| CALL TO ORDER :
Chairperson Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA :
2010:R-014
MOVED: Trustee Johnson, SECONDED: Trustee Eastcott
AND RESOLVED:
"TO approve the agenda."
ADOPTION OF MINUTES :
2010:R-015
MOVED: Trustee Johnson, SECONDED: Trustee Eastcott
AND RESOLVED:
"TO adopt the minutes of the Regular Board meeting of
January 12, 2010."
BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES :
Nil.
PUBLIC INQUIRIES AND PRESENTATIONS :
Nil.
CORRESPONDENCE :
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·
Ombudperson, Province of British Columbia
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· Quarterly Report, October 1 to December 31, 2009
|
|
· Chair, SD 38 (Richmond) |
· Copy of Letter to Minister of Education, re Budget
Adjustments for 2009/2010 |
|
· Chair, SD
42 (Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows) |
· Copy of
Letter to Minister of Education, re Education
Funding Issues |
|
· Ministry of Education |
· Open
Letter to Parents of Grade 4 and 7 Students, re
Foundation Skills Assessment |
|
· BC School
Trustees’ Association |
· e-digest:
Landmark BCSTA Forum Will Identify Key Initiatives
for Public Education’s Future ….. |
|
· Chair, SD
20 (Kootenay Columbia) |
· Copy of
Letter to Minister of Education, re K-12 Literacy
Innovation Grant |
|
· Chair, SD 43 (Coquitlam) |
· Copy of
Letter to CEO, BC Public School Employers’
Association, re Ministry of Education
Reduction of Salary
Differential Grants |
|
· BCSTA |
· Vancouver
Island School Trustees’ Association One-Day
Conference, "Sustaining Public Education
– Values, Vision
and Action" |
|
· Chair, SD
42 (Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows) |
· Copy of Letter to Minister of Education, re
Resolution to the FSA Dispute |
|
· Ministry of Education |
· News Release: BC Students Welcome Athletes from
Around the World |
|
· Ministry of Education |
· News Release: New MV Beattie to be Neighbourhood
Learning Centre |
|
· BCSTA |
· e-digest:
Government Announces Board Will Get Harmonized Sales
Tax Rebates |
|
· BCSTA |
· Motions for Upcoming Provincial Council Meeting
|
|
· Ministry of Education |
· News Release: Seismically Upgraded North Van
School Officially Opens |
|
· BCSTA |
· Invitation to Island VISTA Conference, February
27, Nanaimo |
|
· Chair, SD 43 (Coquitlam) |
· Copy of
Letter to Minister of Education Urging Ministry to
Restore Lost Grants and Adequately Fund
Public Education
|
|
· BC Public
School Employers’ Association |
· Survey re
16th
Annual BCPSEA
Annual General Meeting |
|
· Chair, SD
42 (Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows) |
· Copy of
Letter to Minister of Education to Request
Reconsideration to Cancel Literacy Innovation
Funding
|
|
· Chair, SD
10 (Arrow Lakes) |
· Copy of
Letter to Minister of Education, re Joint Partner
Letter – Concerns with Education Funding
|
|
· Ministry of Education |
· News
Release: Robson Strongstart BC Centre Open for
Preschoolers |
|
· Chair, SD
48 (Sea to Sky) |
· Copy of
Letter to Minister of Education, re Ministry Support
for Implementation of Full-Day Program
for Every
Kindergarten Student |
|
· Chair, SD
52 (Prince Rupert) |
· Copy of
Letter to Premier Gordon Campbell, re Cancellation
of the Literacy Innovation Grant |
|
· Columbia Institute |
· Upcoming
Conference: Resilient Communities: Cool Ideas for
Locally Elected Leaders:
March 26-
27, 2010 |
|
· Union of
BC Municipalities |
· 2008
School Community Connections – Strengthening the
Connection – Zeballos Elementary
Secondary School
|
|
· Ministry of Education |
· News Release: BC Proclaims Family Literacy Day
|
|
· BCSTA |
· e-digest:
Forging Our Future Will be the Theme of BCSTA’s
Seminal Forum and 106th
AGM
|
|
· Ministry of Education |
· News
Release: Francophone Strongstart BC Program Open in
Penticton |
|
· Ministry of Education |
· News Release: Four More Strongstart BC Centres
Open in Burnaby |
|
· Minister of Education |
· Education Report: Issue No. 60 |
|
· Chair, SD
27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) |
· Copy of
Letter to Minister of Education, re Deficit Budget
and the Need for Adequate Funding for
Students
|
|
· Ministry of Education |
· News
Release: 2009-10 Class Size Report |
|
· VISTA |
· Confirmation Registration for VISTA Conference,
and Directions |
|
· Chair, SD
27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) |
· Copy of
Letter to Boards of Education, re Willingness to
Submit a Deficit Budget in Order to Retain
Acceptable Quality
of Education for Students |
|
· Chair, SD
27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) |
