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1/18/2011 - Regular Board MeetingTHAMES VALLEY DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD INAUGURAL MEETING 2011 JANUARY 18,7:00 P.M. BOARD ROOM,EDUCATION CENTRE AGENDA 1.CALL TO ORDER -Tracy Grant,Chair of the Board 2.CEREMONIAL OATH OF OFFICE -Bill Tucker,Director of Education 3.INVOCATION -Rev.Rob Shaw 4.O CANADA AND MUSICAL PRESENTATION -Lord Roberts French Immersion Public School Chamber Choir 5.WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION OF TRUSTEES -Joyce Bennett,Vice-Chair of the Board 6.SPECIAL GREETINGS -Graham Hart,Chair,Information Committee of the Whole 7.PRESENTATION TO 2010 CHAIR -Tracy Grant,Chair of the Board a MUSICAL INTERLUDE -Parkside Collegiate Institute Stage Band 9.PRESENTATION OF GAVEL -Daniel Grant,Glencoe District High School 10.MUSICAL INTERLUDE -Parkside Collegiate Institute Stage Band 11.INAUGURAL ADDRESS -Tracy Grant,Chair of the Board 12.BENEDICTION -Rev.Rob Shaw 13.MUSICAL INTERLUDE -Parkside Collegiate Institute Stage Band 14.CLOSING REMARKS - Bill Tucker,Director of Education 15.ADJOURNMENT THAMES VALLEY DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD INAUGURAL MEETING,PUBLIC SESSION 2011 JANUARY 18 The Board met in session for its annual Inaugural meeting on 2011 January 18 inthe Board Room at the Education Centre,meeting in public session at 7:05 p.m.The following were In attendance: TRUSTEES T.Grant (Chair)B.McKlnnon J.Bennett B.Murray J.Daniels S.Polhill R.Campbell P.Sattler J.Coghlln J.Stewart G.Hart T.Roberts W.Huff R.Tisdale P.Jaffe J.Todd ADMINISTRATION AND OTHERS B.Tucker L.Griffith-Jones S.Christie K.Dalton S.Hughes R.Hoffman L.Elliott V.Nielsen K.Meeson B.Greene M.E.Smith D. Rajala M.Sereda B.Sonler K.Young C.Bourbonnals-MacDonald P.Tufts K.Aitken K.Edgar K.Wilkinson 1.CALL TO ORDER.-BoardChairperson TracyGrantcalled the meetingto order at 7:05 p.m. 2.CEREMONIAL OATH OF OFFICE Director B.Tucker read and the trustees recited the Declaration of Oath of Office. '3.INVOCATION -Reverend Rob Shaw delivered the invocation. 4.O CANADA AND MUSICAL PRESENTATION The Lord Roberts French Immersion Public School Chamber Choir of London with conductor and accompanist Susan Whitehead led in the singing of O Canada. 5.WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Joyce Bennett,Vice Chair of the Board,on behalf of the Tnjstees and the Senior Administration welcomed everyone tothe firstmeeting ofthe 2011 Board.She introducedthe Trustees notingtheir area of representation and introduced former trustee guests who attended the meeting. 6.SPECIAL GREETINGS Graham Hart,Chairofthe Information Committeeofthe Whole,read a listof community members attending the meeting and representing their organizations.He welcomed and introduced the following guests who brought greetings on behalf of their affiliates: Rebecca Menzles, Education Officer,Ministry of Education Regional Office; Dan McKillop,Councillor,Dunwich-Dutton; Bill Hall, Chair,London District Catholic School Board; Arlene Morell,Thames Valley Parent Involvement Committee; Teresa Blum,Past President,Thames ValleyCouncil of Home and School Associations. Special written greetings were also read byTrustee Harton behalfofMPBevShipleyrepresenting Lambton-Kent-Mlddlesex and MPP Deb Matthews representing London North Centre. 2011 January 18...2 7.PRESENTATION TO 2011 CHAIR ChairGrant presented Past ChairTerryRoberts witha commemorative giftinappreciation forserving as the 2010 Chairperson. 8.MUSICAL INTERLUDE The Lord Roberts French Immersion Public School Chamber Choir of London performed three musical selections underthe direction of conductor Susan Whitehead.T rustee Roberts thanked them for sharing their talents at this special meeting. 9.PRESENTATION OF GAVEL On behalf ofthe students,trustees,staff and community ofthe Thames ValleyDistrict School Board, the gavel of office was presented to Chair Grant by her son Daniel Grant,a student at Glencoe District High School. 10.MUSICAL INTERLUDE The Parkside Collegiate Institute High School Stage Band of St.Thomas performed two musical numbers under the direction of conductor Angela Southern. 11.INAUGURAL ADDRESS Chair Grant presented the following Inaugural Address: "Itgives me special pleasure this evening to welcome so many good friends to the Thames Valley District School Board's 2011 Inaugural Celebration.Wewelcomeback allofour returning Trustees, our Student Trustees,and offer a warm welcome to our four enthusiastic new members - all of whom have made the commitment to serve the students of the Thames ValleyDistrictSchool Board. Not counting the considerable years of service to our founding boards of education,our current membership represents over 70 years of service dedicated to public education inthe Thames Valley. Five of our current members have served as Chairperson of this Board, and continue to be models of leadership for our Trustees.Together we are building on our strengths for the students of the Thames Valley. It is a real honour to be elected to serve this distinguished group of public officials as their Chairperson,and work with the Director,the Chair's Committee and all of our Trustees to ensure good governance and the meaningful engagement of the Board in our mission. Our members work tirelessly in service to our communities and in alignment withour system goals. The collaborative relationship between the Board, our Director,Supervisory officers and system staff isthe envy of many other school boards.The Director's emphasis on each student.Everyday sets a standard that guides the work of everyone in the Thames Valley. In the past four years,we have experienced much change.There have been many difficult and controversial Issues to tackle,but we can be proud of the level of Integrity our Trustees consistently bring to the table in deliberating over very challenging situations. There have also been many causes for celebration includingthe realization ofcapital investments in new schools,and beautifully refurbished and updated schools inmany ofour communities.We are thankful for Ministry support of our extensive capital projects. We have had a good start with the first phase of full day kindergarten and look forward to the provision of the resources needed to make that program available to allfamilies. Learning agenda presentations bystaff highlighting theirschool improvement results show that we are indeed building on our strengths as a system!We have seen improvement in our 5 year graduation rates from 77 to over 80%In just 4 years and we will continue to Invest In enhancing programs and opportunities for students aspiring to all destinations. John F. Kennedy said, "Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there Isa private hope and dream which,fulfilled,can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation. That is the promise of excellence in public education!" 2011 January 18...3 11.INAUGURAL ADDRESS,cont'd The willingness of staff members and employee groups to embrace the school and board improvement process, participate in program reviews,and seek out and take advantage of professionaldevelopment opportunities to improve theirpractices clearly speaks tothe atmosphere of cooperation and continuous improvementthat exists in the Thames Valley.More strengths on which to buildl We are entrusted withaccountabilityfor student success under Bill 177, and we are focussed on ensuring that we invest Insafe, caring, positivelearning environments for our students.Wherever possible, the Boardhas committedto specifically investing in our student success priorities. Thames Valley isa leader inthe provincewithourdedicated fundingforMentalHealthand Wellness and the five year strategic plan that has been developed. The working title ofthe plan 'Understand Me'describes a caring philosophyof program and service deliverythat will certainlybenefit all of us inthe Thames Valley.The system interventions that have already been established are showing great promise - and we lookforwardto the development and implementationof programs to reduce Sigma and increase capacity and understanding. We have not been afraidto talkabout very difficult issues.The Thames Valley has become a leader withour approach to the Ministry's Equityand Inclusive Education initiative.We sought feedback fromparents,students,staff,and community members and organizationsregardingour strengths and challenges in addressing equityand inclusion,and have posted the results on the home page ofour website.Collaborative work continues in breaking down barriers in those identified needs,and establishing an ongoing action plan that Includes building on our strengths.This work is also enhanced bythe effortsofthe Anti-Bullying Task Force and our Safe Schools initiatives. We were leaders inestablishing anAuditcommittee withcommunity representation fouryears before the Ministry regulation.We seek parent, student, staff and community input in our policies and procedures on a regular basis. The area ofthe Thames Valley encompasses 25 municipalities. Our commitment to consult withour communities has been enhanced by agreements to collaborate publicly In accommodation issues on an annual basis with Elgin,Middlesex and Oxford counties. 1know that our communities truly appreciate the opportunitiesforcooperation that are being established,and the Board looksforward to the extension of those agreements with ail of our municipal partners. We share much more than boundaries with the London District Catholic School Board,and ItIs our hope to build on ourgood relationship throughincreased collaboration forthe benefitofallstudents of our area. Togetherwe are growingstronger! Our Boardand administrationwork diligently withallour partners in proactive efforts to collaborate for the benefit of our students.The Community Partnerships Committee has been instrumental in creating a focus for those partnerships and bringing some great initiatives to the board. As a body, your board of Trustees is responsible for governance of the Thames Valley DistrictSchool Board. We always strive to set a direction that nurtures positive development, and improvesstudent outcomes. Whilethe 'Trust*inTrustee has historically referred to our important role infinancialoversight, your School Board has fully embraced the responsibility to be accountable for student success,and Is committed to building on our strengths to promote continuous Improvements for our students. 2011 will bring many challenges.Funding Issues in the face of a large provincial deficit and requirements to implement new and ongoing Provincial initiatives will require a lot of compliance-relatedworkforour system, but yourBoard will continue to improve communications, reach forward to establish our own goals and objectives,and encourage innovative practices inthe Thames Valley - building on our strengths for the benefit of our students. 2011 January 18...4 11.INAUGURAL ADDRESS,cont'd Thank you to all of our families for their love,support and encouragement,and to allof our honoured guests for being with us this evening to celebrate the beginning ofa great year for the Thames Valley District School Board. Anda very special note of gratitude to allofour dedicated staff who support the Trustees intheir role and made this celebration possible!Enjoy the evening!" TRACY GRANT Chair of the Board The following motion was moved by T.Roberts,seconded by J.Bennett and carried: That the Chairperson's Inaugural Address be spread upon the minutes and posted to the Board's website. 12.BENEDICTION -Reverend Shaw delivered the benediction. 13.MUSICAL INTERLUDE The Parkslde Collegiate Institute High School Stage Band performed two additional musical numbers. Trustee J.Todd thanked the students and the conductor for their participation in the meeting ande commending them for their exceptional musical talent. Chair Grant thanked and recognized the efforts of staff who participated in planning the evening. 14.DIRECTOR'S CLOSING REMARKS Director of Education Bill Tucker concluded the meeting by expressing the optimism of Chair Grant and sharing her enthusiasm for the trip the Trustees and administration are about to embark on together.He acknowledged that there will be challenging decisions to be made but they will be made in the best interest of students each and every day. He noted that the Thames Valley District School Board does not just provide education for its students,it also provides the opportunity for students to change the world. He noted that the students are doing just that through violence prevention,anti- bullying and the work of the student Trustees. 15.ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m., on motion of S.Polhill,seconded by R.Tisdale. CONFIRME 2011 January 18...5 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 2011 JANUARY 18 BOARD MEETING That the Chairperson's Inaugural Address be spread upon the minutes and posted to the Board's website.