Council of Commissioners of

Minutes of the proceedings of a regular session of the Council of Commissioners for Riverside School Board held at the Administration Centre, 299 Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier Blvd., St. Lambert, Québec on May 23, 2006.

The Secretary General established that quorum was met and Chairman Jim Munro, called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m.

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: M. Bell M. Gour N. Nichols M. Bennett D. Horrocks G. Sastre F. Blais D. Lamoureux R. Shaver L. Cuffling M. L’Heureux D. Smith P. D’Avignon P. Morrison R. Tomalty H. Dumont J. Munro F. White Participated by telephone: K. Cameron PARENT COMMISSIONER - T. Neal

Also present Kevin Lukian, Director General Julie Hobbs, Assistant Director General Kathleen Balfour, Secretary General Germen Brière, Director of Financial Resources Pierre Farmer, Director of Material Resources Maria Nasso-Maselli, Director of Elementary Schools Stephen Lessard, Director-Secondary Schools/Adult Education Frances Weiser, Director of Human Resources Apologies – P. Chouinard

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA: IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner P. D’Avignon, and seconded by Commissioner F. White, that the agenda be adopted with the addition of 7.3.2 – Child psychiatric services and 9.2 – Notice of motion. UNANIMOUS REQUEST TO VOTE BY TELEPHONE: IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner D. Lamoureux, and seconded by Commissioner F. White, that Commissioner Ken Cameron be permitted to participate by telephone as requested. UNANIMOUS

Special presentation: Council was treated to an excerpt from the musical “Rats” performed by students from Courtland Park School and directed by Michèle Gaudreau, a parent volunteer. Congratulations and many thanks!

PUBLIC QUESTIONS : (7:49) • Pierre Paradis, Chair of St. Lawrence Governing Board - Question about fire drills and gas drills. • Donna Gareau, St. Lawrence Governing Board – Concerns about the school expressed in a letter read aloud. • Donna Copeman, St. Lawrence Governing Board – Request that the organisation of the pavilions by cycles be halted. • Della O’Neill, parent from St. Lawrence is very pleased with the progress at the school and wants plans to move ahead. (7:55)

2006 05 23 1 Commissioner Cameron joined the meeting by telephone intercom.

ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD APRIL 18, 2006: IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner M. L’Heureux, and seconded by Commissioner D. Horrocks, that the Minutes of the meeting held April 18, 2006 be adopted. UNANIMOUS

BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES The Director General followed up on the following items: • Policy on Protection of Non-Smokers at Riverside School Board – Guidelines are being prepared for our schools. The “Guide to a Tobacco-Free School Strategy” has been distributed to all schools to help with the promotion and implementation of the new law and policy. • Amount of reimbursement of an RTL bus pass will be $273. • Capital Projects for Summer 2006 are proceeding. • Request for renewal of the vocational education programs in Masonry /Bricklaying has been made and the agreement with Commission scolaire Marie-Victorin has been signed.

CHAIRMAN AND DIRECTOR GENERAL Chair’s report • The Chairman and the Assistant Director General represented Riverside at recent a dinner hosted by ADIGEQS of Montérégie at the Château Vaudreuil. Erin McKee, a student from Riverside received an award. • The CSBA conference begins on Thursday and there will be a meeting of school board Chairs with the Minister of Education, Leisure and Sports. • The deadline for sending in your DG evaluation forms has been extended to May 29th. • An invitation to attend the CRÉ meeting has been received and it is very important that we be represented. Commissioner Horrocks will attend and we would like at least one other person to accompany her.

