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School Board Regular Meeting Minutes April 17th, 2007

MISSION PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
2007 04 17
7:00 pm- Durieu Elementary School

MEMBERS PRESENT

Ms C Hamilton, Chair
Ms C Miller, Vice-Chair
Mrs P Alexis, Trustee
Ms S Clarkson, Trustee
Mr R Cairns, Trustee
Mr F Dunham, Superintendent of Schools
Mrs B Lightburn, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Mr R Velestuk, Secretary-Treasurer
Mrs C. McVeigh, Director of Human Resources
Mrs P Melvin, Executive Assistant

Presentation:

1. CALL TO ORDER
7:30 pm by Chair Hamilton
The Board acknowledged that this meeting is being held on Sto:lo Traditional Territory.

2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MOTION
That the Agenda be approved as presented.
CARRIED

3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
MOTION
That the Regular Meeting Minutes of 2007 03 13 be approved as ammended.
CARRIED

Last sentence under 6.2 should read "This item will be referred to Business Committee for further consideration and will be brought back at a later date".

4. BRING FORWARD FROM THE CLOSED MEETING
No items brought forward.

5.0 EDUCATION COMMITTEE

5.1 Research Project Approval

MOTION
That the Board of School Trustees encourages and supports Hatzic, Heritage Park and Mission Secondary Schools to participate in a research project being conducted by the University of British Columbia.
CARRIED

At Education Committee it was highlighted that the survey did not include a category for First Nations spirituality. Superintendent Dunham contacted the principal investigator who advised that this category is covered under 'Animism'. Following further discussion, the investigator will amend the survey and replace 'Animism' with 'First Nations' so that it can be understood more clearly.

Trustees requested a copy of the survey results after the study has been completed. A copy will be sent to the School Board Office, in addition to participating schools

5.2 Draft Guidelines for School Completion Certificates

District Principal Coelho has been leading this work on behalf of Mission Public Schools. The draft guidelines were presented to Education Committee earlier this month, however, we continue to receive feedback. This item will be brought back to Education Committee in May 2007.

5.3 Update on Progress of Secondary Program Review Implementation

The work related to implementation of the secondary program review is ongoing and all schools are consulting with parents and meeting with students.

Superintendent Dunham suggested that Mission Public Schools consider introducing a Student Advisory Council. As primary users of the District Handbook, students will be given the opportunity to review the handbook in draft form before final completion in May 2007.

Further discussion took place around transitioning between schools, the use of technology in delivering programs and transportation issues.

Staff will continue to work on the secondary program review implementation process and further updates will be provided.

5.4 School Calendar 2007/2008

Due to the dates on which Easter and spring break fall next year, this was seen as a good opportunity to consider having a two week break for one year without prejudice. The following options were considered for making up the three days needed for the two week break:

  • Front load three Professional Development days prior to school commencing in September 2007.
  • Add minutes to each school day.
  • Have three Professional Development days in March 2008.

At a recent meeting with the Joint Education Advisory Committee (JEAC), it was recommended that Mission Public Schools adopt the Ministry calendar currently in place, or add minutes to each school day. District staff believe that that adding minutes to each day will not be beneficial to student achievement, therefore, the final recommendation is to adopt the Ministry calendar for 2007/2008.

5.5 Pan-Canadian Assessment Program

This program will assess the reading, science and mathematics knowledge and skills of 13-year old students across Canada. Mission Public Schools will continue to participate in these assessments as the results are very helpful to the school district.

5.6 DPAC Update

DPAC would like to thank Trustee Cairns for attending their recent meeting.

The BCCPAC Conference and Annual General Meeting will take place during May 3-6, 2007 in Richmond. To date, DPAC have received one registration. DPAC is asking all PACs to send in their registrations along with their proxies to the DPAC Executive as soon as possible.

DPAC have received eight nominations for the Sharyl Samodien Parent Leadership Award. All nominees will be recognized at DPACs Annual General Meeting on Monday, May 7, 2007 at 7:00 pm at the School Board Office. Two guest speakers will attend this meeting.

6.0 BUSINESS COMMITTEE

6.1 New Legislation

A meeting has been called by the Ministry of Education for April 30, 2007. Superintendents and Board Chairs are invited to attend. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the roll out of the new mandates and legislative requirements.

A further update will be provided at the Public meeting on May 15, 2007.

6.2 New Policy - Trustee Compensation

MOTION
That the Board of School Trustees direct staff to develop a policy to provide parameters for reviewing trustee remuneration.
CARRIED

This policy is to set a time frame for review only, so that there is a process in place to review remuneration for the current and future Boards.

6.3 Budget Update

A preliminary budget information meeting was held yesterday, April 16, 2007, at the School Board Office. District staff are currently finalizing enrolment numbers and a projected forecast will be available by the end of the month. There is a projected deficit of $1.8 million, however, this is not surprising following a two year decline in enrolment of almost four hundred students and relatively no change in staffing. Further information will follow.

7.0 TRUSTEES REPORTS

Trustees each reported on activities they have participated in on behalf of the Board and the School District.

80. QUESTION PERIOD

No questions were asked.

9.0 ADJOURNMENT

MOTION
That the meeting adjourn - Time 9:000 pm.
CARRIED