Annapolis Valley Regional School Board

Annapolis Valley Regional School Board

Regular Meeting

Northeast Kings Education Centre, Canning

May 7, 2008

MINUTES

Present: Lavinia Parrish Zwicker, Chair; Charlene Davies, Vice Chair; Susan Ritchie, Peter Cromwell, Murray Coleman, Dwight Johnson, Vic Fleury, Peter Goucher, Jenny White, Jackie Foster, Doug Fraser, Norm Dray, Superintendent of Schools; Margo Tait, Director of Programs and Services; Allen Hume, Director of Human Resources; Stuart Jamieson, Director of Finance & Operations; Stephen Amirault, Regional Education Officer; Kim Grimard, Board Secretary.

Regrets: Karleen Balsor, Paula Lunn, Pat Parker, Robert Tumilty.

The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., followed by the singing of O Canada. She thanked Everett MacPherson, Principal, Northeast Kings Education Centre for inviting the Board and welcomed the public.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

„ BD08:075

Approval of Agenda

[Approved]

On motion of Susan Ritchie, seconded by Jenny White, it was moved to approve the agenda as circulated

Motion Carried

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

„ BD08:076

Approval of Regular Board Minutes of April 2, 2008

[Approved]

On motion of Charlene Davies, seconded by Susan Ritchie, it was moved to approve the regular Board meeting minutes of the April 2, 2008.

Motion Carried

„ BD08:077

Amend BD08:077 – Special Board Minutes of April 23, 2008

[Approved]

On motion of Jackie Foster, seconded by Charlene Davies, it was moved to approve the special Board meeting minutes of the April 23, 2008 amended to include under Staffing Allocation that a question of hours per week of Physical Education was raised.

Motion Carried

PUBLIC PRESENTATION

Crystal Turner-Tracy, Principal of Cambridge & District Elementary (former Teacher at NKEC), who began the Northeast Kings Learning Centre three years ago and Joanne Davenport, Teacher at Northeast Kings Education Centre who has taken over for Ms. Turner-Tracy, presented highlights of the programs provided through the Learning Centre followed by a tour of the facility. The Chair expressed the Board’s appreciation for the Learning Centre’s programs for the students and the valuable network established within the community.

EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION

Leighann Wichman and Julien Davis, Support Services Coordinators, The Youth Project (formerly known as the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Youth Alliance), funded by N.S. Health Promotion and Protection, highlighted the services provided to youth throughout the province. Students who are questioning their sexual orientation or need support for themselves, family members or friends can access programs, resources, and counselling. The importance of providing safe school environments was recognized. The Superintendent noted that continued education regarding sexual orientation issues is a valuable component of race relations, cross cultural understanding and human rights within the Board.

CORRESPONDENCE

Ø Ronald G. Marks, P.Eng., Chair, Board of Directors, School Insurance Program (SIP), a letter regarding insurance arrangements for school boards and the Nova Scotia Community College through the Ontario School Boards’ Insurance Exchange (OSBIE). (see New Business)

Ø Dennis Cochrane, Deputy Minister, Department of Education, a letter regarding the 2007 review of teacher education in Nova Scotia and a report entitled Minister’s Response to Report Recommendations of the Review Panel on Teacher Education dated May 1, 2008. (information)

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Dray presented the Superintendent’s Report to the Board. (A copy is attached to the official minutes and forms part of this document.) On question, he noted that the three key areas of discussion at the Principals in Focus meeting were: an attendance policy; guidance counsellors in schools; and a student information system.

CHAIR’S REPORT

Mrs. Parrish Zwicker presented the Board Chair’s Report to the Board. (A copy is attached to the official minutes and forms part of this document.) She thanked Peter Goucher for attending a reception where he accepted a donation to the Breakfast Program from Sedexo for $890.17.

„ BD08:078

Recess

[Approved]

On motion of Doug Fraser, seconded by Charlene Davies, it was moved to take a recess at 8:15 p.m.

