This update provides a summary of the public meeting of Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held Monday, November 20, 2017 at the Education Centre. It is an unofficial summary of the meeting; official minutes will be approved at the next regular meeting in January 2018.
Character Moment of Reflection
Each Board meeting opens with a Character Moment of Reflection. At Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, Growing with Character is our intentional focus on creating safe, caring, respectful and inclusive learning environments where students develop the foundation for good character. Growing with Character is the foundation of the school board strategic plan. Through Growing with Character, we model, teach and expect demonstrations of our eight character traits which are: caring, cooperation, honesty, humour, integrity, respect, responsibility and trustworthiness.
This evening Lucille Kyle, Chair of the Board, asked all to reflect on caring: We demonstrate concern for self and others. We show empathy and express genuine concerns. We consider the long term effect of our actions.
Presentations
Student Leadership: Globally Minded Learners and Leaders at Trent River Public School
Superintendent of Education Colleen DeMille spoke about Trent River Public School which opened in the spring of 2017. The school has visual demonstrations of student learning and well-being. Staff recognize the importance of students becoming globally minded learners and leaders.
Evidence of student learning and engagement is found in their comments, such as, "We are prepared learners and leaders." "As learners we take and give advice." "We have positive mindsets, always looking for answers." "We, at Trent River, want to be caring, inclusive citizens."
DeMille introduced Principal Bill Launderville, Teacher Kathryn Acorn, and Students Levi and Kendra. They described student learning to deconstruct the meaning of the 10 competencies that make up the Globally Minded Learners and Leaders.
According to Kendra and Levi, learning about the global competencies prepares students for the future. The students described how they collaborate to solve problems and think critically to reach a common goal. To achieve success criteria for being entrepreneurial and digitally fluent, the students learned to work together and to value each other's ideas. Now they are working with other classes, such as Grade 2 buddies, to teach the younger students about the competencies.
Students Kendra and Levi, and their teacher Kathryn Acorn (centre, behind the students) shared their learning and sharing of the 10 global competencies at the public Board meeting on November 20, 2017.
Report from Committee of the Whole
This report included the following:
- Probationary status of teachers
- Principal/vice-principal pools
- Executive compensation
Recommendations
2016-2017 Financial Statements & Auditor's Report
Board members approved the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ending August 31, 2017. The Consolidated Financial Statements reflect the board's financial results for the 2016-2017 fiscal year.
During the year the board expended $21,650,252 on capital asset acquisition/construction. These expenditures are funded through a variety of sources including capital priorities, school condition improvement and school renewal grants.
The audited financial statements resulted in an in-year surplus of $2,054,373 and a corresponding in-year surplus for Ministry of Education compliance reporting purposes of $152,013.
The original budget plan was forecast to have a deficit of $360,137.
The board is on a Multi-Year Financial Recovery Plan with the Ministry of Education. The board has met or exceeded its targets under the Multi-Year Financial Recovery Plan for the 2016-2017 year.
The surplus is due to a decrease in projected transportation expenses, as well as a decrease in projected actuarial liabilities and a decrease in projected costs associated with supplies and services.
Policy Review 2017-2018, Part A
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 policy.
Board members approved revisions and updates were made to the following policies to comply with legislation or regulations:
- Policy 5: Director of Education Job Description
- Policy 6: Delegation of Authority
- Policy 8: Board Members' Code of Conduct
- Policy 10: Duties of the Board Chair and Vice-chair
- Policy 11-C: Operations and Finance Committee
- Policy 11-M: Ad Hoc Committees
- Policy 16: Selection of the Director
- Policy 17: Transportation
Proposed trustee representation on committees for 2018
Trustee membership on committees will be determined at the annual Board meeting on Monday, December 4, 2017. To facilitate this process, trustees were asked to indicate their 2017-2018 committee preferences in advance of that meeting.
Information
Calendar of events
A number of district and school events (Pdf) are scheduled for December 2017.
Upcoming events include the following:
- December 6: Violence Against Women Awareness, Quinte Secondary School
- December 6: Original production called Pink or Blue by Prince Edward Collegiate Institute students. Performances will take place at The Core in Belleville in the morning and St. Andrew's Church in Picton in the afternoon.
- December 7: Arts Night at Prince Edward Collegiate Institute
- December 12: School Group Junior Volleyball Tournament, Massassaga-Rednersville Public School
- Week of December 18: Festive Luncheons at various schools
- Week of December 22: Holiday Assemblies at various schools
Report from the Executive Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Policy review
- Attendance at a regional meeting of trustees in Brockville on a Saturday
- Correspondence related to EQAO testing (refer to the end of this update for more)
Report from the Audit Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Review of the Consolidated Financial Statements and Auditor's Report
- Interviews for an external member for the Audit Committee
Report from the Student Enrolment/School Capacity Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Boundary reviews related to Belleville elementary and secondary schools
- Planning/improvements for the consolidation of Queen Elizabeth School (Picton) and Prince Edward Collegiate Institute happening in September 2018
- Mention of the Connections newsletter as an informative communications vehicle providing updates on the consolidation of Belleville secondary schools
Report from the Operations and Finance Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Energy and Environmental Services report
- Trustee expenses
- Policy review
Report from the Program and Human Resource Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Mental Health and Addictions Strategy and action plans
- Tiered support for mental health services, supported by child and youth counsellors
- Presentation of a new Gender Identity Guide
Questions, reports and proposals from trustees
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Student trustee attendance at the annual meeting of the Ontario Student Trustees' Association where the two student trustees each joined committees to make a difference and grow their knowledge
- Trustee attendance at Remembrance Day services at schools where student leadership and involvement was evident
- A performance called Vimy performed by three by Prince Edward Collegiate Institute students
Correspondence
- Letter from the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario Hastings-Prince Edward Local regarding a provincial ETFO motion about renaming schools with 'Sir John A. Macdonald' in the name
- Letter from Peel District School Board requesting that EQAO assessments be put on hold pending a review by the Ministry of Education
Upcoming meetings
All meetings take place at the Education Centre unless otherwise noted.
- Thursday, November 23: Special Education Advisory Committee, 5:00 p.m.
- Thursday, November 23: Parent Involvement Committee, 6:00 p.m.
- Monday, December 4: Annual Meeting of the Board, 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday, December 14: Special Education Advisory Committee, 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, January 8, 2018:
- Student Enrolment/School Capacity Committee, 3:30 p.m.
- Program and Human Resources Committee, 5:30 p.m.
- Operations and Finance Committee, 7:00 p.m.
- Monday, January 22, 2018: Public Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday, January 25, 2018: Special Education Advisory Committee, 5:00 p.m.
For more information, please contact Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, extension 2354, [email protected]