Jan13/14 OPPS: The Record, Off the Record: Attendance Management? Just Call It Something Else

9. New Business / Notice of Motion: A. Nohr: That the Board request senior administration to provide a review of the new process for elementary schools to request WiFi installation and also provide a financial accounting for the installation costs and any other District funding that was available to schools for 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. / Defeated. For: Loring-Kuhanga, McNally, Nohr Against: Alpha, Ferris, Horsman, Leonard, Orcherton

Superintendent: Will be a school based process; school principals and school stakeholders will submit a proposal to the Superintendent:
Nohr: What are the standards for the process at the school level [and many additional questions]?
Superintendent: Access points cost is $1100 for first two access points which is covered by SD61 IT budget. Additional access points have to come out of school’s budget. [Around $800 each.] Decisions around EMF sensitivity will occur in consultation at the school level.
Peter Milne, parent: Frank Hobbs PAC has been told Frank Hobbs has the go-ahead to install WiFi.
Superintendent: The caveat for passing the motion was consultation: with staff and parent group. Need to be able to explain what consultation looked like. Process will be submitted to and reviewed by me.
Alpha: Form of consultation will be decided by the school PAC and the principal. They will decide what consultation looks like and a large portion of parents may be left out.
Superintendent: This will be consultation, not a referendum. Parents who feel left out can contact me and I will have the PAC / principal document.
John Bird, VCCPAC President: The District’s Policy 1163 refers to consultation.The school PAC will determine the form of consultation.
Milne: Have been told that accommodation of a student regarding avoidance of WiFi in elementary school is to send that student to another school.
Associate Superintendent Duncan: In regard to [Nohr’s questions on] money spent on WiFi related technology, no trolleys or packages bought from district funds in 2013-14. Will find out expenditures from 2012-13.

B. Nohr: That the Board request senior administration to provide a review of WorkSafeBC surcharges for 2012-13 and 2013-14. / Discussion postponed with unanimous agreement [tabled, though no motion to table] until Secretary-Treasurer returns. C. Loring-Kuhanga: That the Board structure the public input budget meetings on February 19, April 9 and March 26 budget presentation as question-focussed round table meetings which would provide for greater discussion and dialogue by the stakeholders and general public./ Carried For: Alpha, Loring-Kuhanga, McNally, Nohr Against: Ferris, Leonard , Orcherton Abstain: Horsman Alpha: Motion to reconsider (wished to change her vote). No seconder. Motion to table: Carried. [Motion tabled.]

Loring-Kuhanga: A more informal process will get more involvement from the public and give trustees more information to work with.
Leonard: People don’t come unless there are cuts.
Superintendent: By the middle of March we will know how much money we have from the Province.
Larose, CUPE 382 President: We don’t like the Round Table format; it’s not useful. Partner groups submission of ideas works, as do submissions after the Budget presentation.
Hall, CUPE 947 President: At Round Tables we wind up having to defend and justify our jobs; it’s unfair.
Leonard: April 6, 9 and 26 we will know more about cuts. Will be in the $millions. Process is, we direct administration to bring items for possible cuts and then ask the public.
Horsman: Horrible to hear people having to argue for their jobs but at a Round Table it’s an opportunity to make the case. Want to open the door to comments from the public.
Hall: We disagree with the premise that Round Tables help. Theyr’e not productive and the process inflames people.
Larose: CUPE has done presentations to the Board; the public can hear the issues that way.
Bird: Recommend multiple formats and multiple opportunities. Was at Round Table for $8 million cuts a few years ago. Every table had interest groups and every table became a battleground. Did ideas come out of that? Probably not. But should keep one, for information and discussion.
McNally: Would defend CUPE jobs to anyone. In favour of round Tables; public involvement is a democratic value.

D: Loring-Kuhanga: That the Board develop a 5 year strategic plan through a process of engagement and discussion with all stakeholder groups by designating an allotment of time at the monthly Operations Planning and Policy committee meetings throughout 2014./ Defeated. For: Alpha, Loring-Kuhanga, McNally, Nohr Against: Ferris, Horsman, Leonard, Orcherton.

Ferris: the Achievement Contract provides short term and long term goals and gives information about where resources will go to advance these goals.
Nohr: A strategic plan provides an opportunity for visioning across all aspects of the District and allows discussion oif values, prncples and equity.
Horsman: Doing this in the monthly meetings won’t work; more time is neded. A strategic plan is a good idea; have done two with SD61, [Horsman has been a SD61 Trustee for 23 years]; the last one was more than 5 years ago but developing a strategic plan is expensive and we don’t have the money.
Loring Kuhanga: Many BC School Districts have strategic plans or are currently developing a strategic plan.[Google bc school districts strategic plans – many appear.]

Ferris: Notice of motion: Trustee Stipend [Board meeting minutes January 19, 2009: Secretary-Treasurer George Ambeault reported that Trustee remuneration will be adjusted from $13,932 per year to $17,424 per yer with the stipends fo the Chair and Vice Chair remaining unchanged at $3,000 and $1,500 per annum respectively.]
Loring-Kuhanga: Notice of motion re Cyberbullying: Federal legislation and Board Policy

10. General Announcements: None. 11. Adjournment: 10:30 pm

Next meetings:

Monday, January 20, 7:30 pm Tolmie Board Room: Board meeting Monday, February 3, 7 pm: Education Policy Development Committee Tuesday February 11, 7:30 pm: Operations Policy and Planning Committee Monday February 17, 7:30 pm: Board meeting