2013, June 4 Board Public Minutes
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YORK REGION DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BOARD MEETING MINUTES - PUBLIC SESSION JUNE 4, 2013 The Board Meeting - Public Session of the York Region District School Board was held in the Board Room of the Education Centre, Aurora at 8:04 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 with Chair A. DeBartolo presiding and the following members present; Trustees P. Adams-Luchowski, L. Carruthers, C. Chan, N. Elgie, J. Hertz, S. Geller, D. Giangrande (via audio conference), J. Nathan, A. Tam, M. Van Beek and A. Yeung Also in attendance: Student Trustee S. Shao Regrets: Student Trustee K. Thaker APPROVAL OF AGENDA (*)1. Moved by M. Van Beek, seconded by A. Yeung: That the agenda be approved as written. - Carried - DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST Chair A. DeBartolo asked any trustee who has a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any matter being discussed during the meeting to state their conflict and the nature thereof. No conflicts were declared by trustees at this time. RISE AND REPORT – JUNE 4, 2013 BOARD MEETING – PRIVATE SESSION (*)2. Moved by N. Elgie, seconded by P. Adams-Luchowski: 1) That the York Region District School Board approve the recommendations in the Human Resource Services staff report. 2) That the York Region District School Board receive the Student Discipline and Suspension Reports for information. 3) That the York Region District School Board approve the amended recommendations regarding voting for officers at the 2013 Ontario Public School Boards’ Association Annual General Meeting. 4) That the York Region District School Board receive for information and approve the recommendations contained in the minutes of the May 21, 2013 Property Management Committee meeting. BOARD MEETING MINUTES – PUBLIC SESSION PAGE 2 June 4, 2013 ____________________________________________________________________ 5) That the York Region District School Board dismiss for just cause and terminate employment with the York Region District School Board, effective June 4, 2013. 6) That the Director of Education be requested to inform the Ontario College of Teachers of dismissal and the reasons for the same in accordance with Section 43.2 (1) of the Ontario College of Teachers’ Act, 1996. 7) That the York Region District School Board approve the school administrator appointments and transfers as outlined in the staff report. 8) That the York Region District School Board receive the Negotiations Update for information. - Carried - STUDENT TRUSTEE REPORT At this time, Student Trustee S. Shao made the following remarks. “Madame Chair, Mr. Director, Trustees, Staff, Ladies and Gentlemen. It's that time of year when recognition ceremonies are held and awards are presented. As a result, Kush and I have many exciting stories to share. The York Region District School Board's Celebrating Student Success Award Ceremony was held on May 9, 2013. Twenty-four students were recognized for their contributions to their school and global community. Because "success" can be defined in many different ways, the award winners ranged from activists and environmentalists to short filmmakers and student council leaders. Also at this event were teachers and administrators who play an instrumental role in the accomplishments of students. I had the privilege of emceeing this event and although the 24 biographies ended up being a mouthful to read, I was so inspired by the recipients. These exemplary students will really lead their generation forward. I would like to thank, once again, the selection and planning committee for their hard work. Kush and I, along with Student Trustee Elects Pai Liu and Sutina Chou and three other York Region District School Board student leaders, were given the exciting opportunity to attend the annual Police Appreciation Event that was held on May 14, 2013. The police force not only plays a key role in ensuring safety in our communities, but also provides schools with never-ending support to support students. They often attend charity events and speak to students about youth issues such as drug and alcohol use and bullying. It meant a lot to us to attend this event to show our support and gratitude for the contributions that they make to the community. BOARD MEETING MINUTES – PUBLIC SESSION PAGE 3 June 4, 2013 ____________________________________________________________________ The Special Olympics took place on May 16, 2013 at Bill Crothers Secondary School. Students with special needs were cheered into the atrium by countless York Region Police constables who stayed for the entire day to facilitate games and activities. Kush and I were both extremely touched by the sense of community in the gym and by the smiles on the students’ faces. The second Annual York Region Presidents’ Council (YRPC) Student Council of the Year Award was presented on May 16, 2013. Each school had two minutes to talk about their student council initiatives over