The following are highlights from the School District 23 Board of Education meet held Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Declarations

Harmony Day 2011 – February 23, 2011

The Acting Board Chairperson made the following declaration:

WHEREAS Harmony Day recognizes that the citizens of the Central Okanagan come from all over the world and,

WHEREAS Harmony Day provides an annual opportunity for the School District No. 23 community to celebrate cultural diversity while committing to mutual respect and,

WHEREAS Harmony Day creates sensitivity to and respect for differences and,

WHEREAS Harmony Day allows School District No. 23 to focus on the mission of educating students in a safe, inspirational learning environment where every student develops the knowledge and skills to be a lifelong learner and a healthy productive member of the global society and,

THEREFORE I, Anna Hunt-Binkley, as Acting Chairperson of the Board of Education of School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan), do hereby proclaim February 23, 2011 as Harmony Day in School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan).

Black History Month

The Acting Board Chairperson made the following declaration:

The Board of Education of School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan) declared the month of February, 2011 as “Black History Month” in School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan). During the week of February 14th, 7 presenters will be speaking at 21 schools to over 3000 students on the topic of Black History and the importance of respecting and honouring diversity.

Presentations

Kelowna Secondary School Timetable Change
Sandy MacKay, KSS PAC President, made a presentation to the Board on the Admin Council decision regarding the KSS timetable change. She also presented a formal appeal, requesting that the Board of Education put the changes to the KSS timetable on hold for the 2011-2012 school year.

School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan) 2010 Safety Review
The District Health and Safety Manager, Ken Emmons, presented the 2010 Safety Review. At this time, the District offers claims management services to 24 Districts or 40% of the Province. These partnerships have resulted in a profit of $105,769 to our District in the past year. Since 2005, the claims management services have generated $1,678,083 for the District. The Board recognized Ken Emmons and his department for continuing to generate substantial revenue for the District.

Superintendent’s Report

The Superintendent reported on the following:

This week marks School Bus Safety Week. Recognition was provided to staff and the local RCMP for supporting school bus safety.

The District has started its budget deliberation process. A form inviting budget input from the public is available on the website.

The latest enrolment information for school districts around the province was shared. School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan) remains the sixth largest school district in the province with 21,567 students. Neighbouring districts have considerably smaller enrolments with Vernon registering 8,353 students and Okanagan Skaha enrolling 6,224 students. Surrey remains the largest school district in the province with 66,788 students while the smallest district is currently Stikine with 202 students.

Senior staff decisions resulting from the KSS Timetable Review are posted on the District website.

Action Items

Additional StrongStart Centres for School District No. 23 in 2011/2012
The Board of Education authorized the Superintendent to apply for a StrongStart Centre to be located at Peachland Elementary School, within the guiding parameters provided.

Electoral Boundary Review Update
The Board of Education directed the Secretary Treasurer to proceed with obtaining the additional stakeholder input for the Electoral Boundary Change as requested in the Minister of Education’s letter.

Teacher Training in Mental Health, Social and Emotional Learning Principles and Strategies.
The Board of Education approved forwarding the following resolution to the upcoming BC School Trustees Association (BCSTA) annual meeting:
THAT: BCSTA recognizes the important contribution positive mental health and social and emotional competence has on student achievement and life success, and, that BCSTA lobby the Minister of Education and British Columbia College of Teachers (BCCT) to require mandatory course work in mental health and social and emotional learning for all teachers-in-training enrolled in Teacher Education Programs in British Columbia
FURTHER THAT: BCTSA respectfully recommends that the BCTF and local School Districts provide on-going Professional Development and in-service training opportunities in mental health and social and emotional learning for current teachers.

One District, One Vision, One Goal
The Board of Education appointed Trustee Watson as the Board’s representative on the One District, One Vision, One Goal Committee.

Class Size and Composition
The Board of Education approved forwarding the following resolution to the upcoming BC School Trustees Association (BCSTA) annual meeting:
THAT: BCSTA recognizes the increased workload resulting from the enactment of Bill 33 to School Districts, and, in particular school Principals and Vice-Principals throughout the year
AND THAT: BCSTA lobby the Provincial Government to amend the School Act to:
a. Reduce the Bill 33 reporting requirements to twice per year, and
b. Extend the timeline for the initial school level reporting by one month.

Support of Sodium Reduction Strategy
The Board of Education approved forwarding the following resolution to the upcoming BC School Trustees Association (BCSTA) annual meeting:
THAT: BCSTA supports Health Canada’s “Sodium Reduction Strategy” and recommends BCSTA lobby the Federal Government and Health Canada to ensure that the Federal Government and Health Canada publicly commit to implementing the recommendations within the strategy
AND FURTHER THAT: With respect to the recommendations within the Sodium Reduction Strategy as they relate to sodium reduction targets by industry, that they be changed from voluntary to mandatory and that there be restrictions placed on the marketing of foods high in sodium to children.

21st Century Learning (Personalized Learning) Funding
Recommendation of the BCSTA Thompson-Okanagan Branch – February 5, 2011
The Board of Education supported the following:
THAT: BCSTA request the Ministry of Education devise an innovative and comprehensive formula which provides predictable and adequate funding to support the over arching vision of “21st Century Learning” and personalized instruction for all students.

Student Information System (BCeSIS Replacement)
Recommendation of the BCSTA Thompson-Okanagan Branch – February 5, 2011
The Board of Education supported the following:
THAT: BCSTA be kept informed as to the progress and proposed timelines for a replacement provincial student information system by the Ministry of Education and seek assurances that the individuals within the public education system who would be using a student information system daily will participate in the decisions around any future software updates or changes to ensure it would support the needs of students and schools.

Equitable Provincial Capital Program
Recommendation of the BCSTA Thompson-Okanagan Branch – February 5, 2011
The Board of Education supported the following motion from the Branch, pending further clarification from the BCSTA Provincial Council Meeting:
THAT: BCSTA request the Minister of Education to work immediately with boards of education to determine a new provincially equitable capital program, including working with districts to sell excess properties where districts have deemed property disposable.

Sale and Disposal of District Properties
Recommendation of the BCSTA Thompson-Okanagan Branch – February 5, 2011
The Board of Education supported the following:
THAT: BCSTA request the Ministry of Education work with BCSTA to revise property disposal criteria and processes to enable boards of education to dispose of surplus school property. The Board of Education also passed a motion that their representative (Provincial Councillor) be given discretion to vote on any motions brought forward at the upcoming Provincial BCSTA meeting on February 25 and 26, 2011, based on any new information or amendments presented at the meeting.

Date of Appeal Re: KSS Timetable Decision
The date for the appeal meeting is Monday, February 21, 2011 at 6 p.m. in Room 2 at Hollywood Road Education Services (1040 Hollywood Road).

Next Regular Scheduled Board Meeting Date
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 (Harmony Day) at 6:00 p.m.
School Board Office
1940 Underhill Street
Kelowna, B.C.
The public is welcome to attend.

Next Board Standing Committee Meeting Dates
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
4:30 p.m. Planning and Facilities Committee
6:30 p.m. Finance and Legal Committee