YORK REGION DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BOARD MEETING MINUTES - PUBLIC SESSION April 26, 2007
The Board Meeting - Public Session of the York Region District School Board was held in the Board Room of the Education Centre, Aurora at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 26, 2007 with Chair B. Crothers presiding and the following members present; Trustees L. Carruthers, A. DeBartolo, S. Geller, D. Giangrande, J. Hertz, G. Kerr, E. Richardson, N. Shan, C. Sheppard and M. Van Beek.
Also in attendance: Student Trustees K. Hart and J. Ferguson.
Regrets: Trustee N. Elgie
WELCOME TO SCHOOL COUNCIL MEMBERS
The Board Chair welcomed King City Secondary School Council Chair Z. Zandvakili and T. Micone, Principal of King City Secondary School to the meeting. School Council Chair K. Gray and Treasurer S. Chhom from Julliard Public School were also in attendance.
MOMENT OF REFLECTION
Trustee D. Giangrande delivered the moment of reflection.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
(*)1. Moved by L. Carruthers, seconded by M. Van Beek:
That the agenda be approved as written.
- Carried -
RISE AND REPORT – APRIL 26, 2007 BOARD MEETING – PRIVATE SESSION
(*)2. Moved by D. Giangrande, seconded by L. Carruthers:
1) That the Board approve the recommendations in the minutes of the April 4, 2007 Joint Board Consortium meeting.
2) That the Board approve the recommendations in the Employee Services staff reports regarding teacher resignations and resignations for retirement purposes.
3) That the Board receive the Suspension Totals Reports for March 1, 2007 to March 30, 2007.
4) That the Board receive the Student Discipline Report for March 2007.
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5) That the York Region District School Board approve the School Administrator Appointments and Transfers as outlined in the staff report.
6) That the York Region District School Board terminate for just cause the employment of Gilmore Deans, as a York Region District School Board teacher, effective April 26, 2007, and that the Ontario College of Teachers be so notified.
- Carried -
LITERACY VIGNETTE
At this time, Superintendent of Curriculum and Instructional Services L. Sharratt introduced the seventh of 12 literacy vignettes entitled “Job-Embedded Literacy Professional Development”. She indicated that staff continually strives to make connections between literacy and the teaching process to ensure that literacy achievement for York Region students continues to increase. This evening’s presentation on job-embedded literacy speaks to shared leadership in assessment and instruction through a literacy lens.
Trustees and audience members viewed the seventh video clip in the literacy series entitled “Job-Embedded Literacy Professional Development”. The Board Chair thanked Superintendent of Curriculum and Instructional Services L. Sharratt for the informative presentation.
APPLAUSE!
The Director of Education made the following comments.
“Sustainable Future Day contest winners
Would Emma Ryman and Jasmine Chung please come forward as well as trustee Elizabeth Richardson.
Mr. Chair, as you know, environmental issues have been in the news a lot lately. With our changing weather patterns, rising fuel costs and people like David Suzuki and Al Gore advocating for the environment, it seems that we are more conscientious than ever about how we live and how we treat this earth.
These two students from Unionville High School decided to put pen to paper and articulate how they would help to build a sustainable future. They each submitted proposals to the “Build a Sustainable Future Contest” held at Seneca College’s Markham campus. The cement and concrete industries are supporting this initiative to encourage sustainable thinking in youth and sustainable building for our future.
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Emma and Jasmine competed with Seneca College and Trent University students for $15,000 worth of education awards and an invitation to a Sustainable Training Day.
Emma Ryman took the top prize winning $750 for her essay entitled “The Health Farm – A Sustainable Rehabilitation Centre.” The essay described her vision of a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre that treats patients by using gardening, composting, recycling and sustainable cooking and cleaning as part of the healing process. The centre would also make use of environmental features such as solar heating, wind turbines, a green roof and energy-saving devices.
