Chignecto-Central Regional School Board

Transcription

1 Chignecto-Central Regional School Board Regular Meeting Minutes The regular monthly meeting of the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board was held on Wednesday,, in the Nova Scotia Community College, 36 Arthur Street, Truro beginning at 7:00 p.m. Present: Gordon Anderson Kaaren Barkhouse Alex Cope Jim Grue Keith MacKenzie Ron Marks Wendy Matheson-Withrow In Attendance: Doug Benedict Paul Légère Terri Mingo-MacNeill Dale Sabean Absent: Vivian Farrell, with regrets David Myles, with regrets Marilyn Murray Elizabeth Paris Mackie Ross Jamie Stevens Marilyn Thompson Trudy Thompson Linda Campbell, Board Secretary Dave White, Regional Education Officer Joel Sellers, Legal Counsel Jeff Williams, with regrets Bert Young, with regrets Board Chair Trudy Thompson called the meeting to order and welcomed members of the public, administrators, Board Members and media representatives to the meeting. She thanked Principal Quinlan and his staff for hosting the meeting and for providing a tour of the newly renovated Community College earlier in the evening. Dr. Kevin Quinlan, NSCC Principal, indicated he and his staff welcomed the opportunity to provide the accommodations for tonight s Board Meeting. He expressed appreciation to Board staff for their ongoing cooperation with faculty from 1

2 the Community College in providing career awareness information to students regarding the College Prep Program. Chair Thompson also welcomed Joel Sellers to the meeting. Mr. Sellers was representing MacIntosh, MacDonnell and MacDonald as legal counsel in the absence of Bruce MacIntosh. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was MOVED by Jamie Stevens, seconded by Elizabeth Paris THAT THE AGENDA BE APPROVED AS CIRCULATED. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: It was MOVED by Marilyn Thompson, seconded by Keith MacKenzie THAT THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 9, 2005 BE APPROVED. PRESENTATION: School Closure/Consolidation Study Report Truro Elementary Schools: Trudy Thompson, Board Chair, indicated the Board would receive presentations from members of the public regarding the School Closure/Consolidation Study Report recommendations involving the Truro Elementary Schools. On being advised by the Board Secretary that no requests to present had been received, the Board Chair called for presentations from those members of the public in attendance. None came forward. Ms. Thompson reminded Board Members that a vote on the report recommendation would be held at the April 13 th, 2005 public session. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES: There was no business arising from minutes. CORRESPONDENCE: The Board Secretary reported on one item of correspondence received. 2

3 Bill Casey, MP Re Copyright Act: A letter was received from Member of Parliament Bill Casey, acknowledging receipt of Board correspondence regarding concerns about possible changes to the Copyright Act. Mr. Casey concurred with the Board s view that consideration should be given to public educational goals before the proposed changes are made to the Copyright Act. He also advised that without amendments to clarify and address educational concerns this bill would be opposed by the Conservative Party s Industry Critic. CONFERENCE REPORT: Board Member Jamie Stevens reported on his attendance at the Nova Scotia School Board Association Atlantic Conference 2005 held in Halifax on January 27 th and 28 th. This year s conference theme was Change and Transition: Surviving to Tell the Tale. Mr. Stevens shared information from a number of sessions he attended including Coping with Criticism; The Changing Face of Rural Education; Atlantic Presidents Update; Building Respect at the Board Table; Healthy Eating in Schools; and, of particular interest to him, an initiative called Roots of Empathy Program. COMMITTEE REPORTS: COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE: Vice-Chair Ron Marks read a report from a Committee-of-the-Whole meeting held on March 2 nd, Finance Services Department Orientation Presentation: Mr. Paul Légère, Director of Finance Services, introduced Finance Services Department staff who were in attendance to present information on their respective roles and responsibilities and to share details on various department initiatives. Informative presentations were provided by Dayle Morris-Quinn, Coordinator of Budget Planning and Control, Valerie Gauthier, Coordinator of Finance and Valerie Tucker, Purchasing Manager. Highlights from Standing Committees: Education Services: Gordon Anderson, Chair of Education Services Committee, highlighted items from the minutes of the February 15 th meeting, in particular a presentation on the Grade 10 3

