Approved Minutes Regular Public Meeting Board of Education School District No. 57 (Prince George) 2100 Ferry Avenue, Prince George, B.C. 2014.05.13 7:00 p.m. Present: Sharel Warrington, Chair Tim Bennett, Vice-Chair Betty Bekkering, Trustee Trish Bella, Trustee Sharon Bourassa, Trustee Kate Cooke, Trustee Brenda Hooker, Trustee 1. Brian Pepper, Superintendent of Schools Allan Reed, Secretary Treasurer Jan Cote, Acting Executive Assistant (Recorder) CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved as circulated with the removal of 7.2 due to postponement by the presenter. 3. PUBLIC INPUT Gillian Burnett, a parent, voiced her concerns with policy revisions and the Budget process. Richard Giroday, speaking as a teacher in School District No. 57 (Prince George) expressed concerns regarding decreases in the budget and the stretching of funds Tina Cousins, President of the Prince George Teachers’ Association, spoke of a past President, Sandra Davie who passed away recently. Ms. Cousins also voiced her concerns regarding the budget decrease due to the decline in student enrolment. Karen Wong, President CUPE 3742, voiced her concerns regarding the budget. Ms. Wong encourages the board to call on the Ministry of Education and the Provincial Government to adequately fund School District No. 57 (Prince George). Sarah Holland, representing the District Parent Advisory Council, shared her concerns regarding the budget and the availability of viewing the Board of Education Regular Public Meeting Agenda on the district website. Ms. Holland also voiced concerns regarding district policy development. School District No. 57 (Prince George) Page 1 of 5 Minutes of the regular public meeting held May 13, 2014 4. Approved SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS Ms. Bekkering reported on her attendance at Foothills Elementary “Music Monday” and how students were connected through the internet to sing with Canadian Astronaut, Colonel Chris Hatfield. Ms. Hooker reported on her attendance at Southridge, École College Heights, Malaspina, and Vanway schools. Ms. Warrington spoke of the passing of Sandra Davie, Past President of the Prince George Teachers Association, and how Ms. Davie dedicated her life for teaching and learning. Ms. Warrington also spoke of the recent Highglen Montessori School event “New Beginnings” and “Project Shop Class” a BC Construction Association program designed to provide funding for school shop equipment. Three of School District No. 57 (Prince George) schools, Kelly Road Secondary, Prince George Secondary and College Heights Secondary, received funds for their shop classes. She also reported on the Heavy Metal Rocks event sponsored by the Prince George Construction Association. 5. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS 5.1 Regular Public Meeting of April 29, 2014 The minutes of the regular public meeting of April 29, 2014, were approved, with the following corrections: 5.2 • Present: Sharon Bourassa, Trustee (via video-conference) and Kate Cooke, Trustee (via video-conference). • No. 9.2 change to: “be referred to a Committee of the Whole” • No. 11.1 change: Mr. Bennett reported that Ms. Bella and Ms. Warrington had received long service awards from the BCSTA. • No. 12 New Business change: “That further discussion of this matter be postponed to the meeting of May 13, 2014. Record of Regular In Camera Meeting of April 28, 2014 The report on the items discussed and decisions made at the regular in camera meeting of April 28, 2014, was approved School District No. 57 (Prince George) Page 2 of 5 Minutes of the regular public meeting held May 13, 2014 5.3 Approved Record of Special In Camera Meeting of May 06, 2014 The report on the items discussed and decisions made at the Special in Camera meeting of May 06, 2014, was approved. 6. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES 6.1 Draft Resolution CUPE Mr. Bennett reported on the motion the Board of Education received from CUPE 3742 MOVED and SECONDED That the board of School District No. 57 calls on the Minister of Education and the Provincial Government to provide adequate and sustainable funding to the school district to meet the educational needs of students and the community. Including the cost of the necessary seismic and infrastructure upgrades, provincially bargained collective agreements settlements, and inflationary and provincially/federally mandated increases to non-discretionary spending such as utilities. Be it further resolved that: The Board of School District No. 57 request that other community partners in education, such as parent advisory councils and local government, support the school district’s call for an adequate and sustainably funded public education system that meets the needs of students and the community. CARRIED MOVED and SECONDED: That the Board draft a letter from CUPE 3742 motion and invite partner groups to jointly sign the letter. CARRIED MOVED and SECONDED: That the Board of Education enter into planning a town hall meeting focused on funding shortfalls and challenges in collaboration with our partners. CARRIED School District No. 57 (Prince George) Page 3 of 5 Minutes of the regular public meeting held May 13, 2014 7. Approved PRESENTATIONS 7.1 Career Programs / Secondary Schools Apprenticeship Program Scholarships Chris Molcak, Principal of the Center for Learning Alternatives, spoke about the criteria for secondary school apprenticeship scholarships and businesses that provided the apprenticeship opportunities for our students. Mr. Molcak read out the names of all of the students who had qualified for scholarships this year, and then presented the students who were in attendance with their cheques. 7.2 Strengthening Families The presenter had earlier requested a postponement to a future Board Meeting. 8. MANAGEMENT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE 8.1 Committee Report Mr. Bennett provided a summary of the meetings of the Expanded Committee of the Whole in order to provide context to the committee’s recommendations. 8.2 Budget Bylaw 2014-2015 MOVED and SECONDED 1. The Annual Budget Bylaw 2014-2015 be given first reading. CARRIED 2. The Annual Budget Bylaw 2014-2015 be given second reading. Mr. Bennett noted that the Board was required under the School Act to adopt an annual budget bylaw on or before June 30 each year for the next fiscal year. He then highlighted key areas of the Annual Budget provided in the board agenda package. Mr. Bennett, Mr. Reed and Mr. Pepper responded to various questions. MOVED and SECONDED That the budget increase to Curriculum & Instruction of $248,000 for the implementation of the “Essential Eight” be reduced to $124,000 in order to mitigate cuts to other departments and allow the hiring of a Speech Language Pathologist. DEFEATED School District No. 57 (Prince George) Page 4 of 5 Minutes of the regular public meeting held May 13, 2014 Approved After much discussion, by Trustees, Mr. Bennett brought forward a friendly amendment to Ms. Cook’s motion as follows: MOVED and SECONDED: Be amended to: That the budget increase to Curriculum & Instruction of $248,000 for the implementation of the “Essential Eight” be reduced to $124,000 and the remaining $124,000 remain in department 401. DEFEATED Ms. Warrington turned the chair position over to Mr. Bennett. MOVED and SECONDED: That an additional allocation of .25 from Department 403 Supply and Services be applied to the Pro-D Fund Administrator position for the 2014/2015 school year. and That senior staff be directed to meet with the PGDTA early in the 2014/2015 school year to discuss the future of the Pro-D fund Administrator position. CARRIED. Ms. Cooke requested her abstention be recorded. Ms. Warrington then resumed the Chair position. MOVED and SECONDED: That the Board enter into discussion with Senior Administration on structuring a review process to address sustainability and long term viability in our school district. CARRIED Discussion then returned to the original motion on second reading which was CARRIED 9. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Bennett reminded trustees that the third and final reading of the budget bylaw would occur at the Board meeting of May 27, 2014. 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:23 p.m. School District No. 57 (Prince George) Page 5 of 5