Jasmine Chung took second place, and $500, for her essay on a green coffee shop that would eliminate waste, from the design of the building through to its daily operations. Stephanie Carter, who could not be here tonight, won third place, and $400, for her essay on a green yoga studio which would feature a green roof and be made from recycled materials.
Congratulations to all three of you for what you have done. Earth Day was only a few days ago and it is quite fitting that you are here during “Earth Week.” Your generation as a whole, is much more conscientious about how you live, and how you consume and conserve resources than any other generation before you.
Perhaps one day, your proposals will become a reality and will set an example for all of us to follow.
Unionville Vice-Principal, George Voumvakis is also here this evening.
Stouffville District Secondary School Hockey Teams
Would the representatives for the Stouffville District Secondary School hockey teams please come forward along with trustee Loralea Carruthers.
Mr. Chair, the boys’ and girls’ hockey team from Stouffville District Secondary School has made the history books! Both the girls’ and the boys’ hockey teams have won the provincial championships. This is the first time ever that a school has won both provincial titles in the same year!
The girls’ team defeated the number seven seeded high school in an Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) tournament in Trenton. This is the third straight year that the girls’ team has medalled at OFSAA. The second-seeded boys’ hockey team won the OFSAA tournament in Whitby.
Representing the teams tonight are:
• Brendon Wise, Captain of the boys’ hockey team; • boys’ team coaches, Jamie Hewitt, Rob Edmundson and Scott Artindale; • girls’ team coach, Dan McConnachie.
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Principal Arlene Smith is also here this evening.
These players are the talk of the town in Stouffville. In fact, the town is going so far as to close down the main street and hold a parade in honour of the players. Congratulations to all of you. You deserve all the recognition that you get!
East Gwillimbury Figure Skaters
Would members of the SHIVER team, please come forward as well as trustee Loralea Carruthers.
East Gwillimbury Skating Club’s Junior Synchronized Skating Team, “SHIVER,” won a bronze medal at the Canadian National Synchronized Skating Championships in Chicoutimi, Quebec. SHIVER skated to a ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ theme in a four- minute, fast-paced program. The program featured difficult choreography aimed at achieving perfect synchronization.
The team, consisting of 16 athletes (13 of whom are public school students) placed second at the provincial championships. This gave them the honour of representing Ontario at the national competition which hosted over 70 teams from across Canada.
SHIVER has also won a silver medal at the Provincial Synchronized Skating Championships held in North Bay, Ontario.
The SHIVER teams consists of:
o From Huron Heights Secondary School, Lauren Chubb; o Kristin Malecki; o Kyla Johnstone; o Alex McFayden; o Rebecca Kelly; o Samantha Kelly; o Kristy May; o Janet Devries; o Cheryl Lowe; o Stefany Thompson; o Katie Fisher; o Madeline Moritz; and o from Sharon Public School, Kelly Fisher.
Out in the audience tonight, we have some of the SHIVER parents including:
o Martha Moritz; o Wendy Chubb; o Robin Kelly; and o team manager Jackie Fisher.
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Huron Heights Secondary School principal Allan Hoyle has also joined us this evening.
North Star
April’s North Star, Marilyn Wagman, was not able to be here tonight.
She plans to attend May’s Board meeting”.
STUDENT TRUSTEE REPORT
At this time, Student Trustee K. Hart made the following remarks.
“Good evening, Mr. Chair, Mr. Director, Trustees, Staff, Ladies and Gentlemen.
The theme of tonight’s report is student leadership. What it is? How it affects schools? and How is it attained?
Last month, Jeff and I attended the York Region Presidents’ Council (YRPC) annual leadership conference, START ’07. Delegates from high schools across York Region attended workshops, listened to guest speakers, and participated in various seminars over the four-day span of the conference. When the delegates came home, they were a little short on sleep, but they weren’t short on spirit and inspiration.
