Strait Regional School Board Excellence in Lifelong Learning

Transcription

1 Excellence in Lifelong Learning Regular Monthly Meeting Minutes 7:00 p.m. Boardroom, Regional Office, Port Hastings, N.S. Attendance: Board Members: Staff: Other: Regrets: Jim Austin Francine Boudreau, Interim Chair Basil Johnson Mary Jess MacDonald Richelle MacLaughlin Mallori Nickerson Rosalee Parker Lian Parsons Anne Peters (by phone) Joanne Reddick Jamie Samson Ford Rice, Superintendent of Schools William Cormier, Director of Finance Sherman England, Director of Human Resources Paul Landry, Director of Programs and Student Services Terry Doyle, Director of Operations Sharon MacCuspic, Coordinator of Human Resources and Planning Kathy Rhodes, Coordinator of Race Relations, Cross Cultural Understanding and Human Rights Janice Campbell, Coordinator of Continuous School Improvement and Special Projects Deanna Gillis, Coordinator of Communications and Community Relations Joan Bona, Board Secretary/Executive Secretary to the Superintendent of Schools John Astephen, Regional Education Officer, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Brian Murray, Board Member Section A - Order of Business: 1.0 Routine Matters (a) Call to Order The regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Interim Board Chair Francine Boudreau. The Board Chair welcomed Janice Campbell, Coordinator of Continuous School Improvement and Special Projects.

2 2 P a g e (b) Reading of Mission Statement Board Member Joanne Reddick read the mission statement. (c) Record of Attendance Board Member Brian Murray sent regrets. (d) Approval of Agenda/Additions MOVED and SECONDED (MACDONALD, M.J./JOHNSON, B.) To approve the agenda as presented. (e) Presentation: Constable Deepak Prasad, Port Hawkesbury Detachment of the RCMP provided an update on the Port Hawkesbury Cinema project which takes place at the SAERC auditorium. Constable Prasad expressed appreciation to the Board for providing assistance during the memorial service for the fallen RCMP officers which occurred in Moncton in June. Constable Prasad was also involved in school lockdown procedures and commended staff for their involvement. A group of SAERC students host the Port Hawkesbury Cinema every two weeks and any profits realized are then donated to various charities within the community. The SAERC team is also involved in CyberSafety, drug addiction and healthy relationships. Constable Prasad acknowledged the support of Shaun MacDonald, Principal at SAERC and requested the Board to consider the refit of audio visual equipment. A copy of the presentation by Constable Prasad is attached to the public record. (f) Acknowledgements: Sympathy was extended to: The family of Lucien (Lou) and Joan Bona on the recent death of Lou s mother, Evangeline Bona. The family of Deacon Alonzo Reddick on the recent death of his son, Kevin Reddick who passed away in Montreal. The family of Joseph MacPhee, former teacher, who passed away. Board Member Mary Jess MacDonald acknowledged that today is Disabilities Day and noted her attendance at the Abilities Conference in Halifax on

3 3 P a g e. A conference report will be provided at the January 7, 2015, Regular Monthly Meeting. (g) Adoption of Board Minutes: (i) Annual Organizational Meeting Wednesday, November 5, :00 p.m. MOVED and SECONDED (SAMSON, J./MACDONALD, M.J.) To approve the Annual Organizational Meeting minutes of Wednesday, November 5, (ii) Regular Monthly Meeting Wednesday, November 5, 2014 MOVED and SECONDED (SAMSON, J./REDDICK, J.) To approve the Regular Monthly Meeting minutes of Wednesday, November 5, (iii) Special Board Meeting Wednesday, November 19, MOVED and SECONDED (SAMSON, J./AUSTIN, J.) To approve the Special Board Meeting minutes of Wednesday, November 19, g) Business Arising from Minutes: There was no business arising from the minutes. 2. Board Committee Reports: Board members agreed by consensus that Board Member Jamie Samson present the report of the Working Committee Meeting held on Wednesday, November 19, 2014.

