6/21/2016 - Special Board MeetingTHAMES VALLEY DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
2016 JUNE 21, 7:03 P.M.
BOARD ROOM, EDUCATION CENTRE
The Board met in special session on 2016 June 21 at 7:03 p.m. The following were in attendance:
TRUSTEES
B. McKinnon (Chair)
S. Polhill
J. Bennett
M. Reid
R. Campbell
J. Skinner
C. Goodall
R. Tisdale
G. Hart
J. Todd
P. Jaffe
M. Deman
A. Morell
Regrets:
E. Ng
P. Schuyler
H. Goddeeris
S. Suvajac
L. Elliott
R. Kuiper
V. Nielsen
K. Bushell
J. Pratt
B. Williams
C. Beal
S. Macey
S. Builder
J. Knight
R. Culhane
P. Hearse
M. Deman
D. Munroe
K. Edgar
E. Ng
L. Griffith -Jones
D. Macpherson
P. McKenzie
M. Moynihan
1. CALL TO ORDER
Board Chair B. McKinnon called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and acknowledged the traditional
territory on which the Board meeting is held.
2. O CANADA - The meeting was opened with the playing of O Canada.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was approved, as amended, on motion of Trustee P. Jaffe, seconded by Trustee R.
Tisdale.
4. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST — None declared.
5. QUESTIONS ON PUBLIC INPUT
The floor was opened for questions of clarification regarding the public input received at the 2016
June 14 Planning and Priorities Advisory Committee meeting related to the 2016-2017 preliminary
budget.
Senior Administration responded to questions of clarification concerning the funding for leadership
development, the complement of permanent and casual Educational Assistant support positions, and
the enrollment of international students. The factors, used to project revenues for adult and
continuing education, were described. It was noted a report reviewing Adult, Alternative and
Continuing Education will be presented to Advisory in the fall.
Supt. B. Sonier responded to a question of clarification regarding the secondary staffing process and
described how the allocation of the proposed 5.0 FTE in the 2016-2017 budget would be determined.
Senior Administration described the determination of bussing eligibility for students attending choice
of schools, Technology Emphasis and French Immersion schools.
Director Elliott provided an update regarding the Rethink Secondary Learning initiative noting Senior
Administration team is determining objectives for Phase two of the initiative.
2016 June 21 ... 2
Discussion considered the challenges of providing a range of programming in small secondary
schools. Administration was asked to bring forward a report in the fall concerning how staffing
allocations in secondary were completed and the cancellations of classes due to low enrollment.
6. FINALIZATION OF THE 2016-2017 BUDGET
Trustee G. Hart, Chair of the Planning and Priorities Advisory Committee, introduced the 2016-2017
Budget thanking all Trustees for supporting the new budget process and acknowledging the work of
Senior Team. He further noted the budget allocation for 34 -credits had already been approved.
Associate Director J. Pratt provided an overview of the 2016-2017 budget noting it is fully compliant
with the Ministry of Education expectations. The budget includes all new budget initiatives, one time
and ongoing permanent initiatives, as well as the Board supported Capital amount. Throughout the
budget process and working with the Planning and Priorities Advisory Committee, it was ensured that
the budget is fiscally responsible and focused on long term financial sustainability of the organization.
The 2016-2017 budget aligns with the Board's Strategic Priorities and the Board Improvement Plan
for Student Achievement.
Supt. C. Beal presented the 2016-2017 Approved Budget Summary noting the budget was built on
Public Sector Accounting Board (PSAB) standards. Revenues, Expenses and the Compliance
Surplus/(Deficit) were described.
The following motion was moved by Trustee Morell, seconded by Trustee Polhill and CARRIED:
That in addition to the 5.0 FTE teachers included in the draft budget, that an
additional 2.50 FTE teachers (15 staffing lines) be allocated to secondary schools
to ease timetabling conflicts, address the breadth of programming, and reduce the
number of on-line courses students must take in schools with student enrollment
below 400 FTE.
In addition to the proposed increased allocation of 5.0 FTE to secondary staffing in the budget,
discussion considered the need for additional staff at the secondary. level to assist with programming.
Trustee Morell spoke to the motion and questions of clarification were addressed. Trustees provided
comments in support of the motion.
The following motion was moved by Trustee Reid, seconded by Trustee Todd and CARRIED:
That 2.50 additional teacher librarians be allocated to ensure that every secondary
school has a minimum of .67 FTE teacher librarians.
Trustee Reid spoke to the motion identifying the need to ensure library access to all students,
especially in eight schools currently with a teacher librarian allocation under .67. Questions of
clarification were addressed and Trustee Todd provided comments in support of the motion.
The following motion was moved by Trustee Hart, seconded by Trustee Reid and CARRIED:
That a report and cost analysis be prepared by Senior Administration, for January
2017, related to providing technology such as chrome books/laptops to grade 9
students entering and/or enrolled in secondary school.
Trustee Hart described his rationale for the motion highlighting the importance of having access to
technology for online learning. Trustee Reid provided comments in support of the motion.
The following motion was moved by Trustee Tisdale, seconded by Trustee Bennett and CARRIED:
That a report be provided to Trustees by October 2016 indicating the number of
students attending other secondary schools and the rationale. Also including
whether there are any exemptions being granted and the reasons for the
exemptions, and an investigation of the impacts on the designated schools with
grade 9 and 10 students attending out -of -area.
2016 June 21 ... 3
Trustee Tisdale spoke to the motion noting the report is needed to make informed decisions next year
regarding the impact of students attending out -of -area schools. Trustee Bennett provided comments
in support of the motion.