Director General’s report • Our thoughts are with the family of Zarifa Nowruzi, an ACCESS student who celebrated her graduation last Wedneday, whose tragic death in a traffic accident has saddened us all. • We celebrate the recent student successes: Kartik Madiraju – 1st prize in the Sanofi Aventis Biotech Challenge; Alexandra Johnson – winner of the 2006 Rotary Club Montreal public speaking finals; Riverside scored a “hat trick” at the 8th Annual Enrepreneurship Regional Gala – 1) St. Jude,s Anti-Idling Campaign supervised by Nusrat Mirza, 2) “Scary Stories for the Brave of Heart” written by Andrea DiLallo and mentored by Norma Hubbard of HRHS and 3) “The Greening Project” supervised by Pierre Roberge of St. Johns High School; Grade 6 students at Terry Fox School won 2nd prize in the 2005 Prix Essor for their Medieval Project. Congratulations to you all! • Riverside was selected to send a social studies teacher on an all-expenses paid educational study trip for 2 weeks to Japan. Sponsored by the government of Japan, this is indeed an honour for Anthony McGuinness from St. Johns School as he will be one of only 5 teachers attending from Canada. Congratulations and bon voyage! • There were 2 expulsions from CRHS for drug possession since the last board meeting. • Sale of Nadeau Street Property – we expect to receive an offer to purchase very shortly from the City of . • Sale of land at Chambly Academy – the CHQ has agreed in writing to a revised price for the parcel of landed needed by them to build a CHSLD. • The ArtsSmarts Vernissage will begin next Monday at 7:00 p.m. at the Brossard Cultural Centre.

Parents’ Committee - Report by T. Neal: • Meeting held May 1st at Cedar Street;

2006 05 23 2 • The policy on financial contributions from parents or students was received for consultation. • Each school is requested to provide their fee schedule for the next meeting. • Requested that pertinent policies and guidelines be supplied. • Next meeting June 5 in the Boardroom. An end-of-year celebration will be held at 8 pm - commissioners and senior administrators are welcome.

REPORTS (non-voting items only) Executive Committee - Report by L. Cuffling: • Meeting was held on May 2, 2006. • The draft revision of By-Law 1 was reviewed. • The calendar of meetings for the Executive for 2006-2007 was adopted. • A letter received from a commissioner about attendance at Council was discussed. It was decided by resolution that this was not a matter for an Ethics Review Committee. • Next meeting June 6, at 7 p.m.

Advisory Committee on Transportation Report by L. Cuffling: • Meeting was held on May 8. • The new Transportation Manager, Julie Paquette, was in attendance. • Transportation budget for 2005-2006 was reviewed. • Transportation budget for 2006-2007 was reviewed. • Parental request for transportation was reviewed. • Discussion on the impact of the end of grandfathered transportation in 2007; • Next meeting at the call of the Chair.

Adult and Vocational Education Committee Report by M. Bell: • Meeting held on April 25; • Update from schools and centres – Adult Education, Volet 2, 16+, REACH, Vocational Education at Taschereau; • Basic Core curriculum at Cleghorn; • Bricklaying and Health options; • Defining direction and goals; • Regional pedagogical days; • Next meeting at the call of the Chair.

Education Committee- No report

Financial and Material Resources Committee Report by P. Morrison: • Meeting April 25; • Summer projects 2006; • Nadeau Street Property update; • Elementary update; • Maintien des Immeubles Phase 2; • Inspection-Fire Department; • SARRA database – temporary CEGEP graduate may be hired; • New certified maintenance team update; • HRHS vandalism update; • Financial Budget 2006-2007 situation reviewed; • Next meeting: May 30.

2006 05 23 3 Human Resources Committee - Report by G. Sastre: • Meeting of May 2, 2006; • Resignations for retirement; • Administrative structure; • Director of Human Resources; • Timelines for replacements of Principal at Good Shepherd and Vice-Principals at Centennial.

QESBA – Report by D. Horrocks / J. Munro: • CSBA Conference; • Universal suffrage goes back to the drawing board. Ad Hoc Committee on Marketing – No report. Ad Hoc Committee on Elementary Liaison - No report. Ad Hoc Committee on Secondary Liaison – No report. Next meeting May 30th at the Alternate School. Ad Hoc Committees on Health and Safety - No report.