the past year. Police Constable and School Resource Officer Natalie Chan, Superintendent of Equity and Engagement Cecil Roach and Student Trustee, Durham District School Board Jacob Pullia were the judges for the evening. Though all of the student councils had a terrific year, the judges decided that the winner for Student Council of the Year was Unionville High School. Awards were also presented to schools who had perfect attendance at YRPC meetings. The following week, on May 23, 2013, YRPC executive elections were held and several candidates ran for each position. The new executive members will surely take the council to new heights next year. Kush and I are also happy to announce that at the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association’s Annual General Meeting took place on May 23-26, 2013 and Student Trustee Elect Sutina Chou was elected Public Board Council Secretary. We are eager to hear about Sutina and Pai’s upcoming experiences with OSTA-AECO. Thank you.” Director of Education K. Thurston and Chair DeBartolo thanked Student Trustee S. Shao for her remarks. INDUCTION OF 2013-2014 STUDENT TRUSTEES SUTINA CHOU AND PAI LIU Board Vice-Chair N. Elgie welcomed Student Trustees-Elect S. Chou and P. Liu as members of the York Region District School Board for the 2013-2014 school year and made the following remarks. Please join me in welcoming Sutina Chou and Pai Liu who are being sworn in this evening and will officially begin their term as Student Trustees for the 2013/2014 school year on August 1, 2013. Both Sutina and Pai were elected by elementary and secondary student voting delegates at the Our Voice Conference and we look forward to working with them. BOARD MEETING MINUTES – PUBLIC SESSION PAGE 4 June 4, 2013 ____________________________________________________________________ Sutina is a grade 11 student at Bayview Secondary School. She is a member of a variety of clubs and organizations, including the school newspaper, drama club, yearbook committee and the announcement team. She has volunteered with the York Region District School Board’s international languages program, Toronto Western Hospital and the Vaughan Public Library. Sutina is known to be a caring, supportive individual with a great sense of humour. Pai is a grade 11 student at Bur Oak Secondary School and has a broad range of interests that include the school’s athletic and student activity councils, as well as the debate team and break dancing club. He has been a summer camp counselor and was a skill-builder counselor at this year’s York Region Presidents’ Council conference. Pai is recognized as a hard-working and trustworthy student role-model. Sutina and Pai, we welcome you both and wish you the best of luck in your role as student trustees.” At this time, S. Chou and P. Liu read aloud and then signed the Declaration of Office for the position of Student Trustee. “I, Sutina Chou/P. Lui having been selected by my peers to represent the elementary and secondary students in this Board, do solemnly swear that I will respect the rules of protocol and conduct of this Board, will represent students to the best of my ability, will present the best interests of students for the benefit of the Board, and will serve as an advocate and representative of the York Region District School Board at all times”. Director of Education K. Thurston and Chair A. DeBartolo welcomed the new Student Trustees. RECOGNITION – SUPERINTENDENT OF STUDENT SERVICES C. MCADAM Director of Education K. Thurston recognized C. McAdam on her retirement as Superintendent of Student Services and her many contributions to the York Region District School Board as follows. “Madame Chair, I am very pleased to have this opportunity to recognize Superintendent of Student Services Chris McAdam who retires at the end of this month. For over 35 years, Chris has provided caring, supportive and strategic leadership in the York Region District School Board as a teacher, principal and superintendent. She is known throughout the Board as a problem solver, a mentor and someone truly committed to giving all students the opportunity to succeed. BOARD MEETING MINUTES – PUBLIC SESSION PAGE 5 June 4, 2013 ____________________________________________________________________ Her solution-oriented approach is very evident in her current role, where she excels in working to provide equitable access to services for students with special education needs. Chris was a natural fit for this role as she has been advocating for and supporting students with exceptionalities throughout her career. This commitment is combined with a deep understanding of the needs of all learners. The needs of individual students have remained at the heart of her daily practice, whether it is students with special education needs, students from low-income areas or students whose graduation is at risk. She has also been a very strong advocate for the Board’s First Nation, Métis and Inuit students. Much of the work in this important area can be attributed to her drive and leadership.