This is an unofficial summary of all motions brought to Standing Committees and Board Meetings of School District 61 Greater Victoria (City of Victoria, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, View Royal, and part of Saanich) since January 2012, when I started my first term as Trustee, and all Trustees took office, after the November 2011 civic elections.
This page is now a sticky post. Page links at bottom of page.
Page 1: Backgrounder (you are here) Page 2: Motions January 2012 – June 2012 Page 3: Motions September 2012 – December 2012 Page 4: Motions January 2013 – July 2013 Page 5: Motions September 2013 – December 2013 Page 6: Motions January 2014 – August 2014 Page 7: September 2014 – December 2014 Page 8: January 2015 – June 2015 Page 9: September 2015 – December 2015 Page 10: January 2016 – June 2016 Page 11: September, October, November, December 2016
Page 12: January 2017- June 2017
This post is an unofficial summary of all motions brought to Standing Committees and Board Meetings of School District 61 Greater Victoria (City of Victoria, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, View Royal, part of Saanich, and Traditional Territories of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations) since January 2012, when I started my first term as Trustee after the November 2011 civic elections. (Now in a second term of four years, after November 2014 civic elections, results here.)
Minutes are approved or corrected at the next meeting of the same committee / next meeting of the Board. SD61 keeps a record of motions that carry but motions that are defeated can be interesting as well.
In Camera meetings exclude the public. If there is a motion In Camera to report to the public and the majority approves via vote, specific motions decisions will be reported out in the public meeting. A more general, required report is on the District website for each In Camera meeting as “Section 72 Report” (see Section 72 of the BC School Act).
All motions here can be read in context with rationales and highlights of debate in the Lined Paper post for that meeting.
Most motions on a Board meeting agenda (except for the unusual circumstance of a motion from the floor) have been previously discussed at one of the Standing Committees (Education Policy Development, aka Ed Policy or Operations Policy and Planning, aka OPPS). If amendments are made this often takes place at the Standing Committee level where discussion and debate can be more lengthy, and include comments from the public.
Motions may be defeated at a Standing Committee, but the mover can still choose to bring that motion to the Board meeting. Motions that are carried by majority vote at a Standing Committee appear on the Board agenda as “recommended”. Sometimes senior administration presents a motion as “recommended”.
For Robert’s Rules of Order terms defined, see any number of sources online, including Nancy Sylvester’s informative site, and the Robert’s Rules for Dummies site. The current Robert’s Rules Newly Revised, 11th Edition is not available online.
Motions in this post appear in summarized form. Ready?
…Susan Hitchman, from Growing Healthy Families, who has had five kids in the Langley public school system, says ‘SOGI ideology’ harms children.
Lined Paper is my personal record of and commentary on SD61 Board and Standing Committee meetings. Official, approved minutes are on the SD61 website, one month after the meeting.
SD61 Greater Victoria School District includes students in Esquimalt, Oak Bay, Victoria, View Royal, parts of Saanich and the Highlands, and the Traditional Territories of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.
Present:Ferris (first elected 1999), McNally (2011), Nohr (2011),Orcherton (1999), Watters (2014), Whiteaker (2014) Not present: Leonard (1996), Loring-Kuhanga (2011), Paynter (2014)
The meeting agenda was approved; no additions. McNally suggested a change to the minutes September 11, 2017 and for future minutes: that when a motion is carried, the phrase (not seen before in minutes) ” Trustees agreed that the following motion needs to move forward to the Board of Education for consideration” not be included in future, as if the motion carries, obviously it will move forward to the Board meeting. No business arising from the minutes.
The Superintendent introduced this month’s student representative, Ben Rutkowski, from Vic High.
Associate Superintendent Whitten spoke to the memo “inclusive learning updates” pages 5, 6 of the agenda. Some specialized interventions will continue to be offered outside of the classroom setting, while as much is possible supports will be delivered in the classroom on” push in” vs “pull out” model. [Reading Recoveryis one short term intervention for struggling readers in Grade One that remains a “pull out” intervention as its success depends on intensive daily one on one teaching specifically designed for each student’s needs.] McNally asked for an update on / creation of / accessible job descriptions for staff on the Learning Team, specifically the Inclusive Learning Team, as apparently hiring staff without a job description is concerning. Nohr asked about District Behaviour programs, specifically Braefoot and McKenzie. Associate Superintendent Whitten said staffing remains the same, but students are registered at the school, not registered in the Program. Students are supported by staff in the classroom as much as possible.
