School Board Meeting Minutes June 17th, 2008
MISSION PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
2008 04 15, 7:00pm
West Heights Elementary School
Minutes
Board of education meeting (open to the public)
MEMBERS PRESENT
Board Chair Carol Hamilton
Vice-Chair Cindy Miller
Trustee Pam Alexis
Trustee Randy Cairns
Trustee Shelly Clarkson
Superintendent of Schools Frank Dunham
Assistant Superintendent Brenda Lightburn
Secretary-Treasurer Ray Velestuk
Director of Human Resources Carrie McVeigh
Executive Assistant Paula Melvin
Presentations
Trustee Clarkson was presented with the BC School Trustees Association long service award for 9 years of service.
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, June 17, 2008, by Chair Hamilton.
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 May 20, 2008 be approved as amended:
Dawn Dixon from Hillside Elementary was acknowledged as the recipient of the Sharyl Samodien Parent Leadership Award.
CARRIED
4. BRING FORWARD FROM THE CLOSED MEETING
One land item was brought forward from the closed meeting.
5. EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Field Trip Application
(1) That the Board of Education approves the following field trip applications in accordance with the attached:
- Heritage Park Secondary School’s application for 12 students, grades 10-12, to travel to Phoenix, USA, December 26, 2008 to January 2, 2009, to participate in the Invitational Varsity Girls Bas
Student Participation in the 40 Development Assets Survey
(1) That the Board of Education approve the participation of Grades 6 to 12 students in the 40 Development Assets Survey scheduled for September 2008.
CARRIED (MILLER/ALEXIS)Working in conjunction with the Social Development Committee of the District of Mission, survey results will provide baseline data identifying ways in which youth in Mission might be better served by the community.
Sample copies of consent forms were provided with the agenda. Mission Public Schools will use the Active Parental Consent letter.
There are some issues around the language used in the survey, however, the survey cannot be changed in any way due to the automated procedures used for scanning data and processing reports.
Board/Authority Authorized (BAA) Courses
(2) That the Board of Education approve the following courses, in accordance with the attached:
- Volleyball Skills and Officiating 10
- Volleyball Leadership 11
CARRIED (MILLER/ALEXIS)
These courses are locally developed courses that have been in place for some time at Hatzic Secondary.2008/09 School Payment Schedules
(3) That the Board of Education approve the 2008/09 payment schedules in accordance with the attached.
CARRIED (MILLER/ALEXIS)Fees are aligned across all 3 secondary schools. The payment schedule will be sent home with secondary students and next year’s grade 8 students.
Community Schools
The Community Schools Action team of the Social Development Committee of the District of Mission has begun discussions about the concept of community schools in Mission. The action team has looked at samples of a definition of a community school. The Board requested that the definition for Mission schools be amended to include a section on the limitations of the partnership in terms of the authority of the Board as provided by the School Act and its regulations. The Board’s request will be shared at the next meeting of the action team.
Equine Studies Board/Authority Authorized (BAA) Courses
At the public meeting in February, the Board requested a number of changes to the wording in the course documentation for Equine Studies 11 and 12. To affirm the Board’s intent as reflected in the minutes of February 19, 2008, corrections to the course description have been made. These changes include the requirement that the school has group membership in the Horse Council British Columbia and that the coach must be CEF certified.
Transition Booklet for School Completion Certificate Program
The Graduation Transition booklet has been developed to celebrate the achievements of students participating in the School Completion Certificate Program. This is similar to the transition booklet for dogwood students.
2008 Summer Intensive Continuing Education Program
This program will be held at Riverside Trades Training and Career Centre from July 3-30. This program is for students enrolled in Grade 10, 11 and 12 and the courses that will be offered are Mathematics, Social Studies, Language Arts and Sciences. There will be no charge to students for participation in this program.
New Immunization Program
The Ministries of Health and Education are offering a new cancer prevention immunization program to enhance student health. The vaccine will be offered free to all girls in grades 6 and 9 starting in the 2008/09 school year. Immunization schedules and parent notices will be sent to schools in early September. Participation in this program is voluntary.