4 Regional Math Exam by Dave McKillop, Coordinator of Mathematics. Mr. McKillop, in attendance to address the Board, presented background information on the rationale for the exam, the process for its development, distribution and administration. Following lengthy discussion there was consensus to proceed with this initiative. Corporate Services: Committee Chair Mackie Ross presented highlights on several Corporate Servicesrelated items including a Partnership Agreement for School Walking Program With the Municipality of the County of Colchester and Extracurricular Bus Rates. Subsequent to discussion, the proposed increase regarding extracurricular bus rates was referred back to the Committee level for further review and for consideration during budget deliberations. Finance Services: Paul Légère, Finance Services Director, highlighted one topic from the minutes of the February 23 rd Finance Services Committee meeting. He reported the Committee had endorsed wage increases and related benefits for non-union employees as per the recently negotiated contractual agreement with CUPE local Discussion / Information / Decision Items: Proposed Resolutions for Submission to NSSBA: Due to time constraints, it was agreed to defer discussion on the draft resolutions to be submitted to the NSSBA for possible consideration at the association s annual general meeting to the regular meeting of the Board on March 9 th. It was MOVED by Ron Marks, seconded by Gordon Anderson THAT THE COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE REPORT BE RECEIVED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES. Prior to discussion on the draft resolutions prepared by Board Standing Committees for possible submission to the Nova Scotia School Boards Association Resolutions and Election Committee, Board Chair Trudy Thompson reviewed each resolution and its supporting rationale. Following extensive discussion on each of the proposed resolutions there was consensus to submit four resolutions for possible consideration during the NSSBA s annual general meeting. The resolutions focused on the following: 4

5 advocating a joint Department of Education/Board Work Group be established to review the issue of declining substitute teacher pool and to make recommendations aimed at ensuring school boards have sufficient substitutes available to meet their daily programming and instructional needs; requesting a reduction, elimination, or subsidization of tuition fees for students in B.Ed programs, majoring in a specialty area i.e. French Immersion, Secondary Math, Secondary Chemistry and Physics, School Psychology; or upon graduation and employment in one of these areas, offering a rebate of partial or full tuition payments; to be contingent on graduates guaranteeing a minimum length of service; encouraging the Department of Education to conduct a work-analysis of the Registrar s division to ensure there are sufficient staff to provide an efficient, timely service to Boards; and, urging the Government of Nova Scotia to create a Department of Child and Youth Services. Chair Thompson reminded Members that resolutions submitted by all Provincial school boards will be debated at the NSSBA annual general meeting in May and those receiving approval will be forwarded to the Minister of Education. EDUCATION SERVICES: Committee Chair Gordon Anderson presented a report on the Education Services Committee meeting held on February 15 th. Staffing Model: Dave Fulton, Cobequid Family of Schools Supervisor, distributed information and reviewed a draft Staffing Model that is based on services required in each school. This topic will be on the March agenda of the Education Services Committee meeting for further discussion. Awards: The Nova Scotia School Boards Association is asking for nominations for two awards, one for the School Board Member Recognition Award and one for the Education Week Partner Award. This information was distributed and will be tabled for discussion for the March 22, 2005 Education Services Committee meeting. 5

6 Grade 10 Regional Math Exam: David McKillop, Coordinator of Mathematics, provided information on the Grade 10 Regional math exam. Mr. McKillop answered questions about the exam. He explained what steps were taken to inform teachers of the type of questions that would appear on the exam and their value. Mr. McKillop also explained the procedure used to conduct the examination. It was MOVED by Gordon Anderson, seconded by Mackie Ross THAT THE BOARD RECEIVE THE EDUCATION SERVICES COMMITTEE REPORT FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES. CORPORATE SERVICES: Mackie Ross, Committee Chair, provided a report on the Corporate Services Committee meeting held on February 16 th. Early Retirement Incentive Program Applications: The Corporate Services Committee reviewed the ERIP applications deferred from the January Committee Meeting and agreed to approve applications where the teacher had less than 35 years service and was offering to substitute for classroom teachers. Partnership Agreement School Walking Program: The Committee reviewed and accepted the Partnership Agreement received from the Municipality of Colchester for the School Walking Program. The schools involved in the walking program are: Debert Elementary, West Colchester Consolidated, North River Elementary, North Colchester High School, Bible Hill Junior High, Valley Elementary, and South Colchester Elementary. Wentworth Elementary Playground Proposal: The Corporate Services Committee approved a request from the Wentworth Elementary Playground Committee to begin fundraising efforts for new playground equipment. Human Resources Clerks/Administrative Assistants: The Committee approved a request from the Human Resources Division of Corporate Services to change the classification of four staff members from Administrative Assistants to Clerk positions. 6

