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12/13/2005 - Regular Board MeetingTHAMES VALLEY DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD INAUGURAL MEETING 2005 DECEMBER 13,7:00 P.M. BOARD ROOM,EDUCATION CENTRE AGENDA 1.CALL TO ORDER -Graham Hart,Chair of the Board 2.INVOCATION -Rev.David Stewart 3.O CANADA AND MUSICAL PRESENTATION -Kensal Park Public School Choir,London 4.CEREMONIAL DECLARATION AND OATH OF ALLEGIANCE -Bill Bryce,Director of Education I 5.WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION OF TRUSTEES -Joyce Bennett,Chair of the Information Committee of the Whole 6.SPECIAL GREETINGS -Peggy Sattler,Vice-Chair of the Board 7.PRESENTATION TO 2005 CHAIR -Jan Hunter,Past Chair of the Board 8.APPROVAL OF 2006 COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS 9.APPROVAL OF 2006 OFFICERS OF THE BOARD 10.PRESENTATION OF GAVEL -Morgan Banner,Central Public School,Woodstock 11.MUSICAL INTERLUDE -Central Elgin Collegiate Institute Jazz Ensemble,St.Thomas 12.INAUGURAL ADDRESS -Graham Hart,Chair of the Board 13.BENEDICTION -Rev.David Stewart 14.MUSICAL INTERLUDE -Central Elgin Collegiate Institute Jazz Ensemble,St.Thomas 15.CLOSING REMARKS -Bill Bryce,Director of Education 16.ADJOURNMENT THAMES VALLEY DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD INAUGURAL MEETING,PUBLIC SESSION 2005 DECEMBER 13 The Board met insession foritsannual Inaugural meeting on2005December13inthe Board Room atthe Education Centre,meeting In public session at 7:00 p.m.The following were In attendance: TRUSTEES D.Anstead J.Bennett A.Cartier G.Hart J.Henry ADMINISTRATION AND OTHERS B.Bryce B.Greene C. Murphy M.Sereda J.Thorpe D.Biair K.Daiton J.Hunter P.Jaffe D.Moulton D.Mugford S.Peters J.Emprlngham K.Havelka L.Hutchinson B.Tucker K.Wilkinson K.Bushel! S.Christie T.Roberts P.Sattler L.Stevenson J.Stewart M.van Gaalen C.Dennett M.Hubert K.Meeson J.Neville J.Roth W.Scott 1.CALL TO ORDER.-Board Chairperson Graham Hartcalled the meeting to order. 2.INVOCATION Rev.David Stewart delivered the Invocation. 3. O CANADA AND MUSICAL PRESENTATION The Kensal Park French Immersion P.S.choir of London with conductor Laurraine Sigouin led in the singing of "O Canada"and performed two songs. Trustee Anstead extended the appreciation ofthe Board to the students for their participation Inthe Inaugural meeting. 4. CEREMONIAL DECLARATION AND OATH OF ALLEGIANCE Director Bryce readthe Ceremonial Declaration andOathofAllegiance andTrustees responded with "1 do so swear". 5.WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Joyce Bennett.Chair ofthe Information Committee ofthe Whole,on behalf ofthetrustees and the Senior Administration welcomed everyonetothe first meeting ofthe2006Boardand introduced the Trustees. 6.SPECIAL GREETINGS Peggy Sattler,Vice Chair ofthe Board,welcomed and introduced special guests In attendance.The following community representatives brought greetings on behalf oftheir affiliates: Zon-a Township Ministry of Education Regional Office London District Catholic School Board Thames ValleyDistrictSchool Council Thames Valley District Alliance of Home and School Associates Bill Semenuk,Mayor Rebecca Menzies Paul Whitehead,Chair Brenda Hopkins,Vice-Chair Mary Hopes,Past President 2005 December 13...2 7.PRESENTATION TO 2005 CHAIR Past Board Chair Jan Hunter presented Chair Hartwitha commemorative giftin appreciation forserving as the 2005 Chairperson. 8.APPROVAL OF 2006 COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Appointments to 2006 Committees were presented.The following motion was moved by P. Jaffe, seconded by J.Stewart and carried. That the 2006 list of Committees of the Board and community representation (attached)be approved. 9.APPROVAL OF 2006 OFFICERS OF THE BOARD Chair Hart Introduced a report Identifying the Officers of the Board who shall have signing authority on behalf of the Board along with the Chair and Vice-Chair for the period 2005 December 13 to 2006 December 12,in accordance with Board Bylaws,Inaugural Meeting of the Chair (6.4); The Board, by resolution, shall appoint by name the Officers of the Board who shall be the Secretary of the Board and Treasurer,both of whom, along with the Chair and Vice-Chair shall have signing authority on behalf of the Board. The following recommendation was moved by J.Stewart,seconded by D.Anstead and carried: That the following persons be appointed signing officers on behalf of the Board for the period 2005 December 13 to 2006 December 12: Graham Hart,Chair of the Board; Peggy Sattler,Vice-Chair of the Board; Bill Bryce,Director of Education and Secretary, Brian Greene,Executive Superintendent of Business Services and Treasurer. 