4 4 P a g e Standing Committees: (i) Report of the Working Committee Meeting Wednesday, November 19, :00 p.m. MOVED and SECONDED (SAMSON, J./MACDONALD, M.J.) That the Strait Regional School Board approve the student transportation/boundary review consultation process as outlined by the Superintendent of Schools MOVED and SECONDED (SAMSON, J./MACLAUGHLIN, R.) To approve the report of the Working Committee Meeting of Wednesday, November 19, (a) Committee of the Whole Board There were no recommendations from the Committee of the Whole Board. 3. Staff Reports for Decision (Superintendent of Schools): (a) Personnel Report MOVED and SECONDED (NICKERSON, M./MACLAUGHLIN, R.) That the Strait Regional School Board receive the Personnel Report dated (b) Superintendent s Report In his December 3, 2014, report to the Board, Ford Rice, Superintendent of Schools noted that the Grade Nova Scotia Assessment on Reading, Writing and Mathematics was administered from May 26, 2014, to June 6, 2014 for 90 minutes each day. Data on testing results for the Strait Regional School Board were shared for the and academic years. For the Grade 8 Literacy Assessment (Reading), students performed highest (with Annapolis Valley Regional School Board) in Nova Scotia. In Grade 8 Literacy (Writing), students performed highest in ideas and second highest (with Annapolis Valley Regional School Board) in organization, language use and conventions. In the Grade 8 Mathematics Assessment, students were the highest performing in Nova Scotia. The Superintendent noted that the

5 5 P a g e successful results were in large part to the Board s commitment to increased professional development initiatives. In alignment with Goal 2 of the Board s Strategic Plan related to Staff Success, statistics on staff performance evaluations by school was shared with Board Members. Each year one third of teachers are engaged in a performance evaluation to support employee growth. In addition, all teachers receive an annual performance appraisal as required by The Education Act. Over 450 Strait Regional School Board students from Grades 6 to 12, staff and chaperones joined thousands of others at the We Day Atlantic event on November 28, 2014, in Halifax. The We Day event empowers young global citizens to take action at home in order to creative positive change in the world. Each school has committed to a year-long educational initiative where students undertake at least one local and one international goal that helps to promote positive change. The Superintendent thanked all those involved and in particular Chuck Boudreau, Principal, Tamarac Education Centre for serving as the Board s coordinator for the event. Two video presentations coordinated by Cape Breton Highlands Education Centre/Academy and Tamarac Education Centre were provided which demonstrated students building momentum leading up to the We Day event. Congratulations were expressed to Matthew Landry, a Grade 8 student at Tamarac Education Centre who received a Governor General s Caring Canadian Award during the We Day Atlantic Evening of Champions held on Thursday, November 27, 2014, in Halifax. The award recognizes individuals who volunteer their time to help others and for the positive impact they have had on the lives of others. The Superintendent expressed congratulations to Shawn Whitty, Physical Education Teacher at Tamarac Education Centre who was the recipient of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union award, Teachers Make a Difference recognition program. Mr. Whitty was one of nine educators who were recognized. On November 14 and 15, 2014, the Superintendent joined African Canadian parents/guardians, youth and educators from across Nova Scotia to mark the 20 th anniversary of the publication of the Black Learners Advisory Committee (BLAC) Report on Education: Redressing Inequity Empowering Black Learners (1994) at a provincial education conference entitled Reflecting on the Past, Charting the Future. The event provided an excellent opportunity for participants to reflect on and celebrate the progress achieved in the education provided to African Nova Scotia learners and to consider future direction. School visits since the last Board meeting were cited. The Superintendent extended a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year greeting to students, parents/guardians, staff, school advisory councils, volunteers and school board members. The last day of classes for the Christmas break is Friday, December 19, Classes resume on Monday, January 5, The Board Office will be closed from Monday, December 22, 2014, and will reopen on Monday, January 5, 2015.

