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12/11/2012 - Regular Board Meeting1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.ADJOURNMENT THAMES VALLEY DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD INAUGURAL MEETING 2012 DECEMBER 11,7:00 P.M. BOARD ROOM,EDUCATION CENTRE AGENDA CALL TO ORDER •Joyce Bennett,Chair of the Board O CANADA Austin Gagnier,Parkside Collegiate Institute INVOCATION -The Reverend Wendy Mencel FIRST NATIONS PRAYER -Barbara Antone,Oneida Nation of the Thames MUSICAL INTERLUDE -Heeyeon Han, H B Beal Secondary School WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION OF TRUSTEES -Ruth Tisdale,Chair of the Board SPECIAL GREETINGS -Tracy Grant,Past Chair of the Board PRESENTATION TO 2012 CHAIR -Tracy Grant,Past-Chair of the Board MUSICAL INTERLUDE -Austin Gagnier,Parkside Collegiate Institute PRESENTATION OF GAVEL - Mitchell Bennett,Strathroy District Collegiate Institute MUSICAL INTERLUDE -Heeyeon Han, H B Beal Secondary School INAUGURAL ADDRESS -Joyce Bennett,Chair of the Board MUSICAL INTERLUDE -Austin Gagnier,Parkside Collegiate Institute BENEDICTION -The Reverend Wendy Mencel MUSICAL INTERLUDE -Austin Gagnier,Parkside Collegiate Institute CLOSING REMARKS - Bill Tucker,Director of Education THAMES VALLEY DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD INAUGURAL MEETING,PUBLIC SESSION 2012 DECEMBER 11 The Boardmet in session foritsannual Inauguralmeetingon 2012 December 11 in the Board Roomat the EducationCentre, meeting in public session at 7:10 p.m.to 8:05 p.m.The following were in attendance: TRUSTEES ADMINISTRATION AND OTHERS J.Bennett (Chair)W.Huff L. Elliott(Acting Director)V.Nielsen R.Campbell P.Jaffe K.Dalton M.E.Smith D.Clark E.Kim C.Bourbonnais-P.Tufts J.Coghlin S.Polhill MacDonald K.Wilkinson P.Forron P.Sattler K.Edgar K.Bushell T.Grant R.Tisdale L.Griffith Jones S.Christie G.Hart S.Hughes K.Young K.Meeson K.Aitken M.Moynihan J.Pratt Regrets:B.McKlnnon Absent:J.Todd 1.CALL TO ORDER Board Chair J. Bennett called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. 2.O CANADA AND MUSICAL PRESENTATION AustinGagnier, a student at Parkside Collegiate Institute, led inthe singing ofO Canada. 3.INVOCATION The Reverend Wendy Mencel delivered the invocation. 4.FIRST NATIONS PRAYER Barbara Antone,Oneida Nation of the Thames,delivered an opening prayer. 5.MUSICAL INTERLUDE Pianist Heeyeon Han, a student at H. B.Beal Secondary School, performed a musical selection. 6.WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Ruth Tisdale,Vice Chair of the Board,on behalf of the Trustees and the Senior Administration welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the 2013 Board.She introduced the trustees noting their area of representation. 7.SPECIAL GREETINGS Tracy Grant,Past Chair ofthe Board, read a listofcommunity groups and organizations represented at the meeting.She welcomed and Introduced the following guests including those who brought greetings on behalf of their affiliates: London District Catholic School Board Director; Municipal elected officials; Provincial and federal elected officials; Fomier Thames Valley tnjstees; Former Directors of Thames Valley; 2012 December 11...2 Community services; District Police Services; District Fire Services; District Libraries Bus operators; SEAC members; Western Universityand Fanshawe College; Board solicitors and auditors; Thames Valley Parent Involvement Committee; Thames ValleyCouncilof Home and School Associations; Staff Bargaining Unit Presidents; District Chambers of Commerce; First Nations; Medical Officers of Health; Board caterers;and System donors. Trustee Donna Clark read greetings on behalf of MPPs Chris Bentley, Deb Matthews and Susan Truppe who were unable to attend the meeting. 8.PRESENTATION OF GAVEL Past Chair Grant presented Chair Bennett witha commemorative giftIn appreciation of her commitment and dedication in serving as the 2012 Chair. 9.MUSICAL INTERLUDE Vocalist Austin Gagnier performed the song "I've Got Your Back"that he wrote for the nationwide program "Stop a Bully". 10.PRESENTATION OF THE GAVEL On behalf of the students,trustees,staff and community of the Thames Valley District School Board, the gavel of office was presented to Chair Bennett by her grandson,Mitchell Bennett,a student at Strathroy District Collegiate Institute. 11.MUSICAL INTERLUDE Heeyeon Han performed an additional music number.Student Trustee Enna KIm thanked her for her participation at the meeting. 12.INAUGURAL ADDRESS Chair Bennett presented the following Inaugural Address: "Trustee colleagues,Acting Director Elliott,Administration,staff,students,friends and family, welcome to this Inaugural meeting of the Thames Valley District School Board. I am proud tonight to have my son Kevin, his wife Mary Ann and my grandson Mitchellwith us. I want to thank several friends who are here as well. May Parkinson,Jean Wright.Julie and John Humlnick, Roland Jocelyn,Bill Brock, Linda Stevenson and Phil Schuyler.You are my friends and I appreciate your support this evening.I also want to thank you for the advice that you give me,especially your caring persistence when Ireally need to listen. To Sue Pullam,a collective thank you from all 15 of us for trying to keep us organized which Is no easy task and we realize that. 2012 December 11...3 12.INAUGURAL ADDRESS -confd Itis an honour to be the Chairperson of this Board and to have the opportunityto share some thoughts with you this evening.We have many partners inthe Districtto be thankful for including municipal councils, community agencies,fire, police,bus operators,to name but a few. Ialso