· Copy of
Letter to Premier and MLA’s re Projected Cut of
Estimated $3.4 Million from 2010/11
Budget |
|
· BCSTA |
· Update on
VISTA Sustaining Public Education Conference and
Notice of VISTA Business Meeting |
|
· BCSTA |
· February 2010 Provincial Council Agenda Package
|
|
· Chair, SD
42 (Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows) |
· Copy of
Letter to Minister of Education, re Assigning Zeros
to FSA’s |
|
· BCSTA |
· BCSTA
E-learning: Reminder for February 8 |
|
· BCSTA |
· Call for
Nominations – BCSTA Board of Directors |
|
· BCSTA |
· e-digest:
Your Input is Important: Help BCSTA Respond to the
Local Elections Task Force ….. |
|
Ministry
of Education |
· News Release: BC and UK Students Link Up to
Discuss World Peace |
|
· Ministry of Education |
· News Release: Agreement Supports Chilliwack’s
Aboriginal Students |
2010:R-016 MOVED: Trustee
Eastcott, SECONDED: Trustee Johnson
AND RESOLVED:
"TO receive and file the correspondence."
REPORT OF THE CLOSED MEETING:
Chairperson Smith reported that the Board agreed to move
forward with an employment equity agreement with the
Vancouver Island West Teachers’ Union, using the BCTF
Employment Equity toolkit as a resource.
TRUSTEE REPORTS :
a. School Reports
Trustee Eastcott reported that the Captain Meares PAC met
on February 1st to discuss another busy month, including FSA
testing, PAC lunches, a review of the District lice policy,
and fundraising for the upcoming student trip to the
Olympics. A Science World presentation is forthcoming, as
well as an ArtStarts performance by Kinnie Starr. Missoula
Theatre will be working with students during the week of
February 15th, with a showing of "Princess and the Pea" on
February 18th at 8 pm. Students will be attending an Olympic
hockey game on February 19th – Norway vs Switzerland – as
well as attending the Star Phoenix Theatre, thanks to
community donations, fundraising and tickets provided by the
Spirit of BC. And, in addition to all of this excitement,
the school is in full swing preparing for the upcoming
potlatch.
Trustee Johnson reported that the Grade 5-12 students
from Zeballos School recently enjoyed their first
ski/snowboarding trip to Mt. Cain. Last week, the whole
school travelled to Port McNeil for the Olympic Torch Relay,
which was a very exciting time for all and students are
looking forward to watching and learning about the Olympics.
Preparations are still underway for the Breakfast Program,
and the "Celebrate Us" program takes place on the last
Friday of each month, to recognize students who are
accomplishing good things.
On behalf of Trustee Donaldson who was absent due to
illness, Chairperson Smith reported on the following
highlights from Gold River Secondary School:
· midterm
examinations have been completed and Term 2 Report Cards
issued, as well as a newsletter to parents on February
5th;
· staff is
participating in the Actions for Learning initiative
sponsored by the Board of Education;
· a group
of students went to Mt. Washington on February 5th and,
despite the poor weather, enjoyed afternoon and night
skiing and tubing;
· "Salute
to the Olympics" will take place on February 17th with
activities and a joint floor hockey competition with a
community team;
· Set BC
will be training students and staff on the use of
Kurzweil, a program which reads textbooks and other
print to students who have visual impairments, and other
staff will be learning about technology resources
available for their curricula areas for integration into
their lessons;
· ArtStarts
performer, Kinnie Starr, will be sharing her musical and
hip hop talents on February 10th;
· the
District Technology Plan was shared with PAC and staff;
· Ministry
Satisfaction Surveys will be completed in February for
Grades 10 and 12.
Chairperson Smith reported on the following highlights
from Ray Watkins Elementary School:
· the
School Improvement Planning team met on January 21st to
review and update this year’s plan and to start
preparing for next year;
· at the
January 27th
session of PALS
(Parents as Literacy Supporters), parents learned about
full-day kindergarten commencing September 2010;
· very
successful Family Literacy Days were held on January
26/27 with many activities taking place during the days
and evening, including the third Readers’ Café, a Book
Swap, $500 worth of books provided by the Gold River
Literacy Committee, draws for new books; and a
presentation by local author Niki Flynn of the book, I
Can Read Signs, a copy of which can be obtained from
nflynnphotography@gmail.com.
