Boardroom Newsbrief - October 30, 2018

Boardroom Newsbrief - October 30, 2018

This news brief is meant to provide the highlights of the decisions made at today's Board meeting for the benefit of our community; the notes do not serve as the official record of the meeting (Refer to Board or Committee minutes). 

Presentation to Kian Mansour – Recipient of the 2017-2018 D.A. Moodie Scholastic Achievement Award (OCDSB)                                                        

Kian Mansour is the recipient of the 2017-2018 D.A. Moodie Scholastic Achievement Award (OCDSB). He is an exceptional student, athlete, and global influencer. Kian graduated from Colonel By Secondary School this past June from the International Baccalaureate program with a grade point average (GPA) of 97.86.  He also tutored math throughout his high school career.

Kian was an active member of Colonel By’s “The Global Change Makers Group” who partner with global organizations to educate members and find solutions on all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  If that was not impressive enough, Kian’s is also the 2018 recipient of the Governor General of Canada Academic (Bronze) Medal for academic excellence at the secondary school level.

You may not have heard of "The Competitive Rubik’s Cube Association" but Kian is a member and  he holds 1 World Record, 2 National Records,and 11 gold medals. In addition to cubing, his hobbies include tennis and power-lifting. He has been playing tennis for over 8 years. Power-lifting is a new sport for him; he began power lifting in 2017 and hopes to participate at competitive levels in the future.  Kian never does anything half way.

Kian currently attends the University of Ottawa where he is studying biomedical science with future aspirations of becoming a doctor.

Public Motions

Approval of Air Conditioning in Classrooms Used for EDP Programs During the Summer

Trustees were advised that staff met with third-party operators of EDP sites regarding the use of air conditioning units during the summer months. The third–party operators were supportive of working collaboratively with the Board. They will pursue all avenues of assistance, including grant applications for minor capital acquisition.

Following the staff update, Trustees approved a motion that will require air conditioning, portable air conditioning units or tempered air to be in use in OCDSB classrooms   or third-party Extended Day Programs, during July and August. Staff will make the necessary adjustments to the policy and procedures governing the program. The meeting between OCDSB staff and third-party operators also resulted in improved communication regarding infrastructure needs.

Approval of Consultation Plan for Development of the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan

The OCDSB's current 2015-2019 Strategic Plan is scheduled to expire in August 2019. Over the next three months, the District will attempt to engage stakeholders in relation to the new strategic plan.

This will include a pre-consultation with key stakeholder groups to develop outreach strategies. Online consultation will be initiated with the greater community. The objective is designed to help define and develop strategies using focus groups.

The community and key stakeholders will be asked to provide feedback on the draft plan. Target audiences will include students, parents, community members, staff, federations, advisory committees, and community-based agencies with whom the District regularly works.

This process will also address engagement barriers by using

  • Non-technical language
  • Providing translation where applicable
  • Using a variety of mediums to communicate
  • Flexible scheduling and;
  • Providing sufficient time for advance notice to maximize participation

The complete Consultation Plan for Development of the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan is available on the District’s website.

Approval of Revisions to Safe School Policies in Accordance with Legalization of Recreational Cannabis 

Trustees were updated on the legislative changes associated with the legalization of cannabis. Trustees approved proposed changes to four of the Board’s safe school policies.

P.026.SCO Student Suspension and Expulsion as detailed in Appendix A to Report 18-099;

P.033.SCO Smoking on Board Premises as detailed in Appendix B to Report 18-099;

P.034.SCO Substance Abuse as detailed in Appendix C to Report 18-099; and

P.125.SCO School Board Code of Conduct as detailed in Appendix D to Report 18-099.

The amended policies will support enforcement of cannabis legislation in the District's schools.

Approval of Standing Down the Gifted Advisory Group and Implementation of Pilot Project 

Trustees voted to stand down the Gifted Advisory Group. The Group was formally acknowledged and thanked for their contributions to the District. Staff was directed to implement a pilot program which utilizes both the OCDSB Guide for Supporting Gifted Students in the Regular Classroom and the OCDSB Interest Academy. SEAC will now fulfill the role of the Gifted Advisory Group in monitoring the pilot program.

Approval of External Auditor’s Audit Plan for the 2017-2018 Year-End Audit

Trustees approved the KPMG LLP’s plan for the audit of the 2017-2018 Consolidated Financial Statements. The statements indicate there has been no significant changes with regards to the District’s operations and therefore no changes in how the external audit is conducted is required.

Approval of the 2017-2018 Annual Report on Internal Audit Activity

Trustees approved the annual report to the Board summarizing the work performed by the Regional Internal Team (RIAT).

Approval of the 2018-2019 Internal Audit Plan

Trustees approved the 2018-2019 Internal Audit Plan that includes the audit of attendance support, information technology (IT) security management and procurement. The plan also includes a risk assessment update.

Approval of Changes to Congregated Elementary Gifted Program Delivery

Trustees voted to postpone the section in red indefinitely.  This means this section can be brought back in another form at another time.
That staff be directed to consider specialised class placements through the IPRC process, without first requiring a mandatory sentence of tiered interventions, for students identified as Gifted, subject to the students meeting the cognitive criteria for placement in specialized Gifted class;

Trustees approved the following:

  1. That staff be directed to undertake an operational review of the process for identification, needs assessment (including the use of tiered interventions as support for all students, and as identification and placement evidence) and placement for all exceptionalities
  2. That a report be provided to Board no later than February 2019 with a proposed outline and timeline for the operational review, and an update on any changes in practice introduced in the wake of the discussion of this motion; and
  3. That staff produce a series of updates, beginning no later than end of October 2019, detailing the number of applications and the number of children receiving assessment and placements in congregated programs, by exceptionality, at both the elementary and secondary levels, and details of waitlists for all congregated programs by geographic zone.

The meeting ended at 10:06

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