Deputy Superintendent Green spoke to her memo on page 7 of the agenda, regarding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s “Calls to Action”. The Calls to Action will have space on every Education Policy meeting.Wab Kinew and others have stated that it will take multiple generations to repair the damage to communities and families that is a legacy of Residential Schools.
The “New Business” section moved on to motions.
4.D McNally: That the Board [direct staff to] change every instance of “School Family Groups” on the SD 61 website and and other communications, to “School Catchment Pathways”. / Motion to refer to Student Registration and Transfer Committee . / Motion to refer carried. Unanimous.
McNally: School groupings provide a pathway from elementary school through a middle school to a high school. This pathway is based on catchment areas and is clearly presented in the District’s Baragar software. The use of “family” in this context is confusing. The District has moved away from “school shopping” to a neighbourhood school catchment based model. In the”school shopping ” model “family” was relevant in terms of which school students attended as siblings helped keep space in the out of catchment area school for younger siblings. In order for actual families to understand that these are school catchment area pathways, clearer terminology would be desirable.
4. E Watters: That the Board publish a letter on the District website and provide a media release as per the BCSTA message of support to Boards of Education, for SOGI policies and initiatives and fostering safer and more inclusive communities for all British Colombians.
Watters: The context for the motion and the BCSTA message of support is Langley.
…Susan Hitchman, from Growing Healthy Families, who has had five kids in the Langley public school system, says ‘SOGI ideology’ harms children. “Supporting SOGI creates gender dysphoria,” Hitchman said. She said there have been many studies, and science backs up that gender identity issues are a sign of confusion in childhood and works its way out as they reach adulthood. She also believes LGBTQ is a choice.
Sue is also affiliated with “Culture Guard”. Doesn’t that name give you major pause? And raise all kinds of red flags for you? And “new mandate of gender ideology”? Apparently for “Culture Guard”, respecting human rights is a shocking “new mandate” .
Sue Hitchman is “Culture Guard”’s guest this week. Hosts Kari Graham and Ron Gray interview Sue regarding the presentation she gave to the Langley School Board regarding Langley’s new mandate of gender ideology in the classroom. The episode concludes with Sue’s entire presentation.
The “Culture Guard” website suggests that Paul Dirks (pastor) has done SOGI research that might interest “Culture Guard” fans. Some manifestations of Dirks’ “research”
I’d love to see a statement of “culture” as defined by this lot. I’m thinking white, Christian and straight. Just guessing, of course.
Nope. Culture, a central concept in anthropology, encompasses the range of phenomena that are transmitted through social learning in human societies. (Thanks, Wikipedia.)
No Notice of Motions, or General Announcements. Adjournment 8:25 pm.
School Act Part 6 — Boards of Education Division 1 — Corporate Status and Meetings: Meetings and chair : 67 (5.1) Without limiting subsection (5), a board may establish procedures respecting the provision of advice by a district parents’ advisory council to the board.
P1 Board Meeting P2 BCCPAC / VCPAC / DPAC
It’s time for a new format for this blog. With the change, here’s some history.
When I was first elected in 2011, I came to the School District 61 Board fro a background of consistent application of Robert’s Rules in small meetings and in large meetings of 400 or more people. Everyone understood the procedure of the debate, order was kept, and everyone knew how motions were disposed of. If you didn’t know Robert’s you’d be left behind as there was no patience for remaining ignorant of required process.
As a representative of the teacher’s union local I attended SD61 Board meetings for for several years, thinking that this Board must be so much more sophisticated with Robert’s Rules than I, since I had little grasp of what was going on. The meetings moved very fast. Other attendees could not understand how the meetings were conducted, either.
However, once elected and immersed in the process of the Board, it became clear that Board and Committee meetings did not follow Robert’s, required by SD61 Board Bylaw 9368 and hadn’t for some time, which is why no one really understood what was happening. “Out of Order”, used frequently and incorrectly by Chairs of the Board and Committees, really meant that the Chair didn’t like the motion and wanted it to go away. Although enshrined Robert’s, challenging a ruling of the Chair was not allowed. (Bev Horsman, no longer on the board, was horrified by the idea of a challenge to the Chair saying,“That would undermine the Chair’s authority!” Imagine that. ) I brought a motion to the table to revise the relevant Bylaw [ at 8. A here] to include a provision for Challenge of the Chair’s ruling, as it exists in Robert’s rules of Order. Much opposition but eventually carried.
