MINUTES OF A SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 27 (CARIBOO-CHILCOTIN) HELD IN THE BOARD ROOM OF THE BOARD OFFICE AT 7:00 PM ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2006

Present:     

W. Rodier, Chair

P. Penner, Trustee

J. Clement, Trustee

W. Van Osch, Trustee

S. Relkov, Trustee

P. Baker, Trustee

L. Bacon, Secretary Treasurer

W. Leckie, Superintendent

J. Stiglich, Confidential Secretary

Absent:      

R. Zacharias, Trustee

1.     Opening by Chair

a)     Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm

b)     Declaration of Conflict of Interest Items.

There were no items of conflict declared.

2.     Approval of Agenda

No. 173-06 S. Relkov / P. Penner

THAT the Special Regular Board meeting agenda for October 12, 2006 be adopted.

                CARRIED

3.     School Configuration Approval 

No. 174-06 S. Relkov / P. Baker

THAT the Board approve the School Configuration Plan as submitted by the Superintendent.

                CARRIED

The Superintendent provided a PowerPoint presentation on the school district configuration as per Bill 33 requirements.

The Superintendent confirmed that consultation took place with teachers who had class size or class compositions that exceeded the Bill 33 guidelines.  Where possible, classes were reconfigured to address any class size / class composition issue.  Where it was not possible to move students into another classroom, and after consultation and reflection, administrative staff determined if the respective learning environments were appropriate. In cases where the learning environment was not considered appropriate for learning, additional support was provided to create appropriate learning environments.

The Superintendent emphasized that School District No. 27 has some school configuration challenges resulting from declining enrolment, shifting student demographics and cross boundary transfers.  This has lead to some schools being over / under optimized and difficult to configure.

Overall, teaching staff was increased by 3.314 FTE as a result to address school configuration and Bill 33 class size / composition issues.  Staffing adjustments were made in 8 schools.  Five of the schools had staff added, 3 schools had staff reduced.  Teacher Assistant hours were increased by 90 hours per week to address class composition issues.

There is consistent data that shows there has been a continued yearly decline of 200 plus students in School District No. 27.  There were 395 new registrants from outside of the district this year.  Without these new registrations the School District enrolment could have in fact been down by 500 students.  Cross boundary transfers also affected the traditional school numbers as student enrolment shift from on e catchment area to another. 

Bill 33 provides guidelines for class configuration.

The Superintendent highlighted some schools as examples how the process was applied.

Trustee Relkov expressed his appreciation to the staff, teachers and everyone involved for their effort to make this work.

Trustee Van Osch inquired about a teacher who was on leave, and if was there any consultation done.  The Superintendent advised that the consultation had taken place.  He also explained that this process will be ongoing throughout the school year.  As students register at a school, and if it affects the class size and composition, the process to consult will commence.  In the case where a student(s) leave a school where additional support was provided, the support will correspondingly be reduced if it is no longer required.

4.     School Planning Council Plans Approval

No. 175-06  S. Relkov / J. Clement

THAT the Board approve the School Planning Council Plans.

                                        OPPOSED: P. Baker / W. Van Osch

                                        CARRIED

District Principal, Joe Pearce provided a general overview of the contents of the School Planning Council Reports.

Trustee Van Osch appreciates the efforts and time invested in the reports by the School Planning Councils, but added the process needs to be reviewed.  He does not want to speak against the efforts put into creating the reports but does not feel the information and data is useful for the Board to make decisions.

Trustee Penner was able to read through most of the reports and found that some of them to criticize the buildings and grounds.  He wondered if this was consistent throughout all the reports.  Mr. Pearce replied that some School Planning Councils believe that the quality of the buildings may enhance student achievement.  District Principal, Mark Thiessen also added that some may feel that this report is a chance for their voice to be heard.

Some of the reports have not been signed off, due to being sent in electronically.  Those signatures are being sought.

Trustee Relkov reiterated the work involved was detailed, and although these may not be perfect, they are trying to achieve improvement and that should be recognized.

Chair Rodier thanked Mr. Pearce for involvement in reviewing the School Planning Council Reports.

Trustee Baker advised that the Board provided input and comments by way of a survey to BCSTA.  In it their comments expressed that the process needs to be reviewed.  Also they expressed their concern that not all groups were being represented as they should be or thought to be.  The process takes up a lot of time and expense.

5.     Employee Travel Regulations Per Diem Approval                                                                                                            

No. 176-06  S. Relkov / W. Van Osch

THAT the Board approve the Employee Travel Regulations No. 4133.

            CARRIED

The Board considered an amendment to the meal per diem rate.     The new rates will be:

• Breakfast $10.00
• Lunch $15.00
• Dinner $25.00

6.     Strategic Planning Team - Terms of Reference

The Strategic Planning Team Terms of Reference was revised to include up to two members from each of the partner groups listed.

No. 177-06  W. Van Osch / P. Baker

THAT the Board approve the Attachment to Regulations No. 1120.5  Strategic Planning Team - Terms of Reference.

Trustee Baker proposed an amendment:

No. 178-06  P. Baker / W. Van Osch

AMENDMENT that to the membership be revised to include  up to 2 members from each of the partner groups, and 2 students from each of the 3 high schools. And that community members as the steering committee deems necessary be moved to item 8 under the heading Responsibilities, and that Responsibilities item 9 be added ‘to seek to include Elementary Student input as the Steering Committee deems necessary.

            AMENDMENT CARRIED

No. 179-06 W. Van Osch / P. Baker

THAT the Board approve the Attachment to Regulations No. 1120.5  Strategic Planning Team - Terms of Reference as amended.

                CARRIED

7.     Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 7:49 pm on a motion by S. Relkov and J. Clement.

W. Rodier, Board Chair                                                                                  

L. Bacon, Secretary Treasurer