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School Board Meeting Minutes November 20th, 2007

MISSION PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
2007 11 20, 7:00pm
Dewdney Elementary School

Minutes
Board of education meeting (open to the public)

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

Presentations:  Dewdney Elementary School

1. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting of the Board of Education of School District #75 (Mission) was called to order at 7:45 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 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 with the addition of the following item:
Presentation by Ferndale Parent Advisory Council (added to Item 5.2.3 – Sustaining Quality Education in Mission Public Schools).
CARRIED 

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION
That the Board of Education Meeting minutes of October 9, 2007 be approved as presented.
CARRIED       

4. BRING FORWARD FROM THE CLOSED MEETING

No items brought forward..

5. ACTION ITEMS

5.1.1 Lower Stl’at’imx Language Survey Project

MOTION
That the Board of Education approves the attached request for students to participate in a language survey.
CARRIED

This survey is a generic questionnaire for adults and children.  Mission Public Schools will request that the results of the survey are made available to the district. 

5.1.2 Research Study Request – University of BC

MOTION
That the Board of Education approves the attached request for school district employees to participate in two research studies:

CARRIED

This survey is for staff only, however, it may be helpful for parents and/or students to participate in this survey at a later date.  In addition, there is no category under ‘ethnic or cultural group’ for aboriginal students.  These comments will be passed on to the University of BC.

5.1.3 Early Learning Agreement

MOTION
That Mission Public Schools enters into an agreement with the Ministry of Education that covers any early learning programs provided within our district.
CARRIED

This agreement is similar to the Distributed Learning agreement in that we will be required to renew the agreement on an annual basis with the Ministry of Education.  If there are other viable programs that we would like to consider providing within our district, a draft agreement could be provided to the Ministry for consideration.

5.2  Information Items

5.2.1 2007-08 Achievement Contract

Superintendent Dunham made a presentation to the Board highlighting key areas of the Achievement Contract.  A full copy of the document will be available on our website.   The Board thanked district staff for their work in gathering and collating all the information for this document.

5.2.2 Transitional District Literacy Plan

This plan is built on the K-12 literacy plan and identifies a number of goals for improving literacy for all citizens within our community.  This document will also be made available on our website.  

5.2.3 Sustaining Quality Education in Mission Public Schools

Superintendent Dunham and Secretary-Treasurer Velestuk have met with each school focus group and the partners’ focus group which includes representatives from MTU, CUPE and DPAC.  Further meetings with school focus groups will take place next week.  These meetings have been particularly helpful in terms of clarifying information in the report tabled at the Board meeting in September and in planning for the public consultation meetings in January.

The Superintendent discussed the difficult position that principals are in as we go through this process.  Although they are ‘champions’ for their own school, first and foremost, at public meetings they are representatives of the Board. 

Presentations were given by Edwin S. Richards Parent Advisory Group and Ferndale Parent Advisory Group.  The Board thanked PAC Chairs for their presentations.

5.2.4 Funding from BC Arts Council and Vancouver Foundation

Mission Public Schools has received funding support from the BC Arts Council and Vancouver Foundation for a number of years.  For 2007-2008, our district received $4,800.00.  This is an excellent opportunity for students to be involved in professional arts activities.

5.2.5 DPAC Update

DPAC voted in a new Executive Director, Kris Langedyk, from Hatzic Elementary.  The following executive positions are still available – Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer.  Nominations/elections will remain on the agenda until all positions have been filled.

The BCCPAC Fall Conference, Supporting Student Success Through Parent Involvement, took place this past weekend, November 15-18 in Victoria.  DPAC sent one delegate to this conference.

DPAC’s next meeting is Monday, December 3, 2007 at 7:00pm at the Board of Education office.  Superintendent Dunham will be attending the meeting to talk about the Achievement Contract.

6.  BUSINESS COMMITTEE

6.1  Action Items

6.1.1 2008 Eligible School Sites Resolution
  
MOTION
That the Board of Education approves the 2008 Eligible School Sites Resolution in accordance with the attached.
CARRIED

This information identifies the future development of future school sites within Mission.

6.1.2 Five Year Capital Plan

MOTION
That the Board of Education approves the Five Year Capital Plan in accordance with the attached for the 2008/09 school year.
CARRIED

This plan is rolled over from the 2007/08 school year.  It is a five year projection, however, it is presented to the Ministry as a ten year plan.

6.2  Information Items

6.2.1 Ministry of Education Funding Changes

All school districts in BC were informed by the Ministry of Education in late October that the method of funding for 2007/08 has been changed.  The projected loss is $150,000 - $320,000, however, the bigger issue is the timing of the change.  School districts are currently going through a revised count and information will be sent to the Ministry  in early December.                                        

7. TRUSTEES REPORTS

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

8. QUESTION PERIOD

Questions were asked regarding Sustaining Quality Education in Mission Public Schools and the 2008 Eligible School Sites Resolution.

9. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION
That the meeting adjourn - Time9:20 pm.
CARRIED