Motions were recorded in minutes as simply carried or defeated. Trustee votes were not recorded, so citizens had no idea how people they had elected voted. I made a motion to have names attached to votes and published in the minutes so electors would know how people they elected voted on issues.My motion to record votes [February 2012] failed at Ed Policy in 2012 with intense pushback 5-4 [Orcherton: “Individual trustees can decide how transparent they want to be to the public.”] But at the following Board meeting the motion carried unanimously, with five trustees who had argued vehemently against the motion suddenly changing their minds after media attention. Perhaps it became apparent that transparency for elected officials isn’t an option.
You can imagine given the lack of rules of engagement and arbitrary actions by Chairs that were supported 5-4, the kind of experiences that in camera meetings were. Because I can’t tell you.
A lot more that needed to change, and meetings have changed for the better, but not without unrelenting focus and effort on applying Robert’s Rules. RRO 11th Edition was bought and given to all Trustees. I’m not sure that even now, all Trustees have read it. It’s not fun but required reading for the job. Just one example, below. Never mind that Board Bylaw 9368 requires that meetings use Robert’s Rules.
Jan 7/13: Motion from the floor: McNally:That any motion to refer be made and conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order, with a mover, seconder, debate, and votes recorded. / Defeated.Against:Ferris, Horsman, Leonard, McEvoy, Orcherton For: Alpha, Loring-Kuhanga, McNally, Nohr. So, anything can be referred by a Chair without a motion to do that or a recorded vote, to some other meeting. Some “referred” motions never resurfaced. [As of 2014, Robert’s is in force.]
Some Trustees may still believe Robert’s is “bureaucratic bullshit”, but nevertheless the majority now accepts that the Board functions well according to Robert’s Rules. Now, if you know even the rudiments, you can follow debate and disposal of motions. Minutes make sense and are complete. There is no longer a need to record in detail what happened in the meetings. The essentials are captured in the minutes of the two standing committees and the Board meeting. posted on the SD61 website. Improving process and updating Policy and Regulations (which the majority bloc – Ferris, Horsman, Leonard, McEvoy, Orcherton – of the Board for the 2011 3 year term said would take too much time, and besides, “Trustees don’t get involved in Policy”) are well underway and continue, with two trustees the committee.Because yes they do get involved with Policy.
Regular Board Meeting September 25/17 Chair: Loring-Kuhanga Present: Ferris, Leonard, McNally, Loring-Kuhanga, Nohr, Watters, Whiteaker Not Present: Orcherton, Paynter
The agenda was approved with a couple of additions. Minutes of June 26, August 21 approved. No business arising, no student achievement presentation. KPMG, the District Auditors, presented their analysis of the District’s financial statements and found them to be in order.
In the Community Presentations section, five people spoke to the proposed SD 61 Dress Code motion. During the first presentation by Tasha Diamant, there were abusive comments being made to her that the Board could not hear, but there was apparent body language from a member of the public. When Tasha had finished her presentation and was returning to her seat, the man who had been making remarks became more aggressive with his remarks, although people at the Board table still could hear only the odd word, not all of what was said. I heard only “weird”, which was bad enough. Two more women presented. Tasha moved away from the commenting man to another seat, stood up and called out what had happened and the man denied it; the next presenter, Max, said what he had heard, supported what Tasha had said, and called for action. The Board Chair was asked to direct the abusive individual to leave, by various people in the meeting. Nothing like this had ever happened in this meeting room before. The chair asked and then directed the man to leave. He argued, two male senior administration rose, and followed the individual and his friend out of the room. The final presenter, Renay, made her presentation in support of the motion. They are all on SD61 video on the website. The incident is in Part 1, at 26 minutes 10 seconds.
The incident needs close attention in a debrief, development of clear protocol for such breaches in conduct / threatening behaviour, and possibly a reconfiguration of the room to ensure that all in the room can hear everyone.
This is the motion that carried at Ed Policy on September 11th, and which the Board intended to debate at this meeting: The Board of SD61 (Greater Victoria) accepts the following recommendation: The School Code of Conduct will not include any other statements regarding expectations of dress, except for the following: Our school is committed to creating a learning community that values diversity and is free of all forms of discrimination. In line with the BC Human Rights Code which prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual’s: race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and age, promotes a climate of understanding and mutual respect where all are equal in dignity and rights. Actions through verbal or nonverbal communication (including clothing) must demonstrate support for the BC Human Rights Code.
