This update provides a summary of the special public meeting of Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held Monday, September 28, 2015 at the Education Centre. It is an unofficial summary of the meeting; official minutes will be approved at the next regular meeting in October 2015.
Character moment video: Welcome to the 2015-2016 School Year!
At Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board we have shared beliefs that all students can be successful, student well-being is a foundation of our work and that schools play an important role in student well-being. Mark Fisher, Superintendent of Education and Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, screened a video illustrating student learning and well-being during this first month of school.
Report from Committee of the Whole
This report included the following:
- Section 19(2) of the Education Act
- Job action and student safety
Recommendations
External Audit Plan and appointment of external auditors for 2015-2016
Board members approved the External Audit Plan prepared by BDO LLP. To date, BDO has completed the August 31, 2013 and August 31, 2014 year end audits, and the March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015 Ministry reporting requirements. Board members also approved BDO as the external auditor for 2015-2016 and that remuneration be fixed at $34,600.
2015-2016 Policy review
According to Procedure 110: Board Policy Development and Review, policies are reviewed every three years to ensure they are still relevant and have been implemented effectively. Changes to legislation and new guidelines also necessitate updates to current
policies. Board members authorized the director of education to review five policies and take recommendations to the Executive Committee for discussion.
Multi-year Annual Accessibility Plan
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005) (AODA) and the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2001) (ODA) require school boards to prepare annual plans to address barriers to persons with disabilities. The plan has had several revisions since it was first
published in 2005. It is a rolling 5-year plan, updated annually. The plan is accessible through a link on the HPEDSB website. Board members approved the Multi-Year Annual Accessibility Plan for the period September 2015 to August 2020.
2015-2020 Strategic Plan
A new multi-year strategic plan has been developed for Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board. The 2015-2020 Strategic Plan will be our guiding document for the next five years. This plan has been in development for the past several months. Input has been received from several sources, including employees, students, Board members, parents/guardians and community members. The plan includes a new vision, mission, strategic priorities and goals. Board members approved the new strategic plan.
Information
Calendar of events
A number of district and school events (pdf) are scheduled for October 2015.
Some upcoming events include the following:
- Wednesday, October 30: Orange Shirt Day at various schools
- Thanksgiving Food Drives at various schools
- Parent-Teacher Interviews at various secondary schools
Report from the Chair
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Articles in school newsletters about the role of trustees
- Recognition of Orange Shirt Day on September 30. All in our school communities are invited to wear orange to bring about awareness of children who were taken from their homes to attend residential schools
- 30 schools have registered for Student Vote, a process which mirrors the federal election process
Report from the Operations and Finance Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Nil report as the items were covered elsewhere during this meeting
Report from the Program and Human Resources Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Development of the draft strategic plan
- Review of the Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement & Well-Being
- Enrolment update (see next section)
Reports from Staff
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Capital projects update, featuring the various construction projects completed during the summer. Also provided:
- a visual presentation of the classrooms at Breadner Elementary School for students of the former Queen Elizabeth Public School in Trenton which as been demolished in order for the new Trenton elementary school to be built on the same site and location
- a visual presentation of the child care addition at Stirling Public School
- Enrolment update provided a summary of student enrolment for this school year. Overall enrolment is 6 students higher than projected last spring, with the number at elementary being up by 23 students and the number at secondary being down by 17 students. Enrolment is reviewed on a school-by-school basis to determine if any changes are needed to staffing.
Report from the Audit Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Summary of the Audit Committee members, administrative tasks, meeting dates, governance, external and internal auditors, training and a summary of the work performed.
Report from Trustees
Comments were made about provincial efforts to modernize the Day Nurseries Act, which was last updated in the 1980s.
Upcoming meetings
All meetings take place at the Education Centre unless otherwise noted.
- Monday, October 5: Executive Committee, 11:00 a.m.
- Tuesday, October 13: Program and Human Resources Committee, 5:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 13: Operations and Finance Committee, 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 21: Parent Involvement Committee, 6:00 p.m.
- Thursday, October 22: Special Education Advisory Committee, 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, October 26: Public Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
For more information, please contact Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, extension 2354, [email protected]