Public Board Meeting Update #141: April 24, 2017

Posted on 04/24/2017

This update provides a summary of the public meeting of Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held Monday, April 24, 2017 at the Education Centre. It is an unofficial summary of the meeting; official minutes will be approved at the next meeting in May 2017.

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 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 Tom Biniaris, Trustee for Trenton & CFB Trenton, asked all to reflect on humour: We celebrate the fun in life. We lighten the emotions of others by interacting in a joyful manner.

Presentation

Music Program at North Hastings High School
"Every once in a while something extraordinary happens," said Colleen DeMille, Superintendent of Education as she introduced Ken Dostaler, Principal, and Dianne Winmill, Teacher, North Hastings High School. DeMille acknowledged Winmill as the 2017 recipient of the national MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award (web page). It is awarded to dedicated music teachers who keep music alive in schools.

Dianne Winmill

Pictured above: Dianne Winmill (centre), Teacher, North Hastings High School, with her Juno Award for being selected as the national Musicounts Teacher of the Year Award.

Both DeMille and Dostaler described Dianne's tireless, enthusiastic efforts to promote music as NHHS. Students describe Winmill as fun, approachable, someone who cares about them as people and someone who inspires them to get up each morning to go to school. As a result of her efforts, enrolment in Music class continues to increase each year at NHHS. Winmill described that winning the award was "a humbling experience, more far-reaching than I ever imagined." She has already ordered some new instruments for the school using the $10,000 school prize money. Long-term plans are to create an orchestra in Bancroft which she hopes to conduct when she retires!

Report from Committee of the Whole Board

This report included the following:

disposal of surplus properties.

Recommendations

2017-2018 Policy Review, Part B
Board policies are reviewed every three years to ensure they are relevant are being implemented effectively.

Board members approved revisions to the following policies:

Policy 3: Operations, Form F003-1 Request for Delegation
Policy 3-B: Electronic Meetings
Policy 3-E: Honoraria for Board Meetings
Policy 3-F: Expense Reimbursement for Board Members
Policy 3-H: Filling Vacancies on the Board
Policy 07: Policy Development Review
Policy 11-B: Program and Human Resources Committee
Policy 11-C: Operations and Finance Committee
Policy 11-E: Budget Committee
Policy 11-H: Supervised Alternative Learning (SAL) Committee
Policy 11-I: Audit Committee
Policy 11-L: Student Discipline Committee
Policy 13: Student Discipline Process
Policy 13: Appeals and Hearings Regarding Discipline, Forms
Policy 14: Hearings on Termination of Teacher Employment

Tender for replacing exterior windows at Centre Hastings Secondary School

The Ministry of Education VFA Condition Assessment database has identified the windows in the east wing of Centre Hastings Secondary School as requiring replacement due to age/lifespan. Given the age of the windows, it is difficult to obtain mechanical parts to repair the window mechanisms. In addition, the windows that slide up and down have also been identified as a health and safety concern.

Board members approved a tender in the amount of $364,444 to Tom Belch & Sons Building Contractors Limited to complete exterior window replacements for the east wing on the first and second floors.

Tender for daycare renovations at Massassaga-Rednersvillle Public School
As part of the Ministry of Education Schools First Child Care Retrofit Program, funding was approved to renovate an existing classroom to expand the child care program offered at Massassaga-Rednersville Public School.

Board members approved a tender, based on price, experience and certifications, in the amount of $206,000 to K. Knudsen Construction for the renovation of the existing daycare space plus an existing classroom. These renovations will include the creation of an infant sleep area and expansion of the daycare into an existing classroom. Once complete, the daycare will offer an infant area, toddler area, as well as a new pre-school room with new washroom facilities.

Short-term borrowing resolution for Marmora Senior Public School
On March 9, 2017 the Board received approval from the Ministry of Education to proceed with the construction of an addition and renovations to Marmora Senior Public School using $1.7 million in School Condition Improvement (SCI) funding in addition to the $3.7 million of previously approved capital grant funding. Until the capital grant payments are received, HPEDSB is required to have a capital borrowing resolution in place to provide cash flow for the cost of construction.

Board members approved a borrowing resolution, authorizing the borrowing of up to $3,730,000 from the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, in order to meet short term borrowing requirements for an addition and renovations at Marmora Senior Public School.

