Board Meeting Update #148: November 20, 2017

Posted on 11/20/2017

This update provides a summary of the public meeting of Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held Monday, November 20, 2017 at the Education Centre. It is an unofficial summary of the meeting; official minutes will be approved at the next regular meeting in January 2018.

Character Moment of Reflection

Each Board meeting opens with a Character Moment of Reflection. At Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, Growing with Character is our intentional focus on creating safe, caring, respectful and inclusive learning environments where students develop the foundation for good character. Growing with Character is the foundation of the school board strategic plan. Through Growing with Character, we model, teach and expect demonstrations of our eight character traits which are: caring, cooperation, honesty, humour, integrity, respect, responsibility and trustworthiness.

This evening Lucille Kyle, Chair of the Board, asked all to reflect on caring: We demonstrate concern for self and others. We show empathy and express genuine concerns. We consider the long term effect of our actions.

Presentations

Student Leadership: Globally Minded Learners and Leaders at Trent River Public School

Superintendent of Education Colleen DeMille spoke about Trent River Public School which opened in the spring of 2017. The school has visual demonstrations of student learning and well-being. Staff recognize the importance of students becoming globally minded learners and leaders.

Evidence of student learning and engagement is found in their comments, such as, "We are prepared learners and leaders." "As learners we take and give advice." "We have positive mindsets, always looking for answers." "We, at Trent River, want to be caring, inclusive citizens."

DeMille introduced Principal Bill Launderville, Teacher Kathryn Acorn, and Students Levi and Kendra. They described student learning to deconstruct the meaning of the 10 competencies that make up the Globally Minded Learners and Leaders.

According to Kendra and Levi, learning about the global competencies prepares students for the future. The students described how they collaborate to solve problems and think critically to reach a common goal. To achieve success criteria for being entrepreneurial and digitally fluent, the students learned to work together and to value each other's ideas. Now they are working with other classes, such as Grade 2 buddies, to teach the younger students about the competencies.

Students Kendra and Levi, and their teacher Kathryn Acorn (centre, behind the students) shared their learning and sharing of the 10 global competencies at the public Board meeting on November 20, 2017.

Report from Committee of the Whole

This report included the following:

Probationary status of teachers
Principal/vice-principal pools
Executive compensation

Recommendations

2016-2017 Financial Statements & Auditor's Report

Board members approved the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ending August 31, 2017. The Consolidated Financial Statements reflect the board's financial results for the 2016-2017 fiscal year.

During the year the board expended $21,650,252 on capital asset acquisition/construction. These expenditures are funded through a variety of sources including capital priorities, school condition improvement and school renewal grants.

The audited financial statements resulted in an in-year surplus of $2,054,373 and a corresponding in-year surplus for Ministry of Education compliance reporting purposes of $152,013.

The original budget plan was forecast to have a deficit of $360,137.

The board is on a Multi-Year Financial Recovery Plan with the Ministry of Education. The board has met or exceeded its targets under the Multi-Year Financial Recovery Plan for the 2016-2017 year.

The surplus is due to a decrease in projected transportation expenses, as well as a decrease in projected actuarial liabilities and a decrease in projected costs associated with supplies and services.

Policy Review 2017-2018, Part A

Policies are reviewed every three years to ensure they are still relevant and have been implemented effectively. Changes to legislation and new guidelines also necessitate updates to current policy.

Board members approved revisions and updates were made to the following policies to comply with legislation or regulations:

Policy 5: Director of Education Job Description
Policy 6: Delegation of Authority
Policy 8: Board Members' Code of Conduct
Policy 10: Duties of the Board Chair and Vice-chair
Policy 11-C: Operations and Finance Committee
Policy 11-M: Ad Hoc Committees
Policy 16: Selection of the Director
Policy 17: Transportation

Proposed trustee representation on committees for 2018

Trustee membership on committees will be determined at the annual Board meeting on Monday, December 4, 2017. To facilitate this process, trustees were asked to indicate their 2017-2018 committee preferences in advance of that meeting.

Information

Calendar of events

A number of district and school events (Pdf) are scheduled for December 2017.

Upcoming events include the following:

December 6: Violence Against Women Awareness, Quinte Secondary School
December 6: Original production called Pink or Blue by Prince Edward Collegiate Institute students. Performances will take place at The Core in Belleville in the morning and St. Andrew's Church in Picton in the afternoon.
December 7: Arts Night at Prince Edward Collegiate Institute
December 12: School Group Junior Volleyball Tournament, Massassaga-Rednersville Public School
Week of December 18: Festive Luncheons at various schools
Week of December 22: Holiday Assemblies at various schools

Report from the Executive Committee