want to take a moment to recognize the number of principalswho have joined us this evening. Ivery well realize that things are not "business as usual" and we very much appreciate that you have taken time tonight to come to this meeting to be with us.Thank you very much for that. Ialso want to thank the Thames Valley Council of Home and School Associations,Thames Valley Parent Involvement Committee and many individual school councils and parent groups that have always provided tremendous supports for our students and our schools.Thank you,everyone,on behalf of the Board of Trustees for all that you do every day for students. Atthis time Iwould also liketo thank the parents and community members who have been working diligentlyon Accommodation Review Committees.Constructive community discussions on difficult issues such as these help both the community and the Board explore the consequences of decisions before they are made.We need to have important discussions as trustees about student accommodation based on pedagogy and research.We need to continue to have meaningful conversations with our communities and we need to explore and evaluate the Impact on and the benefits for our students and families of changes that we have already made across the District. The Board presently operates schools with approximately 13,800 empty pupil places.Trustees,what actions do we need to take In 2013 to explore improved program options and different school configurations?It is important to be creative as we move ahead.Accountability should not focus merely on finances.Establishing goals for the system,supporting student needs and using evaluation strategies to measure Its success is also part of our accountability as trustees. Provincial tests must continue to be used to improve but at the same time,we must share our successes and acknowledge the areas that are requiring improvement.We recognize the need to communicate our goals so that parents and the community understand our schools and the work that they do.We must continue to strengthen our relationship with the media and continue to foster relationships with local councils and MPPs so that they can more fully understand the complexity of our system.There isn't a person in this room who doesn't want students to succeed.Can we do better?Of course we can.Should we?No,we must.But itwill take more than the willof this Board to ensure that no student is left stranded without support. The provincial ministries,community agencies and municipal councils must work with us to recognize and address the factors that fall outside of our mandate.As a system there Is another question that needs to be asked.Are we preparing our students for their future?1 need to say that again.Are we preparing our students for their Mure7 We hear on the news that it's necessary to go outside of Canada to recruit skilled trade's people.Are we preparing our students to fill some of these jobs? When we equip science and computer labs or create technology wings,are we consulting experts In the field?In our schools are we giving students advice about the current job opportunities that await them depending on the pathway that they choose?Ladies and gentlemen,if we are truly Innovative we must pursue these answers together. The late summer and this fall have been dominated by Bill 116,The Putting Students First Act As the debate continues on just how centralized control willin fact improve opportunities for students or working conditions for staff here In Thames Valley, we must continue to focus on the main thing - why we exist.We are in the business of learning.The current conflict between teachers and the provincial government has reached this stage because the expertise and local perspective of school boards which set the tone and foster a positive climate were not utilized. 2012 December 11...4 12.INAUGURAL ADDRESS -confd 'A In August, in my letter to Minister Broten, Istrongly suggested that she rethink the Ministry's strategy of Imposing the regulation and instead give local boards the opportunity to bargain ingood faith with our local unions. A local agreement could address the needs of our students,be fair to our employees and address the current fiscal realityofthe government. Ifthe Ministerhad involved Directors,human resources,staff and trustees more in the spring of this year,we might not be trying to work through the chaos created by Bill 115.Our staff is experiencing high levels of anxiety and uncertainty.They must be supported and respected now,and when the chaos Is over. Trustees and boards must be diligent In responding to the changes In our roles.To whom are we accountable -to the Minister of Education or the citizens who elected us?We must not allow ourselves to be put In the position of being available only as a buffer to the Ministryfor decisions and regulations over which we have no control. As trustees,together we must remain strong and united In our support of students and the programs that they need every day. Since August 2011,we have challenged each other to consider our goals and priorities for the system as part of the development of a strategic plan. We must have an individualand collective vision to prepare our system to take advantage of opportunities that support our Board Improvement Plan.We set out to create a direction for the next five years and that has resulted in thoughtful conversation about who we are,and what we aspire to be, for our students,parents,staff and communities.We held meetings to engage our communities,to discuss our commitments and action to move us forward as a system. Now we need to