Correspondence from First Nations Leadership Council
On June 11, 2008, the Prime Minister delivered an apology to survivors of the Indian Residential School System. Many of our schools watched this event and District Principal, Colleen Hannah, attended schools to work with staff.Support Dry Grad Campaign
Mission Public Schools received $5,498.00 from the Liquor Distribution Branch Dry Grad campaign which was shared between the secondary schools. The Board thanked staff and parents for their effort and commitment in arranging the graduation events.
6. DPAC Update
DPAC will be hosting a workshop in the fall for those interested in advocacy. The workshop will be facilitated by representatives from the BCCPAC Advocacy program.
DPAC will be holding nominations/elections for DPAC Executives in October 2008.
Gaming reports are now being accepted and the deadline is June 30, 2008.
The next meeting will take place on Monday, October 6, 2008 at 7:00 pm at the Board of Education office.
7. Business Committee
Budget 2008-09
(4) That the Board of Education approve that the required 3 readings for the 2008-09 Operating Budget be carried out at one meeting of the Board.
CARRIED (CAIRNS/ALEXIS)
(5) That the Board of Education give first reading of the 2008-09 Annual Budget Bylaw as attached.
CARRIED (CAIRNS/CLARKSON)
(6) That the Board of Education give second and third reading of the 2008-09 Annual Budget Bylaw as attached.
CARRIED (CAIRNS/MILLER)
The budget totals more than $55 million for 2008-09. Secretary-Treasurer Velestuk provided an overview of the budget.
Change of School Name
(7) That the Board of Education initiate a process to consider renaming West Heights Elementary to West Heights Community School.
CARRIED (CAIRNS/MILLER)
The past few years has seen the emergence of West Heights as a community hub, increasingly reflecting the attributes commonly found in community schools throughout North America. In addition, West Heights is recognized provincially as a successful model. The renaming of the school would acknowledge the efforts of parents and community members to create opportunities and provide support that enhances the quality of life for children and adults alike.
Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) Project
(8) That the Board of Education approve the Business Plan for the Settlement Workers in Schools Program, as attached.
CARRIED (CLARKSON/ALEXIS)
Trustee Cairns declared a conflict of interest and did not participate in the discussion or vote. This item was passed over to Trustee Clarkson as Vice-Chair of Business Committee.
Following the announcement of federal funding to the province in November 2006, the Ministry of the Attorney-General and the Ministry of Education have developed a strategy for the implementation of a school based approach to deliver settlement services for newcomer families with school-aged children upon their arrival to a British Columbia school district.
The primary focus of the school-based settlement program is to assist parents and their children with their first year settlement needs. The emphasis is on facilitation of settlement and integration of newcomer families through referrals and cross-cultural education.
This school district is seeking a collaborative partnership with the Mission Community Services Society to undertake this work. A draft business plan has been shared with Mission Community Services. The steering committee is currently working on a draft job description for the Settlement Worker.
Revised School Closure Policy
The revised policy improves flexibility in its administration. The policy retains elements that ensure the Board’s access to community input, however, community consultation will not be driven by specific dates to invoke the process. The process will remain transparent and inclusive but will be less restrictive in terms of time.
The policy will be circulated to the Educational Community for review and comment and will be brought back to the Board for formal consideration in November 2008.
Stave Falls Elementary Parents
Presentations were made by Debbie Ford, Stave Falls Parent Advisory Council President and Carmen Daignault, Stave Falls Elementary parent.
Mission Shop Teachers Association
A presentation was made by the Mission Shop Teachers Association.
Director of Instruction Randy Huth will follow up with staff and will bring back further information to the public meeting in September.
8. Trustees Report
Trustees each reported on activities they have participated in on behalf of the Board of Education and School District.
9. QUESTION PERIOD
No questions were asked.
10. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION
That the meeting adjourns at 9:20 pm.
CARRIED