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School Board Meeting Minutes October 09th, 2007

MISSION PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
2007 10 09, 7:00pm
Deroche 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
Secretary-Treasurer Ray Velestuk
Director of Human Resources Carrie McVeigh
Executive Assistant Paula Melvin

Presentations:  Deroche Elementary School

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, October 9, 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 amended.
CARRIED 

Move the Aboriginal Art Project (Business Committee, Item 6.1.2) to Education Committee for discussion in conjunction with the Aboriginal Enhancement Agreement (Item 5.1.1).

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION
That the Board of Education Meeting minutes of September 18, be approved as amended.
CARRIED
-Remove ‘Committee Chair’ alongside Trustee Randy Cairns.
-The last sentence in the tenth paragraph on page 4 that begins “At a meeting at Ferndale Elementary School last year” should read “…….West Heights meets this criteria for consideration of school closures and is in close proximity to Fraserview Elementary”.           

4. BRING FORWARD FROM THE CLOSED MEETING

No items brought forward..

5. ACTION ITEMS

5.1.1(a)  Aboriginal Enhancement Agreement

MOTION
That the Board of Education approves the Mission Public Schools Aboriginal Enhancement Agreement 2007-2012.
CARRIED

The Board commended staff for their work in bringing the enhancement agreement together over the past three years.  This agreement will go a long way towards ensuring success for all aboriginal students and will be of benefit to the whole community.

5.1.1(b)  Aboriginal Art Project

MOTION
That the Board of Education approves the design proposal selected for display at the Board of Education office, by the Aboriginal Advisory Committee.  The cost of the design is $7,700.00.
CARRIED

The art project runs alongside the Enhancement Agreement and is a visual way of expressing the journey and inclusion of the whole community.

5.1.2  Field Trip Application

MOTION
That the Board of Education approves the following field trip application, subject to completion of criminal records checks, in accordance with the attached:
-Hatzic Secondary School’s application for 10 grade 10-12 students to travel to Honduras, March 14-22, 2008, to participate in the Habitat for Humanity – Global Village.
CARRIED

Staff will attend Education Committee in December to provide an update regarding completion of criminal records checks and immunizations.  Upon completion of the field trip, students will be invited to a meeting with the Board to share their experiences.

5.1.3  Class Size and Learning Conditions Report 2007-2008

MOTION
That the Board of Education approves Mission Public Schools Class Size and Learning Conditions Report 2007-2008.
CARRIED

This task has been more difficult this year due to budget constraints.  The Board thanked staff for working through the staffing process which culminates in this report.

5.1.4  Education Guarantee

MOTION
That the Board of Education wishes to exercise its discretion to offer distributed learning courses to graduated adults through its distributed learning school participating in LearnNow BC.
CARRIED
Distributed learning agreements between school districts and the Ministry will be amended to implement the Education Guarantee.

5.1.5  Student Participation Approval

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

The author of the study is a teacher at one of our secondary schools and presented his thesis at Education Committee.  The findings of the study will be shared at a future meeting of the Board. 

5.2  Information Items

5.2.1  Sustaining Quality Education – Consultation Process

While the process and timelines outlined in policy are somewhat restrictive, it is important that the Board follows policy and Board goals with regard to inclusiveness and transparency. 

There will be a public information meeting on October 16th at Heritage Park Secondary School.  In addition, there will be focus group meetings at each school under consideration for closure.  Each focus group will comprise of the principal, two parents, two teachers and two support staff.  Further public consultation meetings will take place in January and February 2008 and a special meeting of the Board will take place on March 3, 2008 to consider all the information.

5.2.2  DPAC Update

DPAC’s Executive for 2007-2008 was announced as follows:

The next DPAC meeting will be November 5th at 7:00 pm at the Board of Education office.    

6.  BUSINESS COMMITTEE

6.1  Action Items

6.1.1 Policy Approval
 
MOTION
That the Board of Education approves the new Trustee Remuneration Policy in accordance with the attached.
CARRIED

This policy sets a timeframe for review only so that there is a process in place to review remuneration for Trustees.

6.1.2 Aboriginal Art Project

This item was discussed under Education Committee alongside the Aboriginal Enhancement Agreement.
 
6.1.3 Hatzic Prairie Water System

MOTION
That the Board participates in the development of the Hatzic Prairie Water System (as outlined in correspondence dated September 17, 2007, from the Fraser Valley Regional District) at no cost to the Board.
CARRIED

District staff will contact Fraser Valley Regional District to find out if there are any plans to include Dewdney in the water system.

6.2  Information Items

6.2.1 New Policy – Harassment Free Schools

This policy will run alongside the Codes of Conduct and will be used as a teaching tool in schools.  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 January 2008.                                        

7. TRUSTEES REPORTS

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

8. QUESTION PERIOD

No questions were asked.

9. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION
That the meeting adjourn - Time 8:55 pm.
CARRIED