standing partnership with schools and communities to provide a seamless day, and the successful model of their current providers, they asked the Board not to replace them without much consideration. In response to a query from Trustees Campbell and Seward, the presenters clarified that their focus is on students in grades one to six who attend before- and after- school daycare programs located in their school. The daycare centres operate between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30-6:00 p.m. on a year-round basis and provide full-day childcare services during PD days and holidays. Many of the children have siblings in the school and/or daycare centre. Daycare staff provide support to school teachers as the children move into the classroom and the children are comfortable in their established routines. b. Lisa McCoy and Paula Almeida-Stille re Implementation of Extended Day Program in OCDSB Schools Lisa McCoy and Paula Almeida-Stille noted that they are registered early childhood educators and assistant directors of the Severn site of Child.Family.Connect Inc. and Vista Kindergarten School Age Program respectively. They expressed their concerns about the quality offered through the ratios, space requirements, nutrition, standards, affordability and accountability of the full day learning model proposed by the OCDSB. Noting that their programs are legislated under the Day Nurseries Act which outlines minimum standards by which all childcare programs operate, they expressed their concern that an unlicensed OCDSB proposed model falls short of the minimum standards with respect to child:teacher ratios, group sizes and square footage of floor space per child. Ms. McCoy and Ms. Almeida-Stille advised that their programs promote good nutrition and healthy eating habits and they often supplement the lunches of children in their programs to ensure they have a complete meal to enable them to focus and learn. The presenters also expressed their concern with the affordability of OCDSB extended day programs. Higher rates could mean that full fee paying parents may not be able to afford the Business Services Committee - 3 - 11 May 2011 Report No. 6 OCDSB programs. Many of their families receive subsidy assistance that covers all or most of their fees and higher per diem rates may mean that fewer subsidies may be available. Finally, the presenters reported that current implementation of the OCDSB model has meant closure of centres and loss of full-time employment and benefits for registered early childhood educators. These positions were replaced by part-time hours and uncertainty for the future. OCDSB extended day program and licensed daycare programs, the presenters advised that their programs comply with the regulations of the Day Nurseries Act (DNA) while the OCDSB is not licensed under the DNA and is not required to follow DNA regulations, particularly with respect to student:teacher ratios and classroom space. The presenters expressed concern that there would not be any guidelines in place to safeguard the extended day program. third-party providers and the OCDSB on a go-forward basis, the presenters advised that they would like to continue with the current model that provides them with space in schools that will allow them to provide and expand their before- and after-school and full day childcare programs. In response to Trustee Campbell request for clarification, the presenters informed trustees that they wish to continue to provide daycare programs in schools for preschoolers and/or children in grades one to six. It is not their intent to offer a parallel program to all-day kindergarten. c. Brian Torgunred and Catherine Pacella re Implementation of Extended Day Program in OCDSB Schools Catherine Pacella, parent and board member of the Carleton Preschool-Rainbow Kidschool daycare centre and representative of the Child.Family.Connect Inc. network, informed trustees that the network serves over 500 families and includes more than 40 registered early enhancements to school buildings at eight school locations has benefited entire communities and -standing partnerships with schools and Committee if it is willing to continue to work with third party operators to protect the provision of their high quality services. Brian Torgunred, a parent of two children, one of whom is a student at Alta Vista Public School and enrolled in a school-age childcare program located at that facility, advised the Committee that an OCDSB program would require him to give up a lower cost, high-quality program for an unknown and untested program at a cost of approximately $15,000 compared to the $8,000 he currently pays. He urged the Committee to consider third-party providers in its ongoing plans for the provision of extended day programs. d. Karen Hanna-Nesrallah re Implementation of Extended Day Program in OCDSB Schools Karen Hanna-Nesrallah, Executive Director of the Child Care Action Network (CCAN), advised that CCAN is a group of not-for-profit licensed community childcare operators sharing a common position with respect to the need to collaborate for success. Business Services Committee - 4 - 11 May 2011 Report No. 6 Ms. Hanna-Nesrallah asked the Committee to consider the needs of all children and families with respect to quality, affordability and accessibility when making decisions regarding changes to childcare. She expressed the opinion that quality can be measured by a skilled workforce of registered early childhood educators, low adult:child ratios, sound management of financial resources, ongoing funding for equipment and materials, and accountability to children and families. Ms. Hanna-Nesrallah advised that CCAN does not want to see the services of third party operators end before there is clarity on the availability, affordability and viability of a new OCDSB extended day program. She asked the District to work with the childcare community and establish realistic and achievable goals for change and to build on the models already in existence. Noting that third party operators are seeking assurances that their space will be maintained, she urged the District to plan carefully and allow non-profit organizations to continue to offer their services so that no child is left behind. Trustee Seward asked Ms. Hanna-Nesrallah about the membership of CCAN and whether any of the childcare centres belonging to CCAN are located in or near OCDSB schools. Ms. Hanna-Nesrallah advised that CCAN is a group of individuals and not-for-profit childcare operators interested in, and advocating for early learning and childcare. She noted that CCAN has been in existence for some time and it is a member of the Ottawa Child Care Association. In -up questions, Ms. Hanna-Nesrallah advised that the members of CCAN do not represent their daycare centres and it is not an umbrella group of daycare providers. CCAN welcomes anyone with an interest in daycare issues, including early childhood educators, daycare operators, and other community grassroot organizations. with other area school boards, Ms. Hanna-Nesrallah advised that while the position is applicable to all area school boards, it has not yet been shared. e. Kim Hiscott, re Implementation of Extended Day Program in OCDSB Schools Kim Hiscott introduced herself as an early childhood educator and Executive Director of the Andrew Fleck Child Care Services She noted that Andrew Fleck Child Care Services currently provides childcare services at Riverview Alternative School and Stittsville Public School. The agency is committed to the seamless extended day concept and, after investigation of the viability of providing a third party extended day service, it has determined that it is of no interest to them given that the OCDSB indicated it is willing and able to provide a service that includes non-school days and the summer. While continuing to serve families already enrolled in its programs, Andrew Fleck Child Care Services intends to shift its services to expand its programs that serve children younger than 3.8 years of age. Ms. Hiscott noted that Andrew Fleck Child Care Services looks forward to exploring additional partnership opportunities with the OCDSB. She urged the District to develop guidelines to address the concerns expressed by the parents and third party operators and to meet the minimum licensing standards. Trustee Scott noted that Andrew Fleck Child Care Services has a long history of providing excellent childcare in the Ottawa area. She asked whether it is their intention to continue to provide childcare services at Riverview Alternative School and Stittsville Public School until full-day kindergarten is implemented at those sites. Ms. Hiscott indicated that it is their intention to find more suitable space for their programs given the overcrowding at Stittsville Public School and the cost of renovations that would be required at both sites to accommodate a preschool program. Business Services Committee - 5 - 11 May 2011 Report No. 6 th Trustee FitzGerald congratulated Andrew Fleck Child Care Services on its 100 anniversary and asked Ms. Hiscott why they decided to shift their focus to daycare services for preschoolers. Ms. Hiscott noted that they have a number of other sites that successfully offer the program and the space available at Riverview Alternative School and Stittsville Public School is not suitable for conversion. In response to a query from Trustee Campbell, Ms. Hiscott expressed the opinion that the lease rates charged by the OCDSB creates a challenge for third party operators when trying to balance affordability for parents and recruiting and paying qualified staff. The OCDSB charges Andrew Fleck Child Care Services approximately $30,000 per year for space at OCDSB schools while the French language school board charges approximately $150 per month for comparable space and does not require a contribution to capital costs. Ms. Hiscott noted that the regulations oblige school boards to offer extended day programs and urged the District to explore ways to cooperate with third party providers to offer high quality and affordable programs. Chair Holtzhauer thanked all presenters for attending the meeting and providing information. 