Tender for roofing at various schools
In 2013, HPEDSB entered into contract with TSS Building Science Inc. for TSS to act as an expert roofing consultant to survey and determine urgent roofing needs. The roofs of all schools were surveyed by TSS and a list of urgently required replacements and repairs was developed. In the summer of 2014, nine schools received roof repairs/replacements, and in 2015, eight schools received roof repairs/replacements. In 2016, seven schools received roof replacements, and this summer it is planned that additional schools will have roof replacements and associated work completed.

Board members approved a tender, based on price, experience, certifications and references, as follows:

Amherst Roofing for roof replacements and associated work at Tyendinaga Public School in the amount of $203,759;
Crawford Roofing Corporation for roof replacements and associated work at Prince Edward
Collegiate Institute in the amount of $1,169,800;
Dafoe Roofing for roof replacements and associated work at Centennial Secondary School in the amount of $252,530 and Trenton High School in the amount of $597,417;
French Brothers Roofing for roof replacements and associated work at Centre Hastings Secondary School in the amount of $443,293; and
ICI Roofing Ltd for roof replacements and associated work at Prince Charles School (Belleville) in the amount of $331,100.

Tender for daycare renovations at Frankford Public School
As part of the Ministry of Education Schools First Child Care Retrofit program, funding was approved to renovate an existing classroom to include a licensed child care and regular Military Family Resource Centre programming and activities at Frankford Public School, to be operated by the Trenton Military Family Resource Centre.

Board members approved a tender, based on price, experience and certifications, in the amount of $128,500 to K. Knudsen Construction Limited. The renovations will include interior renovations to an existing vacant classroom, a storage area, restroom facilities and office space. The program will offer space for toddlers and preschool age children.

Educational programs in for students in care and/or treatment, custody and correctional facilities
Each year the care and/or treatment, custody and correctional facilities memoranda of understanding, in accordance with Ontario Regulation 287/98, are reviewed by relevant ministry and board personnel. These formal agreements outline the roles, responsibilities, and relationship of the school board and the facility.

Criteria for the establishment and maintenance of these programs include the following:

application for a Care and/or Treatment, Custody and Correctional Program must come from an approved facility;
children and youth have been admitted to a facility for care and/or treatment, custody and correctional program;
on-going care and treatment are to be provided by the facility's professional staff and supported by the teacher through a multi-disciplinary approach.

During the 2016-2017 school year, HPEDSB maintained five programs in conjunction with various care, treatment, and correctional facilities. The direct costs of the programs are fully funded by the Ministry of Education and the sponsoring Ministry.

Board members approved the following programs for the 2017-2018 school year.

Approved Care and/or Treatment, Custody and Correctional Programs for the 2017-2018 School Year

PROGRAM

2016-2017
LOCATIONS

TEACHERS

EAs

STUDENTS (approximate)

Bridge Program (formerly known as the Parent-Child and Youth Clinic)

Children's Mental Health Services

Ministry of Children and Youth Services

This program provides service to children age 4 to 9 who may be experiencing social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties as well as mental health disorders including: anxiety disorders, behaviour and mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Prince Charles School Belleville

Honeywell House, Children's Mental Health Residential

Children's Mental Health Services

Ministry of Children and Youth Services

This program is for students age 8 to 15 who have demonstrated a need for intense, residential-based, children's mental health services. The program is provided within the residential facility, and is designed to meet the educational needs of the children in care as well as those in transition to a regular day school.

Honeywell House

Honeywell Corners/

Belleville

Junior Day Treatment Program

Children's Mental Health Services

Ministry of Children and Youth Services

This program provides service for students in Grade 4 to 6 who have significant mental health needs, as well as difficulty coping with the traditional structures, organization or demands of a regular school environment. Programs treat behaviour and communication needs, and include support provided through Children's Mental Health Services.

Park Dale School

Belleville

St. Leonard's Home

Ministry of Children and Youth Services

This program provides residential services for male students age 12 to 17 who are placed by the courts. Students follow conditions as set by the courts (e.g. anger management classes, counselling) and work towards academic achievement. Students do not have a specific profile as they are placed in this facility by the courts. Approval has been received from the Ministry of Child and Youth Services to expand services to also include a day-treatment program for students who have recently been discharged from St. Leonard's Home, but are still on probation. This expanded service will assist students in transitioning out of custody to school and/or community.

