BOARD MEETING Monday October The Board of School Trustees

BOARD MEETING Monday, 2004 October 18 The Board of School Trustees of School District No. 39 (Vancouver) met in the Board Room (Room 114) at the Education Centre, 1580 West Broadway, Vancouver, B.C. on Monday, 2004 October 18, at 19:00 hours. TRUSTEES PRESENT: A. Montani, in the Chair A. Blakey J. Bouey J. Cheng N. Herron A. Kenyon K. Millsip A. Wong A. Reimer ALSO PRESENT: C. Kelly, Superintendent of Schools T. Grant, Associate Superintendent - Area V. Overgaard, Associate Superintendent - Learning Services P. Wlodarczak, Associate Superintendent - Human Resources L. King, Director- Facilities B. Ratcliffe, Director - Learning & Information Technology R. Krowchuk, Director - Finance & Administration L. Dyson, (Interim) Manager - Communications B. Ng, Secretary-Treasurer W. Fraser, Recorder The Chairperson announced that there would be a question period at 21:00 hours or at the end of the public session. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES 1. Moved by A. Reimer, seconded by K. Millsip, that the minutes of the 2004 October 04 meeting be adopted. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Matters Arising from the Minutes 2. a) General Editing The Chairperson presented a list of minor editing changes to the minutes and requested that the changes listed be incorporated in the 2004 October 04 minutes. Trustees agreed that the changes be made. Board Meeting -2- 2004 October 18 BOARD MINUTES - Matters Arising (Contd.) Item No. 2 Continued b) Finance & Legal - Reports School PAC and District PAC Access to Direct Access Grants The Chairperson of the Committee provided an update on the status of this item and clarified responses received from district parents. c) Education & Student Services - Reports All Day Kindergarten A trustee noted that the amendment to the motion, should properly read: Moved by J. Cheng, seconded by A. Reimer, that a letter regarding All-Day Kindergarten be sent to the Premier of B.C. instead of the Minister of Education. MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATING New Business/Enquiries 3. City Food Council Policy (Task Force) - Trustee Liaison The Chairperson stated that subsequent to this item being presented at the 2004 October 04 meeting, further consideration has been given to it. Moved by A. Blakey, seconded by A. Kenyon, that effective 2004 October 18, Trustees A. Montani and A. Reimer, be appointed as co-liaison representatives to the Vancouver Food Policy Council. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Board Meeting -3- 2004 October 18 PLANNING & FACILITIES Reports 4. (a) Meeting of 2004 October 05 The Chairperson of the Committee, A. Wong, presented the report of the 2004 October 05 meeting, a copy of which is filed with these minutes. There were no recommendations in the Report and the Committee had considered the following information items: Vancouver Technical Seismic Upgrade Kerrisdale Seismic Upgrade Feasibility Study Update Stream of Dreams Murals False Creek Building Envelope Program Seismic Update BC Seismic Assessment Program - Verbal Update Nelson Park Re-development - Verbal Update Elsie Roy Elementary - Verbal Update Proposed Liquor Retail Policy and Guidelines - Verbal Update Update on Dickens Storage in Schools Naming of School Policy Bike Racks Walk In Closet (WIC) at Nootka Parking Lots (b) Moved by A. Wong, seconded by J. Bouey, that the report of the 2004 October 05 meeting of this Committee be received. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Board Meeting -4- 2004 October 18 PLANNING & FACILITIES - Matters Arising (Cont’d.) Item No. 4 Continued (c) Matters Arising from the Report (i) False Creek Building Envelope Program In response to a query, L. King, Director - Facilities, clarified that: N N (ii) False Creek is the only school that requires attention under the building Envelope Program; and a further update will be provided on the completion date for the project as soon as further information is received. Seismic Update The Chairperson of the Committee provided an update on thanking people involved in the earthquake campaign by a formal Board letter of appreciation. New Business/Enquiries 5. Five Year Capital Plan In response to a query, the Chairperson of the Committee confirmed that the Five Year Capital Plan will be presented to the Board meeting of 2004 November 01 for approval. EDUCATION & STUDENT SERVICES Reports 6. (a) Meeting of 2004 October 13 The Chairperson of this Committee, J. Bouey, presented the report of the 2004 October 13 meeting, a copy of which is filed with these minutes. There were no recommendations in the Report and the Committee had considered the following information items: Community School Teams Provincial Exam Marking National School Libraries Day Board Meeting -5- 2004 October 18 EDUCATION & STUDENT SERVICES - Reports (Cont’d.) Item No. 6 Continued (b) Moved by J. Bouey, seconded by K. Millsip, that the report of the 2004 October 13 meeting of this Committee be received. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (c) Matters Arising from the Report (i) National School Libraries Day The following motion was presented: Moved by J. Bouey, seconded by J. Cheng, that: WHEREAS research has shown that student learning, reading and literacy skills are enhanced when students have access to a school library with a good collection and a strong educational program provided by a teacher-librarian; BE IT RESOLVED that the Board acknowledges the importance of school libraries and the dedicated work of teacher-librarians by joining with others around the world in celebration of International School Library Day, Monday, 2004 October 25. Speaking in favour of the motion, trustees noted that the Board would be wellserved in recognizing this international event and providing much needed support to the teacher/school librarians who have served the Board and students so well over the years despite funding cutbacks. A discussion followed in which trustee expressed the importance of curriculum development through the use of appropriate reading materials. Reference was made to a book, A Pacific Alphabet (Text by M. Ruurs), recently distributed by the Ministry to kindergarten parents without being assessed and reviewed by district staff prior to distribution. Comments included: N N it is a breach of protocol to send out reading material to parents without at least notifying trustees; concerns about the book have been received with reference to its focus and age appropriateness; Board Meeting -6- 2004 October 18 EDUCATION & STUDENT SERVICES - Reports (Cont’d.) Item No. 6 Continued N N N N N the Board has a responsibility to address concerns that come from teachers and parents concerning specific books; when books are sent to schools from the Ministry, parents often assume that they form part of the curriculum; district staff have an integral role to perform in assessing publications prior to distributing them to schools; school administrators and teachers have discretion in circulating reading materials and should always be consulted when a publication is selected for distribution; and the discussion of this item should be mentioned in the Board Highlights. A vote was taken on the motion, and it was declared CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Trustees agreed that a letter be written to the Minister of Education expressing the concerns of the Board over the book, A Pacific Alphabet,. (ii) Coalition for School Librarians Following a discussion, trustees agreed that this item be referred to the Committee for further discussion and review. Trustees suggested that the Board should consider joining the coalition in recognition of the librarians dedication and the advocacy efforts of their Coalition. New Business/Enquiries 7. Advocacy Committee Report A trustee provided an update on the progress being made on the 2004-05 Advocacy initiative. The new flyer entitled ADVOCACY WORKS! is finalized and should prove beneficial in promoting the advocacy awareness amongst the public and stakeholder groups. Board staff was most helpful in document preparation. Further updates will follow. Board Meeting -7- 2004 October 18 PERSONNEL & STAFF SERVICES New Business/Enquiries 8. Trustee Indemnity Moved by A. Reimer, seconded by K. Millsip, that the Vancouver Consumer Price Index (CPI) as it currently applies to Trustees’ Indemnities during the 2004/2005, be deferred for one year; CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Trustees spoke in favour of the motion and stated that: N N N N the motion is being considered in recognition of the provincially imposed (Board) associations and unions accepting 0-0-0% wage guidelines; consideration of the motion does not indicate Board support for, or agreement with, provincial wage guidelines; zero percent employee salary increases mandated by the B.C. Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) are retrogressive and tantamount to wage reductions; and the trustee indemnity is less than adequate for the effort and time spent by trustees in fulfilling their roles and responsibilities and reductions such as that proposed, and could have the effect of dissuading potential trustee candidates from running for office. In response to a query, B. Ng, Secretary-Treasurer, stated that the CPI increase for 2004/05 would amount to approximately $500 per trustee. A vote was taken on the motion, and it was declared CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY FINANCE & LEGAL Reports 9. (a) Meeting of 2004 October 12 The Chairperson of the Committee, A. Kenyon, presented the report of the 2004 October 12 meeting, a copy of which is filed with these minutes. There were no recommendations in the Report and the Committee had considered the following information items: Board Meeting FINANCE & LEGAL - Reports (Cont’d.) Item No. 9 Continued -8- 2004 October 18 Submission by the VSB to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services Textbook Funding Update (b) Moved by A. Kenyon, seconded by K. Millsip, that the report of the 2004 October 12 meeting of this Committee be received. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS N VARIOUS FUNCTIONS Trustee A. Wong reported on: City of Vancouver Advisory Committee on Diversity Issues At the 2004 July and September meetings, background was presented on the Race Relations Advisory Committee (RRAC), phase I and II of consultation (Methodology of Phase II consultation.) Vancouver Parks Board Committee Meeting - September 23 The issues of Nelson Park and synthetic turf were discussed at the meeting. East Fraser Lands (Open House) - October 12 Discussion at the open house included a review of the draft policy statement concerning Fraser land development. Race Relations Advisory Committee ( RRAC) - October 07 C. Kelly, Superintendent of Schools and V. Overgaard, Associate Superintendent Learning Services also attended the October 07 meeting. Agenda items included the anti-racism policy, and the possibility of forming a sub-committee to discuss an action development plan and communications strategy. Board Meeting -9- 2004 October 18 REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES - (Cont’d.) N VARIOUS FUNCTIONS Trustee A. Blakey provided an update on: Bargaining Agreements have been reached with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Locals 407 and 15 at BCPSEA mandated zero percent increases. Negotiations with the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) and the Adult Educators remain outstanding. Vancouver Fire Fighters Contribution Vancouver Fire Fighters should be recognized and thanked for their substantial ($5,000) contribution to the Seymour Elementary School. The funding will address library needs at the school. N VARIOUS FUNCTIONS Trustee A. Reimer commented on: Elsie Roy Elementary School Because Elsie Roy is a new school, the gathering of background information for the purpose of submitting grants by Elsie Roy parents is proving to be problematic. King George Secondary School A noteworthy project at King George is the Massive Change Plan, a partnership with the Vancouver Art Gallery, and the effect that and the effect that the concept of critical thinking plays in student development. N VARIOUS FUNCTIONS Trustee K. Millsip reported on: City of Vancouver Council Meeting The International Walk to School Week initiative was a highlight of the meeting followed by a photo opportunity with the Mayor. Vancouver Secondary Teachers’ Association (VSTA) Advocacy Day Trustee A. Reimer also attended this informative session on advocacy initiatives. Board Meeting - 10 - 2004 October 18 REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES - (Cont’d.) - Vancouver District Student Council (VDSC) Meeting The participants attending the meeting took part in elections and and small group discussions on a number of items. Among them are issues of inclusion and anti-racism. It is anticipated that development of these issues could be enhanced through the use of modelling techniques used in other committees such as the Pride Committee. - Planning Session for World Peace Forum At this two day event, a strategy/framework was developed for scheduling the 2006 World Peace Forum. Discussion centred on militarism, personal liberties and responsibilities. It would serve the Board well to have this item placed on the agenda of the Education and Student Services Committee for further discussion. N VARIOUS FUNCTIONS Trustee A. Montani reported on: First Nations Education Advisory Committee Meeting A proposal has been made to allow a U.S. based research initiative to do a study in district schools on literacy intervention. The initiative may prove to be worthwhile. Copies of the proposal are available through the Learning Services Department. Inclusive Cities Panel This panel has focussed on discussing Canadian issues of metropolitan inclusion and will formalize its conclusions in 2005 January. Written material is available on the goals and priorities of the panel and the Board would benefit from scheduling a presentation on the Council findings in the near future. Vancouver Community Health Authority Governance Liaison Committee Agenda items were presented through Powerpoint at the meeting. It is hoped that future discussions will centre around community health issues, drug treatment and awareness protocols. Material has been placed in the Trustees’ Lounge. N Select Standing Committee Trustee N. Herron commented on the Select Standing Committee meeting held in Coquitlam , B.C. The presentation by School Districts #39 and #43 were noteworthy. Board Meeting - 11 - 2004 October 18 SUPERINTENDENT’S UPDATE C. Kelly, Superintendent of Schools commented on: 10. Canadian Education Association (CEA) - October 15 a) Workshop: Material on this national workshop was distributed to trustees. The event focussed on understanding tensions inherent in public education, and included discussion on polarity and equity. b) Policy Brief - Literacy A brief on the literacy issue was distributed to trustees. Feedback from trustees is encouraged. c) CEA - Annual Report The Report provides information on the current status of CEA intests. 11. Project Respect This project, originally started in the United States, has been gathering momentum in Canada. It deals with the fundamental concept of fostering respect in all levels of the school environment. This initiative is being examined by the social responsibility team and will prove its importance when implemented in the district. 12. Vancouver Polling Stations Elections B.C. has requested the allocation of schools as election polling stations for the provincial 2005 May election. As in the past, the district assists in providing the election forum for the residents of Vancouver. Moved by A. Wong, seconded by J. Bouey, that the meeting be adjourned. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY __________________________________________ A. Montani, Chairperson _____________________________________________ B. Ng, Secretary-Treasurer