10.PRESENTATION OF GAVEL On behalf of the students,trustees,staff and community of the Thames Valley District School Board, the gavel ofoffice was presented to Chairperson Hart by Morgan Benner,a student at Central P.S., Woodstock. 11.MUSICAL INTERLUDE The Central Elgin Collegiate Institute Jazz Ensemble,St.Thomas,with conductor Richard Frank performed two musical numbers. 12.INAUGURAL ADDRESS Chair Hart delivered the following inaugural address around the theme,"Adjusting Our Sails". "This evening I want to begin by again thanking myfellow trustees for electing me Chair for 2006. The year ahead,like the years behind,will be fullof challenges.Ilook forward to working with Director Bryce and the Senior Administration team to put the needs of Thames Valley students first and foremost. My comments tonight will focus around the following quote from an unknown author—'You cannot change the direction of the wind but you can adjust your sails to always reach your destination." The primaryfocus ofthe Thames ValleyDistrict School Board Isto achieve student success.We have created a caring learning community to help each and every individual student achieve success within their potential.We are passionate about public education.We are passionate about safe schools and we are passionate about raising our standardized test scores on EQAO each year to eventually reach the goal of surpassing the provincial average. 2005 December 13...3 12.INAUGURAL ADDRESS -cont'd In 2006,another goal will be to find a balance between student success and financial constraints resulting from an increasing numberofemptyschooldesks. The recent accommodation study suggests TVDSB presently has almost 15,000 empty pupil places now, and another 8,000 will appear inthe nextdecade. Since 1998,the TVDSB has closed only7 schools. The most recently closed school was Elliott Falrbairn in Tillsonburg.A JK to Grade 6 school with less than-10 students at each grade level.Without special financial consideration, the per student funding formula would result in classes of triple grades-not a recipe for success. Is Elliott Fairbalrn not a school that needed to be closed?But the decision to close this school last year was not unanimous and a number of trustees voted against closure. Arewe willing to adust our sails to achieve student success? Inthe coming year, we need to work with the provincial Ministry of Education to Implementtheir manynewandwelcome Initiatives like"Good Places ToLearn"and KeepingGood Schools Open". As we work through the new Capital Plan process and consider school consolidations,will we keep student success the determining factor ahead of financial concerns? In the past 10 years as a Trustee with the Oxford County Board of Education and now Thames Valley, my community has experienced the closure of 5 schools.I supported these decisions even though difficult and not without resistance at the time. Ineach case,in subsequent years parents have experienced the advantages ofthe changes fortheir students and expressed to me their support.One commented "I did not realize how much our children were missing in their schooling.The advantages are great." In the coming year, ifwe work openly ina supportive and collaborative manner within our caring learning community,we can continue to achieve our goal of student success.This is an achievable goal ifwe agree to adjust our sails to make It happen. Thank you allfor being part of the 2006 Inaugural of Thames Valley and again thank you to my fellow trustees for asking me to be your Chair. It is indeed a great honour. Graham Hart,Chair of the Board The following motion was moved by P.Jaffe,seconded by P.Sattler and carried: That the Chairperson's Inaugural Address be spread upon the minutes of the December 13, 2005 Inaugural meeting and posted to the Board's website. 13.BENEDICTION -Rev.David Stewart delivered the benediction. 14.MUSICAL INTERLUDE The Central Elgin Collegiate institute Jazz Ensemble performed two additional musical numbers. Trustee Mugford thanked the students and the conductor for their participation in the Inaugural meeting. 15.CLOSING REMARKS Director of Education Bill Bryce commented on the collective enthusiasm for public education and student success noting the Senior Administration looks forward to working closely with Chairperson Hart,Vice-Chairperson Sattler,Chair of Information Committee of the Whole Bennett and Past Chair Hunter and all of our trustees,individuals who are all dedicated to furthering our mission of improving student learning and promoting the cause of public education. 