This update provides a summary of the public meeting of Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held Monday, January 29, 2018 at the Education Centre. It is an unofficial summary of the meeting; official minutes will be approved at the next meeting in February 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 Dave Patterson, Vice-chair of the Board, asked all to reflect on cooperation: We work as a team for a common goal. We value the opinions of others and show a willingness to work together towards a common goal.
Presentations
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Broadband Internet Innovation Centre
Kelvin MacQuarrie, Senior ITS Officer, provided background on a Ministry of Education-funded initiative to provide high-speed Internet access to all schools throughout HPEDSB. Steve Payne, ITS Analyst, presented a visual presentation describing the changes that are taking place to make this happen. The new model removes the dependency of a single building to host Internet. Multiple types of connectivity will be available, including fibre-optic. Broadband Internet innovation centres are located in North Bay, Guelph, Thunder Bay, St. Catharines, Toronto and Belleville to allow safe connectivity.
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A new broadband Internet innovation centre is being constructed in HPEDSB, one of only six centres across the province. Through this Ministry of Education-funded project, all HPEDSB schools will have high-speed Internet access.
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Addition and renovations at Marmora Public School
Kim Horrigan, Manager of Planning, presented a visual experience of the addition and renovations at Marmora Public School. They include two new full-day Kindergarten classrooms, three new Primary classrooms, addition of a 4,000 square foot gym, turning the old gym into a learning commons, reconfiguring the lobby and and main office, and new parking areas.
The school will consolidate two elementary schools: Earl Prentice Public School and Marmora Senior Public School this spring.
Report from Committee of the Whole
This report included the following:
- Agreement to purchase College Street Public School
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A new front entrance was built at Marmora Public School. An addition was constructed and renovation were done. The school will consolidate students from Earl Prentice Public School and (the former) Marmora Senior Public School this spring.
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Recommendations
Relocation of Prince Charles School Grade 7 and 8 students
Board members approved the,relocation of all Grade 7 and 8 students from Prince Charles School,;(Belleville) to Centennial Secondary School for September 2018.
Prince Charles School (Belleville) requires additional space to accommodate the needs,;of students and to address programming. Relocating all Grade 7 and 8 students to,another site, will free up space within the school to allow focus on providing programs,;and services to help each student achieve success.
It is proposed that approximately 60 students will be relocated to Centennial Secondary,School, resulting in a total of five classes of Grade 7 and 8 students. This transition will,also create synergy among the Grade 7 and 8 students already at Centennial Secondary,;School.
Transportation requirements for this potential change have been discussed with,Tri-Board Student Transportation Services and a transition plan will be put in place.
Policy 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 policy.
Board members approved a review of the following policies:
- Policy 3-C: Student Representation on Board
- Policy 3-G: Hospitality
- Policy 11-A: Committee of the Whole Board
- Policy 11-G: Student Education Advisory Committee
- Policy 11-J: Accessibility Advisory Committee
- Policy 11-K: Parent Involvement Committee
- Policy 18: Learning Foundation
Updates will be presented in the spring.
Information
Calendar of events
A number of district and school events (Pdf),are scheduled for the remainder of January and for February 2018.
Upcoming events include the following:
- February 8: Learning and Leadership Meeting at Susanna Moodie Elementary School
- February 12 – 16: Random Acts of Kindness Week, events/activities at various schools
- February 14: Dance Your Heart Out fundraiser for the,Student Emergency Fund at Harmony Public School and,;Prince Charles Public School (Trenton)
- February 19:,;Family Skate Day at Trenton Community,;Gardens
Report from the Chair
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Planning for the 2018-2019 school year is underway: French programming; open houses at secondary schools to plan for Grade 9; Kindergarten registration will begin on February 5, 2018.
Report from the Executive Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Naloxone kits for secondary schools as a proactive measure in partnership with Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Report from the Student Enrolment/School Capacity,;Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- presentation by the Sophiasburgh Community Hub Committee
- update on the consolidation of Queen Elizabeth School (Picton) and Prince Edward Collegiate Institute
Report from Operations and Finance Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- report about the Adult Education program
- report on the History curriculum
- Indigenous Studies update
- partnership between HPEDSB and Children's Mental Health
- proposed school year calendar for 2018-2019
Report from the Program and Human Resources Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- phase 2 building renewal projects totalling $9.2 million
- trustee honoraria
- Auditor General report
2017 Director's Annual Report
Mandy Savery-Whiteway, Director of Education and Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, presented this document for information. It showcases and celebrates student and employee learning during the 2017 calendar year, while also describing progress made in the areas of equity and the strategic plan.
Revised estimates
School board budgets, referred to as "estimates," are required to be submitted to the Ministry of Education by June 30 of each year. In late fall, school boards are required to update key data included,;in the estimates and submit the revised information to the Ministry of Education. Revisions normally incorporate updated information regarding enrolments, prior year actual results and,;any other known changes since the budget was completed in June.
Various adjustments to the budget approved in June 2017 result in an increase,;in revenue of $1.0 million and an increase in expenses of about $1.2 million. It should be noted that the budget included a $0.5 million contingency
The revised estimates show an in-year deficit of $224,229 which will decrease the HPEDSB accumulated surplus for compliance purposes of $1,470,919. The original estimates submitted,;to the Ministry of Education at the end of June projected a balanced budget with a small in-year surplus of,;$3,065. Senior staff are working on means to reduce the deficit.
Upcoming meetings
All meetings take place at the Education Centre unless otherwise noted.
- Monday, February 5: Executive Committee, 11:00 a.m.
- Monday, February 12:
- 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.
- Thursday, February 22:
- Special Education Advisory Committee, 5:00 p.m.
- Parent Involvement Committee, 6:00 p.m.
- Monday, February 26: Public Board Meeting
For more information, please contact Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, extension 2354,,;[email protected]