School Board Regular Meeting Minutes September 18th, 2007

MISSION PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
2007 09 18
7:00 pm - Heritage Park Secondary

MEMBERS PRESENT

Trustee Randy Cairns – Committee Chair
Board Chair Carol Hamilton
Vice-Chair Cindy Miller
Trustee Shelley Clarkson
Trustee Pam Alexis
Superintendent of Schools Frank Dunham
Assistant Superintendent Brenda Lightburn
Secretary-Treasurer Ray Velestuk
Director of Human Resources Carrie McVeigh
Executive Assistant Paula Melvin

1. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting of the Board of Education of School District #75 (Mission) was called to order at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, September 18, 2007 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 .APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION
That the Board of Education Meeting minutes of June 19, 2007 be approved as presented.
CARRIED

4. BRING FORWARD FROM THE CLOSED MEETING

4.1 Report from Auditors – 2006-2007 Audited Financial Statements

MOTION
That the Board of Education approves the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, as presented.
CARRIED

The Board thanked Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Peters for the preparation of the financial statements, and all the financial staff for their work throughout the year.

4.2 Field Trip Application

MOTION
That the Board of Education approves the following field trip application in accordance with the attached:

Heritage Park Secondary School’s application for 1 grade 12 student to travel to London, Ontario, September 22-30, 2007.

CARRIED

The Board of Education receives field trip applications at least three months in advance, however, due to a leave of absence of the field trip coordinator, this application was first brought forward at the Closed meeting.

4.3 Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA)

MOTION
That the Board of Education directs staff to send a letter to the Minister of Education and Minister of Finance in support of BCSTA Late Motion 36, The Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement. This motion was carried at the BCSTA AGM in April 2007 as follows:

1. That BCSTA call upon the Provincial Government to hold public hearings on the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement.
2. That BCSTA call upon the Provincial Government to exempt school districts completely from the provisions of the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement.
CARRIED

This item was brought forward following discussion at Business Committee of the capital procurement audit tool implemented by the Ministry of Finance. A number of references in the capital procurement checklist were made to the TILMA. The TILMA could continue to have further unseen impact on the school district.

5.0 EDUCATION COMMITTEE

5.1 Field Trip Application

MOTION
That the Board of Education approves the following field trip application in accordance with the attached:

Heritage Park Secondary School’s application for 15 grade 11-12 students to travel to New York, USA, March 17-23, 2008.

CARRIED

The Board commended staff for the quality of the field trip application.

5.2 School Opening Report

To date, enrolment numbers are close to projections. There is a decrease in the number of elementary students of 8.5 and a decrease in the number of secondary students of 33. Summit Learning Centre enrolment continues to grow and further increases are expected.

Further information will be provided at the Board meeting in October.

5.3 Adolescent Health Survey

MOTION
That the Board of Education approves the request for schools to participate in the fourth provincial Adolescent Health Survey being conducted by the McCreary Centre Society in January through to June 2008.
CARRIED

The school district has participated in this survey for a number of years. Survey findings have been shared with the district and all schools.

5.4 DPAC Update

No information to report.

Superintendent Dunham will meet with PAC Chairs prior to the DPAC meeting on October 1, 2007, at the Board of Education office, to discuss school opening and any other emerging issues.

6.0 BUSINESS COMMITTEE

6.1 Revision of School District Policy Structure

MOTION
That the Board of Education directs staff to revise the current policy structure.
CARRIED

The current structure needs to be changed so that there is clear separation of policy and operational procedures. The new structure will streamline the day to day business of principals and management. This project will take the remainder of the current school year to complete.

6.2 Sustaining Quality Education

Superintendent Dunham and Secretary-Treasurer Velestuk presented the Board a report entitled Sustaining and Enhancing Quality Education which provided an analysis of schools that could be considered for possible closure. The analysis was based on Board policy which lists seven criteria to be considered in the evaluation of schools. Of these criteria, capacity/utilization and enrolment decline were considered most crucial to the Board. The report listed seven schools at less than 60% capacity. Five of these schools have also experienced enrolment declines greater than 15% over the last 5 years.