6 6 P a g e A copy of the Superintendent s Report is attached to the public record. (b) Tender Activity Report There was no Tender Activity Report. Section B - Reports, Correspondence and Communications: 1. Reports a) Report of the Board Chair Interim Board Chair Francine Boudreau provided a report of two events held in the month of November. On Wednesday, November 12, 2014, a Leadership Advisory Council Meeting was held at the offices of the Nova Scotia School Boards Association in Dartmouth. The increase in membership fees for School Boards has been placed on hold indefinitely. There was initial discussion held on the Report of the Minister s Panel on Education, Disrupting the Status Quo: Nova Scotians Demand a Better Future for Every Student. A follow-up session was held on Saturday, November 22, 2014, and was facilitated by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. There was representation from all provincial school boards and Superintendents for this session. On Friday, November 21, 2014, a session on School Board Assessment: Why and How? was facilitated by Dr. Jim Gunn and Ken Gaudet, Chair of the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial who provided background information on annual self-assessment for school boards. The report of the interim board chair is attached to the public record. b) Conference Report NSSBA Professional Development and FOIPOP Board Member Richelle MacLaughlin provided a report from the Nova Scotia School Boards Association Professional Development session on Friday, November 21, 2014, and the Report of the Minister s Panel on Education, Disrupting the Status Quo: Nova Scotians Demand a Better Future for Every Student. The seven key themes in the report provided the opportunity for collaboration and discussion. The report is attached to the public record. A report was also provided on the Access and Privacy Workshop for School Board members held on November 28, 2014, in Halifax. A number of key topics were presented regarding access and privacy. A package of information is available for Board Members to peruse and is available through the Board Secretary. The report is attached to the public record. c) Nova Scotia School Boards Association Report The Nova Scotia School Boards Association has completed the hiring process for the Executive Director. An announcement on a successful candidate to replace Ken Meech is expected within the next several days.

7 7 P a g e d) Report of the Regional Education Officer 2. Correspondence John Astephen, Regional Education Officer provided results from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development s first Early Development Instrument which was released on Thursday, November 27, The data was collected by grade primary teachers in Teachers completed a questionnaire for each child in their class related to five developmental areas. The data indicates children are entering school with a strong base of language and cognitive development, but are less developed in physical health and well-being. The EDI results are meant to provide communities with a snapshot of how their children are doing as they enter school, and will help to support children to ensure they have the resources they need. The percentages of students starting school with vulnerability in at least one area, in each school, were shared. The Superintendent noted that a number of play based learning centres have been established in schools throughout the Strait region and the Board will continue to expand upon this model to support early intervention. Professional development for teachers will also be expanded to support early learning. Meetings attended during the month of November were cited. The report is attached to the public record. a) Letter to Karen Casey, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development dated November 5, 2014, re: Article 55(5) appointment of Board Chair. 3. Communications/Information Section C Future Meetings a) Working Committee Meeting Wednesday, December 17, 2014 (4:00 p.m.) The Board will meet at 4:00 p.m. to discuss the Superintendent s goals for The Board will meet at 5:00 p.m. for the Working Committee meeting. Board Members are asked to bring their ipads for updates to be installed and begin the process of paperless meetings relative to the Board s Educational Business Plan for The agenda will be circulated and all supporting documentation will be accessible through the Board s SharePoint site. Technology integration mentors will be available for support. The annual organizational meeting will resume when the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development has appointed a Board Chair. An alternative date for the organizational meeting will be communicated once an announcement has been made. b) Regular Monthly Meeting Wednesday, January 7, 2015 (7:00 p.m.)

8 8 P a g e Section D Other Business 1. There was no other business. 2. Public Question Period - 15 minutes There were no questions posed during Public Question Period. Prior to the adjournment, the Superintendent distributed a copy of the Auditor General s Report, Chapter 3, At A Glance, Tri County Regional School Board (December 2014). MOVED and SECONDED (SAMSON, J./JOHNSON, B.) To adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. FRANCINE BOUDREAU INTERIM BOARD CHAIR JOAN BONA BOARD SECRETARY/EXECUTIVE SECRETARY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT