A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education of School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) was held in the meeting room of the Board Office, 570 Johnstone Road, Nelson, B.C. on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 5:00 P.M. PRESENT: Trustees: P. Cattermole, B. Ewashen, A. Field, A. Hambler, M. Joy, B. Maslechko, P. Tees, L. Trenaman, B. Wright B. Reid, Superintendent of Schools R. Johnston, Director of Instruction – Student Services P. Dooley, Director of Instruction - Achievement B. Wanless, Director of Human Resources M. Schulte, Secretary-Treasurer E. Henderson, Executive Assistant 0 members of the public M. Bennett, President, CUPE Local 748 S. Wilson, President, DPAC G. Hicks, Mountain FM S. Newham, Nelson Daily News
ALSO PRESENT:
STAFF/PUBLIC:
MEDIA:
VIDEO CONFERENCE NELSON: Nil CALL TO ORDER Chair Ewashen called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Moved by Trustee Tees, seconded by Trustee Cattermole AND RESOLVED that the Agenda, as amended, be adopted by the Board. The following change was made: • Move 10.A.(a) – Policy Sub-Committee Recommendations to 10.B.(b) RECEIVING PRESENTATIONS/DELEGATIONS Nil OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC REGARDING ITEMS ON THE AGENDA Nil ADOPTION OF PREVIOUS BOARD MINUTES Moved by Trustee Tees, seconded by Trustee Wright AND RESOLVED that the minutes of the Closed Meeting of June 19, 2007 be adopted, as circulated, and the Special Regular Meeting of June 26, 2007 be adopted, as amended. The amendment was to Appendix A – School Fees.
07-131
07-132
RECEIPT OF RECORD OF PREVIOUS CLOSED MEETINGS The Board received the record of a Closed Meeting held June 19, 2007. REVIEW OF ACTION FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS The Board reviewed action taken from previous meetings that was included with the agenda package. CORRESPONDENCE Board Mail Package Cover Sheets Moved by Trustee Hambler, seconded by Trustee Maslechko AND RESOLVED that the Board receive the Board mail package cover sheets dated May 24 – June 1, 2007; June 2 – June 13, 2007; Addendum June 2 – June 13, 2007; June 21 – 26, 2007; June 27 – July 18, 2007; July 19 – August 1, 2007; August 2 – August 15, 2007 and Board Email package cover sheets dated June 2 – June 13, 2007; June 21 – 26, 2007; June 27 – July 18, 2007; and, August 2 – August 15, 2007. Canadian Parents for French Superintendent Reid advised that once a French Co-ordinator has been appointed, a meeting will be called and the letter from the Canadian Parents for French will be discussed. Chair Ewashen will respond to the letter from the Canadian Parents for French advising that the matter has been referred to District Staff to follow up. EDUCATION ISSUES Action Items Redfish Meeting Superintendent Reid will canvass Trustees to establish a meeting date with Redfish. EDUCATION ISSUES Information Items Education Committee Report There was nothing to report at this time. The focus of the September meeting will be the Accountability Contract. Healthy Lifestyle Committee Report Director of Instruction – Achievement Dooley outlined the profile, vision and priorities of the Committee. Teacher Action Research: Making a Difference to Learners/Literacy Innovation Action Research Project Director of Instruction – Achievement Dooley referred to the examples in the Board meeting room of action research. Three projects the district is involved in are Networking of Performance Based Schools, healthy living and grey area students.
07-133
Grad Portfolio Director of Instruction – Achievement Dooley advised that the grad portfolio presentations have been excellent. A document outlining how to mark and how to assist students in presenting their grad portfolio is in the process of being published by the district. Early Learning Visioning Day Director of Instruction – Achievement Dooley highlighted the Early Learning Visioning day and the goals that were developed to support pre-schoolers. The district is now waiting for proposals. Distance Education Discussion took place regarding Distance Education opportunities for secondary students across the province. A Rural School Conference is being held in Richmond where discussion will take place on training, more access and implementation of the rural strategy. Strong Start The Strong Start Centre will open this September at the Creston Education Centre. The contract has been signed and a copy will be in the next agenda package for Trustees. Survey Results The results of a random survey of parents conducted with regards to the calendar, the Superintendent’s performance, and the work of the Board were received as information. Smoking on School Grounds Superintendent Reid advised of firm language around smoking on school property and the need to be aware of criminal liability. Trustee Trenaman recommended that the district purchase a copy of Allen Carr’s book entitled The Easy Way to Stop Smoking. EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS Superintendent of Schools Reid expressed concern regarding difficulty of finding specialty teachers to fill the band program posting at Prince Charles Secondary School; and, appointed to the Ministry of Education’s Rural Schools Committee, on the executive of the Superintendents’ Association and Chair of the District Education School consortium. Director of Instruction – Achievement Dooley pleased with the Summer Institutes. Director of Instruction – Student Services Johnston working on staffing; searching for a Speech/Language Pathologist in the Creston area; and, Student Services Kick-Off Day is scheduled for Friday, September 7th.