MOTION
The Board of Education accepted the report as presented.
CARRIED

Deroche Elementary School is has a 51% utilization rate. All trustees expressed their commitment to continue improving opportunities for aboriginal students, a commitment that was articulated in the 2007-2008 budget, therefore, Deroche was not given further consideration for closure.

Fraserview Elementary School has a 45.2% utilization rate and an enrolment decline of 27.0% over the past 5 years. Students could be accommodated into neighbouring schools.

MOTION
That the Board of Education enters into a public consultation process to give consideration to closing Fraserview Elementary School, effective June 30, 2008.
CARRIED

Edwin S. Richards Elementary School has a 52% utilization rate and the lowest facility audit score (relating to the condition of the building) of all elementary schools (at 59). The local housing development (at Parr Avenue) is likely to yield approximately 100 students, of which 40-60 will be elementary. While students cannot be accommodated in neighboring schools, both this along with planned housing development, will be considered further as part of the consultation process.

MOTION
That the Board of Education enters into a public consultation process to give consideration to closing Edwin S. Richards Elementary School, effective June 30, 2008.
CARRIED

Ferndale Elementary School has a 31.6% utilization rate and an enrolment decline of 61.3% over the past 5 years. The Board requested further information regarding demographics, the impact of public transportation and costs of building repairs, as part of the consultation process.

MOTION
That the Board of Education enters into a public consultation process to give consideration to closing Ferndale Elementary School, effective June 30, 2008.
CARRIED

Silverdale Elementary School has a 53.8% utilization rate and an enrolment decline of 16.8% over the past 5 years. However, this school is in a remote area and is also the campus for Summit Learning. There is a development planned for that area and the likelihood of further sub-divisions.

At the Board meeting in October, staff will bring forward the 5 year capital plan. It is likely that the district will be designating the building of a new school somewhere in the Gen Star development area.

MOTION
That the Board of Education enters into a public consultation process to give consideration to closing Silverdale Elementary School, effective June 30, 2008.
CARRIED

West Heights Elementary has a 58.2% utilization rate and an enrolment decline of 19.3% over the past 5 years. The school has a facility audit score (relating to the condition of the building) of 64.

At a meeting at Ferndale Elementary School last year, the Board made a commitment to look at utilization rates and enrolment decline of all schools within the District. West Heights meets this criteria for consideration of school closures and is in close proximity to Ferndale Elementary.

MOTION
That the Board of Education enters into a public consultation process to give consideration to closing West Heights Elementary School, effective June 30, 2008.
CARRIED

Stave Falls Elementary has a 54.9% utilization rate and an enrolment decline of 19.3% over the past 5 years. The operating cost per student is one of the highest at 916 over the average cost per student, with one 3-grade split classroom. However, as with Silverdale, this school is in a remote area and students may gravitate to Maple Ridge school district.

MOTION
That the Board of Education enters into a public consultation process to give consideration to closing Stave Falls Elementary School, effective June 30, 2008.
CARRIED

Secondary schools were not brought forward for consideration due to the current grade configurations. Students would not be able to be accommodated at either of the two remaining schools, however, this issue of changing the configuration of schools may arise in the future.

The Board has given to consideration to all schools brought into question based on Board policy and criteria.

6.3 Revised Tobacco Free Environment Policy #1020

The revised policy reflects changes in legislation following the introduction of Bill 10 – Tobacco Sales Amendment Act, 2007 – Banning Tobacco and Smoking in Public Places and Schools. Information has been shared with all schools and is available on the school district website. All ashtrays have been removed from school district buildings and funding has been received from the Ministry to purchase signage. District staff are working through the process with UCFV who share use of Heritage Park Secondary School facilities.

6.4 Final Distributed Learning Audit Report

The final report was shared with the Board. The Board thanked staff for the significant effort they have made in responding to the transition and recommendations of the 2007 audit.

7.0 TRUSTEES REPORTS

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

8.0 QUESTION PERIOD

No questions were asked.

9.0 ADJOURNMENT

MOTION
That the meeting adjourn - Time 9:10 pm.
CARRIED