Item 6.1 January 23, 2012 SUBJECT TO BOARD APPROVAL 1 DRAFT MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF KAWARTHA PINE RIDGE DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD HELD THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011 AT 7:00 P.M. AT 1994 FISHER DRIVE, PETERBOROUGH, ONTARIO PRESENT Diane Lloyd (Chairperson of the Board), Angela Lloyd (Vice-chairperson of the Board), Cathy Abraham, Steven Cooke, Cyndi Dickson, Gordon Gilchrist, Christopher Grouchy (Student Trustee), Rose Kitney, Jaine Klassen Jeninga, Wes Marsden, Shirley Patterson, and Roy Wilfong. Regrets: Nil. Absent: Nil. Also Present: R. Hick, C. Foy, S. Girardi, J. Leclerc, P. Mangold, S. Pollard, S. Roy, M. Twiss, M. Galonski, G. Kidd, and D. Bested. Members of the employee groups, members of staff, students, and parents; interested members of the public; and members of the media were present at 7:00 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER The Chairperson called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. 2. NATIONAL ANTHEM AND A MOMENT OF SILENCE The meeting was opened with the singing of the National Anthem followed by a Moment of Silence. 3. CHARACTER ATTRIBUTE – STUDENT TRUSTEE Student Trustee Christopher Grouchy spoke to this month’s character attribute, Respect. 4. ADOPTION OF AGENDA It was, Moved by: Trustee Abraham Seconded by: Trustee Cooke (12-011) That the following agenda items immediately follow Item 7.3, Disposition of Delegation Concerns: Regular Board Meeting Page 2 Thursday, December 15, 2011 SUBJECT TO BOARD APPROVAL • Item 10.2.3, Notice of Motion – Delay of Implementation of Consolidation of Existing Peterborough Collegiate and Vocational School Programs • Item 10.2.4, Notice of Motion – Consolidation of Existing Peterborough Collegiate and Vocational School Students into Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School and that the following seven topics be included under Item 12, Board Member Additions: C Teachers Leading Classrooms of the Future C Opening of Charles Bowman Public School C 50th Anniversary of Norwood District Public School C Let’s Talk About Drugs • Alternatives Community Program Services - 25th Anniversary C Kawartha Food Share Annual Fundraiser • Laramie Project - Cobourg District Collegiate Institute East CARRIED 5. ADOPTION OF MINUTES 5.1 Regular Board Meeting – Thursday, November 24, 2011 It was, Moved by: Trustee A. Lloyd Seconded by: Trustee Abraham (12-012) That the minutes for the Regular Board meeting held on Thursday, November 24, 2011 be adopted as recorded. CARRIED 5.2 Organizational Board Meeting – Thursday, December 1, 2011 It was, Moved by: Trustee A. Lloyd Seconded by: Trustee Abraham (12-013) That the minutes for the Organizational Board meeting held on Thursday, December 1, 2011 be adopted as recorded. CARRIED 6. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS Nil. Regular Board Meeting Page 3 Thursday, December 15, 2011 SUBJECT TO BOARD APPROVAL 7. DELEGATIONS (1 HOUR) Chairperson D. Lloyd stated that as per Board policy, one hour will be dedicated to Delegation presentations. The Chairperson stated that there are six Announced Delegations on the agenda, and each will be allotted up to seven minutes to present, with the remaining time being allocated to Unannounced Delegations. Those who wish to present as Unannounced Delegations were asked to speak to something on the agenda or to something new. 7.1 PRE-ARRANGED DELEGATIONS 7.1.1 Robert Ballarin, regarding City of Peterborough Secondary Schools – Group Pupil Accommodation Review Robert Ballarin identified himself as a parent of a recent graduate of Peterborough Collegiate and Vocational School (PCVS). The delegate stated that he would be speaking to the issues of asbestos, physical accessibility, and building safeguards at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School (TASSS). The delegate questioned the true cost of asbestos abatement in order to accommodate the movement of PCVS programs to TASSS. It was noted that asbestos presents itself in a number of building materials and it exists in many of the areas being contemplated for renovations. The delegate stated that some of the areas were not accessible to Pinchin Environmental, who prepared the Asbestos Assessment Report for TASSS, and that their assessment was limited to non-intrusive testing. R. Ballarin stated that it appears that the entire third floor of the North Wing was omitted from the assessment, when the course of action was to re-purpose TASSS to house the Education Centre, and that this area is now needed to accommodate the students from PCVS. The delegate asked if there will be adequate time to address asbestos abatement and complete renovations by September 2012. It was noted that proposed renovations will need to be costed and tendered, and work completed safely within the guidelines of the Board’s Asbestos Management Program within the one summer month that TASSS is not occupied. The delegate asked if a waiver would be provided to current and future occupants, prior to September 2012, indicating that the renovations have been undertaken in accordance with the Regulations and that the air quality has been monitored throughout