This update provides a summary of the public meeting of Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held Monday, February 23, 2015 at the Education Centre. It is an unofficial summary of the meeting; official minutes will be approved at the next meeting in March 2015.
Recognition of Larry Whitfield, Trustee for Southeast Hastings
Chair of the Board recognized Larry Whitfield, Trustee for Southeast Hastings, who passed away on February 13, 2015. He had been elected in the October 2014 municipal election and was sworn in at the Initial Meeting of Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board on December 1, 2014. He had chosen to serve on the Operations and Finance Committee, as vice-chair on the Program and Human Resources Committee, and was elected as the 5th member of the Executive Committee.
During his short time on the Board, Larry was thoughtful and thorough in his approach to governance. He was eagerly getting to know the schools in his area, learning about the work being done to support student achievement and well-being. At the January Board meeting, Larry enthusiastically shared a report on his visits to schools in his area and highlighted the activities in which students and staff were involved. Larry was proud to represent his constituents and was working hard locally and as a member of the Board.
Larry exemplified the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board character traits. In particular, he had a great wit and sense of humour. He loved to share stories about his adventures in the Yukon and was fiercely loyal to his beloved Tweed hockey teams.
Larry is survived by his wife Janet, daughter Rachelle, son David, and his four grandchildren Gus, Dalton, Jonathan and Lilly. A celebration of his life took place on Saturday, February 21, 2015. All in the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board community extend our deepest sympathy to Larry's family as they come to terms with their loss.
Character moment: Video Announcement for Tri-Board Student Transportation Services
Superintendent Leslie Miller remarked that student safety and well-being are top priorities for Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board. She commented on the student-produced YouTube video about the process for bus cancellations. She then introduced the special guests for tonight's presentation. Gord Taylor, CEO of Tri-Board Student Transportation Services and Grant Montgomery, Principal, Moira Secondary School. Thank you to Moira SS Teacher Jim Doyle who worked with student Jake Macfarlane to produce the video. Other students in the video included Ellen Davidson from Foxboro Public School and Krish Chudasama, Jocelyn Davis, Nathan Kritzer and Gem Wishart from Sir John A. Macdonald School.
Recommendations
Capital program financing through the Ontario Financing Authority (OFA), Prince Charles Public School, Trenton
Board members approved a recommendation to authorize the borrowing of $664,440 to finance the (already completed) addition and renovations to Prince Charles Public School, Trenton. The Ministry of Education requires all school boards to participate in long-term financing arrangements for eligible capital programs through the Ontario Financing Authority (OFA). Once the long-term financing has been set, the Ministry will reimburse boards for the actual principal and interest costs. Funds will flow from the OFA to school boards on March 11, 2015.
Tender for a child care addition at Stirling Public School
Board members approved a tender in the amount of $1,075,000 to Van Horne Construction Limited for construction of a child care addition at Stirling Public School. In 2013, the board received capital and enrolment pressures funding approval from the Ministry of Education to construct 20 child care spaces and one additional classroom at Stirling Public School. Funding for the addition is part of the overall funding received from the Ministry of Education for the new Stirling Public School. Hastings County contributed an additional $80,390 for the child care addition. The total funding available for the addition is $1,081,413. Construction of the child care addition is planned to start in March and be completed by July 31, 2015.
Membership confirmation on the Special Education Advisory Committee
Board members approved the appointment of Laurie Oram from North Hastings Community Integration Association to the Special Education Advisory Committee for the four-year term of the Board, commencing February 2015.
Information
Calendar of events
A number of district and school events are scheduled for the remainder of February and into March 2015.
Upcoming events include the following:
- Tuesday, February 24: Junior Basketball Tournament, Susanna Moodie Elementary School
- Wednesday, February 25: Public Speaking, Frankford Public School
- Wednesday, February 25 - Friday, February 27: Geoventure Camping in Vanderwater Conservation Area, Moira Secondary School
- Friday, March 6: Winter Carnival and Grade 8 Orientation, Bayside Secondary School
- Tuesday, March 3: Training for Audit Committee members
- Wednesday, March 11: School Group Intermediate Basketball Tournament, College Street Public School
2015-2016 Budget timelines
The Ministry of Education has June 30 as a deadline for school boards to submit budget estimates for the coming school year. In order to meet this deadline, the Ministry of Education will need to release the Grants for Student Needs (the funding provided to school boards) in a timely fashion. In past years these announcements have been made by March 31. Grant announcements later than this date can compromise the budget development process.
Senior administration has developed a budget task analysis with timelines for the 2015-2016 budget. The tasks reflect the key milestones required to compile revenues and expenditures in order to meet a June 30, 2015 deadline and reflect a timely release of grant information. Administration anticipates a very challenging budget process given the provincial deficit, government restraint and continued enrolment decline.
Report from the Chair
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Attendance at the memorial celebration for Trustee Larry Whitfield, who passed away on February 13, 2015.
- Mention that the public survey closed on February 8; results are being analyzed and will be made public in the coming weeks.
Executive Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Creation of 'Did you know' articles about the role of school board trustees for inclusion in school newsletters.
Operations and Finance Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- An overview of the 2015-2016 budget and timelines; it will be a challenging process due to declining enrolment and provincial restraint.
- Discussion about the 8-lamp warning system on school buses
Program and Human Resources Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:
- School year calendar dates for the 2015-2016 school year.
Reports from Trustees
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Attendance at an Information Night at Queen Victoria School for the Adventure Class.
- Participation in an event for secondary school students at Loyalist College where they take reach-ahead classes in culinary arts, automotive and the skilled trades; also known as Dual Credits as the students receive one secondary school credit and one college credit.
- From student trustees, mention of the Global Awareness Committee at Centennial Secondary
- School planning a dance in mid-April to raise funds for the prom.
- Notice of Motion
- Notice of motion was given that a recommendation will be brought to the March 23, 2015 Board meeting to approve changes to the following policies:
- Policy 03-C: Student Representation on the Board
- Policy 03-F: Trustee Expense Reimbursement
- Policy 03-G: Hospitality
- Policy 11-A: Committees of the Whole Board
- Policy 11-G: Special Education Advisory Committee
- Policy 11-J: Accessibility Committee
- Policy 11-K: Parent Involvement Committee
- Policy 13: Appeals and Hearings Regarding Student Discipline
- Policy 13: Appeals and Hearings Regarding Student Discipline FORMS
- Policy 17: Transportation
- Policy 18: Learning Foundation
Upcoming meetings
All meetings take place at the Education Centre unless otherwise noted.
- Thursday, February 26: Special Education Advisory Committee, 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, March 2: Executive Committee, 11:00 a.m.
- Monday, March 9: Program and Human Resources Committee, 5:30 p.m.
- Monday, March 9: Operations and Finance Committee, 7:00 p.m.
- Monday, March 23: Public Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
For more information, please contact Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, extension 2354, [email protected]