7 Site Selection Truro East/Salmon River Elementary: On recommendation of the Corporate Services Committee, It was MOVED by Mackie Ross, seconded by Keith MacKenzie THAT THE BOARD ENDORSE THE CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE S RECEIPT OF THE SITE SELECTION COMMITTEE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS (COPY ON FILE) FOR THE TRURO EAST/SALMON RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND THAT THE BOARD APPROVE SUBMISSION OF THE REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR CONSIDERATION. It was MOVED by Mackie Ross, seconded by Keith MacKenzie THAT THE BOARD RECEIVE THE CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE REPORT FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES. Mr. Sabean addressed questions on the minutes on points of clarification following which the vote was called. FINANCE SERVICES: Committee Chair Ron Marks read a report on the February 23 rd meeting of the Finance Services Committee. Financial Statements to January 31 st, 2005: The Committee received the Financial Statements and Budget Transfers /Adjustments to January 31, An excess of revenues over expenses of approximately $500,000. is currently projected for this fiscal year, ending March 31, Budget Planning Calendar: Copies of the Budget Calendar were distributed for the committee s approval, a copy of which was attached to the Finance Services Committee report to the Board. School Financial Information: CCRSB School Financial Statements for the school year were distributed for information purposes. These statements are produced annually and include school 7

8 activities and a summary by school of funds generated and disbursed during the last school year. Non-Union Pay Scale: The Finance Services Committee approved a motion endorsing the extension of the wage increases (i.e. 2.9% effective April 1, 2004, April 1, 2005 and April 1, 2006) and related benefits (i.e. 55/45 sharing of health, dental and life insurance premiums; Wellness Fund; PD Fund; retirement payout of sick time if over 75% in bank; extra vacation week after 30 years) to the Non-Union group, as per the recent ratification of the agreement with CUPE It was MOVED by Ron Marks, seconded by Jamie Stevens THAT THE BOARD RECEIVE THE FINANCE SERVICES COMMITTEE REPORT FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT: In the absence of Superintendent Gary Miller, Acting Superintendent Dale Sabean highlighted items in the administrative report including information on the February 18 th and 19 th Partners Forum; Budget & NSTU Staffing for ; Facilities Studies Update; and Professional Learning Communities. Mr. Sabean encouraged members to review the section devoted to Families of Schools which recognizes achievements of students. During discussion staff members addressed questions for clarification. In an effort to ensure community involvement, Board Member Jamie Stevens suggested that the Superintendent encourage Principals to actively promote public participation in Facility Studies meetings. BOARD CHAIR / VICE-CHAIR REPORT: Chair Trudy Thompson reported on a March 3 rd meeting with local NDP Caucus MLAs in which she and Superintendent Miller participated. A similar session is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on March 22 nd with PC Caucus MLAs. NSSBA REPORT: In the absence of David Myles, Ron Marks highlighted items from the NSSBA Board of Directors Meeting held on March 3 rd & 4 th. He reminded members of the May 8

9 26-28, 2005 Conference and Annual General Meeting being hosted by the South Shore Regional School Board at the Oak Island Resort, Western Shore of Chester Basin. Mr. Marks also noted a number of other documents had been circulated for information including: Month in Review (2) January 2005 and February 2005 Memo Re NSSBA Hotel of Choice 2005 Delta Halifax Hotel NEW BUSINESS: There was no new business brought forward. NOTICE OF MOTION: There were no notices of motion presented. PUBLIC QUESTION PERIOD: There were no questions raised by the public. IN-CAMERA SESSION: It was MOVED by Ron Marks, seconded by Gordon Anderson THAT THE MEETING MOVE TO IN-CAMERA SESSION TO RECEIVE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION SURROUNDING A PROPERTY ISSUE. It was MOVED by Jim Grue, seconded by Jamie Stevens THAT THE MEETING RECONVENE IN PUBLIC SESSION. REPORT FROM IN-CAMERA SESSION: Based on in-camera discussion, It was MOVED by Kaaren Barkhouse, seconded by Ron Marks THAT THE BOARD PROCEED WITH RECOMMENDED ACTION AS DISCUSSED DURING THE IN-CAMERA SESSION. 9

10 DATE OF NEXT MEETING: The next regular meeting of the Board is scheduled for April 13 th, 2005 and will be held in the gymnasium of the Tatamagouche Elementary School, 30 Church Street, Tatamagouche beginning at 7:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: On motion of Marilyn Murray and Mackie Ross, the meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Trudy Thompson, Board Chair April 13, 2005 Date Linda Campbell, Board Secretary April 13, 2005 Date 10