The York Region Presidents’ Council (YRPC) Executive Elections are held the week after the conference for the very reason that YRPC is a self-sustaining organization where its members motivate others to get involved in the cause for subsequent years.
As a Board, many things are modeled on the ideals of self-sustainability; budgets are allocated to provide for many years of funding, administrators are placed to look after the affairs in each individual school and new schools are built so the system can sustain itself as the population grows. I believe the next logical step is to create a self- sustaining student leadership base.
By promoting student leadership, self-sustaining organizations are created within schools and good-faith movements are fashioned. Imagine the efficiency created when, instead of trying to create and administer a board-wide recycling program, a group of students in each school independently creates a targeted recycling program suited to their individual needs. Each project would be continually tweaked and maintained, while still staying relevant to students.
How can such a system be developed? I had the good fortune of being invited to a Cultural Proficiency seminar this past week, and heard an interesting analysis of cultural integration, and promoting diversity. The keynote speaker, Doctor Lindsey, suggested that we stop looking at what needs to be done for other people or to other people and focus on the change that needs to occur within ourselves.
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I believe that this paradigm can be applied in multiple situations, and is also quite applicable in this case. A presented list of recommendations or program ideas to enhance student leadership would not be as effective as it could be until the persons making the decisions are in agreement with the principles behind it. My presence here today, and my ability to present student issues at these meetings is evidence that this Board values and strives to promote student leadership. I strongly recommend that you maintain these and other practices, and examine your own personal paradigm of student leadership.
What is there to gain from student leadership? There are numerous benefits to both the individual student and larger student community.
Leadership is a valuable skill for youth, one which will no doubt be useful as they go forward in life. It is helpful not only to people around them, but also helps each individual to develop character traits that will complement their academic educations such as; building confidence, creating a mindset of self-motivated learners, developing interpersonal skills, providing first-hand experience in conflict resolution and, of course, modeling positive behaviour for future generations of students.
A package of quotes, anecdotes and activities that was found in this year’s START ’07 conference manual has been distributed for your information. I encourage you to look through it and be inspired to take action by something you read in it. I know that I, myself, have taken away many things from this information.
As a fitting conclusion to this report on student leadership, I would like to introduce you to Jen Serdetchnaia and Sepideh Soltaninia, the newly elected Student Trustee designates, who will be beginning their terms in August 2007.
Thank you”.
ONTARIO PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARDS’ ASSOCIATION (OPSBA) REPORT
Trustee L. Carruthers indicated that the Education Program Work Team met on March 30th with a number of high-profile guests in attendance including Bruce Drewitt, Director of the Ministry of Education’s Special Education Branch. Mr. Drewitt presented an overview of the “Directions for Special Education in Ontario”, which has been distributed for information.
A discussion was held on the “Education for All” document, which has received wide- spread support from many provincial boards and parents. The Ministry of Education is hoping to use this document as a part of teacher pre-service programs and to help push for special education to be a mandatory component. Please contact Curriculum and Instructional Services if you would like to receive a copy of this document.
The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association welcomed some of the top Communications Officers in the province including the Board’s very own L. Cascioli and S. Link from the Peel District School Board. They discussed methods that trustees can use to respond to parent concerns around split grades, which will become a more BOARD MEETING MINUTES - PUBLIC SESSION PAGE 7 APRIL 26, 2007
frequent issue as the primary class size reduction is fully implemented. There are numerous resources available to parents and trustees on the Ministry and each school board’s website to address these concerns.
Members of the Education Program Work Team asked the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association to take a lead role in supporting trustees in their role of building confidence in combined classrooms and to communicate with the Minister of Education about how the Ministry is planning to assist with providing resources for split-grade classrooms. The importance of using positive terminology such as combined grades rather than split grades was also discussed.
The Policy Development Work Team met on April 13, 2007. They discussed a proposal to amend the Municipal Elections Act so that clearer, more prescriptive, declaration forms are provided for trustee candidates to complete, supporting materials are available for municipal clerks, and school facilities can be used as polling stations. These recommendations will be forwarded to the Board of Directors at their next meeting.