· students
enjoyed an "On the Road Science" presentation on February 9,
and look forward to the upcoming performance by ArtStarts
entertainer, Kinnie Starr;
· other
upcoming events include: Grade 7 cross-country ski trip
to Mt. Washington, "Paint the Town Red" celebration of
the Olympics, 2010 Winter Olympics Sports Day, and
Citizenship Month.
b. Working Relations Committee
Report
Trustee Eastcott reported that the meeting held on
February 9, 2010 addressed the following: policy review,
staffing and layoffs, attendees to the upcoming Beginning
Teachers’ Conference, budget process and consultation
meeting schedule, employment equity, discretionary leave,
non-instructional dates for 2010/2011, FSA exemption
process, Technology Plan, WorkSafe BC report, Curriculum
Implementation Day for 2010/2011, building inventory, the
District’s cost reduction plan, full-day kindergarten, and
the administrative evaluation program.
c. District Policy Review
Committee Report
At the meeting held on February 9, 2010, a review of
Policy E.5,
Child Abuse, Policy E.11,
Inspection of Student
Lockers and Policy E.14,
Police Interrogation of
Students was postponed until next meeting. Policy E.31,
Acceptable Use
of Computer Network and Internet and Policy E.17,
Sales to Students on
Student Premises was reviewed with minor housekeeping
changes.
2010:R-017
MOVED: Trustee Eastcott, SECONDED: Trustee Johnson
AND RESOLVED:
"TO adopt Policy B.4, Travel, Meals and Other
Expenses , as
amended."
2010:R-018
MOVED: Trustee Johnson, SECONDED: Trustee Eastcott
AND RESOLVED:
"TO adopt Policy D.14, Employee Recognition and
Service Awards ,
as amended."
2010:R-019
MOVED: Trustee Johnson, SECONDED: Trustee Eastcott
AND RESOLVED:
"NOTICE of motion to amend Policy E.18, Sickness and
Accidents (Students)."
UNFINISHED BUSINESS :
a. District
Mission/Vision/Values Process
The Board has now drafted a mission statement which will
be put out to the schools and communities for feedback, via
a survey linked to the District’s website. This will be
reviewed again at the next Board meeting, with the aim to
have it finalized by the end of the school year.
b. Technology Plan Update
The Board has adopted a three-year technology plan which
will implement a complete upgrade to the infrastructure and
computers in the District as a whole. The schools will be
re-wired and new servers, monitors, computers, and software
will be in place in time for the new school year. A group
representing teachers and administrators, as well as the
Computer Technician, Operations Supervisor and the
Superintendent of Schools/Secretary-Treasurer recently
observed the same system in Campbell River School District.
One of the Campbell River teachers noted that there had been
no instances in the past year and a half when the computers
were not working in the lab. The system seems much more
robust and it offers the opportunity for the District to
have a very modern, up-to-date technology for staff and
students to work with while at the same time keeping the
ongoing maintenance costs lower. As soon as possible, a
stand-alone computer will be installed in each school so
that staff can have an opportunity to try it out, and
inservice will be provided early in September.
c. Motions to BC School
Trustees’ Association Provincial Council Meeting and Annual
General Meeting
Chairperson Smith reported on three motions to be
presented at the upcoming Provincial Council meeting:
Page 5 of 7
Statement of Issue: Salary Differential Funding Equity –
submitted by Richmond Board of Education
"BE IT RESOLVED that BCSTA strongly urge the Minister of
Education:
1. To
reinstate for 2010/11 the level of funding that existed
before the 2009/2010 Operating Autumn Recalculation;
2. To
review the Salary Differential Formula with reference to
equity of funding among boards of education;
3. To
commit to not making changes mid-year in the salary
differential funding formula and other components of the
funding formula that impact operating budgets of boards
of education;
4. To
commit to providing boards of education with predictable
and stable funding."
Statement of Issue: Funding for Independent Schools
Redirected to Public School System – submitted by the
Cowichan Valley Board of Education
"BE IT RESOLVED that BCSTA request the Province of BC to
redirect the public money spent on private education to the
public education system starting with this upcoming
Provincial budget."
Statement of Issue: Okanagan Branch Constitution and
Bylaws Changes – submitted by the Okanagan Branch President
"BE IT RESOLVED that the Provincial Council approve the
amended Okanagan Branch constitution and bylaws."
The Board of Education will submit the following motions
to the BCSTA Annual General Meeting:
"BE IT RESOLVED that student teachers be encouraged to
take their practicums in school districts classed as rural
by granting them an honourarium to be paid by the Ministry
of Education and that the evaluation of these practicums may
be performed by the school administration."