5. Superintendent Carson reported that on 25 May 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the District will celebrate Environmental Stewardship Day at Confederation Education Centre to highlight the environmental activities of students. He invited everyone to attend the event. Superintendent Carson drew attention to a display in the Atrium on the development of the 6. Report 11-094, Status of the Delivery of the Extended Day Program Your Committee had before it Report 11-094, providing an update on the status of delivery of the Extended Day program as part of the Early Learning Full-Day Kindergarten program, and seeking approval of a consultation plan. Superintendent Carson informed the Committee that the District is operating the extended day program at four sites in Year 1 (2010-2011) of the full-day kindergarten program. Childcare is provided on professional development days, Christmas break and March break. Parents were offered a summer program but sufficient numbers did not come forward. It is expected that the District will provide the extended day program in 15 of the 22 full-day kindergarten sites in Year 2 (2011-2012). At 12 sites, the program will be delivered by District staff and at the other three sites the program will be delivered by third parties in their current location. He noted that although the OCDSB is not bound by the same requirements as licensed third-party operators, the OCDSB will have a similar staffing ratio. Superintendent Carson advised that no decisions have yet been made on the role of third parties in the delivery of the extended day program in Years 3 (2012-2013), 4 (2013-2014) and 5 (2014-2015) of full-day kindergarten program. The proposed amendments to the Education Act in Bill 173 will allow school boards to either directly operate extended day programs for children in full-day kindergarten programs or enter into agreements with third party operators. A public consultation will provide an opportunity for the OCDSB to communicate with stakeholders about its extended day program and the impact of the proposed legislation, and to receive input regarding the potential role of, and impact upon, third-party operators. This information, along with information from the City of Ottawa and Ministry of Business Services Committee - 6 - 11 May 2011 Report No. 6 Education will assist staff in finalizing recommendations for the Board regarding delivery of the extended day program commencing in 2012. Superintendent Carson advised that staff has met with representatives of approximately 17 organizations that currently rent space in OCDSB. These third-party operators have indicated that while they would prefer an immediate answer to their concerns, they appreciate the opportunity for a meaningful consultation process and are prepared to wait until N becomes available. Moved by Trustee McKenzie, THAT the Board approve the timeline for consultation and decision-making as outlined in Appendix C of Report 11-094 (attached as Appendix A). During discussion of this item, the following information was provided in response to questions from Committee members: With regard to the affordability of extended day programs operated by the OCDSB, it is anticipated that as the program grows the daily fee will be reduced from approximately $24 per diem to approximately $20 per diem depending on the allocation of costs to various preschool and school-age programs; The proposed fee for the extended day program will be presented to the next meeting of the Business Services Committee. The number and allocation of fee subsidies is determined by the City of Ottawa. Subsidies are currently assigned to an agency and they do not follow the child if he/she moves to a different daycare provider; With regard to the viability of the program, the legislation does not require school boards to operate an extended day program in full-day kindergarten schools where there is a projected enrolment of less than 20 children; The OCDSB will offer a summer program next year if numbers warrant. If numbers do not warrant a summer program, staff will look into the feasibility of combining with a neighbouring school to offer a summer program. It was not possible to offer a summer program this year due to insufficient numbers; The regulatory posting (Appendix A to Report 11-094) is posted on the government website when legislation is under consideration or recently approved. Its purpose is to introduce the legislation and explain its implications. There could be minor changes when the legislation is passed; however, staff does not expect that there will be many changes when the regulations are published in June 2011. Staff does not intend to circulate any information for consultation purposes until the final regulations are received from the Ministry of Education; It is anticipated that a public town hall meeting will be scheduled in late September or early October. Staff hopes to involve the City of Ottawa and Ministry of Education before finalizing the meeting details; With regard to a specific reference in the Education Act that obliges the Board of Trustees, rather than staff, to decide on the delivery of the extended day program, Superintendent Carson