Further to this, they discussed developing a revised Ontario Public School Boards’ Association document on school board governance that would provide resource support for member boards. The committee will continue to work on this document over the summer and into the fall.
Any trustees who are interested in serving on the Program and Policy Committee should contact Trustee Carruthers for additional information. Members of this committee will be elected at the Annual General Meeting in June.
Trustee J. Hertz provided additional information on the meeting of the Central East Region Boards that took place on Saturday, April 21, 2007. He indicated that sessions were held on restorative justice practices which many boards are considering. In addition trustees discussed violence in the media, particularly in light of recent tragic events in the United States. This has been an ongoing concern of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association and there is some movement toward lobbying for legislation in this regard. Member boards in attendance also reviewed different approaches being undertaken with respect to budget approvals. The effectiveness of York Region’s budget process is evident.
The following upcoming Ontario Public School Boards’ Association Meetings were highlighted:
• Executive Committee Meeting - Friday, April 27, 2007; • Board of Directors Meeting - Saturday, April 28th and Sunday, April 29th; • Governance Committee - Friday, May 4, 2007; and • Education Program Work Team - Friday May 11, 2007.
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Finally, the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association 19th Annual General Meeting and Program will take place Thursday, June 7th through Sunday, June 10th at the Deerhurst Resort. The next meeting of the Central East Boards will take place during this time as well.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Board Chair B. Crothers announced that a Budget Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, April 30, 2007 beginning at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
(*)3. Moved by S. Geller, seconded by M. Van Beek:
That the Minutes of the March 29, 2007 Board Meeting be approved as written.
- Carried -
ROUTINE RECOMMENDATIONS
(*)4. Moved by L. Carruthers, seconded by D. Giangrande:
That the Board adopt the following routine recommendations (*) in accordance with Board Procedure.
JOINT BOARD CONSORTIUM COMMITTEE MINUTES, APRIL 4, 2007
1) Approval of Agenda
That the agenda be approved with the addition of the following items;
• Tax Credits for Public Transit Passes, • Today’s Parent Article; and • Ministry Announcement Re: Crossing Arms on Busses.
2) Approval of the Minutes
That the minutes of the February 7, 2007 Joint Board Consortium Meeting – Public Session be approved as presented.
3) 2007-2008 Budget
That the 2007-08 transportation budget development proceed, consistent with past practice, and that projected funding allocations support current board policy and existing levels of service.
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That the transportation budget be referred to the appropriate Board for approval during its budget process.
SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES, APRIL 5, 2007
1) Approval of Agenda
That the agenda be approved as amended.
2) Approval of Minutes – March 22, 2007
That the minutes of the March 22, 2007 Special Education Advisory Committee meeting be approved as written.
3) Report from the Board
That the Special Education Advisory Committee receive the Report from the Board for information.
4) Special Education Report
That the Special Education Advisory Committee receive the Special Education Report for information.
5) Communications Sub-Committee Update
That the Special Education Advisory Committee receive the Communications Sub-Committee Report for information.
POLICY AND BY-LAW COMMITTEE MINUTES, APRIL 10, 2007
1) Approval of Agenda
That the agenda be approved as written.
2) Policy #145.0, Kilometre Allowance, Staff, Trustees and Non-Trustee Committee Members
That in accordance with Board Policy #285.0, The Writing of Policies, Policy #145.0, Kilometre Allowance, Staff, Trustees, and Non-Trustee Committee Members, be forwarded to the April 26, 2007 Board Meeting for final approval.
