This update provides highlights of the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) Board Meeting held Wednesday, November 24, 2021. Agendas and/or reports considered at this meeting are available at www.scdsb.on.ca.
Report from the Student Trustees
Student Trustee Oluwatayo provided an update on behalf of the student trustees. Student Trustee Oluwatayo reported that the Student Senate met virtually on November 24, with 13 students in attendance. Student Trustee Oluwatayo shared that students participated in discussions led by Chantal Enright, social worker with the SCDSB, about student well-being and the causes and solutions to daily stress.
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, November 24, 2021:
- That the Board approve the School/System Administrator Eligibility List as set out in Report No. CL-HR-D-1, School/System Administrator Eligibility List – November 2021, dated November 10, 2021.
- That the Board approve the school administrator appointments as set out in Report No. CL-HR-D-2, School Administrator Appointments, dated November 10, 2021.
Elementary Vice-principal appointments
Charlotte Damen from Terry Fox ES (Teacher) to Birchview Dunes ES (Acting) – effective November 29, 2021
Neil Finney from Harriett Todd PS (Teacher) to Cookstown Central PS (Acting) – effective immediately
Kathleen Stevenson from Tecumseth Beeton ES (Teacher) to Algonquin Ridge ES (Acting) – effective immediately
Elementary Principal appointments
Marci Morris from Cookstown Central PS (VP) to Hon. Earl Rowe PS (Acting) – effective immediately
Lisa Saunders from Birchview Dunes ES (VP) to Clearview Meadows ES (Acting) – effective November 29, 2021
Anne Tervit from Nantyr Shores SS (VP) to Alcona Glen ES (Acting) – effective immediately
Secondary Vice-principal appointments
Brenna Campsall from Bear Creek SS (Teacher) to Nantyr Shores SS (Acting) – effective immediately
Danielle McIntyre from Orillia SS (Teacher) to Orillia SS (Acting) – effective November 25, 2021
Secondary Principal appointment
David Brooks from Orillia SS (VP) to Bradford District HS (Acting) – effective immediately
D-4-a Business and Facilities
The Board approved the following motion:
- That the Board approve the revisions to Policy 2198 – Use of Copyright-Protected Works for Education, as set out in APPENDIX C of Report No. BF-D-1, Revisions to Policy 2198 – Use of Copyright-Protected Works for Education, dated November 3, 2021.
D-4-b Human Resources
The Board approved the following motion:
- That the Board approve the revisions to Policy 3320 – Professional Learning, as set out in APPENDIX C of Report No. HR-D-1, Revisions to Policy 3320 – Professional Learning, dated November 10, 2021.
D-5-a Revisions to Policy 2105 – Trustee Replacement Process
The Board approved the following motion:
- That the Board approve the revisions to Policy 2105 – Trustee Replacement Process, as set out in APPENDIX C of Report No. D-5-a, Revisions to Policy 2105 – Trustee Replacement Process, dated November 24, 2021.
D-5-b Revisions to Policy 2191 – Board Chairperson Role Description
The Board approved the following motion:
- That the Board approve the revisions to Policy 2191 – Board Chairperson Role Description, as set out in APPENDIX C of Report No. D-5-b, Revisions to Policy 2191 – Board Chairperson Role Description, dated November 24, 2021.
D-5-c Revisions to Policy 2192 – Board Vice-chairperson Role Description
The Board approved the following motion:
- That the Board approve the revisions to Policy 2192 – Board Vice-chairperson Role Description, as set out in APPENDIX C of Report No. D-5-c, Revisions to Policy 2192 – Board Vice-chairperson Role Description, dated November 24, 2021.
D-5-d Revisions to Policy 2193 – Corporate Board Role Description
The Board approved the following motion:
- That the Board approve the revisions to Policy 2193 – Corporate Board Role Description, as set out in APPENDIX C of Report No. D-5-d, Revisions to Policy 2193 – Corporate Board Role Description, dated November 24, 2021.
Other Reports Received as Information
D-6-a Program – November 10, 2021
D-6-b FNEAC – October 14, 2021
D-6-c SEAC – October 4, 2021
D-6-d PIC – September 14, 2021
D-6-e PIC – September 23, 2021
D-7-a – Athletics Update
Daryl Halliday, Superintendent of Education, provided an update on athletics. Superintendent Halliday noted that decisions related to winter athletics have been made in consultation with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU). Superintendent Halliday indicated that the SCDSB will not host or attend tournaments; however, the competitive schedules will increase beyond one game per week to schedules similar to those in pre-pandemic years. Superintendent Halliday noted that the SCDSB, in consultation with the SMDHU, will not be mandating vaccinations for participants in extra-curricular athletics. Superintendent Halliday shared that SCDSB students will be permitted to participate in athletics to the OFSAA level for the winter sports season.
Questions and Proposal from Trustees
Vice-chair North asked about capital announcements and when the SCDSB could anticipate a formal announcement.
Student Trustee Oluwatayo shared student perspective with respect to the SCDSB’s procedures on inclement weather days.
Trustee O’Brien shared that he attended virtual school council meetings for Oakley Park PS, Codrington Street PS, Barrie North CI and Eastview SS. Trustee O’Brien inquired about the LunchBox program. Trustee O’Brien noted that he was in attendance at the City of Barrie virtual town hall meeting on November 17.
Trustee Beacock inquired about the requirement for parent/guardian consent for children ages 5 to 11 to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Trustee Beacock asked if vaccination clinics will be taking place in SCDSB schools.
Trustee Beitz inquired about the SMDHU’s virtual information session regarding the COVID-19 vaccination for children ages 5 to 11. Trustee Beitz asked how the SCDSB will support communications related to information about the COVID-19 vaccination for children.
Reports/Updates from Staff
Dawn Stephens, Associate Director, provided an update based on recent announcements by the Ministry of Education. Superintendent Stephens shared that at-home PCR testing kits will be sent to schools for use by students who show symptoms of COVID-19. Superintendent Stephens also noted that the Ministry of Education is providing school boards in Ontario with rapid antigen tests kits to be distributed to all students prior to the winter break, to support the safer return to the classroom in January 2022. The rapid antigen test kits contain five tests which can be administered on a voluntary basis throughout the winter break. Superintendent Stephens also indicated that the Ministry of Education has allowed school boards to move to a regular four period schedule for secondary students and that, in consultation with the SMDHU, the SCDSB will be moving to this schedule effective Semester Two, provided COVID-19 cases remain low.
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]