NEW BUSINESS Resolution HR96-20060523 RESIGNATION OF AN ADMINISTRATOR : IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner D. Horrocks, seconded by Commissioner P. D’Avignon, that the resignation for purposes of retirement of Anna Ciccotosto, Vice-Principal of St. Johns School, be accepted with regret as of June 30, 2006. UNANIMOUS Resolution HR97-20060523 RESIGNATION OF AN ADMINISTRATOR : IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner M. Bennett, seconded by Commissioner D. Lamoureux, that the resignation for purposes of retirement of Leslie Hughes, Vice-Principal of Centennial Regional High School, be accepted with regret as of July 14, 2006. UNANIMOUS Resolution B113-20060523 ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION: WHEREAS the Council of Commissioners must determine the administrative organization for Riverside School Board as per Articles 253 and 254 of the Règlement sur les conditions d’emploi des gestionnaires des commissions scolaires;

WHEREAS consultation has taken place with the Riverside Administrators’ Association and the Association des cadres scolaires:

IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner K. Cameron, and seconded by Commissioner P. Morrison, that the proposed Administrative Organization for 2006-2007 shown at Appendix “B” to these Minutes, be adopted. UNANIMOUS Resolution HR98-20060523 APPOINTMENT OF A DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES: IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner M. Bell, seconded by Commissioner P. D’Avignon, that Maxime Filion be appointed to the position of Director of Human Resources, effective July 1, 2006. UNANIMOUS Resolution HR99-20060523 APPOINTMENT OF A DIRECTOR OF ADULT AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION: IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner F. Blais, seconded by Commissioner D. Smith, that Carole McCarthy be appointed to the position of Director of Adult and Vocational Education, effective July 1, 2006. UNANIMOUS Resolution HR100-20060523 APPOINTMENT OF A PRINCIPAL AT GOOD SHEPHERD SCHOOL: 2006 05 23 4 IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner M. Gour, seconded by Commissioner K. Cameron, that Ken Prokosh be appointed to the regular position of Principal at Good Shepherd School, effective July 1, 2006. UNANIMOUS Resolution HR101-20060523 APPOINTMENT OF A VICE-PRINCIPAL AT CENTENNIAL REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL : IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner R. Shaver, seconded by Commissioner M. Bennett, that Dave Brundage be appointed to the regular position of Vice-Principal at Centennial Regional High School, effective July 1, 2006. UNANIMOUS Resolution HR102-20060523 APPOINTMENT OF A VICE-PRINCIPAL AT CENTENNIAL REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL : IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner D. Lamoureux, seconded by Commissioner T. Neal, that Elizabeth Lagodich be appointed to the regular position of Vice-Principal at Centennial Regional High School, effective July 1, 2006. UNANIMOUS Resolution HR103-20060523 APPOINTMENT OF A SUMMER SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner N. Nichols, seconded by Commissioner D. Horrocks, that David Bornstein be appointed to the position of Summer School Principal 2006. UNANIMOUS Commissioner F. White left the room. esolution HR104-20060523 PLACEMENT OF A TEACHER ON AVAILABILITY : IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner D. Lamoureux, seconded by Commissioner F. Blais, that the following teacher be placed on availability, effective July 1, 2006, in accordance with clause 13-11.02 of the Collective Agreement: Dosaj, Rajni ACCESS UNANIMOUS Commissioner F. White returned to the meeting. Council took a short break at 8:55 p.m. and resumed at 9:09 p.m. Commissioner Cameron ended his participation by telephone at this point.