3) Policy and Procedure #285.0, Board Policies and Procedures
That Board Policy #285.0, Board Policies and Procedures, be forwarded to the April 26, 2007 Board Meeting for final approval. BOARD MEETING MINUTES - PUBLIC SESSION PAGE 10 APRIL 26, 2007
4) Policy and Procedure #642.0, Field Trips
That in accordance with Board Policy #285.0, The Writing of Policies, Policy #642.0, Field Trips (Consensus Draft), as amended, be circulated to the system for comment.
5) Policy and Procedure #665.0, Safe Arrivals – Elementary Students
That in accordance with Board Policy #285.0, The Writing of Policies, Policy #665.0, Safe Arrivals-Elementary Students (First Draft Revision), be circulated to the system for comment.
6) Policy and Procedure #412.0, Community Use of Schools
That in accordance with Board Policy #285.0, The Writing of Policies, Policy #412.0, Community Use of Schools, as amended, be forwarded to the April 26, 2007 Board Meeting for final approval.
7) Policy and Procedure #461.0, Smoke-Free Environment
That in accordance with Board Policy #285.0, The Writing of Policies, Policy #461.0, Smoke Free Environment, as amended, be forwarded to the April 26, 2007 Board Meeting for final approval.
8) Policy and Procedure #640.0, Extended Student Study Tours
That in accordance with Board Policy #285.0, The Writing of Policies, Policy #640.0, Extended Student Study Tours (First Draft Revision), be circulated to the system for comment.
9) New Policy and Procedure, Aboriginal Self-Identification
That in accordance with Board Policy #285.0, The Writing of Policies, the new Policy regarding Aboriginal Self-Identification be amended and forwarded to the May 7, 2007 Policy Committee Meeting for further consideration.
10) Policy #465.0, Tendering Capital Construction and Maintenance Projects
That in accordance with Board Policy #285.0, The Writing of Policies, Policy #465.0, Tendering Capital Construction and Maintenance Projects (First Draft Revision), be circulated to the system for comment.
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11) Policy and Procedure #163.0, School Admission
That in accordance with Board Policy #285.0, The Writing of Policies, Policy #163.0, School Admission, be forwarded to the April 26, 2007 Board Meeting for final approval.
BOARD STANDING COMMITTEE MINUTES, APRIL 10, 2007
1) Approval of Agenda
That the agenda be approved as written.
2) Junior Achievement Central Ontario
That the York Region District School Board receive the report on Junior Achievement for information.
3) Elementary School Boundary Changes
That the York Region District School Board approve the following recommendations.
1. That the Alexander Muir Public School boundary (Section A and B) be created from the Poplar Bank Public School boundary for September 2007, as reflected in Appendix A and B of the staff report. That the Poplar Bank Public School boundary be revised to match these changes.
2. That the Little Rouge Public School boundary be created from the Cornell Village Public School boundary and section B of Central Park Public School boundary for September 2007, as reflected in Appendix C and D of the staff report. That the Cornell Village Public School boundary and section B of Central Park Public School boundary be revised to match these changes.
3. That the Stornoway Crescent Public School Section B boundary be created from the Johnsview Village Public School boundary for March 2007, as reflected in Appendix E and F of the staff report. That the Johnsview Village Public School boundary be revised to match these changes.
4. That the Sir Wilfrid Laurier Public School French Immersion boundary be created from the Buttonville Public School French Immersion boundary and the Beverley Acres French Immersion boundary for September 2007, as reflected in Appendix G and H of the staff report. That the Buttonville Public School French Immersion and Beverley BOARD MEETING MINUTES - PUBLIC SESSION PAGE 12 APRIL 26, 2007
Acres Public School French Immersion boundaries be revised to match these changes.
5. That the Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School French Immersion boundary be revised to align with the Sir Wilfrid Laurier Public School French Immersion boundary as reflected in Appendix I and J of the staff report. That the Langstaff Secondary School French Immersion boundary be revised to match these changes.
6. That the Michaëlle Jean Public School/Beverley Acres French Immersion boundary be created from the Buttonville Public School French Immersion boundary and the Beverley Acres French Immersion boundary for September 2007, as reflected in Appendix K and L of the staff report. That the Buttonville Public School French Immersion and Beverley Acres Public School French Immersion boundaries be revised to match these changes.