The meeting continued. The Victoria Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils President spoke against the motion, and Trustee Deborah Nohr, who had previously spoken against the motion, moved to refer it back to the One Learning Community Committee (which made the recommendation to adopt it). The motion to refer carried, which stopped any debate, and stopped anyone hearing any reasons why a Trustee would be be for or against it. Ferris, Leonard, Loring-Kuhanga, Nohr for referral; McNally, Watters, Whiteaker against referral, meaning let’s do this now; it’s been through two Committees.
Audrey Smith, president of the Victoria Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils , said there hasn’t yet been an official parent representative involved in discussions about the dress code.
The mystifying part is, Smith was at the table and contributed when the code proposal was being discussed in meetings of the One Learning Community Committee and could have brought up the “official” problem then. But how much more “official” does it have to get than the President of the Organization that (although it seldom if ever gets quirum at meetings) purports to represent parents of students in SD61?
Reportedly Smith has since claimed she was misquoted by the TC reporter, but Trustees weren’t told this. I called the TC and management is investigating.
[VCPAC – most parent groups simply go by DPAC, “District Parent Advisory Council” – was unable to get quorum [a PAC rep from each of 15 schools] for even one VCPAC meeting in the 2016-17 school year, and most of the time in years past. This is an organization that presents itself though the President’s statements as “the” voice of parents in SD61. How was business conducted, if any was? So get out to your school PAC meeting and ask a lot of questions. Only one person gets to take the school PAC vote in issues to DPAC, though. Not one person, one vote.
The rest of the meeting dealt with establishing a French Advisory ad hoc committee to meet at least annually [carried], that the Superintendent provide a report and recommendation on elementary counselling supports [carried], debate on trustee remuneration framed in the coming impact of 2019 Federal tax changes [carried], a motion to upgrade the upper Esquimalt High School Field [carried] and nine budget related motions [all carried]. [For years, the SD61 structural deficit climbed every year, but the current administrative team directed by current Board decisions have reduced it from over $8 million a couple of years ago to $3,700,000. With direction from the current Board, paying down the structural deficit is beginning to look very possible.]
SD61 Structural Deficit : former Sec-Treas Ambeault
The public question period had three questions, one asking about the legal basis for the district to collect funds from parents for playgrounds and one asking for policy on teachers teaching their own children (there isn’t one). One was handed in from the floor written as required, something like”explain dress codes“, left behind by the individual who was ejected. [ Ok. Here.]
Trustee Watters gave a Notice of Motion for the next Board meeting:
That the Board direct the Superintendent to instruct principals to suspend enforcement of school dress codes pending completion of the One Learning Community Committee’s consultations and recommendations on dress codes.
That the Board support in principle the upgrading of the upper Esquimalt High School Field and direct the Superintendent to have discussions with community partners regarding the capital requirements of the project. / Carried. Unanimous.(Leonard, Loring-Kuhanga, McNally, Paynter, Watters)
Lined Paper is my personal record of and commentary on SD61 Board and Standing Committee meetings. Official, approved minutes are on the SD61 website, one month after the meeting.
SD61 Greater Victoria School District includes students in Esquimalt, Oak Bay, Victoria, View Royal, parts of Saanich and the Highlands, and the Traditional Territories of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.
October 17/16, Whiteaker: That the Board amend Bylaw 9130 Standing Committees to remove the words “with voting rights” from Item #4 and Item #5. / Carried. Unanimous. This had the effect of allowing only members of the Standing Committee to vote on motions, though other Trustees, if they attend, can participate in the debate. The Chair of the Board ex officio member both Committees, with voting rights. Quorum is a majority of Trustee members on the committee.
Operations Policy&Planning Standing Committee
Chair: Watters Members:McNally, Leonard, Paynter; Board Chair Loring-Kuhanga ex officio (vote but not counted for quorum) Present: Leonard, Loring-Kuhanga (phone), McNally, Nohr, Paynter, Watters, Whiteaker Absent: Ferris, Orcherton
Dialogue with the Public is welcome during Standing Committee Meetings.
1.Agenda: Adopted 2. OPP minutes June 12/17: SD61 minutes here; Lined Paper record here. 3. Business Arising from the minutes:
McNally: P5 review of Grtr Victoria Foundation for Learning mandate report back to Board – timeline?
