SCDSB Update 2 – September 28, 2022

SCDSB Update 2 – September 28, 2022
Posted on 09/30/2022

This update provides highlights of the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) Board Meeting held Wednesday, September 28, 2022. Agendas and/or reports considered at this meeting are available at www.scdsb.on.ca.

Report from the Student Trustees
Student Trustee Xu provided an update on behalf of the student trustees. Student Trustee Xu reported that the first Student Senate meeting of the school year took place virtually, and noted that students discussed the return to a regular school year and the various clubs that exist within SCDSB secondary schools. 

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, September 28, 2022:

  1. That the Board approve the school administrator appointments as set out in Report No. CL-HR-D-1, School Administrator Appointments, dated September 14, 2022.
  2. That the Board approve the appointment of Corry Van Nispen, as Treasurer of the Simcoe County District School Board, effective immediately, as set out in Report No. CL-B-2-a, Treasurer of the Simcoe County District School Board, dated September 28, 2022.

D-2-a Notice of Motion from the August 31, 2022 Board Meeting

The Board approved the following motion:
That the Board approve the following revisions to the Board By-laws:  


1) 
Article II:  Meetings of Board of Trustees 
    Inaugural Meeting (in Election Year) (Page 5, No.1)

That the following wording be struck: 
The Inaugural meeting of a newly elected Board will be held on the First Monday in December at 7 p.m. 

and replaced with:
The Inaugural meeting of a newly elected Board will be held at 7 p.m. on November 15 if it is a Monday or on the first Monday following November 15.  

(2) 
Article II: Meetings of Board Trustees 
               Inaugural Meeting (in Election Year) (Page 5, No. 2.2.6)

That the following wording be struck: 
Pupil 

And the following wording be added:
Student Trustee

(3) 
Article II: Meetings of Board Trustees
               First Meeting (in Non-election Year) (page 6, No.1)

That the following wording be struck: 
On the first Monday an organizational board meeting will be held in December of each non- election year, the Board will meet at 7:00 p.m. to elect a member to the offices of Board Chairperson, Board Vice-chairperson and the third member on the Selection Committee.

and replaced with:
On November 15 if it is a Monday, or on the first Monday following November 15, of each non-election year, the Board will meet at 7 p.m. to elect a member to the offices of Board Chairperson, Board Vice-chairperson and the third member on the Selection Committee.

(4) 
Article II: Meetings of Board Trustees
               Order of Business for Regular Board Meetings (page 8, E [2])

That the following wording be struck: 
Proposals 

and replaced with: 
Comments 

(5) 
Article III:  Board Chairperson and Board Vice-chairperson 
     (Page 11, No. 1)

That the following word be struck: 
December 

and replaced with: 
November 

(6) 
Article IV: Board of Trustees (Page 11, No. 2)

That the following wording be added after Electronic Meetings: 
and Meeting Attendance 

(7) 
Article IV: Board of Trustees (Page 11, No. 3)

That the following number be struck:
229 

and replaced with: 
228

(8) 
Article V: Standing Committees of the Board (Page 12, No. 2) 

That an “s” be added to meetings and that “Roll Call” be added as No. 2.2 and the following items be renumbered as follows: 
2.3 Approval of Agenda 
2.4 Declaration of Conflicts of Interest 
2.5 Presentations/Delegations 

(9)
Article VIII: Delegations and Written Submissions to the Board and Committees 
Accommodation Review Committee (ARC) Delegations (Page 16, No. 2.4)

That the following wording be struck: 
or fax

(10) 
APPENDIX A (Page 18) 

That the following wording be added
No. 1 - after Director of Education “or designate/Chairperson of the Meeting “
No. 2 - after Director of Education “or designate/Chairperson of the Meeting “
No. 3 - after Director of Education “or designate/Chairperson of the Meeting “
No. 6 - after Director of Education “or designate/Chairperson of
the Meeting “ and “In the event of a virtual meeting, the appointment of a scrutineer is not possible.”
No. 9 - after ballot “(Nominees draw numbers from 1 to 10, the nominee who draws the lowest number is dropped from the ballot.) In the event of a virtual meeting, nominees will be asked to email the Recording Secretary and the Director of Education or designate/Chairperson of the meeting a number between 1 and 10. Prior to the nominee’s emailing their numbers, the Director of Education or designate/Chairperson of the meeting will choose a number between 1 and 10, which will be shared via email with the designated tellers and Recording Secretary. Once the Recording Secretary and Director of Education or designate /Chairperson of the meeting are in receipt of the numbers emailed by the nominee’s, one of the designated tellers will state the number chosen by the Director of Education or designate/Chairperson of the Meeting. The nominee whose number is closest to that number, without going over, will remain on the ballot.”
No. 10 - after lots “(Nominee whose name is drawn is the successful nominee.) In the event of a virtual meeting, the process outlined above regarding tied votes will be followed. The nominee whose number is closest to the number chosen by the Director of Education or designate /Chairperson of the Meeting, without going over, will be the successful nominee.”

(11) 
APPENDIX A (Page19)
Tellers Report 

That the following wording be struck:
1 Note: Blank ballots cast are counted in computing the number of votes cast.

and the following wording be added: 
1 Note: illegal/spoiled/blank/abstention ballots are not counted in the votes cast.

