School Board Meeting Minutes October 14th, 2008

MISSION PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES
2008 04 15, 7:00pm
Board of Education Office

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
Secretary-Treasurer Roy Daykin
Director of Human Resources Carrie McVeigh
Executive Assistant Paula Melvin

The Board acknowledged that this meeting is being held on Sto:lo Traditional Territory. .

1. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting of the Board of Education of School District #75 (Mission) was called to order at 7:05 pm on Tuesday, October 14, 2008, by Chair Hamilton.

1.1 PRESENTATIONS

Hatzic Elementary
Indigenous Games Athletes

2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

MOTION
That the Agenda be approved as presented.
CARRIED

Chair Hamilton welcomed Secretary-Treasurer Roy Daykin to the meeting.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION
That the Board of Education meeting minutes of September 23, 2008 be approved as presented.
CARRIED

4. BRING FORWARD FROM THE CLOSED MEETING

One personal item.

5. EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Community Dance Project

(1. That the Board of Education approve student participation in a community dance project.

CARRIED (MILLER/ALEXIS)

Mission Public Schools has received a request from a dance educator within the community for students to participate in a pilot dance project which will be held at a local care home. The purpose of the project is to encourage inter-generational collaboration and to provide children with an opportunity to build confidence and self-esteem through performing arts. There will be no cost to students to participate in this project.

There were some concerns raised at Education Committee around liability issues. District staff has spoken with Schools Protection and it is recommended that a parent consent and waiver form be completed for all students participating in this project.

Class Size and Learning Conditions Report 2008-2009

(.) That the Board of Education approve the Class Size and Learning Conditions Report 2008-2009 as attached.
CARRIED (MILLER/ALEXIS)

School districts are mandated by the Ministry to provide a report on class size and learning conditions. Superintendent Dunham presented highlights of the report in comparison to last year’s class sizes. All average class sizes within our district are below Ministry guidelines.

The impact of the change in Ministry funding from head count to f.t.e. (full time equivalent) has made planning more difficult this year. Further, discussions will take place regarding the impact of courses outside the timetable on courses inside the timetable.

(3). Intensive French Pilot Program

That the Board of Education approve the implementation of an elementary Intensive French pilot program to begin September 2009.
CARRIED (MILLER/CLARKSON)

A number of districts are currently piloting Intensive French throughout BC. Intensive French appears to be a better match for Mission Public Schools than late immersion given the size of our district. This program will provide another entry point for students wishing to acquire strong French language skills, as well as adding a program of choice for parents. This program will be accessible to all grade 6 students.

Field Trip Application

(4) That the Board of Education approve in principle, Hatzic Secondary school’s application for 17 students, grades 9 to 12, to travel to New Orleans, Louisiana, April 2-5, 2009, to participate in the 2009 Heritage Music Festival, in accordance with the attached.
CARRIED (MILLER/ALEXIS)

This field trip application is approved in principle subject to the board receiving a complete itinerary at Education Committee in January.

Elementary Report Cards

(5) That the Board of Education approve the electronic Report Writer elementary report card.
CARRIED (MILLER/CLARKSON)

School staff had requested the opportunity to use this electronic report card. Subsequently, this was piloted last year at two elementary schools. A survey was completed in the spring of 2008 to identify parent satisfaction/concerns. Overall, parents were very satisfied with the report card. Further, this report card meets all the requirements of the School Act and Ministry regulations. Teachers will therefore be able to use this report card as another alternative.

6. DPAC Update

DPAC will be hosting the following events:

A 2 hour Bully Beware Production Parent Workshop on Thursday, October 23rd from 7-9 pm at Mission Secondary school.

All Candidates forum on November 6th or 10th from 7-9 pm at Heritage Park Secondary school.

Parent night on the Speaking Up – Solving Problems in Public Schools Workshop (advocacy project) on Thursday, November 20th from 7-9 pm at Heritage Park Secondary School. This event will be facilitated by BCCPAC’s Cathy Bedard and Janet Phillips.

Healthy Food Workshop – a district dietician will be invited to speak. DPAC are working on dates. As well, DPAC is looking into food safe courses for parents working in the school system with food.

DPAC will hold their nominations/elections for the DPAC Executive at their next meeting on October 3rd at 7:00 pm in the Board of Education office.

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 8:50 pm.
CARRIED