responded that given the policy implications, number of children who may participate etermined by senior staff that it should be the decision of the Board; The Board was not asked to approve the delivery model for the extended day program in Year 1 (2010-2011) and Year 2 (2011-2012) because the regulations that were in place at the time these decisions were made by staff directed the school board to deliver the program. In addition, provisions were in place at that time to allow third-party operators who were already Business Services Committee - 7 - 11 May 2011 Report No. 6 situated in schools to continue for an additional year. The regulations will change for Year 3 (2012-2013) and beyond to allow the OCDSB to seek third-party operators to deliver the program; The consultation process will not affect decisions that have already been made with regard to the delivery of the extended day program; The consultation process will examine what the model for extended day program delivery should be in Year 3 (2012-2013) and beyond; A decision by the Board in November 2011 will provide daycare operators with time to consider the impact of the legislation on their operations and what their future options for program offerings might be; It is not possible to determine what, if any, impact a provincial election might have on full- day kindergarten or the extended day program. It is unlikely that there would be any impact on Year 3 of full-day kindergarten regardless of the outcome; and It is unclear at this time what, if any, new policies, procedures and/or guidelines the Board might require with regard to the extended day program. In response to a request from Trustee Scott, Superintendent Carson agreed to provide a memo to trustees that describes the current licensed and unlicensed extended day programs that are provided by the District and by third-party providers in OCDSB schools. Trustee Scott also requested information with regard to the management of waiting lists for extended day programs. During discussion of this item, committee members suggested that, in addition to the concerns outlined in Appendix B of Report 11-094, the following items be addres Suitability of space for summer programs in older schools that are not air conditioned; Transportation arrangements for kindergarten students attending an extended day program; Engagement of schools that do not currently have a day care facility at their site; and Cost of the extended day program. Moved by Trustee McKenzie, THAT the Board approve the timeline for consultation and decision-making as outlined in Appendix C of Report 11-094 (attached as Appendix A). - Carried - - 7. Report 11-088, Boundary Adjustments for September 2011; and Boundary Amendments between Cairine Wilson Secondary School and Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School for September 2012 Your Committee had before it Report 11-088, seeking approval of a consultation process to consider a boundary amendment between Cairine Wilson Secondary School and Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School for September 2012. Superintendent Carson reported that staff had no other minor boundary amendments to be considered for September 2011. He noted that a redirection of some students was earlier addressed by the Board on 22 February 2011 as part of the interim solutions for Kanata and the Glebe/Old Ottawa South/Centretown. Superintendent Carson advised that a small group of students residing in the old village of Orleans are directed to Cairine Wilson Secondary School. A map of the area was circulated to the Committee members. This area represents a very small portion of the Dunning-Foubert Elementary Business Services Committee - 8 - 11 May 2011 Report No. 6 School boundary that does not feed into Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School. Accordingly, a small number of children entering secondary school from this area will either go to a new school without many of their cohorts or apply for transfer to attend Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School. He submitted that if this boundary was to be amended, the students who currently attend Cairine Wilson Secondary School be permitted to remain at the school. Superintendent Carson advised that staff is recommending that a public meeting be held early in the 2011-2012 school year to address this issue. Trustee Shea submitted that when the school boundaries in Orleans were last revised, it was intended that students at elementary and intermediate schools would follow their cohorts on to high school; however, students attending Dunning-Foubert Elementary School were inadvertently split between Cairine Wilson Secondary School and Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School. He contended that this was merely a technical oversight and to introduce a consultation process would unnecessarily delay correction of this anomaly. Moved by Trustee Shea, A.THAT approval of a potential boundary amendment between Cairine Wilson Secondary School and Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School need not follow a customary consultation plan contemplated