St. Leonard's Home

Trenton

Bridge Program

(Children's Mental Health Services)

This program is in partnership with Algonquin andLakeshore Catholic District School Board, Children's Mental Health Services, Highland Shores Children's Aid, and Community Care Access Centre Southeast Hastings. It provides service for students from Grade 1 to 8, who may have social, emotional, and behaviour difficulties and/or may have experienced developmental trauma. Programming is designed to support students to prosper emotionally, socially and educationally.

Marmora Senior
Public School

Information

Calendar of events
A number of district and school events (pdf) are scheduled for the remainder of April and May 2017. Some upcoming events include the following:

April 27: Prom Project, North Hastings High School
May 1 - 5: Education Week, theme is Ontario 150; events and celebrations at all schools
May 1 - 3: Ontario Skills Competition, Mississauga, Bayside Secondary School
May 2, 3, 4: Performance of Annie Jr, Stirling Public School, 6:30 p.m.
May 3: Celebration of Dance, Belleville Fairgrounds, various elementary schools, 11:30 a.m.
May 4: Planting Festival, Moira Secondary School
May 11: Student Benefit Auction for Food for Learning, Greek Banquet Hall
May 12 - 14: 50th Anniversary Celebrations, Centennial Secondary School
Mid-May: Track and Field at various elementary schools
May 18: Academic Olympics: Feeder elementary schools of Prince Edward Collegiate Institute
May 24: Co-Op Job Fair, North Hastings High School
May 25: Agribition, Bird's Creek Public School

Report from the Chair
Highlights from this report included the following:

nominations for Great Place Awards closed last Friday; 37 nominations were received, the most since 2008. Presentations will take place on May 23, 2017;
Education Week is May 1 - 5, the them is Ontario 150; Celebration of Dance is Wednesday, May 3.

Report from Executive Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:

trustee participation at the recent provincial Labour Relations Conference earlier this month. A session by law firm Hicks Morley presented about the important role of labour relations in organizations.

Report from the Student Enrolment/School Capacity Committee

Highlights from this report included the following:

final report for the Centre Hastings accommodation review and review of data.

Report from the Program and Human Resources
Highlights from this report included the following:

presentation by Curriculum Services and school staff about new approaches to teaching and learning;
preview of textbooks to be considered for approval; and
policy review mentioned earlier in this report.

Report from the Operations and Finance Committee
Highlights from this report included the following:

already mentioned above through the tenders for various projects at schools.

Reports from Trustees
Highlights from this report included the following:

the Ontario Public School Boards' Association has approved a motion from HPEDSB to be presented at the OPSBA Annual General Meeting with regard to using technology as a means to attend meetings as opposed to requiring physical on-site participation (related to budget, accountability).

Reports from Student Trustees
Highlights from this report included the following:

upcoming stage performances by students from Bayside and Moira secondary schools;
new student senators and student trustees will be announced at the May Board meeting;
mention of a proposal drafted by the Student Senate for next year's senate to work on; and
participation in a mock trial with five secondary schools, commenting on the hands-on learning for all involved.

Upcoming meetings

All meetings take place at the Education Centre and are public unless otherwise noted.

Wednesday, April 26: Student Enrolment/School Capacity Committee for Centre Hastings Public Delegations, 6:30 p.m.
Monday, May 1: Executive Committee, 11:00 a.m.
Monday, May 8: Student Enrolment/School Capacity Committee, 3:30 p.m. (receive reports for Belleville and Prince Edward County)
Monday, May 8: Program and Human Resources Committee, 5:30 p.m.
Monday, May 8: Operations and Finance Committee, 7:00 p.m.
Monday, May 15: Special Meeting of the Operations and Finance Committee, 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 17: Parent Involvement Committee, 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 23: Student Enrolment/School Capacity Committee, 3:30 p.m. (prepare Centre Hastings recommendation to the Board)
Tuesday, May 23: Public Board and Great Place Awards, 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 25: Student Enrolment/School Capacity Committee, for Prince Edward County Public Delegations, 6:30 p.m.
Monday, May 29: Student Enrolment/School Capacity Committee, for Belleville Public Delegations, 6:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, extension 2354, [email protected]