Rationale :
The purpose of this honourarium is to cover the expenses
incurred by travel and other considerations should a student
teacher choose a remote school district for their practicum.
Such practicums will introduce new teachers to the
challenges and rewards of teaching in rural schools.
"BE IT RESOLVED that the Ministry be approached to fund
adult education in an adequate manner that will enable
school districts to offer courses that meet the needs of
adult students in a practical way."
Rationale :
This motion is of great importance to rural schools with
limited access to post-secondary institutions and a high
incidence of aboriginal population. In the school year
2008-09, because of a grant, School District 84 was able to
offer practical adult programs to its isolated communities.
Because of budget cuts and the loss of this grant, the adult
programs were emasculated. Educating adults has an enormous
social benefit but programs need realistic funding to become
functional.
NEW BUSINESS :
Nil.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS/SECDRETARY-TREASURER’S REPORT :
a. Staffing Update
The District is currently fully-staffed.
b. Finance Warrants
As of January 31, 2010, seven months or 58.3% of the
2009/10 fiscal year, and five months or 50.0% of the school
year has elapsed. The budget amounts shown in this report
are the 2009/10 Final Budget amounts based on the September
30, 2009 final enrolment figures.
- a. At the end of June 30, 2009 the District
carried forward an Operating surplus of $972,000 of
which $608,000 has been allocated, and $364,000 is
unallocated/contingency.
- b. To the end of January, $2,454,000, seven
months or 58.3% of the Ministry Operating Grant was
received. On a prorated analysis this Operating
Grant is <$198,000> in arrears. This is due to the
Ministry deferral of $300,000 to be forwarded to
SD84 in June 2010.
- c. To the end of December, $633,000 (LEA) Local
Education Agreement funds had been recorded. On a
prorated analysis the LEA is approximately
<$654,000> in arrears. This will be corrected in the
month of February as the September 30 enrolments and
Nominal Rolls have been confirmed by INAC in early
February.
- d. To the end of January, salaries/benefits were
trending favourably to budgeted amounts. Substitute
salaries were slightly overspent <$21,000> and
teachers’ salaries were slightly underspent by
$80,000.
- e. To the end of January, service/supplies
expenditures were trending favourably to budgeted
amounts.
- ·
There
were no major expenditures made during the first seven
months.
- ·
At the
end of the 2008/09 fiscal year, there was an AFG surplus
of $1,692,000 being brought forward to 2009/10. At the
end of January a surplus balance for AFG is $1,445,000
and $239,000 of expenditures have been incurred. Major
expenditures incurred in AFG to December are:
- ·
$13,000
kitchen upgrade, Gold River Secondary;
- ·
$10,000
flooring upgrade, Gold River Secondary;
- ·
$9,000
paving upgrade, Gold River Secondary;
- ·
$20,000
building upgrade, Gold River Secondary;
- ·
$8,000
landscaping upgrade, Captain Meares Elementary
Secondary;
- ·
$139,000
transfer of maintenance staff salary and benefits from
Operating fund.
c. Enrollment Report
The enrollment report provided District class totals as
well as an overall FTE total by school for a District total
of 420.2814 FTE students, effective February 8, 2010.
d. Operations Report
The Operations Reports provided information on the
on-going and upcoming Maintenance and Annual Facility Grant
projects, as well as the Teacherage and Building Envelope
Projects.
TRUSTEE INQUIRIES :
Nil.
PRESS AND PUBLIC INQUIRIES :
Public inquiries addressed the following:
· the
upcoming Provincial Council meeting and motions, with
specific reference to Cowichan’s motion to redirect
private funding: Chairperson Smith indicated that she
represents the Board at PC meetings and does not
anticipate a close vote regarding the redirection of
private funding to public funding.
·
approximately 20% of Board correspondence is from other
boards to the Minister about funding issues;
· the
District’s motion to the BCSTA regarding student
teachers and, in particular, the requirement to have
administrators completing the evaluations: Chairperson
Smith stated that student teachers are usually evaluated
by their college or university but the cost becomes
prohibitive when placing students in rural districts. It
is hoped that by removing that cost from universities or
colleges, it will encourage an effective rural student
teacher program.
NOTICE OF MEETINGS :
The next public meeting of the Board of Education will be
held on March 16, 2010, at 7:00 pm, in the School Board
Office. Any requests for inclusion on the agenda should be
submitted to the Board Office two weeks prior to the
meeting.
ADJOURNMENT :
At 7:40 pm:
2010:R-020
MOVED: Trustee Eastcott, SECONDED: Trustee Johnson
AND RESOLVED:
"TO adjourn."
  
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