Director of Human Resources Wanless concerned about specialized teaching pool becoming smaller; and, working on staffing. REPORT FROM POLICY COMMITTEE Action Items Nil Information Items Report from Policy Committee The next meeting of the Policy Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, October 16th. Policy Sub-Committee Recommendations – Policies #113, #114 and #116 These policies will be discussed by Trustees at the Board Working Session in Kaslo. FINANCE AND OPERATIONS Action Items Heating System Conversion Proposal – Jewett Elementary School Director of Operations Brown is working on an analysis to determine the best use of funds for a retrofit for schools. A query was made as to whether there were funds available from other sources. Scouts Canada Request A request was received from Scouts Canada to use the gym at Adam Robertson Elementary School for no cost. Presently facilities in Creston are rented and centrally controlled so this would be a deviation from this process. Chair Ewashen will respond to the letter advising them to contact Superintendent Reid. P.A.R.T.Y. Program Requests In response to the request from the P.A.R.T.Y Program for financial assistance, the Board recognized the work and benefits of the P.A.R.T.Y. Program but was directed by Policy #212 which states that requests from outside organizations for monetary grants or donations will be denied. It was decided to leave the matter at the discretion of the schools. Brent Kennedy Learning Centre – Building Addition A request has been received from the Brent Kennedy Learning Centre for a building addition. The Board agreed, by consensus, to grant permission for Superintendent Reid to explore with Director of Operations Brown ways the district may be able to assist with no cost to the Board.
FINANCE AND OPERATIONS Information Items 2006/07 Financial Statements Audit Secretary-Treasurer Schulte advised that the audit has been completed and the auditors will be presenting the 2006/07 financial statements at the October 2nd Board meeting. FINANCE AND OPERATION HIGHLIGHTS Secretary-Treasurer Schulte appointed to the Ministry of Education’s Accounting Advisory Committee; pleased with the audit; and, preparing for next school year. Director of Operations Brown a summary report of work done by the Maintenance Department over the summer was circulated. MISCELLANEOUS Board Room Acoustics – Update Moved by Trustee Hambler, seconded by Trustee Joy AND RESOLVED that the Board ask Superintendent Reid to explore the possibility of putting in a sound system in the Board meeting room up to a value of $20,000. IN FAVOUR: OPPOSED: Trustees: Trustees: Cattermole, Ewashen, Field, Hambler, Joy, Tees, Trenaman Maslechko, Wright
07-134
Toronto Wellness Conference Director of Instruction – Student Services Johnston will be recommending to the Wellness Committee that one Principal, one CUPE staff and one teaching staff be funded to attend the conference. The final decision will be made at the Wellness Committee meeting on September 10th. 07-135 Moved by Trustee Wright, seconded by Trustee Joy that the Board support the Wellness Conference by allowing Trustees to attend the Conference. An amendment was then made to the motion. 07-136 Moved by Trustee Joy, seconded by Trustee Hambler AND RESOLVED AS AMENDED that the Board support the Wellness Conference by allowing one Trustee to attend the Conference. OPPOSED: Trustee Tees
The main motion was then voted on.
07-135
Moved by Trustee Wright, seconded by Trustee Joy AND RESOLVED that the Board support the Wellness Conference by allowing one Trustee to attend the Conference. OPPOSED: Trustees: Cattermole, Tees
Trustee Hambler will attend the Wellness Conference in Toronto. Director of Human Resources Wanless will be using his professional development funds to attend the conference. Coalition of Child Care Advocates of B.C. – Request for Letter of Support Moved by Trustee Tees, seconded by Trustee Wright AND RESOLVED that the Board acknowledge receipt of the letter from the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of B.C. Kootenay Boundary Branch BCSTA AGM Trustees were reminded of the upcoming Kootenay Boundary Branch BCSTA AGM in Radium, September 21 – 23, 2007. Student Centred Leadership Project – Meeting The Ministry of Education is interested in meeting with the district to discuss the Student Centred Leadership Project. Secretary-Treasurer Schulte will canvass Trustees for an available date. Board of Education Legislation has passed and the Board of Trustees is now known as the Board of Education. Superintendent Reid will report back at the next Board meeting regarding a possible new district logo. TRUSTEE REPORTS Trustee Hambler along with Director of Human Resources Wanless attended the welcome pot luck for the Kaminoho Friendship Society. Trustee Trenaman mentioned the F.A.C. Report and Canadian Parents for French report; queried the status of the French Co-ordinator position; noted that the French Immersion enrolment is not declining; and, attended the Crawford Bay grad portfolio presentations, sod turning and graduation ceremony, and DPAC year end. Trustee Joy attended the SMART Workshop.
07-137
ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:05 P.M. The next Regular Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at the Board Office, 570 Johnston Street, Nelson, B.C. at 5:00 P.M.
______________________________ Chair
_______________________________ Secretary-Treasurer
cc:
Board of Education/Sr. Management Schools/District Staff (via email) Presidents: KLTF (via email), KLPVPA (via email), CUPE Local 748 (via email) DPAC Nelson – (K. Couch - via email) CUPE 748 (Secretary – G. Shmon via email) School PAC Chairs BCSTA (via email) City of Nelson (via email) Village of Salmo (via email) Town of Creston (via email) Village of Kaslo (via email) Regional District of Central Kootenay (via email)
Media: Creston Valley Advance, KBS, Pennywise, Nelson Daily News, Express, Valley Voice, East Shore Main Street (via email)