Resolution B11420060523 AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAW 1 – GENERALITIES AND MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL OF COMMISSIONERS OF RIVERSIDE SCHOOL BOARD: IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner L. Cuffling, and seconded by Commissioner D. Smith, that the attached revision of By-Law 1 - Generalities and Meetings of the Council of Commissioners of Riverside School Board - be received for adoption;

THAT a public notice of Council’s intention to adopt this revised by-law be published in the Courrier du Sud; and

THAT Revised By-law #1 be adopted at the Council meeting on July 4, 2006 and come into effect upon adoption. AGAINST 1 CARRIED Resolution B115-20060523 CALENDAR OF COUNCIL MEETINGS 2006-2007: IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner N. Nichols, and seconded by Commissioner M. L’Heureux, that the Council of Commissioners of Riverside School Board shall adopt the attached calendar of Council meetings for the year 2006-2007. UNANIMOUS

2006 05 23 5 QESBA BUDGET FOR 2006-2007: WHEREAS the Finance Committee of the QESBA has presented a draft budget for 2006-2007;

WHEREAS the Board of Directors of QESBA has recommended that the draft budget be proposed at the Annual General Meeting; and

WHEREAS the draft budget has been circulated to the member boards for consideration prior to the Annual General Meeting and has been recommended after examination by the Executive Committee:

IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner P. D’Avignon, and seconded by Commissioner G. Sastre, that Riverside School Board accept the proposed draft QESBA budget for 2006-2007; and

THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Quebec English School Boards Association. WITHDRAWN

Resolution B116-20060523 ENCOUNTERS WITH CANADA: WHEREAS “Encounters with Canada” is a Federal Government week-long bilingual program of Canadian studies that takes place at the Terry Fox Canadian Youth Centre in Ottawa;

WHEREAS this program, which brings together young Canadians from different backgrounds and regions and gives them the opportunity to meet, get to know one another, discover their country and gain a better understanding of Canadian institutions, has been extended for another five years;

WHEREAS students, from 14 to 17 years of age who are Canadian citizens or landed immigrants and are enrolled in an educational institution recognized by the ministry of education of their province or territory, may apply to participate in “Encounters with Canada”;

IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner L. Cuffling, and seconded by Commissioner H. Dumont, that a letter be sent to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Status of Women emphasizing the importance of the “Encounters with Canada” program and requesting the continuation of said program indefinitely. UNANIMOUS

Resolution B117-20060523 ADOPTION OF THE 2004-2005 ANNUAL REPORT: IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner D. Horrocks, and seconded by Commissioner M. L’Heureux, that the Riverside School Board Annual Report 2004-2005 be adopted and that copies be distributed as required. UNANIMOUS

Resolution E54-20060523 CORRECTION TO THE ADDRESSES IN THE DEEDS OF ESTABLISHMENT OF COURTLAND PARK INTERNATIONAL, MOUNT BRUNO AND HAROLD SHEPPARD SCHOOLS: WHEREAS in order to officially register our schools in the GDUNO system of the MELS a Deeds of Establishment must indicate the address by the city name and not by the borough name;

WHEREAS the official name of the municipality of St. Bruno is St. Bruno-de-Montarville and that of Tracy is Sorel/Tracy:

IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner M. L’Heureux, and seconded by Commissioner F. White, that the attached corrected Deeds of Establishment for the following schools be adopted. St. Bruno-de-Montarville Courtland Park International School Mount Bruno School 2006 05 23 6 Sorel/Tracy Harold Sheppard School UNANIMOUS

Resolution F41-20060523 CALL FOR PROJECTS BY THE CONSEIL RÉGIONAL DES ÉLUS DE LONGUEUIL (CRÉ DE LONGUEUIL) TO PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURE AND COMMUNICATIONS WITHIN ITS TERRITORY: WHEREAS the CRÉ de Longueuil has announced that funding in the amount of $200,000 has been made available to support arts and culture within its territory;

WHEREAS only non-profit, municipal and educational institutions are eligible for these grants;

WHEREAS the CRÉ de Longueuil requires that Riverside School Board mandate a representative to submit a request for funding and authorize that representative to sign all pertinent documents and agreements;

WHEREAS the CRÉ de Longueuil requires that Riverside School Board identify the resources and the financial value of these resources for its proposed project, “Catalyst for Change: the Artist-Teacher Partnership”;

IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner D. Smith, and seconded by Commissioner G. Sastre, that Riverside School Board support the application of “Catalyst for Change: the Artist-Teacher Partnership” to the CRÉ de Longueuil;