make the new mission and vision "ours"and to articulate our commitments to each other as our promise to the students we serve.To that end,Iwould like to publicly announce this evening our new mission and vision.The mission of the Thames Valley District School Board: "We build each student's tomorrow,every day."The vision of the Thames Valley District School Board: "The Thames Valley learning community inspires Innovation,embraces diversity,and celebrates achievements - a strong foundation for all students." The following motion was moved by S. Polhill,seconded by T.Grant and carried: That the new mission and vision of the Thames Valley District School Board be approved: Mission: We build each student's tomorrow,every day. Vision: The Thames Valley learning community inspires Innovation,embraces diversity, and celebrates achievements -a strong foundation for all students. The next step In the new year is to articulate our commitments and develop implementation steps for the system.Weighing future decisions against our commitments will be our indicator of success. Links with our students through our student leaders led by our student trustees will be a valuable pulse as we move forward.Our strong administrative team,led by Director Tucker,is ready to take up the task of implementing the direction that we set Trusteeship is about charting the course for the future. Ladies and gentlemen,our team is strong because of the expertise that each one of you brings to this table. We have committed tonight to a new system mission and vision and we have now a unique opportunity to move our system forward. We have so much to be proud of. I challenge you,as 1 always to do, to continue to fight passionately for public education,to always put students first and commit to role modeling our system vision.Together we will succeed.Thank you." 2012 December 11...5 12.INAUGURAL ADDRESS-confd The following motion was moved byT. Grant,seconded by R.Tisdaie and carried: That the Chairperson's Inaugural Address be spread upon the minutes and posted to the Board's website. 13.MUSICAL INTERLUDE Austin Gagnier performed the musical selection "YourSong". 14.BENEDICTION The Reverend Wendy Mencel delivered the benediction. 15.MUSICAL INTERLUDE Austin Gagnier performed his finalmusical number, "Jingle Bell Rock".Student Trustee Page Forron thanked himfor participating Inthe meeting and commended himfor his exceptional musical talent. 16.CLOSING REMARKS Acting Director Laura Elliott closed with the following remarks on behalf of Director Tucker: "Tonight has been a very special evening for all of us. I share your enthusiasm as we lookforwardto the new term with all the rewards and accomplishments it promises.1also look forward to working with Chair Bennett,Vice-Chair Tisdaie,Past Chair Grant,Information Committee of the Whole Chair McKinnon,and Vice-Chair Campbell-individuals who bring a wealth of experience and leadership to the role of trustee.1 have appreciated the collaborative spirit inwhich these individuals have worked with me and the Senior staff to address significant provincial and local Issues and 1look fonivard to their input and guidance over the next year. From our inception as Thames Valley,I've been Impressed withthe focus trustees have placed on putting students first as we've addressed complex issues and 1am confident that the decisions the Board will make inthe coming year,will continue to be premised on this belief. I continue to be impressed with the dedication of our administrators,staff,trustees,school council, home and school representatives and all of our school communities to providing our students with every opportunity for success.Ibelieve that's what our system offers-not only information, but opportunities.Opportunities to open their minds, to expand their perspectives,to exchange ideas, and to come to new understandings and appreciations.Our performers this evening demonstrated what can be achieved when these opportunities are seized. Providing a wide range of opportunities supports our Vision as we have focused on improving student learning.Together,our system will rally around our vision of building each student's tomorrow,every day, defining our commitment to serving our students.We can be proud of what we have achieved over the past 14 years and are excited about what the next year willoffer. Thank you for attending this evening and making it the success that it was~our student performers, staff, family, friends, community representatives and our special guests who joined us to bring greetings.To have this number of education partners represented at our Inaugural Meeting is an example of the commitment to young people that is shared throughout the District.We look forward to working with you In the coming year. We hope that you will join us now in the cafeteria for a reception to renew acquaintances and to extend your best wishes to Chairperson Bennett and Vice-Chairperson Tisdaie as they begin their new term of office." 2012 December 11...6 17.ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. on motion of J. Coghlin,seconded by P. Jaffe. Confirmed:<"0 hairperson 2012 December 11...7 SUMMARY OF APPROVED RECOMMENDATIONS OF 2012 DECEMBER 11 -That the following mission and vision of the Thames Valley District School Board be approved: Mission:We build each student's tomorrow,every day. Vision:The Thames Valley learning community inspires innovation,embraces diversity, and celebrates achievements - a strong foundation for ai!students. That the Chairperson's Inaugural Address be spread upon the minutes and posted to the Board's website.