HomeMy WebLinkAboutPost-Meeting Minutes - BM_Feb28_2023 - English
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BOARD PUBLIC MINUTES
Tuesday, February 28, 2023, 7:45 pm
Board Room
Administration Building
133 Greenbank Road
Ottawa, Ontario
Trustees: Alysha Aziz, Justine Bell, Donna Dickson, Lyra Evans, Jennifer
Jennekens, Nili Kaplan-Myrth, Matthew Lee, Cathryne Milburn,
Suzanne Nash, Lynn Scott, Antong Hou (Student Trustee)
Staff: Michele Giroux (Director of Education), Randy Gerrior
(Associate Director, Business Operations), Janice McCoy
(Executive Officer, Corporate Services), James Proulx
(Executive Officer, Information Technology and Digital
Transformation), Prince Duah (Superintendent of Instruction),
Mary Jane Farrish (Superintendent of Instruction), Paula Hall
(Superintendent of People, Culture and Leadership), Richard
Sinclair (General Counsel, Superintendent of Labour Relations,
Risk Management and Privacy), Peter Symmonds
(Superintendent of Learning Support Services), Carolyn Tanner
(Human Rights and Equity Advisor), Daniel Bradley (Manager,
School Facilities Services), Julie Cyr (Manager, Early Learning),
Pamela LeMaistre (Manager, Human Resources), Sandy Owens
(Manager, Business & Learning Technologies), Diane Pernari
(Manager of Communications & Information Services), Laura
Scott (Labour Relations Officer), Andrea Rahim (Strategic
Business Analyst), Nicole Guthrie (Manager, Board Services),
Michael Guilbault (Central Audio/Visual Technical Specialist),
Marco Paladino (Training & Support Specialist), James Baker
(Board/Committee Coordinator)
1. Call to Order -- Chair of the Board
Chair Lyra Evans called the public meeting to order at 8:08 p.m.
2. Acknowledgement of Territorial Lands
Chair Lyra Evans acknowledged that the meeting is taking place on unceded
Algonquin Homelands and thanked the Algonquin Nations for hosting the
meeting on their land.
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3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Trustee Milburn, seconded by Trustee Jennekens,
THAT the agenda be approved.
Carried
4. Declarations of Interest
No declarations of interest were filed.
5. Delegations
5.1 Alek Golijanin, re Introduction to Healthtech Tool
Mr. Golijanin discussed the issue of health inequalities and how the Board
could address any disparities. He demonstrated through a PowerPoint
presentation, an online tool he developed to assist students with access to
healthcare. Mr. Golijanin recommended the use of this tool by educators
and guidance counselors to assist students with their healthcare needs.
In response to a query, Mr. Golijanin advised that he had presented his
tool to Ottawa Public Health (OPH). He added that he was advised by
provincial government officials to present his tool to local school boards.
5.2 Tuleine Alshaer, re Anti-Palestinian Racism
Ms. Alshaer identified as a 17 year old student at A.Y. Jackson Secondary
School who is of Palestinian descent. She spoke about a class exercise
in elementary school that caused her to feel unwelcome and disrespected.
She advised that her identity should not be about politics and teachers
should not silence her due to her Palestinian heritage.
5.3 Aleyna Kilic, re Anti-Palestinian Racism
Ms. Kilic identified as a grade 12 student at A.Y. Jackson Secondary
School and that she was not Palestinian. She stated that she envisioned
being in a diverse community and expressed concern that her grade 9
teacher would not acknowledge Palestine. She asked that the Board
commit to combating anti-Palestinian racism and to include it into the
curriculum.
5.4 Jabir Ghadie, re Anti-Palestinian Racism
Mr. Ghadie identified as a first year university student and a former
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) student. He discussed
the constant feeling of anti-Palestinian sentiment and concern regarding
the use of antisemitism as a means to silence Palestinian students. Mr.
Ghadie expressed a desire for students to feel safe when discussing their
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heritage and recommended the creation of a pro-Palestinian equity
position.
