This update provides highlights of the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) Board Meeting held Wednesday, January 18, 2023. Agendas and/or reports considered at this meeting are available at www.scdsb.on.ca.
Delegations
- Trinity Parchment Re: Educational Experience in the Simcoe County District School Board
Chairperson Lloyd accepted the delegation for information.
Report from the Closed Session of the Board in Committee of the Whole
The Board ratified the following recommendations taken in the Closed Session meeting of the Committee of the Whole on Wednesday, January 18, 2023:
- That the Board approve the authorization of staff to complete a purchase and sale agreement for the acquisition of approximately 0.4 hectares (one acre) of land to be added to the existing Warminster Elementary School site at a value of up to $539,000 per developable acre under the terms and conditions set out in Report No. CL-BF-D-1, Warminster Elementary School Site Acquisition – Lot Addition, dated January 11, 2023.
- That the Board approve the authorization of staff to enter into a co-ownership and development agreement for the acquisition of an interest in the Oro-Medonte elementary school site under the terms and conditions set out in Report No. CL-BF-D-2, Oro-Medonte elementary school Site Acquisition, dated January 11, 2023.
- That the Board approve the school administrator appointment as set out in Report No.CL-B-2-a, School Administrator Appointment, dated January 18, 2023.
Secondary Vice-principal Appointment effective March 20, 2023
Jane Mitchinson from External to Georgian Bay DSS
D-2-a Notice of Motion from the December 21, 2022 Board Meeting
The Board approved the following motion:
- That the Board motion that was carried at the regular meeting of the Board held on January 29, 2020 regarding report of trustee attendance be amended to include the following committees of the Board that have recently been formed: Equity Advisory Committee, Indigenous Education Advisory Committee, and Sustainability Advisory Committee, and that the motion read:
That the Board receive annually in December, in public session, a summary report of trustee and student trustee attendance at regularly scheduled Board meetings, special meetings, standing committee meetings (Business and Facilities, Human Resources, and Program) and the following mandatory committees and committees of the board: Accessibility Advisory Committee, Audit Committee, Equity Advisory Committee, First Nations Education Advisory Committee, Indigenous Education Advisory Committee, Parent Involvement Committee, Special Education Advisory Committee, and Sustainability Advisory Committee, and that the summary report of trustee attendance, by trustee, be posted on the board’s website.
D-4-a Business and Facilities
The Board approved the following motions:
- That the Board approve the revisions to Policy 3140 – Health and Safety, as set out in APPENDIX C of Report No. BF-D-1, Revisions to Policy 3140 – Health and Safety, dated January 11, 2023.
- That the Board approve the revisions to Policy 4470 – Temporary Closing of Schools, as set out in APPENDIX C of Report No. BF-D-2, Revisions to Policy 4470 – Temporary Closing of Schools, dated January 11, 2023.
D-4-b Program
The Board approved the following motions:
- That the Board approve revisions to Policy 4150 – Moral Education in Schools, as set out in APPENDIX C of Report No. PRO-D-1, Revisions to Policy 4150 – Moral Education in Schools, dated January 11, 2023.
- That the Board approve revisions to Policy 4315 – Student Activity Fees, as set out in APPENDIX C of Report No. PRO-D-2, Revisions to Policy 4315 – Student Activity Fees, dated January 11, 2023.
- That the Board approve revisions to Policy 4430 – Field Trips, as set out in APPENDIX C of Report No. PRO-D-3, Revisions to Policy 4430 – Field Trips, dated January 11, 2023.
D-4-c Human Resources
The Board approved the following motions:
- That the Board approve revisions to Policy 3210 – Compensation for Administrative and Educational Support Personnel (AESP), as set out in APPENDIX C of Report No. HR-D-1, Revisions to Policy 3210 – Compensation for Administrative and Educational Support Personnel (AESP), dated January 11, 2023.
Other Report Received for Information
D-6-a SEAC – November 14, 2022
D-7-a Student Equity Think Tank
Dean Maltby, Superintendent of Education, provided an overview of the student-led Equity Think Tank and the work of the student trustees.
Student Trustee Xu provided an update regarding the current work of the Student Equity Think Tank and shared that all secondary schools in the SCDSB have implemented student equity groups. Student Trustee Xu added that the Think Tank discussed spirit days and provided recommendations for consideration.
E-2 Notices of Motion for Next Meeting
That the Board approve the following motions:
- That staff be directed to work with staff at the City of Barrie to explore opportunities to utilize school facilities for community programming in a partnership structure.
- WHEREAS per section 55(5) of the Ontario Education Act Student Trustees have the right to partake in certain in-camera sessions closed to the public, demonstrating the high standing and trustworthiness of Student Trustees, and;
WHEREAS the student voice is most effectively communicated by granting Student Trustees equal opportunities to participate in Board functions as other Board trustees, and;
WHEREAS per section 55(7) of the Ontario Education Act student trustees receive equal opportunities to Board trustees, including access to professional development, resources and training, and;
WHEREAS Student Trustees are elected representatives, and are to be held accountable to the student body, and; WHEREAS the student voice must be articulated fairly and expressively for the benefit of the school board, and;
WHEREAS the student voice must be represented fairly and articulated expressively for the benefit of the school board and to accurately reflect the students in decision-making, and;
WHEREAS Student Trustees shall have the right to abstain from voting and be counted as equals within the quorum of the entire board, and;
WHEREAS Student Trustees further desire the right to move and second motions, to incite discussion:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Chair of the Board send a letter to the Ministry of Education on behalf of the Simcoe County District School Board with copies of local MPPs and other school boards, requesting the Ministry of Education push for the recommendation in allowing Student Trustees the right to independently move and second motions during board meetings. Doing so furthers the dynamic and effectiveness of student representation across Ontario, as students can begin the discussions surrounding items that they feel are most pertaining to their constituency without the need to request support.
Visit www.scdsb.on.ca for information about future Board and Committee meetings, or to view video archives of Board meetings.
Information:
Sarah Kekewich, Manager of Communications
705-734-6363 x11328 or [email protected]