Superintendent: October OPP.
4. Presentations to the Committee: [Your chance to present to the committee and engage in related dialogue with members of the Committee and other Trustees who choose to attend.] A. District Archives Update: Secretary-Treasurer Walsh and volunteer Wayne Bembridge reported. See Pp 10-11 agenda. (Judy Stevenson unable to attend.)
Ina Uthoff work photo M Walsh
SD61 teacher Christina Johnson-Dean has written a series of biographies of women artists including Ina Uthoff. 5. Superintendent’s Report: A. Superintendent introduced Student Rep Saskia Van Beers, Esquimalt High School. 6. Personnel Items A. Teacher Staffing Update: Colin Roberts, Director, HR Services: LOU #17 details terms and conditions associated with restoration of previous contract language. Two career fairs held by SD61 Ottawa, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Victoria; special attention to teachers of French Immersion. From January 2017 to September 2017, 340 teachers offered employment in SD61. 7. Finance and Legal Affairs A. Parent Education Fund: Deputy Superintendent Shelley Green: 6 pages of reports in on what schools did with the fund ($250 per PAC). $5000 of $7000 fund accessed.
Paynter: This now a smoothly operating system?
Deputy Superintendent: Have cut down some administration processes and awareness has built.
Nohr: Does the $2000 roll over into the next $7000? (Yes.)
McNally: What happens if there are rollovers and accumulation of money?
Deputy Superintendent: Will be reviewed in spring.
B. Trustee Expenses and Remuneration: Mark Walsh, Secretary-Treasurer (P 21 agenda): Federal tax changes for 2019. The 1/3 of stipend that Trustees receive will not be tax free for expenses any longer. Trustees will submit expenses starting July 2018. Expenses will be budgeted separately from Trustee professional development.
Recommended motions from Secretary-Treasurer:
1. That the Board accept expense reimbursement claims as of July 2018 for Trustee expenses associated with carrying out their duties, to be approved by the Chair or Vice-Chair.
2. That the Board approve that Trustees shall submit pro-d requests to the Chair or Vice Chair for approval and that pro-d expenses be treated independently of expenses, and
3. That the Board direct the Superintendent to Amend Regulation 8230 Trustee Remuneration and Expenses for changes to the expense reimbursement and professional development procedures, and to reflect that trustee remuneration, including Chair and Vice Chair remuneration, be adjusted on an ongoing basis for any salary percentage increases received by the BCTF/GVTA, and that trustee remuneration be amended as of January 2 018 to reflect the BCTF/GVTA increases that have occurred since the beginning of the current Board’s term.
Secretary-Treasurer: Was never put into Policy or Regulations.
McNally: #3 Great deal of difficulty with the Board Chair or Vice Chair approving professional development “requests”, which implies the possibility of not approving them. Amendment: Strike BCTF as the GVTA is the local we are concerned with.
Whiteaker: Pro-d needs to be approved.What will be included in expenses? Business cards? Printer cartridges?
Leonard: Chair and Vice Chair are part of the Board so shouldn’t be in the position of approval.
Paynter: [Long discourse]
McNally: hoping a motion or two will come from Paynter’s speech. Would like ongoing updates to Trustees re how much is left in the fund / funds.
Paynter: Are those the only groups we should peg to?
Watters: Want a well-educated board. Have been skimping. Value for money – people don’t want to run. Need approval for Pro D for accountability. Tying raise to BCTF/GVTA – does that create a conflict of interest?
Whiteaker: Putting motion #2 on the floor.
Paynter: Motion to strike an Ad Hoc Committee to report to OPPS October 2017 to examine practices and related procedures re business expenses and pro-d.
Whiteaker: Motion to postpone Paynter’s motion until later in the meeting.Carried unanimously. For: Leonard, Loring-Kuhanga, McNally, Paynter, Watters.
Leonard: Moving motion #1, with amendment: Period after “duties”. / Carried.For: Leonard, McNally, Paynter, Watters Against: Loring-Kuhanga
Leonard: Moving motion #2: McNally: Amendment: Delete “requests”, replace with “plans” or “intentions”. Defeated. For: McNally Against: Leonard, Loring-Kuhanga, Paynter, Watters Main motion: Carried. Unanimous.