Motion Carried

The meeting resumed at 8:30 p.m. at which time Susan Ritchie was excused from the meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

RCH Committee

Next Meeting: June 24, 10:30 a.m.

Peter Cromwell, Chair, reported the Committee has not met since the last Board meeting.

Operations Committee

Next Meeting: May 29, 9:30 a.m. (Note date change.)

Dwight Johnson, Chair, reported the Committee met April 23, 2008.

„ BD08:079

Facilities Review Reports for Annapolis, Eastern Kings and Hants West Counties

[Approved]

On motion of Dwight Johnson, seconded by Jenny White, it was moved that, on recommendation of the Operations Committee, the Facilities Review Reports for Annapolis, Eastern Kings and Hants West Counties be accepted.

Motion Carried

„ BD08:080

Public Presentations and Schedule of Facilities Reviews

[Approved]

On motion of Dwight Johnson, seconded by Charlene Davies, it was moved that, on recommendation of the Operations Committee, the public presentations and schedule of public meeting dates to share the Facilities Review Reports with the public be approved.

Motion Carried

The meetings are scheduled from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. as follows: Hants West - May 21 at Windsor Elementary School; Eastern Kings – May 26 at L.E. Shaw Elementary School; Annapolis – June 2 at Lawrencetown Consolidated School; and Annapolis – June 4 at Annapolis West Education Centre. A memorandum, newspaper advertisements, a press release, and the AVRSB website will provide schedule details.

Planning & Priorities Committee

Next Meeting: June 16, 11:30 p.m.

Charlene Davies, Chair, reported the Committee has not met since the last Board meeting.

Board Executive Committee

Next Meeting: as required

Charlene Davies reported the Committee met on April 10, 2008 via email regarding Board member Jenny White’s request to utilize funds from the Supplementary Conference Allowance.

} BD08:081

Jenny White to Utilize Supplementary Conference Allowance

[Approved]

On motion of Charlene Davies, seconded by Vic Fleury, it was moved that, on recommendation of the Board Executive Committee, Jenny White utilize the Supplementary Conference Allowance to cover expenses over and above her Individual Conference Allowance to attend the 2008 CSBA Conference in Regina (estimated cost to the Supplementary Conference Allowance is $700.00).

Motion Carried

Finance & Audit Committee

Next Meeting: May 29, 2008, 6:30 p.m. (Note date change.)

Vic Fleury, Chair, reported the Committee met on April 24, 2008. There are no recommendations to the Board.

There will be a special meeting of the Finance Committee June 11 at 2:30 p.m. prior to the Board meeting to receive the audited financial statements.

Electoral Boundary Review Committee

Next Meeting: as required.

Mrs. Parrish Zwicker advised we have not received the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board’s decision yet.

Human Resources Committee

Next meeting: May 20, 1:30 p.m.

Doug Fraser, Chair, reported the Committee met on April 15, 2008.

} BD08:082

Administrative Teaching Staff Appointment

[Approved]

On motion of Doug Fraser, seconded by Charlene Davies, it was moved that, on recommendation of the Human Resources Committee, the appointment of Jamie Peppard, Principal of Lawrencetown Education Centre for the 2008-2009 school year, be approved.

Motion Carried

} BD08:083

Administrative Teaching Staff Appointment

[Approved]

On motion of Doug Fraser, seconded by Dwight Johnson, it was moved that, on recommendation of the Human Resources Committee, the appointment of Susan Connell, Vice Principal of Annapolis East Elementary School for the 2008-2009 school year, be approved.

Motion Carried

} BD08:084

Administrative Teaching Staff Appointment

[Approved]

On motion of Doug Fraser, seconded by Charlene Davies, it was moved that, on recommendation of the Human Resources Committee, the appointment of Diane Howell, Vice Principal of Northeast Kings Education Centre, effective 01 August, 2008, be approved.

Motion Carried

} BD08:085

Administrative Teaching Staff Appointment

[Approved]

On motion of Doug Fraser, seconded by Jenny White, it was moved that, on recommendation of the Human Resources Committee, the appointment of Kathy Greeno, Consultant of Community-Based, Experiential, Career Education, effective 01 August, 2008, be approved.