2005 December 13...4 15.CLOSING REMARKS -cont'd He indicated the next year will be a year of challenges but one filled with wonderful opportunities as well.The Board will face the challenge of helping students Improve their learning and enhance their .success so that they will be able to achieve targets set for them by our provincial government specifically in reading,writing,arithmetic and graduation rates.The use of some of the 2004 -2005 surplus funds resulting from the prudent management of the budget by our trustees will assist with this. Director Bryce noted that the Board also faces the challenge of enrolment migration and decline has created but that the Capital Planning process will provides an opportunity to plan for new and enhanced facilities that will allow Trustees and stalT to better provide the quality programs that Thames Valley students need and deserve. He invited everyone to meet in the cafeteria for a reception honouring Chairperson Hart. 16.ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.,on motion ofT.Roberts and J.Stewart. CONFIRMED: ^Chairperson 2005 December 13...5 SUMMARY OF APPROVED RECOMMENDATIONS OF 2005 DECEMBER 13 That the following persons be appointed signing officers on behalf ofthe Board for the period 2005 December 13 to 2006 December 12: Graham Hart,Chair of the Board Peggy Sattler,Vice-Chair of the Board Bill Bryce,Director of Education and Secretary Brian Greene,Executive Superintendent of Business Services and Treasurer That the Chairperson's Inaugural Address be spread upon the minutes and posted to the Board's website. And resolved that the following committee and other trustee appointments for 2006 be approved 2006 Committees of the Board and Community Representation COMMITTEES (Board,Statutory,Standing,Ad Hoc, Administrative &Community/Professional) Trustee Representation Required Please indicate your Committee interest BOARD COMMITTEES Committee of the Whole All Trustees Information Committee of the Whole All Trustees STATUTORY COMMITTEES Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) - (3 year term) 3 Anstead,Sattler Stevenson Supervised Alternative Learning for Excused Pupils (SALEP) CEC Central - 1 +alternate CEC East - 1 +alternate CEC South - 1 +alternate Chippewa of the Thames Bennett,Anstead-alt Stewart,Hart-alt IVIugford,Stevenson -alt. Henry STANDING COMIWITTEES Budget Advisory Committee 3 Anstead,Peters, Roberts Chairs'Committee Chair,Vice-Chair,Past Chair, Info.Committee Chair Hart,Sattler,Hunter, Bennett Director/System Review Committee 4 Hunter,Jaffe, Roberts,Stevenson Native Advisory Committee 2 +Native Representative Bennett,Cartier, Henry Negotiations Advisory Committee 3 Anstead,Peters, Sattler Policy Working Committee 5 Bennett,Jaffe, Mugford,Roberts, Sattler 2005 December 13...6 Trustee Professional Development Committee 3 Peters,Roberts, Stewart AD HOC COMMITTEES Trustee Computer Feasibility Board motion -Jan.25/05 3 +Student Trustee Stewart (Chair) Hart,Stevenson, Moulton Area School Accommodation Study Committees: -Town of Ingersoll Area Board motion - Apr.22/03 Hart (Chair),Jaffe -Lucas Area Board motion - Apr.22/03 Sattler (Chair), Roberts -South East Oxford Area Board motion - Apr.22/03 Hart (Chair),Anstead -West Middlesex &West Elgin Area Board motion - Apr.22/03 Peters (Chair), Bennett -Caradoc South Board motion -Nov.25/03 Peters (Chair) Bennett ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEES Award of Distinction Committee 1 Bennett Communications &Public Relations 2 +Student Trustee Cartier,Stevenson, vanGaalen Education Week 1+Student Trustee Roberts,vanGaalen Mental Health Study 1 Anstead Safe Schools Review 1+Student Trustee Jaffe,Moulton Suspension/Expulsion Appeals 3 as required Anstead,Bennett, Cartier,Hunter, Mugford,Peters, Roberts,Stevenson, Stewart PrincipalA/ice-Principal Interviews 2 as required Anstead,Bennett, Hunter,Peters, Roberts,Stevenson, Stewart COMMUNITY/PROFESSIONAL REPRESENTATION Ontario Public School Boards'Assoc.2 +alternate Anstead,Stevenson, Roberts-alt Children's Safety Village 1 +alternate Bennett,Cartier-alt Western Fair Representative 1 Peters,Mugford-alt City of London Safety &Crime Prevention Advisory Committee 3-year term 1 Anstead 2005 December 13...7 Thames Valley District School Council 1 Stewart, Stevenson-alt Thames Valley Education Foundation 3-year term 4 London -Sattler Elgin -Hunter Middlesex -Peters Oxford)- Hart Chair )