The following motion was moved by Trustee Tisdale, seconded by Trustee Morell and CARRIED:
That a report including the costing and impact of students accessing choice of
schools transportation be provided to Trustees by November 2016.
Trustee Tisdale provided the rationale for the motion. Trustee Morell was in agreeance with the
remarks provided.
The following motion was moved by Trustee Hart, seconded by Trustee Goodall and CARRIED:
That the Senior Administration investigate the moving new programs to North
Middlesex to increase the number of students attending.
In response to a request on the clarification of the motion, Trustee Hart clarified he is looking for
programming options that will attract student to, and retain students at, North Middlesex District High
School (NMDHS).
Senior Administration provided clarification of Technology Emphasis schools and components of
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs. It was noted that transportation is not provided to
students attending a SHSM program. Presently, NMDHS offers a Ministry approved SHSM program
in agriculture and transportation.
Opposing comments to the motion advised that the problem is broader then just at NMDHS and that
a solution is needed for all secondary schools, including all small, rural high schools. It was
suggested the Rethink Secondary Learning initiative is intended to provide some direction in this
regard.
The following motion was moved by Trustee Skinner, seconded by Trustee Hart:
That $130,000 be added to the draft budget for one year of the robotics initiative pilot
project to be taken from the multipurpose fund and distributed on a needs -basis.
Trustee Skinner spoke to the motion noting the key reasons and benefits to students. The significant
public input received regarding the robotics initiative was highlighted.
The discussion centred on the distribution of funds to schools, the equity of distribution, and the
administration of the funds.
The following amendment to the motion was moved by Trustee Hart, seconded by Trustee Jaffe and
CARRIED:
That $130,000 be changed to $50,000.
The following recommendation was moved by Trustee Skinner, seconded by Trustee Hart and
CARRIED:
That $50,000 be added to the draft budget for one year of the robotics initiative
pilot project to be taken from the multipurpose fund and distributed on a needs -
basis.
Discussion considered the process for distribution of the $50,000 for the robotics initiative pilot
project.
The following motion was moved by Trustee Tisdale, seconded by Trustee Bennett CARRIED:
2016 June 21 ... 4
That the Board approach the Thames Valley Education Foundation to request that
they consider investigating fundraising sources to support robotics clubs.
Trustee Tisdale spoke to the motion advising it is a request from the Board of Trustees to the Thames
Valley Education Foundation to explore fundraising to support robotics clubs.
Budget implications related to recent contract negotiations were identified. Concerns were raised
regarding the expenditures for salaries and benefits, as well as for the cutting of keys for occasional
teachers.
The need for future discussions around small, rural schools was noted.
The following recommendation was moved by Trustee Reid, seconded by Trustee Polhill and
CARRIED:
That the 2016-2017 revenue budget of $861,010,780 and the 2016-2017 expense
budget of $868,412,840 be approved.
The following recommendation was moved by Trustee Todd, seconded by Trustee Polhill and
CARRIED:
That a 2016-2017 appropriation of accumulated surplus of $3,600,000 be approved
to fund Board supported capital.
The following recommendation was moved by Trustee Tisdale, seconded by Trustee Morell and
CARRIED:
That the projected 2016-2017 deficit for compliance purposes of $7,402,060 be
funded from the August 31, 2016 accumulated surplus through the following
appropriations:
Unappropriated Accumulated Surplus (3,990,980)
Multi -Purpose Fund ( 50,000)
Other Operating Appropriations (2,017,701)
Committed Capital Projects (1,343,379)
TOTAL (7,402,060)
The value of the budget debate was acknowledged.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. on motion of Trustee Todd, secon y Trustee Reid.
Confirm , d __.
Chairperson
2016 June 21 ... 5
SUMMARY OF APPROVED RECOMMENDATIONS OF 2016 JUNE 21
That in addition to the 5.0 FTE teachers included in the draft budget that an additional 2.50
FTE teachers (15 staffing lines) be allocated to secondary schools to ease timetabling
conflicts, address the breadth of programming, and reduce on-line courses students must
take in schools with student enrollment below 400 FTE.
That 2.50 additional teacher librarians be allocated to ensure that every secondary school has
a minimum of .67 FTE teacher librarians.
That a report and cost analysis be prepared by Senior Administration, for January 2017,
related to providing technology such as chrome books/laptops to grade 9 students entering
and /or enrolled in secondary school.
That a report be provided to Trustees by October 2016 indicating the number of students
attending other secondary schools and the rationale. Also including whether there are any
exemptions being granted and the reasons for the exemptions, and an investigation of the
impacts on the designated schools with grade 9 and 10 students attending out -of -area.
That a report including the costing and impact of students accessing choice of schools
transportation be provided to Trustees by November 2016.
That the Senior Administration investigate the moving new programs to North Middlesex to
increase the number of students attending.
That $50,000 be added to the draft budget for one year of the robotics initiative pilot project to
be taken from the multi-purpose fund and distributed on a needs -basis.
That the Board approach the Thames Valley Education Foundation to request that they
consider investigating fundraising sources to support robotics clubs.
That the 2016-2017 revenue budget of $861,010,780 and the 2016-2017 expense budget of
$868,412,840 be approved.
That a 2016-2017 appropriation of accumulated surplus of $3,600,000 be approved to fund
Board supported capital.
That the projected 2016-2017 deficit for compliance purposes of $7,402,060 be funded from the
August 31, 2016 accumulated surplus through the following appropriations:
Unappropriated Accumulated Surplus (3,990,980)
Multi -Purpose Fund ( 50,000)
Other Operating Appropriations (2,017,701)
Committed Capital Projects (1,343,379)
TOTAL (7,402,060)