D-4-a Human Resources
The Board approved the following motion:

  1. That the Board approve the new Policy 3007 – Employee Electronic Monitoring, as set out in APPENDIX A of Report No. HR-D-1, New Policy 3007 – Employee Electronic Monitoring, dated September 14, 2022.

D-5-a Revisions to Policy 2199 – Flag Protocol
The Board approved the following motion:

  1. That the Board approve revisions to Policy 2199 – Flag Protocol, as set out in APPENDIX C of Report No. D-5-a, Revisions to Policy 2199 – Flag Protocol, dated September 28, 2022.

D-5-b First Nations Representation on the Board
The Board approved the following motion:

  1. That the Board approve a position of a First Nations Representative on the Board of Trustees for the 2022-2026 trustee term, as set out in Report No. D-5-b, First Nations Representation on the Board, dated September 28, 2022.

Other Reports Received as Information
D-6-a Program – September 14, 2022
D-6-b PIC – June 16, 2022
D-6-c SEAC – June 6, 2022
D-6-d PIC – May 17, 2022

D-7-a School Year Start-up
John Dance, Director of Education, provided an overview regarding the start-up of the school year and highlighted the return of school-based activities and student attendance at community fall fairs. Director Dance noted the many learning opportunities occurring throughout SCDSB schools in alignment with National Truth and Reconciliation Week. Director Dance shared that flags at all SCDSB schools and facilities will be lowered to half-mast on Friday, September 30, 2022 to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Director Dance thanked students, staff and families for their patience as staffing levels are adjusted to meet the demands of enrolment and shared that enrolment has increased by over 1,400 more students compared to last year. Director Dance indicated that he, along with the superintendents of education and Associate Director, have begun school visits with the focus of ensuring SCDSB schools are warm, welcoming environments where relationships are prioritized, and all students and staff feel a sense of belonging. Director Dance highlighted the work of the board in the area of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and noted that a report regarding the SCDSB Employment Equity Audit will be presented to the Board of Trustees in the coming months.

E-2 Notices of Motion for Next Meeting

  1. That the Board approve the following revisions/additions to the Board By-laws: 

    (1)
    Article 1: Definitions (page 5, item b) 

    That the item be amended to read as follows: 
    “Closed Session”, a meeting of a Committee of the Board, including a Committee of the Whole Board, which may be closed to the Public pursuant to the Education Act, the Young Offenders’ Act, the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, other relevant legislation or for an investigation by the Ombudsman.

    (2) 
    Article II: Meetings of Board of Trustees
    Regular Board Meetings (page 6,  No. 2)  

    That the following wording be added after members present:
    and voting. 

    (3) 
    Article II: Meetings of Board of Trustees
    Regular Board Meetings (page 6,  No. 3)

    That item No. 3 be amended to read as follows: 
    A quorum of the Board will consist of a majority of all members of the Board.  Should there be no quorum present 15 minutes after the time appointed for the meeting, the names of members who have sent regrets and members present and absent will be recorded. Items for information may be presented, after which time the meeting will adjourn.  

    (4) 
    Article II: Meetings of Board of Trustees
    Regular Board Meetings (page 7,  No. 5.2)

    That item No. 5.2 be amended to read as follows: 
    Additional items may be added to the agenda once the Chair has confirmed no objections. 

    (5) 
    Article II: Meetings of Board of Trustees
    Special Board Meetings (page 8,  No. 3)
    That the following wording be struck: 
    unless all members of the Board are present and agree unanimously.

    (6) 
    Article III: Board Chairperson and Board Vice-chairperson (page 11, No. 7)

    That item No. 7 be amended to read as follows: 
    The Chairperson shall be considered the only ex-officio member of all committees except the Audit Committee. They may be counted towards quorum if required, and have all of the rights and responsibilities of any other member. 

    (7)
    Article V: Standing Committees of the Board (page 12, No. 1) 

    That the following wording be added after members present:
    and voting. 

    (8)
    Article V: Standing Committees of the Board (page 12/13, No. 4.1)

    That item No. 4.1 be amended to read as follows:
    Should there be no quorum present 15 minutes after the time appointed for the meeting, the names of members who have sent regrets and members present and absent will be recorded. Items for information may be presented, after which time the meeting will adjourn.

    (9) 
    Article VII: By-law Committee (page 13, No. 4) 

    That the following wording be struck, and that the items under this article be renumbered: 
    The Chairperson of the By-law Committee shall be allowed to speak to pending matters during meetings without vacating the chair.

    (10)
    Article VII: By-Law Committee 
    Standing, Special, By-law Committee Rules and Procedures (page 14, No. 2.1) 

    That the following wording be added after standing committee: 
    with the exception of the Vice-chair of the By-law committee. 

    (11) 
    Article IV: Amendment to the By-laws (page 17)

    That the following wording be added after members present: 
    and voting. 

    And that the following wording be struck: 
    (i.e. abstentions count on the negative side).

    (12) 
    Appendix B 
    Privileged Motions (page 22)

    That the following wording be struck following Call for the Orders of the Day: 
    (set a continued meeting)

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]