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School Board Meeting Minutes January 22nd, 2008

MISSION PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
2008 01 22, 7:00pm
Hatzic Secondary 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
Secretary-Treasurer Ray Velestuk
Director of Human Resources Carrie McVeigh
Executive Assistant Paula Melvin

Presentation: Hatzic Secondaryy School

1. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting of the Board of Education of School District #75 (Mission) was called to order at 7:25 pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2008, by Chair Hamilton.  The Board acknowledge 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 items:

CARRIED

 

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION
That the Board of Education Meeting minutes of December 18, 2007 be approved as presented.
CARRIED     

4. BRING FORWARD FROM THE CLOSED MEETING

Four items as listed in section 2 above.

5.  EDUCATION COMMITTEE

5.1. Action Items

5.1.1  Student Participation Approval

MOTION
That the Board of Education approves the attached request for students to participate in a research activity.
CARRIED
                       
The Board requested a copy of the results of the research activity once concluded.

5.2. Information Items

5.2.1  Honduras Field Trip – Hatzic Secondary School

The Board thanked district and school staff for their time and effort in working through the agreement issue with Habitat for Humanities.  The field trip will be an excellent opportunity for students.

5.2.2 DPAC Update

DPAC continues to hold discussions at their meetings regarding school closures until the final decision is made in March 2008.

DPAC will not be holding a meeting in January.  The next meeting will be Monday, February 4, 2008 at 7:00 pm at the Board of Education Office.

Albert McMahon, Cherry Hill and Stave Falls elementary schools were all successful in receiving playground grants.

Superintendent Dunham will be attending a school community consultation meeting on February 4th.  Therefore, a representative from the district will attend DPAC’s meeting on behalf of Superintendent Dunham, to present the school closure transition plan and request that individual PAC’s defer elections until the fall to allow new families to become a part of their new school.  

6. BUSINESS COMMITTEE

6.1  Action Items

      6.1.1  School Closure Consultation Process

MOTION
That the Board of Education rescinds the motion to enter into a public consultation process to give consideration to closing Silverdale Elementary School.
CARRIED

At the Board meeting in September, the Board asked district staff to collect further information regarding possible sub-divisions in the Silverdale area.  The detailed demographic information was shared at the public consultation meeting on January 15th.  The information confirmed Silverdale as one of two areas projected for growth in the school population during the next 5 years.  This information was not available at the time of the Board meeting in September 2007 when the decision was made regarding which schools would be placed under consideration for closure. 

In November 2007, the Board confirmed enrollment projections and approved the 2008 Eligible School Sites proposal, which identified the requirement for additional school sites in the district.  This information revealed increasing enrollment in the Silverdale area over the next 15 years.

    6.1.2  Policy Approval – Respectful Schools

MOTION
That the Board of Education approves the new Respectful Schools Policy (Harassment-Free Schools Policy at first draft) as presented.
CARRIED

The Board directed staff to review the District Student Conduct Standards Policy #1015 to ensure full alignment with the new Respectful Schools Policy and existing Respectful Workplace Policy #4007.  Any revisions to policy #1015 will be brought to Business Committee in April.

      6.1.3 School Site Acquisition Charge Bylaw (New Rates) – Bylaw No. 5-2008

MOTION
That the Board of Education approve that the required 3 readings for the School Site Acquisition Charge Bylaw 5-2008 be carried out at one meeting of the Board.
CARRIED

MOTION
That the Board of Education give first reading of the School Site Acquisition Charge Bylaw 5-2008, as attached.
CARRIED

MOTION
That the Board of Education give second and third reading of the School Site Acquisition Charge Bylaw 5-2008, as attached.
CARRIED

This bylaw replaces the current bylaw #5 that sets school site acquisition rates.  The implementation date for the collection of charges will be March 24, 2008.

      6.1.4 Revised Policy – Catchment Areas, Cross Boundary Applications & Programs of Choice Policy #3003

MOTION
That the Board of Education amend policy #3003 as attached.
CARRIED

The amendment in policy shows the Board’s support for families affected by a school closure.  While there is the flexibility to accommodate students who are displaced during the current school closure process, the Board may not be able to give cross-boundary approval to every student in the event of a future school closure consultation process. 

6.2  Information Items

  6.2.1 Sustaining Quality Education in Mission Public Schools

The Board has entered into the final phase of the formal consultation process.  The first school consultation meeting took place last evening at Edwin S. Richards Elementary and meetings are planned for the remaining four schools.  The Board will continue to receive written information from the community up to the end of the third week in February, before completing its analysis and making its final decisions in March.

  6.2.2 Operating  Grant Calculation

Following further Ministry changes in funding, the Board has received an increase of almost $500,000.00.  These funds have been directed back to schools whose budgets were originally cut in October to meet the shortfall, as well as additional funds to all secondary schools.                       

7. TRUSTEES REPORTS

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

8. QUESTION PERIOD

One question was asked regarding the revised Catchment Areas, Cross Boundary Applications & Programs of Choice Policy #3003.

9. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION
That the meeting adjourn - Time 8:05pm.
CARRIED