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8/29/2006 - Special Board Meetingr THAMES VALLEY DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD SPECIAL BOARD MEETING,PUBLIC SESSION 2006 AUGUST 29,7:00 P.M. BOARD ROOM,EDUCATION CENTRE AGENDA 1.CALL TO ORDER 2.APPROVAL OF AGENDA 3.CONFLICTS OF INTEREST 4.CHAIR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS 5.DIRECTOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS REPORTS FROM THE ADMINISTRATION Approval of the 2006-07 Budget ADJOURNMENT V-verbal M -material V M V V V M THAMES VALLEY DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD SPECIAL MEETING,PUBLIC SESSION 2006 AUGUST 29 The Boardmet inspecial session on 2006 August 29 Inthe Board Room at the Education Centre, meeting inpublic session from 7:06 p.m. to 8:37 p.m. The following were In attendance: TRUSTEES D.Anstead J.Bennett A.Cartler G.Hart,Chair J.Henry ADMINISTRATION AND OTHERS B.Bryce B.Greene C. Murphy M.Sereda J.Thorpe Regrets:J.Hunter P.Jaffe J.Koscik D.iVIugford 8.Peters T.Roberts D.Blair K.Dalton J.Emprlngham K.Havelka S.Hughes L.Hutchlnson P.Sattler J.Stewart L.Stevenson K.North B.Tucker B.Wagner K.Wilkinson K.Bushell S.Christie C.Dennett J.Roth 1. CALL TO ORDER -Chair G.Hart called the meeting to order. 2.APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved on motion of J.Stewart,seconded by S.Peters. 3.CONFLICTS OF INTEREST -No conflicts of interest were declared. 4.CHAIR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS Chairperson Hart reminded everyone that there will not be an Information Committee of the Whole meeting on 2006 September 05 under the new Board/Committee meeting format.September Board meetings will be held on 2006 September 12 and 26. Chairflart introduced and welcomed Student Trustees Jeff Koisclk and KatieNorthand encouraged them to participate fullyIn allBoard meeting discussions notingthe trustees lookforwardtotheir input and questions. 5.DIRECTOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS B. Bryce, Director of Education, advised that the Ministry of Education Is working on career path programs for students looking at non-traditional careers.Headvised thatthe Board has entered Into a partnership with Habitatfor Humanityorganization and that during2007 August, female staff and trustees will be constructing a home.Seminars will be held In preparation for the project and male colleagues are welcome to attend to cheer on the workers. He advised that the Ministry of Education has produced a commercial which focuses on adult secondary school students entitled "Reach Every Student". The commercial Is to be aired provlnclally.The web offerssix strategies for the campaign. Trustee Stevenson requested information about a Province-wide review of Special Education. Director Bryce Indicated a reviewIs upcoming to ensure the province's success for everystudent Includes special needs students..The funding announcement of2006 June 12 speaks of changes to developmental program measures to reflect the variability of students inschool boards. 2006 August 29...2 5.DIRECTOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS -cont'd Chair Hart requested an update on school opening plans. J. Thorpe, Executive Superintendent, Indicated that allschools are readyforopeningdayand staffare In place.Principals and Managers have metto ensure all facilities are prepared forthe students'arrival.K.Bushel!,Manager,Projects and Maintenance,reportedthat the only majorconstructionprojectunderwayis at Jack Chambers P.S., (London)notingthat allother renovations have been completed and allportable classrooms will be in place by 2006 September 11. DirectorBryceadvised that confirmation has been received that Premier McGulnty will visitSouthdale P.S.,(Strathroy)at 3:30 p.m.on 2006August31. Trustees interested In attendingthe event were asked to contact the Director's Executive Assistant. Trustee P. Jaffe asked If the School Retirement Guidelines have been received.Director Bryce Indicated that draft Guidelines have gone to a technical team of board administrators for comment. 6.REPORTS FROM THE ADMINISTRATION a.APPROVAL OF THE 2006-07 BUDGET Director Bryce Introduced the report on the draft 2006-07 Budget. He thanked the Finance and Payroll stafffortheirextensive work overthe summer to prepare the Budget. Budget Advisory Committee Chair T.Roberts extended appreciation to the staff and trustees for their commitment to preparing a balanced budget.Tnjstee Hart explained that If trustees wish to add an item to the Budget they must also Indicatefrom where the funds would come. His suggestion was supported. Executive Superintendent B.Greene reviewed the draft 2006-07 Budget for the trustees who were not In attendance at the 2006 August 22 Special Board meeting.He noted that the Board is required to approve a balanced budget under Section 231 of the HtfucatoAcf for submission to the Ministry of Education by 2006 August 31. The 2006-07 Budget is in compliance with Ministry enveloping provisions.Hedescribed the availablefunds noting onlythe reserves that have specificitemsattached tothemremain. Headvisedthatletters proving public Input on the budget have been distributed to trustees. RECOMMENDATIONS 1.That the 2006-07 Budget be balanced byallocating the following available funds: projected 2005-06 operating surplus of $472 633; 2005-06 one-time allocation of $1 067 312 for Cleaner,Safer Schools; $104599,the unallocated2004-05surplus included In Working Fund Reserves; 403 095, the unallocated 2005-06 Contingency funds included in Working Fund Reserves; projected Special Education Reserve balance of $1 554 457. 2. That the additional funds required to balance the Budget be generated by reducing departmental supplies and services, furnitureand equipment and non-permanent salaries budgets which do not have contractual obligations. 3. Thatthe2006-07balancedbudgetof$642824469,revenueand expenditures,beapproved for submission to the Ministryof Education. The Recommendations were moved on motion of T.Roberts and J.Stewart. 2006 August 29...3 6.REPORTS FROM THE ADMINISTRATION -cont'd a.APPROVAL OF THE 2006-07 BUDGET -cont'd P.Jaffe moved and L.Stevenson seconded the following amendment to Recommendation 3: That 10 secondary teachers be added to the 2006-07 Budget to be allocated to the Board's large secondary schools In order to reduce class size. Trustee Jaffe suggested that the funds be taken from the Supplies and Services budget at a cost of $816,000. Trustee J.Bennett questioned the system's abilityto implement the motion at this time.Exec. Supt.J.Thorpe responded that Itwould be necessary to identify the areas of greatest need after the students had been registered in September.He noted there is only one teaching position that has been held as a holdback. Exec.Supt.Greene described the difficulty in reducing the Supplies and Services budget by $816 000 noting that this account has already been significantly adjusted.He also noted the impact on custodial and maintenance operations,school operations and program,IT and new initiatives if further reductions were approved. Several trustees raised their concern over the timing of the motion.Trustee Jaffe subsequently moved the following motion to refer,seconded by L.Stevenson.The motion carried. That the motion related to adding 10 secondary teachers to the 2006-07 Budget be referred to the Administration for a report by the end of 2006 September. «The following motion was moved by L.Stevenson,seconded by P.Jaffe: That 15 Educational Assistants be added to the 2006-07 Budget with funds to be taken from the Supplies and Services Account. Aftera discussion,Chair Hart deemed that the motionwas not inorder having been previously considered at the 2006 July 04 meeting.The motion was withdrawn. Trustee Stevenson moved the following motion,seconded byP. Jaffe. Supt. B.Tucker indicated how the funds would be used.Several trustees spoke to the motion and Exec.Supt.B.Greene indicated that the motion would increase the Special Education deficitto $4.3M.Supervisor B. Noble described the need for the additional staff. That$600000be added totheSpecialEducationbudget with fundstaken from theSupplies and Services line. The motion was defeated on a tied Poll Vote: Yeas:Bennett,Henry,Jaffe,Mugford,Sattler,Stevenson Nay:Anstead,Cartier,Hart,Peters,Roberts,Stewart Abstentions:None Student Trustee Kosclk -yea Student Trustee North •yea Recommendations 1,2 and 3 were adopted. 2006 August 29...4 6.REPORTS FROM THE ADMINISTRATION -cont'd a.APPROVAL OF THE 2006-07 BUDGET -cont'd Trustee Jaffe asked if a Special Education consortium has been considered to enhance collaboration between Thames Valley and the London District Catholic School Board. Director Bryce advised that he had not heard of such an initiative but agreed itwould be advantageous to reflect on strategic methods to ensure that special education dollars are effectively spent. Supt Tucker indicated that a sharing of professional development has been initiatedInthe past year.Trustee Stevenson requested that a letter be sent to the Ministry of Education stating that system needs In special education have fallen short and requesting the funding formula be reviewed. 7.ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.on motion of P.Jaffe and J.Stewart. CONFIRMED: ~7 Chairperson 2006 August 29...5 SUMMARY OF APPROVED RECOMMENDATIONS OF 2006 AUGUST 29 That the 2006-07 budget be balanced by allocating the following available funds: projected 2005-06 operating surplus of $472 633; -2005-06 one-time allocation of $1 067 312 for Cleaner,Safer Schools; $104 599,the unallocated 2004-05 surplus included in Working Fund Reserves; -403 095,the unallocated 2005-06 Contingency funds included in Working Fund Reserves projected Special Education Reserve balance of $1 554 457. That the additional funds required to balance the budget be generated by reducing departmental supplies and services,furniture and equipment and non-permanent salaries budgets which do not have contractual obligations. That the 2006-07 balanced budget of $642 824 469,revenue and expenditures,be approved for submission to the Ministry of Education. That the motion related to adding 10 secondary teachers to the 2006-07 Budget be referred to the Administration for a report by the end of 2006 September.