in Policy P.110.GOV because of the minor nature of this amendment; and B.THAT Cairine Wilson Secondary School and Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School boundaries be amended as identified in Report 11-088 to the Business Services Committee on 11 May 2011. Trustee Scott contended that Part A of the motion was moot because the Board is not required to make a decision if no action is being c and the Chair declared Part A of the motion to be moot. Trustee Scott noted that she supports the motion and suggested that students residing in the area affected by the boundary amendment and who are attending Cairine Wilson Secondary School be allowed to remain at the school. She also suggested that the Board determine a way to be more consistent in its handling of minor boundary changes. Moved in amendment by Trustee Scott, and that students who currently attend Cairine Wilson Secondary School be permitted to remain at that school if they so wish -Carried, friendly - During discussion of the motion, the following points were noted: Chair Holtzhauer indicated that students residing in the area have a short four-minute walk to Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School; Transfers have been granted to students residing in the area who wished to attend Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School; Trustee Shea noted while there has been no formal consultation with regard to the proposed boundary amendment, he has heard from a number of families over the years and from Dunning-Foubert Elementary School and there does not seem to be any objection to the boundary change. He submitted that it is unlikely there would be a significant turnout at a Business Services Committee - 9 - 11 May 2011 Report No. 6 public meeting and that a public meeting would be an unnecessary use of staff time and resources; Trustee Seward expressed concern that proceeding with a boundary adjustment without consultation would set a precedent; and Trustees Holtzhauer and Shea indicated that the area in question is in an older section of Orleans and there is no growth or in-fill projected. Moved in amendment by Trustee Campbell, -Carried, friendly - Trustee Curry, referring to recent boundary changes affecting South Carleton High School, John McCrae Secondary School, and Roch Carrier Elementary School, suggested that the Board clarify when boundary changes will be permitted without a public consultation process. In wrap up, Trustee Shea thanked staff for their assistance in this matter. He noted that the amendments proposed by Trustees Scott and Campbell were helpful in clarifying the motion and if approved by the Board, the motion will reduce the number of spaces available for transferring in to Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School. Students from the affected area who have already been granted a transfer to attend Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School in September 2011 will continue to be recorded as transfer students for reporting purposes. Moved by Trustee Shea, THAT Cairine Wilson Secondary School and Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School boundaries be amended effective September 2011 as identified in Report 11-088 to the Business Services Committee on 11 May 2011, and that students who currently attend Cairine Wilson Secondary School be permitted to remain at that school if they so wish. - Carried - - Staff agreed to provide a boundary map to accompany the recommendation when it is submitted to Board for approval on 24 May 2011 (Attached as Appendix B). 8. Long Range Agenda The Committee reviewed the long range agenda. In response to queries from Committee members, Superintendent Carson provided the following information: With regard to the Centretown, Glebe, Old Ottawa South Area Accommodation Review committee of the whole meeting tentatively scheduled for November 2011, staff advised that, depending on the outcome of public consultation meetings in June and September, it may be possible to narrow the options for consideration. If not, it may be necessary to extend the timelines. 9. New Business Trustee Shea expressed his appreciation to Manager of Facilties, Peter Wright, for his assistance at an earlier meeting at Heritage Public School in Kanata. Business Services Committee - 10 - 11 May 2011 Report No. 6 There was no other new business. 10. Adjournment The committee moved to in camera at 10:10 p.m. and subsequently adjourned at 10:35 p.m. Katie Holtzhauer, Chair Business Services Committee Business Services Committee - 11 - 11 May 2011 Report No. 6 Proposed Attendance Boundary Change (Sept. 2011) SIR WILFRID LAURIER SECONDARY SCHOOL Grade 9 TO 12 English, Immersion and Extended French Attendance Boundary LEVAC Sir Wilfrid Laurier S.S. m SEE ATTACHED BLOW-UP Legend Area proposed to be redirected from Cairine Wilson SS to Sir Wilfrid Laurier SS Students currently attending Cairine Wilson SS (2010/2011) in this area, have the option to remain at Cairine Wilson SS. Enlargement of area proposed to be redirected to Sir Wilfrid Laurier SS . Legend Area proposed to be redirected to Sir Wilfrid Laurier SS