THAT Mrs. Julie Hobbs be mandated as its representative; and furthermore

THAT Riverside School Board commits to provide service-in-kind by Riverside teachers to a value of $16,000 in order to carry out this art project. UNANIMOUS

Resolution E55-20060523 REORGANIZATION OF CHILD PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES AT THE DOUGLAS HOSPITAL AND AT THE JEWISH GENERAL HOSPITAL: WHEREAS there is a proposal by the Agence de development de réseaux de santé et de services sociaux de Montréal that child psychiatric services be reorganized at the Douglas Hospital and at the Jewish General Hospital;

WHEREAS there are other English School Boards off the island of Montreal who may require these services and programs;

WHEREAS between 5 and 12 Riverside School Board students annually receive these psychiatric services and programs ;

WHEREAS this reorganization of psychiatric services and programs will prohibit English-speaking students from the Montérégie from receiving needed psychiatric services at these two hospitals;

WHEREAS there are currently no equivalent psychiatric services or programs for English-speaking students in the Montérégie:

IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner D. Lamoureux, and seconded by Commissioner P. D’Avignon, that Riverside School Board write to the Agence de dévelopment de réseaux de services de santé et de services sociaux de Montréal deploring this reorganization;

2006 05 23 7 THAT we demand that equivalent services and programs be made available to Riverside School Board students as of August 2006, either in the Montérégie or, alternatively, on the island of Montreal; and

THAT copies of the resolution be sent to the Agence de dévelopment de réseaux locaux de services de santé et de services sociaux de Montréal, Agence de dévelopment de réseaux locaux de services de santé et de services sociaux de la Montérégie, the Charles Lemoyne Hospital, the Douglas Hospital and the Jewish General Hospital, to the Minister of Education, Leisure and Sports and the Quebec English School Boards Association. UNANIMOUS

Resolution MR69-20060523 CLEANING CONTRACT - HERITAGE REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL: WHEREAS the cleaning contract expires on June 30, 2006;

WHEREAS the needs were validated and actualized in conformity with quality standards arrived at in consultation with the school administration, and as established in the «PROPRE» software;

WHEREAS a public call for tenders was sent out for the renewal of the cleaning contract for Heritage Regional High School;

WHEREAS the following bids were received:

P.E.A.C.E. Plus Maintenance Inc. 803 853.01 $ Probelle Service d’entretien Inc. 811 053.09 $ F.D. Maintenance Inc. 884 022.48 $ Groupe Laberge Inc. 891 446.61 $ Centre d’entretien Dupont Inc. 971 934.79 $ Speico 977 067.40 $

WHEREAS the bids were analyzed with the help of the «PROPRE» software;

WHEREAS the references were positive;

WHEREAS the Department of Material Resources made its recommendation:

IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner D. Lamoureux, and seconded by Commissioner F. Blais, that the cleaning contract for Heritage Regional High School be awarded to P.E.A.C.E. Plus Maintenance Inc. at a maximum cost of $803,853.01 for the period from July 1, 2006 to June 30 2009, at a cost of $260,520.16 for 2006-2007, with automatic renewal of $267,951.01 for 2007-2008 and $275,381.84 for 2008-2009, unless either party serves notice to the contrary; and

FURTHERMORE, that the Director General be authorized to sign the relevant documents. UNANIMOUS

Resolution MR70-20060523 CLEANING CONTRACT FOR ST. JOHNS SCHOOL: WHEREAS the cleaning contract for St. Johns School expires on June 30, 2006;

WHEREAS the needs were validated and actualized in conformity with the quality standards arrived at in consultation with the school administration, and as established in the «PROPRE» software;

WHEREAS a public call for tenders was sent out for the renewal of the cleaning contract for St. Johns School;

2006 05 23 8 WHEREAS the following bids were received: F.D. Maintenance Inc. 164 788,53 $ Probelle Service d’entretien Inc. 181 461,09 $ Solmex Inc. 293 854.43 $