7. That the Teston Village Public School boundary be created from the Discovery Public School boundary for September 2007, as reflected in Appendix M and N of the staff report. That the Discovery Public School boundary be revised to match these changes.
8. That staff be directed to implement these boundaries.
4) Naming of a New Elementary School
That the York Region District School Board approve the name “H. Bowes Public School” for the unnamed public elementary school located at the intersection of Greenwood Road and Forsyth Farms Drive in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville.
5) Cash Disbursements, January 2007 and February 2007
1. That Cash Disbursements for January 2007 for all expenditures, except item #139, in the sum of $27,331,321.12 be approved.
2. That Cash Disbursements for January 2007 for item #139, in the sum of $59,619,082.25 be approved.
3. That Cash Disbursements for February 2007 for all expenditures, except item #46, in the sum of $20,508,971.97 be approved.
4. That Cash Disbursements for February 2007 for item #46, in the sum of $63,181,780.64 be approved.
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CHAIR’S COMMITTEE MINUTES, APRIL 16, 2007
1) Construction Projects Review
That the Board receive the staff report Construction Projects Review.
2) Special Education Advisory Committee Representation
That the Board approve the appointment of Ingrid Lehmann as representative for the Ontario Brain Injury Association to the Special Education Advisory Committee of the York Region District School Board under Regulation 464/97, regarding additional SEAC members, effective May 1, 2007.
3) Special Education Advisory Committee Representation
That the Board approve the appointment of Beth D’Angelo as alternate representative for the Ontario Brain Injury Association to the Special Education Advisory Committee of the York Region District School Board under Regulation 464/97, regarding additional SEAC members, effective May 1, 2007.
4) Peace Tree Day
That the York Region District School Board acknowledge the celebration of Peace Tree Day on June 1, 2007 to reaffirm its commitment to peace and togetherness.
WOODLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL FEASIBILITY STUDY REPORT, TOWN OF MARKHAM
1) That the York Region District School Board receive the Feasibility Report on Woodland Public School prepared by Stafford Haenslie Architects Inc.
2) That the York Region District School Board authorize Stafford Haensile Architects Inc., to carry out the detailed design for the replacement of Woodland Public School on the Royal Orchard site.
3) That the York Region District School Board direct staff to include the replacement of Woodland Public School in the Board’s 2007 Capital Strategy.
- Carried -
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BUDGET COMMITTEE MINUTES, MARCH 26, 2007
(*)5. Moved by M. Van Beek, seconded by D. Giangrande:
1) Approval of Agenda
That the agenda be approved as written.
2) 2007/2008 Proposed Budget Schedule
That all reports presented to the Budget Committee be received for information.
3) Adjournment
That the Budget Meeting be adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
- Carried -
HURON HEIGHTS SECONDARY SCHOOL SCIENCE RENEWAL, TOWN OF NEWMARKET
(*)6. Moved by M. Van Beek, seconded by L. Carruthers:
That the York Region District School Board approve the renovation at Huron Heights Secondary School with a cost not to exceed $2.9 million.
- Carried -
OPENING OF TENDERS REPORT, CLEARMEADOW PUBLIC SCHOOL FIVE CLASSROOM ADDITION, TOWN OF NEWMARKET
(*)7. Moved by L. Carruthers, seconded by M. Van Beek:
That the York Region District School Board approve the Total Estimated Cost for the school addition not to exceed $1,211,461.00 for the construction of the Clearmeadow Public School Five Classroom Addition, Town of Newmarket.
- Carried -
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ADJOURNMENT
(*)8. Moved by G. Kerr, seconded by S. Geller:
That the Board Meeting be adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
- Carried -
Chair of the Board Director of Education and Secretary-Treasurer