ROUTINE YORK REGION DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD BOARD MEETING MINUTES - PUBLIC SESSION NOVEMBER 25, 2010 The Board Meeting - Public Session of the York Region District School Board was held in the Board Room of the Education Centre, Aurora at 8:01 p.m. on Thursday, November 25, 2010 with Chair D. Giangrande presiding and the following members present; Trustees L. Carruthers, B. Crothers, A. DeBartolo, N. Elgie, S. Geller, J. Hertz, G. Kerr, P. Luchowski, E. Richardson, and M. Van Beek. Also in attendance: Student Trustees M. Bun and L. Shelson APPROVAL OF AGENDA (*)1. Moved by L. Carruthers, seconded by A. DeBartolo: That the agenda be approved with the following addition. • Naming of a New Secondary School Oak Ridges (Centre for Continuous Learning) Dr. Bette Stephenson Centre for Learning. - Carried - RISE AND REPORT – NOVEMBER 25, 2010 BOARD MEETING – PRIVATE SESSION (*)2. Moved by A. DeBartolo, seconded by E. Richardson: 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 receive the information in the staff report for submission to the Ministry of Education. - Carried - STUDENT TRUSTEE REPORTS At this time, Student Trustee L. Shelson made the following remarks. “Madame Chair, Mr. Director, Trustees, Staff, Ladies and Gentlemen. BOARD MEETING MINUTES - PUBLIC SESSION PAGE 2 NOVEMBER 25, 2010 This month has been incredibly busy for Student Trustee Bun and myself. The Ontario Student Trustees’ Association (OSTA) held its Fall General Meeting (FGM) this month, which coincided with OSTA’s 10 Year Anniversary Gala at which we were joined by Director of Education K. Thurston and Vice-Chair A. DeBartolo. OSTA has been representing the student body with greater enthusiasm than ever. OSTA, Student Vote and Scholarships Canada have teamed up to administer a province-wide student survey, and at FGM we elected our first Board of Directors, submitted an application for incorporation, and joined the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association, the Ontario Principals’ Council and many other Ministry stakeholders in supporting Motion 571 in the House of Commons that will secure equal rights for Aboriginal education across Canada. As well, expect to hear alot more from OSTA in the new e-newsletter entitled 'OSTA-AECO ECHO'. Student Trustee Bun and I attended the Quest Conference which was an incredible learning experience, and back in the classroom I convinced my politics teacher to incorporate Twitter into student assignments. I and the other trustees were amazed at how teachers in the Board are utilizing technology and professional internet devices (PIDs). Hopefully this movement will carry on and educators will continue to use 21st century technology to connect and engage students. I am proud to be in a Board that utilizes student interest. On November 23, Student Trustee Bun and I attended the SpeakOUT leadership conference for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender youth and their allies at which Maria and I were the moderators. Maria led a workshop on Twitter and we would like to thank Board staff for their help setting up the technology for the conference. It worked wonderfully and we hope that this is the start of more social media interaction between students and the Board. I would also like to thank Superintendent of Schools S. List and the planning committee for all the work that was put into SpeakOUT. It was a great success and truly showcased the inclusiveness and equity in the Board. At the last YRPC meeting, students from the Toronto Catholic School Board and the York Catholic District School Board joined us, which provided an excellent networking opportunity and sharing of ideas. I would like to thank Education and Community Services for providing us with refreshments. As well, the YRPC sent out delegate applications for the annual leadership conference to be held April 7-10, 2011 at Camp Trillium. On behalf of YRPC I would like to extend a thank you to Superintendent of Schools C. Roach for all of his help and we hope trustees and staff encourage schools to send delegates. It is an amazing experience and the YRPC looks forward to sharing it with another amazing group of student leaders this year. We would also like to thank Director of Education K. Thurston, Senior Manager Board and Trustee Services, L. Barnes and Assistant Manager Board and Trustee Services, L. Reinhardt for meeting with us to discuss many things, amongst them a new policy that Maria and I are writing. The policy will have a strong focus on Student Council, BOARD MEETING MINUTES - PUBLIC SESSION PAGE 3 NOVEMBER 25, 2010 student engagement and leadership. We recently spoke at the principals’ and vice- principals’ meetings regarding YRPC and the policy, and ask that if you have anything you would like to contribute, please let us know. Our hope is that the policy will be passed during our term. On