In response to queries, Mr. Ghadie stated that he had expressed his views
on social media. He suggested that the International Holocaust
Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism dehumanizes
Palestinians and that a proper definition of anti-Palestinian racism must be
adopted.
6. Report from Committee of the Whole (In Camera)
Vice-Chair Bell reported that the Board met in camera earlier this evening and
reports and recommends as follows:
Moved by Jennifer Jennekens
Seconded by Justine Bell
THAT staff be authorized to proceed as directed in the Committee of
the Whole (in camera) with respect to the appointment of an
Executive Search Consultant.
For (10): Alysha Aziz, Justine Bell, Donna Dickson, Lyra Evans, Jennifer
Jennekens, Nili Kaplan-Myrth, Matthew Lee, Cathryne Milburn, Suzanne Nash,
and Lynn Scott
Carried (10 to 0)
7. Briefing from the Chair of the Board
During the Briefing from Chair Lyra Evans, the following information was
provided:
During the week of 20 February 2023, students and staff across the
District marked Pink Shirt Day as an important moment to celebrate
kindness and reflect on how we can come together to stop bullying in our
community. On 24 February 2023, the OCDSB shared some examples of
how schools marked this day and resources were also provided to help
deal with bullying.
Parents and guardians were asked to remind their children that there are
actions they can take if they witness bullying. These include:
o Reporting any concerning incidents to the principal, vice-principal, a
teacher, a trusted adult, OCDSB Cares, or anyone who can help;
o Speaking out: If it’s safe to do so, bystanders can speak out against
bullying, violence, harassment, hate or discrimination;
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o Being kind: Comfort the person who was hurt and make it known that
what happened was not fair or deserved. Be a friend. Ask what you
can do to help; and
o Stopping the spread of online content, videos or images that cause
further harm.
During the month of February 2023, students and staff celebrated Black
History Month through performances, art, special events, school displays,
classroom lessons, and more.
On 25 March 2023, at Brookfield High School, the OCDSB partnered with
Parents for Diversity for a parent advocacy conference on supporting
Black students; and
In the wake of growing anti-trans public sentiment, including the murder of
prominent trans youth Brianna Ghey in the UK, and the passing of anti-
trans legislation in US states such as Tennessee, the Board and the
District reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of gender
diverse, trans, and all LGBTQ students within the District.
8. Briefing from the Director
During the Briefing from Director Giroux, the following info rmation was provided:
It has been more than one year since the war in Ukraine began. The
efforts of staff in supporting new students who have joined us in the past
year was acknowledged. Since the start of this conflict, the OCDSB has
welcomed approximately 450 Ukrainian students to its schools; and
In March 2023, principals shared with families a school climate survey.
The voluntary and anonymous survey provides feedback to each school
about the extent to which parents feel their school supports learning and
positive behaviour, and promotes a safe and inclusive environment. This
information will guide and inform the actions that schools take to address
issues such as bullying, safety, engagement and well-being. The survey
was available in 12 languages and will run until 24 March 2023.
In response to a query regarding a staffing issue at the OCDSB Family
Reception Centre, Director Giroux advised that she would follow up and report at
the 28 March 2023 Board meeting.
9. Confirmation of Board Minutes
9.1 31 January 2023
Moved by Trustee Aziz, seconded by Trustee Dickson,
THAT the Board meeting report, dated 31 January 2023, be
confirmed.
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Carried
10. Business Arising from Board Minutes
In response to a query from Trustee Scott regarding the cancellation of exam s in
January 2023 and how they would be managed in June 2023, Director Giroux
noted that exams had been cancelled for grades 9 and 10. There had been a
variance in practice with respect to how these days were used and that staff are
continuing to gain a better understanding of how to better use this time. She
noted that many students have utilized the time for credit recovery. Director
Giroux noted that 450 credits had been recovered during the exam period in
January 2023. Director Giroux advised that messaging would be forthcoming
with respect to how days will be used by students.
Trustee Scott noted that students who did not require credit recovery were not
receiving instruction and were at home.
Director Giroux advised that she would seek clarification on the issue.
