May 25, 2020_This update provides a summary of the public meeting of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held Monday, May 25, 2020 online through a livestream event (the recorded version will be available within 24 hours). It is an unofficial summary of the meeting; official minutes will be approved at the next meeting in June 2020.
Lucille Kyle, Chair of the Board, acknowledged the First Peoples of the territory. This evening we acknowledge that the land on which we are gathered is part of the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee people. We acknowledge the land to show respect and recognize the First Peoples of the territory; their history, culture and perspectives and as a step towards reconciliation.
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 Ryan Gentle, Student Trustee, Trenton High School asked all to reflect on Trustworthiness: We can be counted on to do what is right. We instill confidence in one another through our actions.
Recommendation
Offer to purchase Earl Prentice Prentice Public School
Board members approved a recommendation for the sale of Earl Prentice Public School to "Fei Pan - For a Company to be Incorporated"in the amount of $280,000, pending all conditions are met, with a closing date of June 5, 2020.
Tender for electrical distribution and replacement at multiple sites
Board members approved a recommendation totaling $1.1 million for the renewal and replacement of electrical distribution services at seven schools: Bayside Secondary School, Foxboro Public School, Frankford Public School, Massassaga-Rednersville Public School, North Hastings High School, Trenton High School and Tyendinaga Public School. The work will be scheduled in the coming weeks.
Tender for roof replacement at multiple sites
Board members approved a recommendation totaling $3.6 million for roofing projects at eight schools: Eastside Secondary School, Frankford Public School, Harry J. Clarke Public School, Kente Public School, Massassaga-Rednersville Public School, Maynooth Public School, Park Dale School and Prince of Wales Public School. The work will be scheduled in the coming weeks.
Ratification of the 2019-2022 Local Terms of the CUPE Collective Agreement
Board members approved the terms of the local collective agreement between HPEDSB and CUPE Local 1022 for the period September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2022. Support staff covered by the CUPE collective agreement include the following:
- central support workers;
- communicative disorder assistants;
- custodian and maintenance workers;
- designated early childhood educators;
- educational assistants;
- intervenors;
- IT technologists and analysts;
- library technicians;
- school secretaries; and
- student supervision monitors.
Information
Report from the Executive Committee
Highlights from this verbal report included the following:
- explanation of the revised process to select student trustees for the 2020-2021 school year;
- progress in planning the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan.
HPEDSB COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Report
Sean Monteith, Director of Education provided an update about COVID-19 actions at HPEDSB as of May 25, 2020.
Highlights included the following:
- continued planning for at-home learning now that schools are closed until the end of June 2020;
- communications actions to date;
- funding and expenditures;
- access to schools and administrative offices;
- voluntary redeployment of staff; and
- technology and broadband access for students and families.
Communications & Public Relations update
Kerry Donnell, Communications & Public Relations Manager provided a summary of communications and public relations actions since the beginning of the school year, along with enhanced activities during COVID-19 and known initiatives planned for the 2020-2021 school year.
Highlights included the following:
- the team's actions and initiatives are focused on the HPEDSB all students first approach, through planned and targeted communications with internal and external audiences;
- communications and public relations initiatives and engagement have increased exponentially since August 2019, and particularly since mid-March 2020 during COVID-19;
- Communications & Public Relations uses a wide variety of means and methods to communicate with target audiences and stakeholders;
- on a daily basis, the team engages with the senior team, trustees, departments, school administrators, student and parent leaders, the media and community partners;
- COVID-19 has demanded an extremely high level of communications planning and response from mid-March 2020 to now. Efforts to keep employees, students, families and the media engaged and informed will continue through to the end of the school year and beyond; and
- 10 large projects are already planned for the 2020-2021 school year.
2020-2021 committee meeting dates (draft)
Proposed dates for Board and Committee of the Whole meetings were shared for information.
Report from trustees
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA) update:
- ratification votes by the OPSBA in recent weeks; late release of GSNs (school board funding) from the province; advocacy from OPSBA to Queen's Park about what schools opening in September will look like;
- a new process to select an HPEDSB representative for the OPSBA Board of Directors (presently Lisa Anne Chatten) was conducted: interested trustees put forth their name during the meeting and, after being supported by others, all Board members voted on the interested candidates; Lisa Anne Chatten will continue at the OPSBA representative;
- the next step was to select an alternate director; Alison Kelly was selected.
The next public Board meeting is Monday, June 15, 2020, online through a livestream event at 7:00 p.m.
For more information, please contact Kerry Donnell, Communications & Public Relations Manager, extension 62354, [email protected]