a final note, on behalf of the student body I would like to thank the outgoing trustees for their contribution to the Board. It is greatly appreciated and we wish you the best of luck in the future. Thank you.” Director of Education K. Thurston and Board Chair D. Giangrande thanked Student Trustee Shelson for his remarks. PRESENTATION TO TRUSTEES At this time, Chair D. Giangrande read the following remarks. “We have much to be proud of in York Region. Our public education system is one of the best in Ontario and, indeed, the world. The work that goes on day to day from the front lines of student and parent engagement to setting the vision and policy, the system is continuously enhanced by those called to public service. Over the previous four years, our outgoing trustees have contributed enormously to the advancement of public education. You have served the Board well. The students and their parents, staff, and our many other stakeholders will always be grateful for your many hours of hard work, insight, vision and dedication. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to personally thank you and ask that Ken Thurston, Director of Education proceed with a small presentation for you.” At this time, Director of Education K. Thurston made the following comments. “Thank you Madam Chair. I would like to thank Vice-Chair Anna DeBartolo for her assistance in the presentation of appreciation gifts. Today, we are presenting a Group of Seven painting to our three outgoing trustees. The Group of Seven are synonymous with Canadian culture and excellence. These are the same qualities each of you exemplified as trustees for the York Region District School Board. Trustee Peter Luchowski Trustee Peter Luchowski brought a wealth of knowledge, understanding and appreciation for education. His previous experience as a coach and occasional teacher were evident throughout his time as trustee. Among his many contributions and BOARD MEETING MINUTES - PUBLIC SESSION PAGE 4 NOVEMBER 25, 2010 accomplishments over the past term were his demonstrated leadership skills and commitment to safe schools. Over the past year, Trustee Luchowski chaired the Student Discipline Committee with a high degree of fairness that garnered the respect of all those who attended the meetings. We are also grateful for his involvement on other committees and groups including the Audit Committee, the Policy and By-law Committee, the Property Management Committee and the Joint Board Consortium, among others. Trustee Elizabeth Richardson Trustee Elizabeth Richardson brought to the York Region District School Board her commitment to equity and fairness, as well as a student and parent voice. Her keen business sense was a benefit to the Board and all the committees she served on. Her leadership abilities came to the forefront as chair of the Property Management Committee. She also participated in the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association as a Director, and served on the Negotiations Advisory Committee, Policy and By-law Committee and the Supervised Alternative Learning for Excused Pupils, among others. Trustee Bill Crothers Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Trustee Bill Crothers has given so much to the community and public education in particular. He has presented himself as a role model that all youth from York Region and across Canada can look up to. His hard work, determination and pursuit of excellence have always been visible. In fact, the University of Toronto describes him as “arguably the greatest middle distance runner Canada has yet produced.” In 1964, Trustee Crothers made the nation proud with an Olympic Silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. And, ever since, he has applied that same hard work, determination and pursuit of excellence to the community. In 1988, Bill successfully ran for York Region District School Board Trustee. Five years later, he became the Chair of the Board. His tenure as Chair would eventually set a provincial record, serving in that role from 1993 to 2007. In a fitting tribute to his dedication and hard work, Bill Crothers Secondary School was opened bearing his name. The school, open since 2008 is a unique, character-focused learning environment for students motivated by sport, athletics and the pursuit of healthy, active living. His commitment to education is unparalleled; he is honest, truthful, generous and humble. These are qualities he has embodied throughout his life and are apparent in his long-time devotion to the needs and interests of York Region students. How proud his wife Morven and their three children Margaret, Andrea and William must be. BOARD MEETING MINUTES - PUBLIC SESSION PAGE 5 NOVEMBER 25, 2010 I would ask at this time that Lori Barnes, Senior Manager, Board and Trustee Services, also come forward to present Trustee Bill Crothers with the official Board gavel.