Motion Carried

2008 AGM Planning Committee

Next meeting: May 20, 3:30 p.m.

Jackie Foster, Chair, reported the Committee met on April 3, 2008. Details are being finalized. A package containing the program and the official registration form was distributed. Board members were asked to contact the Board Secretary to volunteer for activities on the task list and to forward their registration forms to her and she will forward them to NSSBA.

Education Committee

Next meeting: May 14 at 9:30 a.m.

Jackie Foster, Vice Chair, reported the Committee met on April 9, 2008. There are no recommendations to the Board.

REGIONAL EDUCATION OFFICER’S REPORT

Stephen Amirault presented his report to the Board. (A copy is attached to the official minutes and forms part of this document.) As a follow up to the Chair’s request for information at the regular Board meeting April 2, 2008, regarding the Injury Prevention Program Launched in Schools, Mr. Amirault distributed a response from Ann Blackwood, Director, English Program Services, Department of Education, outlining the resources that were distributed to schools.

NSSBA REPORT

Vic Fleury reported that the NSSBA resolutions are available on the NSSBA website. The Board members agreed that the eight voting delegates for AVRSB will meet at the AGM to discuss the resolutions. The next NSSBA Director’s meeting is May 8.

NEW BUSINESS

School Insurance Program (SIP)

Robert Tumilty was unable to attend the Board meeting to give a brief presentation on the letter from SIP noted above in Board Correspondence.

} BD08:086

School Insurance Program (SIP) Presentation

[Approved]

On motion of Doug Fraser, seconded by Vic Fleury, it was moved that the Board invite representatives from SIP to give a 30-minute presentation to the Board on May 20 at 6:00 p.m. at the Board office prior to the Budget Work Session.

Motion Carried

The achievements of the AVRSB at the Nova Scotia Pupil Transportation Annual Conference were discussed. Once again, the AVRSB achieved the Gold Award. This is the 26^th consecutive Gold achievement for AVRSB and its predecessor Boards. In addition, this is the fourth time in the last five years that AVRSB scored a perfect 100% winning the Gerald W. Buchan Memorial Crystal Trophy presented to the highest achieving carrier in the province. The scoring for the Crystal trophy was tied with our contractor First Bus. The Board recognized the quality and consistency of the work done by the Transportation staff throughout the year and congratulated them on their achievement.

„ BD08:087

Letter of Congratulations to Transportation Staff for their Achievements at the 2008 Nova Scotia Pupil Transportation Conference

[Approved]

On motion of Vic Fleury, seconded by Charlene Davies, it was moved that the Board send a letter of congratulations to the Transportation Staff recognizing its achievements.

Motion Carried

NEXT MEETINGS:

SIP Presentation – In Camera Session: May 20, 2008, 6:00 p.m., Board Room, Regional Office

Budget Work Session: May 20, 2008, 6:30 p.m., Board Room, Regional Office, Berwick

Regular Board Meeting: June 11, 2008, 7:00 p.m., Board Room, Regional Office, Berwick

ADJOURNMENT

„ BD08:088

Adjournment

[Approved]

On motion of Charlene Davies, seconded by Jenny White, it was moved to adjourn at 8:58 p.m.

Motion Carried

________________________________ ________________________________

Kim Grimard, Board Secretary Lavinia Parrish Zwicker, Board Chair

PUBLIC FORUM

Peter Kiefl, former chair of the PTSA, Evangeline Middle School and Karen Davidson, current chair, PTSA, introduced themselves to the Board members. They attended the meeting to familiarize themselves with the function of the Board. They recognized Board member Charlene Davies as the Board representative for Evangeline Middle School.

Everett MacPherson, Principal, Northeast Kings Education Centre, introduced a number of staff members to the Board. The Chair thanked Mr. MacPherson and the staff for inviting the Board to their school and for the wonderful hospitality and excellent presentation.