(The Newsbrief is meant to provide the highlights of the decisions made at the Board meeting for the benefit of our community. The notes do not serve as the official record of the meeting. Please refer to Board or Committee minutes).
Public Motions
Approval of Consultation Plan for the Draft Policy on Indigenous Education Advisory Council
Trustees directed staff to undertake a consultation process and timeline to establish an Indigenous Education Advisory Council.
School boards are expected to create an Indigenous Education Advisory Council (IEAC) with a specific mandate to provide input into the Ministry Board Action Plan for Indigenous Education.
The IEAC will be comprised of six (6) voting members of the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities and up to four (4) non-voting members including a trustee, Indigenous education lead, superintendent and, where possible, an Indigenous student.
The Indigenous Education Advisory Council will provide stakeholders with an on-going mechanism to provide input and guidance for Indigenous education within the OCDSB.
The mandate will include:
- Provide advice and input to the Board Action Plan for Indigenous Education
- Provide strategic advice on implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action
- Assist the board of trustees in its commitment to provide an equitable and inclusive education and work environment for Indigenous students and staff
- Advise the board of trustees on any issue affecting Indigenous students’ learning and well-being.
Indigenous parents, traditional knowledge keepers, Elders, Senators and partners will be consulted regarding the purpose and intent of the policy.
Approval of Revisions to the Advisory Committee on Equity (ACE)
Trustees voted to approve revisions to the Advisory Committee on Equity (ACE). The objective is to enhance the clarity of the policy and expand the membership of the Committee.
Trustees were advised no substantial revisions have been made to the ACE policy since September, 2012. The proposed structure of the membership reduces the number of the voting members from twelve (12) to eleven (11) and expands the scope of community organizations, agencies, groups, and/or associations to be considered for membership. Staff removed any operational content pertaining to the election and appointment of new members and is currently working on a new procedure to reflect the process.
Approval of Consolidated Capital Addition Project
Overview
In August of 2017, the Ministry of Education announced funding for four new additions to OCDSB schools. Bell High School, Merivale High School and Sir Robert Borden High Schools were funded for new gymnasium additions and; Agincourt Road Public School was funded for an 11 classroom (230 pupil places) addition resulting in space for 783 students when construction is completed.
Construction will begin at the three high schools in July 2018. The gymnasiums at all three high schools are scheduled to be completed by September 2019. Trustees approved the following Motion.
Project Expenditure Budget (PEB) for each addition area are as follows:
Agincourt Road Public School - $5,072, 950
Bell High School - $6,534,878
Merivale High School - $6,044,878
Sir Robert Borden High School - $4,299,878
Funding for each addition project consist of:
Agincourt Road Public School
$4,697,957 from School Consolidation Capital Funding
$375,000 from School Condition Improvement Funding
Bell High School
$3,409,878 School Consolidation Capital Funding
$3,125,000 from School Condition Improvement Funding
Merivale High School
$3,094,878 School Consolidation Capital Funding
$2,950,000 in School Condition Improvement Funding
Sir Robert Borden High School
$2,249,878 School Consolidation Capital Funding
$2,050,000 in School Condition Improvement Funding;
Staff is authorized to proceed to tender for each project once Ministry approval is obtained. The Chair and Director will have the authority to award the contracts to the successful bidder(s) as long as they are within the approved project budget.
Approval of Update to P.122.SCO Election Activities
Trustees approved changes to P.122.SCO: Election Activities.
Overview
Following the last municipal and school board election, the Municipal Elections Act was reviewed and legislative changes were identified. The District currently has two policies and one procedure - those documents will now be incorporated into one comprehensive policy. The District will continue its partnership with the OCSB regarding the Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee for the next term of Office.