WHEREAS the bids were analyzed with the help of the «PROPRE» software;

WHEREAS the references were positive;

WHEREAS the Department of Material Resources made its recommendation:

IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner P. D’Avignon, and seconded by Commissioner G. Sastre, that the cleaning contract for St. Johns School be awarded to F.D. Maintenance Inc. at a maximum cost of $164,788.53 for the period of July 1, 2006 to June 30 2009, at a cost of $53,467.93 for 2006-2007, with automatic renewal of $53,981.08 for 2007-2008 and $56,339.52 for 2008-2009, unless either party serves notice to the contrary; and

FURTHERMORE, that the Director General be authorized to sign the relevant documents. UNANIMOUS

Resolution MR71-20060523 AWARDING OF A CONTRACT FOR BUILDING MODIFICATIONS AT THE ACCESS TASCHEREAU CENTRE: WHEREAS resolution MR62-20060404(EX) mentioned, among other things, that:

• the owner of the property agrees to entrust Riverside School Board with the renovations to the building premises;

• the Council of Commissioners has agreed to finance the renovations while awaiting the final allocation;

• according to its budgetary rules, the MELS will compensate Riverside School Board for a portion of the costs related to the lease;

• the Vocational Education Centre budget will cover the additional expenditures;

WHEREAS the results of the recent public call for tenders is as follows:

Constructions Dougère Inc. 129 700,00 $ Baja Construction Inc. 148 493,82 $ (not in conformity) Construction Pier-Jal Inc. 148 500,00 $ Construction Claude Péloquin Inc. 153 000,00 $

WHEREAS further to the analysis performed by the firm of professionals, Leclerc & Associés recommends the lowest bidder who has been declared to be in conformity; and

IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner F. White, and seconded by Commissioner D. Smith, that the Riverside School Board accept the recommendation of the professional firm, Leclerc & Associés, to award the contract for the restructuring of rooms for the new program Assistance to Patients or Residents in Health Care Establishments at ACCESS Centre to Constructions Dougère Inc., the lowest bidder in conformity, for the amount of $129,700 including taxes; and

THAT the Director General be authorized to sign the contract to that effect. UNANIMOUS

2006 05 23 9

OTHER BUSINESS 9.1 - Commissioner D. Horrocks gave a brief description of what went on at the Focus Group sessions. 9.2 – Commissioner K. Cameron served notice of motion that he will ask for a revision of certain articles in the Code of Ethics.

Correspondence - As listed in Appendix “A” to these Minutes. Copies available to the public.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS : (10:06) • P. Paradis, St. Lawrence Chair – question about Epipens. • G. Laroche, St. Lawrence GB – thanks the Board for consideration shown to St. Lawrence School. (10:10)

ROUND OF APPLAUSE • Congratulations to the Grade 6 students at Harold Napper for their presentation of “La légende du médaillon perdu.” • Bob Shaver expressed his deep appreciation for all of the cards and flowers and expressions of concern shown to him and his family at the recent loss of his wife. He is glad to be back at the Council table. • Several commissioners enjoyed the recent graduation ceremonies for over 20 students at ACCESS. • The Director General reminded everyone of the upcoming annual reception next week for employees with 25 years of service and employees who are retiring. • The Open House at St. Mary’s School was an enjoyable event presented with great enthusiasm! • Canadian Idol news! A recent graduate from Chambly Academy has made it into the 40 finalists of the competition. • The Director General was thanked for going above and beyond to reassure concerned parents at Boucherville Elementary. • Congratulations to all participants in the Entrepreneurship contest. • Congratulations to the students at St. Johns for obtaining the highest scores in mathematics. • Congratulations to Michèle Gaudreau and her team of parent volunteers for their excellent production of the musical show at Courtland Park School.

CLOSING: IT WAS MOVED by Commissioner M. Bell, and seconded by Commissioner L. Cuffling, at 10:16, that the meeting be closed.

______Jim Munro, Chairman

______Kathleen Balfour, Secretary General

2006 05 23 10