Motion #3 on the floor. Leonard: Amendment: Remove “Chair and Vice Chair”. Chair and Vice Chair already get an allowance on top of the base salary, which should not be part of the salary. / Carried. Unanimous. // McNally: Remove “BCTF”. / Carried. For: Leonard, McNally, Watters Against: Loring-Kuhanga, Paynter
Back to Paynter’s postponed motion: Motion to strike an Ad Hoc Committee to examine practices and related procedures re business expenses and pro-d, report to OPPS October 2017. / Carried. Unanimous.
8. Facilities Planning A. Long Term Facilities Plan: Will be posted here. Secretary-Treasurer: Downtown core exploration. Predicted massive growth in downtown area but no Baragar data. Final manifestation of plan probably a year away. TOR will come to Board for further discussion. Enrolment projections will be included.
Nohr: Rockheights is down 130 in enrolment.
Superintendent: Neighbourhood schools serve the neighbourhood. Addressing this.
B. Esquimalt High School All Weather Field: Secretary-Treasurer:
Recommended motion : That the Board support in principle the upgrading of the upper Esquimalt High School Field and direct the Superintendent to have discussions with community partners regarding the capital requirements of the project. / Carried. Unanimous.(Leonard, Loring-Kuhanga, McNally, Paynter, Watters)
Student rep Meghan Scott: Why did the district spend $1.2 million at Oak Bay, and why looking to community for Esquimalt?
Secretary-Treasurer: Oak Bay was entirely new school build. The Ministry contributed $56 million, included amenities. Community also contributed. Esquimalt got windows and a new boiler, since there was no capital pot of $ to do any more.
9. Public Disclosure of Camera Items: None 10. New Business
A. Trustee Questions (to the Superintendent)
McNally: Since SD61 schools are at max with International students, how will this affect South American and overseas recruiting trips by ISP staff? Will this affect the budget in a positive way?
Whiteaker: What is the reply to email to trustees timeline policy now? / 48 hours or 3 days.
Watters: Is there a way we can bring Trustees to the table with student reps? / Recommendation on that is coming to the Board. They meet monthly. Trustees are welcome to attend.
11. Notices of Motion: None 12. General Announcements: None 13. Adjournment: 10 ish
Lined Paper is my personal record of and commentary on SD61 Board and Standing Committee meetings. Official, approved minutes are on the SD61 website, one month after the meeting.
SD61 Greater Victoria School District includes students in Esquimalt, Oak Bay, Victoria, View Royal, parts of Saanich and the Highlands, and the Traditional Territories of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.
October 17/16, Whiteaker: That the Board amend Bylaw 9130 Standing Committees to remove the words “with voting rights” from Item #4 and Item #5. / Carried. Unanimous. This had the effect of allowing only members of the Standing Committee to vote on motions, though other Trustees, if they attend, can participate in the debate. The Chair of the Board ex officio member both Committees, with voting rights. Quorum is a majority of Trustee members on the committee.
Education Policy and Directions Standing Committee September 11 /17 Chair: Whiteaker Members:Ferris, Nohr, Orcherton , Whiteaker; Loring-Kuhanga ex officio (vote but not counted for quorum) Present: McNally, Nohr,Orcherton, Paynter, Watters, Whiteaker Absent: Ferris, Leonard, Loring-Kuhanga
Dialogue with the Public is welcome during Standing Committee Meetings
1. Approval [Adoption] of Agenda: Adopted. 2. Approval of Ed Policy & Directions Minutes: Lined Paper link here. Minutes of June 5 /17 approved with corrections: Page 5 motion “deferred” should be “Motion postponed to definite time” as per RRO 11th Ed, p 179. [ 100.00 In all meetings of the Board of Trustees, procedures shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, except where provisions of the bylaws of the Board or the Schools Act may conflict, in which case the latter shall prevail.] 3. Business Arising From the Minutes: None 4.Presentations to the Committee:None
The One Learning Community Committee created a sub-committee tasked with
preparing a recommendation regarding the district’s expectation and guiding principles for dress .The sub-committee believes the following
recommendation aligns with the District values identified in the Strategic Plan.
Recommended (P 6 agenda): School Codes of Conduct will include the following statement:1.Our school is committed to creating a learning community that values diversity and is free of all forms of discrimination. In line with the BC Human Rights Code which prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual’s: race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, sex,sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and age,<insert school name> promotes a climate of understanding and mutual respect where all are equal in dignity and rights. Actions through verbal or nonverbal communication(including clothing) must demonstrate support for the BC Human Rights Code. And 2.The School Code of Conduct will not include any other statements regarding expectations of dress.
Watters moved to amend; amendment and motion carried: For: Orcherton Whiteaker Against: Nohr
The Board of SD61 (Greater Victoria) accepts the following recommendation:
The School Code of Conduct will not include any other statements regarding expectations of dress, except for the following: Our school is committed to creating a learning community that values diversity and is free of all forms of discrimination. In line with the BC Human Rights Code which prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual’s: race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and age, <insert school name> promotes a climate of understanding and mutual respect where all are equal in dignity and rights. Actions through verbal or nonverbal communication (including clothing) must demonstrate support for the BC Human Rights Code.
Paynter: For consideration, Oregon Dress Code. Has basic requirements for dress.
Nohr: Recently has been concern at UVic gym re gluteal folds showing with some women’s shorts. A health issue. Concerned with scanty dress in schools on the part of some students.
Whitten: Opportunity for a conversation with the individual in private, based on respect and dignity.
Watters: Each family has its own culture and hopefully decisions will be made in the home as a team. A learning curve for young people going out into the world to present themselves well.
Orcherton: Thanks to Nohr for her points. This are happening quickly in the diversity area. The will be instances where someone is not dressing appropriately. If the recommendation is all there is, it takes away authority. We are preparing students for life in the workplace and inappropriate dress will not be tolerated. Respect is something we teach. First impressions powerful. May be leaving it wide open; need some guidelines. Not just students, adults in schools need guidelines too. Can see problems, like the UVic concern with gluteal folds, otherwise known as the “butt crack”.
McNally: Gluteal folds are not a health issue. This is women’s body shaming disguised as a health issue. And allow me to demonstrate where a “butt crack” [“The intergluteal cleft, also known medically by various synonyms and colloquially as the “butt crack” … is the groove between the buttocks…” (Wikipedia)] is and where a gluteal fold is. [Does, fully clothed.] Dress codes are aimed at women, based on very old ideas (enshrined in some religions – thinking snakes, apples, women who want knowledge, fig leaves, clothing…) of women as virtuous, and the custodians of men’s behaviour which is fundamentally debased. Dress codes (“modesty”) bring those old ideas forward, putting women “in charge” and responsible for men’s behaviour (though not in charge of much that counts). Dress codes demean boys and men by characterizing them as incapable of focus on anything but a woman’s body and that they need to be protected by more or less shrouding that temptation. Men are socialized from an early age to be “manly” and to react – as one Facebook commentator put it – as “mindless horndogs”. It’s a great disrespect and demeaning to male / male identifying students to think they can’t stay with the physics text if a woman / person identifying as a woman walks by. Dress codes disrespect sexes and genders. In Victorian times the sight of a female ankle was thought to drive men mad with sexual desire. Now we laugh at that. Living for the day when the spaghetti strap type of issues and dress codes are laughable as well.
Paynter: Back to the Oregon code. Some parts have to be covered. And Human Rights doesn’t cover swearing expressions, references to drugs or alcohol. Yes has to be conversation between parents and kids.
Male appearing person in public seats: Confused about body shaming. School should be providing excellent learning opportunities. If ankles are distracting we need to talk about that. This proposed lack of dress code is not in the best interest of the safety of my daughters. Think about what these things will do to families.Talking about people showing up naked at school – using our children as pawns in some political agenda. SD61 schools may not be a safe place for my children.
June 5, 2017: McNally:That the Board of Education of School District No. 61 (Greater Victoria):1. No longer require the establishment of an annual French Advisory Standing Committee; 2. Establish a French Advisory Committee on an ad hoc basis when considerations arise.
Recommended: That the Board of Education of School District No. 61 (Greater Victoria) establish a French Advisory Ad Hoc Committee to meet at least annually, or as required. / Carried. For: Nohr, Orcherton, Whiteaker.
Superintendent: Not an Ad Hoc Committee – Ad Hocs have a defined TOR that ends when the issue has been dealt with and reported on.
Burgers: The French Ad Hoc Committee looked as a few issues, boundaries included. Because of French Federal funding, need a place for stakeholders to have input into how the money is spent, and goal setting.
McNally: Suggestion s for changes to TOR: specify the Trustee member will be appointed by Board Chair, and change “Membership shall be renewed annually” to “Representative groups shall appoint a rep annually”.