11. Matters for Action
11.1 Receipt of Committee of the Whole Report
11.1.a 7 February 2023
Moved by Trustee Bell, seconded by Trustee Milburn,
THAT the Committee of the Whole report, dated 7 February
2023, be received.
Carried
11.1.a.a Approval of School Year Calendar: Key Dates
In response to a query from Trustee Scott with
respect to the potential need to amend the calendar in
the future, Director Giroux advised that the Ministry of
Education has a regulation regarding reporting
requirements. She added that a memorandum from
the Ministry outlined the requirements for Professional
Activity (PA) days which may impact how the days are
allocated. Director Giroux noted that should the
regulation require the calendar to be revised, more
time would be available to do so.
Moved by Lynn Scott
Seconded by Justine Bell
THAT the recommended school year calendar as
outlined in Report 23-012 be submitted to the Ministry of
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Education for approval as the official 2023-2024 school
year calendar for the Ottawa-Carleton District School
Board’s elementary and secondary schools.
For (10): Alysha Aziz, Justine Bell, Donna Dickson, Lyra
Evans, Jennifer Jennekens, Nili Kaplan-Myrth, Matthew Lee,
Cathryne Milburn, Suzanne Nash, and Lynn Scott
Carried (10 to 0)
11.1.b 28 February 2023 (oral)
11.1.b.a Approval of Facilities Renewal Program and School
Condition Improvement 2022-2023 Project Plan
Moved by Lynn Scott
Seconded by Justine Bell
A. THAT the Facilities Renewal Program and School
Condition Improvement Project budget in the
amount of $112,487,365 be approved as detailed
in Appendix B of Report 23-015 (Attached as
Appendix A);
B. THAT staff be authorized to proceed with
individual project tenders within the Facilities
Renewal Program and School Condition
Improvement Project plans;
C. THAT as FRP/SCI projects are tendered, based on
bid results, or as priorities change, additional
projects may be added or removed to suit the
availability of the overall budget and these
additional projects will be able to proceed without
further approval as long as the total overall
FRP/SCI budgets are not exceeded; and
D. THAT the Chair of the Board and Director of
Education are authorized to award contracts
above $500,000 that is within this overall available
uncommitted approved budget.
For (10): Alysha Aziz, Justine Bell, Donna Dickson, Lyra
Evans, Jennifer Jennekens, Nili Kaplan-Myrth, Matthew Lee,
Cathryne Milburn, Suzanne Nash, and Lynn Scott
Carried (10 to 0)
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12. Matters for Discussion
12.1 Report from OPSBA Representatives (if required)
In her report, Trustee Scott provided the following information:
Time remains to consider a submission for policy resolutions at the
Annual General Meeting (AGM) in June 2023;
The deadline for corporate positions on policy resolutions is 12
April 2023 and would need to be approved at the Board meeting on
28 March 2023;
A reminder was sent regarding the survey for the provincial
strategic plan;
The meeting of the Board of Directors dated 24 and 25 February
2023 included a presentation by Karen Murray on Black student
achievement, and a presentation regarding the background and
terminology pertaining to Board equity and misinformation by Ken
Jeffers - Associate Director of Equity Diversity and Inclusion; and
New “B” and “SB” memoranda are available on the Ministry of
Education website that provide guidance for use of school space
and the need for pupil accommodation review.
13. Matters for Information
There were no matters for information.
14. New Business -- Information and Inquiries
Trustee Bell discussed the ongoing issue of excessive noise at Devonshire
Public School, originating from a nearby construction site. She advised that the
noise levels could cause hearing damage to students during arrival, recess, and
departure from the school.
Superintendent Duah reported that a meeting with a representative from Claridge
Homes and parents had been conducted. A list of concerns and requests from
the school council had been provided to Claridge. Superintendent Duah noted
that a plan for construction had been received and further information would be
provided.
The Board resolved to send a letter to Claridge Homes that includes a list of
concerns, requests, and the implementation of a site liaison.
15. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m.
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Lyra Evans, Chair of the Board