the building and it is not an issue. Regular Board Meeting Page 4 Thursday, December 15, 2011 SUBJECT TO BOARD APPROVAL The delegate asked if accessibility issues will be addressed prior to September 2012. R. Ballarin stated that those in attendance at the Accommodation Review Committee (ARC) meetings were led to believe that accessibility issues would be promptly addressed at all remaining high schools, and he further stated that the ZAS Architectural Report indicates that no fewer than four elevators are required at TASSS in order to make it fully accessible. The delegate quoted a local newspaper article that contradicted the sentiments expressed at ARC meetings. R. Ballarin stated that the programs at TASSS should be accessible to all students. It was further stated that the installation of four elevators will increase asbestos abatement and renovation costs, and it will also have an impact on the September 2012 timeline. The delegate requested that trustees slow down the process in order to ensure a thorough, cost effective outcome. Trustees posed questions of clarification regarding issues raised around asbestos. 7.1.2 Sandra Orsatti, regarding City of Peterborough Secondary Schools – Group Pupil Accommodation Review Sandra Orsatti stated that she is the parent of a Grade 11 student at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School (TASSS) and that she wanted to offer her perspective around the decision made by the Board at its September 29, 2011 meeting. The delegate stated that there is a need to move as a community from the debate about school closures to a focus on the implementation of enhanced programming for all Peterborough secondary school students. S. Orsatti spoke to fear, anger, hurt and frustration being expressed by some, while many acts of goodness and kindness have been shown by others. The delegate stated that TASSS students, teachers, school administration, the parent community, and Board administration have been working hard towards a successful September 2012 transition. Open houses and school tours have been well received, providing optimism and hope. S. Orsatti stated that the TASSS Parent Council has been informed that the 2012 course calendar and capital plans are underway in support of the move of the Integrated Arts program. It was stated that discussions are taking place to address accessibility, Regular Board Meeting Page 5 Thursday, December 15, 2011 SUBJECT TO BOARD APPROVAL improvements to science and technical classes, renewable energy, and English as a Second Language at TASSS. The delegate acknowledged the school spirit displayed by PCVS students over the past several weeks, and the quieter spirit that exists in other Peterborough secondary schools through band practices, music nights, athletic events, student council, dances, Terry Fox fundraising, Amigos, community toy drives, and participation in the city’s Santa Claus parade. S. Orsatti spoke to respect and understanding for what PCVS students and families are going through, and stated that a welcoming hand is extended to them. The delegate raised a number of questions for trustee consideration regarding the motion to delay implementation to 2013, including: • how will the delay benefit all Peterborough secondary school students • will the delay further entrench the divide in the community • should students have access to enhanced programming in 2012 or should the educational opportunities be delayed until 2013 S. Orsatti requested that trustees maintain their commitment to an implementation date of September 2012. No questions of clarification were posed by trustees. 7.1.3 Jacob Abrahamse, regarding City of Peterborough Secondary Schools – Group Pupil Accommodation Review Jacob Abrahamse stated that he is a Grade 11 student at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School (TASSS) and he is concerned with the negativity portrayed in some local media. The delegate stated that the TASSS community welcomes the Peterborough Collegiate and Vocational School (PCVS) community into its facility. J. Abrahamse spoke to assisting with school tours for current PCVS students and future Integrated Arts (IA) students. It was stated that comments from these students were very positive. The students were excited with the number of course options for September 2012, with the existing facility, and with upcoming plans around state-of-the-art dance studios, drama rooms, art rooms and music rooms. Regular Board Meeting Page 6 Thursday, December 15, 2011 SUBJECT TO BOARD APPROVAL The delegate spoke to the recent expansion of the Holy Cross Secondary School in Peterborough and to the Catholic board making its facility and programming a priority for students. J. Abrahamse stated that with the growth of the Catholic board’s student population, they are able to offer more courses and enhanced programming. The delegate stated that it is imperative that the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board follow a similar strategy. J. Abrahamse stated that he does not believe that delaying the implementation to 2013 will help to bridge the gap for students; it is felt that the delay will simply result in one more year of anxiety for the community.