Paynter: Why havng a conversation about French programs only? Not a good use of scarce resources of the District.
Whiteaker: Won’t be limited to funding.
Paynter: Make funding part of the mandate.
Turcotte, GVTA [and French Immersion teacher]: Funding comes from Ministry of Heritage in Ottawa to the School District.The Funding Guide recommends establishment of an Advisory Committee. What if the Committee members want to meet more frequently? And some years up to now, hasn’t met at all.
Superintendent: TOR specifies at least twice a year. [It does; the motion doesn’t.] Like Aboriginal targeted funding, concern on the part of the funder that funds used for targeted purpose. Yes, have same question re why Advisory Committees on some parts of the district’s programs and not others.
Burgers: So various stakeholder groups to provide feedback and look at models of service.
D. Elementary Counselling Services
Nohr: That the Board request that the Superintendent provide a report on the elementary counselling services within our district for the November 2017 Education Policy and Directions meeting.
Revised motion: Superintendent provide report n and recommendations on counsellor support for elementary students and their families, by November Education Policy meeting. / Carried. For: Nohr, Orcherton, Whiteaker.
Superintendent: Very general motion. Please be more specific.
Nohr: 1:1000 students ratio. Students in need neglected and untenable working conditions for teachers. Learning compromised when emotional need not met. Equity issue – some families have benefits and others cannot afford counsellors.Would like grid with student numbers per school and counsellor FTE, as well as some successful outcomes and some gaps identified.
Watters: Want to now what the plan is to address this – agree there is a gap.
Orcherton: How to address the gap that exists.
David [public seats]: Would like action plan.
Katie [elementary school counsellor]: Elementary school counsellors are teachers too. An extra day at a school makes so much difference in being able to support teachers with what may be difficult for a classroom teacher ie discussions of sexual abuse prevention curriculum, other issues.Elementary school counsellors are often parents’ first contact with mental health and family support.
McNally: Taught for 22 years in SD61, and appreciated counsellors; saw the need for more service. Motion seems to be working toward putting more funding into counselling, and its needed, but money has to come from one area, so where will it be taken from to increase counsellors? Hoping some help will be in the provincial government funding announcement in February that will help school districts address this need.
Superintendent: Need to re-examine what we ask elementary counsellor to do, and the amount of paperwork, but a conversation for another time. [Possibly linked to a variety of discussions about changing the funding formula for student with designations? For example: “Inclusive Education funding is allocated to school authorities through a formula that aims to ensure an equitable distribution of funding. Funding is not determined through coding. School authorities distribute the funding they receive based on the needs of students within their school communities.“ This model would cut down on paperwork and case management.] We also have YFCs and partners in health – need to enhance participation there – child’s troubles in school often due to family breakdown, so need broader systems approach,comprehensive model.
David [public seats] : Has District considered working with Social Workers seconded to schools to address family breakdown?
Superintendent: Yes, but MCF struggles for resources and has been chronically underfunded.
Nohr: Would like school population and FTE of counsellors and YFCs. Just a spreadsheet.
Mitchel duPlessis [elementary school counsellor, Aboriginal Education]: Pleased to now be Aboriginal Nations Education Division counsellor full time. Attention not to the child only but to the whole community.About prevention.
E. Vancouver Island School Trustees Association
Watters: SD61 Board has invited VISTA to gather here for March meeting. As member of VISTA Executive, part of planning for event. VISTA plans Friday might; SD61 Board does the rest. Minister of Education Fleming will be featured on Friday night.Some ideas for workshops / sessions.
Superintendent: Approaching First Nations for territory and welcome. Student introduction of Minister. Student band, student art walk. Hotel booking research underway.
Orcherton: Counsellors are an issue across Districts. How to send in ideas for topics? [To Watters who will collate.]
Whiteaker: Invite parent group rep.
McNally: what opportunities for real student participation , not just food service and entertainment?
Scott: Yes wondered also about that.
Superintendent: That is built in, will be opportunities throughout. Student Rep please take back to students.
F. BCSTA Provincial Council re- Early Childhood Education: Whiteaker
McNally: What are pros and cons of taking motion forward to Provincial Council vs spring AGM? [Discussion]
Watters: Will put this on next VISTA agenda [Sept 30.
6. Notice of Motions: None
7. General Announcements: Paynter: Send in thoughts on 3 BCPSEA questions re collective bargaining sent out to you. Have heard from McNally.
