For those who were unable to attend the Board meeting on June 25, below is a summary.
3. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
District Accomplishments in the 2007/2008 school year
Among the numerous accomplishments:
- Consolidation of the Quality Assessment
- Establishment of a new Community Literacy Plan
- Huge growth in Distance Learning Programs (Since this is year-round, it is helpful for students and generates revenue for the District.)
- The expected establishment of two new StrongStart centres as part of 31 Early Learning programs across the District
- Doubling of International Education student enrolment
- Opening of the Mount Boucherie Secondary expansion (This excellent facility is appreciated by students as well as Westside residents.)
- Rebuild of the Dr. Knox Middle, which is expected to open in September
- Chute Lake construction is underway (This should relieve pressure on Mission schools.)
- Technology reconfiguration and sustainability for grades 7 to 12
- First residential construction home sold and the second one is almost complete
- Store Front program was expanded
- Two more winners of Canada’s Outstanding Principals award (This is more than any other District in the nation.)
- Education Week this year was a tremendous success
- Lot of positive media coverage of our schools and School District (Estimate that 175 days of 195 days in the school year featured positive news coverage)
- Two major technology awards
- Complete revamp of the bussing system to address population shifts and the new Dr. Knox
- Continued implementation of the Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement (We are seeing the positive effects for example the outstanding results this term at Dr. Knox.)
- Highly successful Harmony day (This is an important part of a well-rounded education)
- Extremely productive Student Planning Council process
- Grad rate increased to 82%+
- Best district reviews in the province this year
- Consolidation of Strategic Plan and long-term planning
- Balanced budget in spite of challenging and unpredictable funding
- Ongoing review and refinement of all programs and services
- Strong liaison work with Okanagan College and UBC Okanagan
- Implementation of the expanded mandate from toddlers to adults
Next Year’s Goals
Numeracy, Literacy and Grad Rate focus on:
1) Schools and programs of choice
2) Developing and obtaining quality staff
3) Continued implementation of Quality Assessment
4) Continuation of Health Promoting Schools
4. RECOGNITION/PRESENTATIONS/DELEGATIONS
4.1.1 Nolan Thorn, Student, Constable Neil Bruce Middle School
Gold Standard - University of Waterloo’s Fryer Math Contest4.1.2 Dry Grad Radio Star Winners
“Take the Bus” Antonio DiMaria and James Ricci
George Elliot Secondary School4.3 Presentation: District Student Council Teacher Thank You Video
7. ACTION ITEMS
7.1 Ministry Early Learning Agreement Approval
Background information: This is a Ministry of Education requirement in order to receive annual funding for early learning programs. The current agreement was approved by the Board on November 14, 2007 and this new agreement for 2008/2009 will allow the District to proceed with opening StrongStart centres at George Pringle and Pearson Road.
Board Decision:
THAT: The Board approve the new Early Learning Agreement with the Ministry of Education as presented at the June 25, 2008 Public Board Meeting.
7.2 School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan) Bylaw No. 13 – Election 2008 - Update Third Reading
Background information: Prior to each Trustee election, the School District must review its Election Bylaw to determine if the existing Bylaw remains relevant for the upcoming election. As there has been no response from the Minister of Education regarding the Board`s request to change the Trustee Electoral Boundaries on the Westside, the only bylaw change is to add the District of Westside to the list of Municipalities or Districts which will report the election results.
Board Decision:
THAT: School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan) Bylaw No. 13 – Election 2008, as attached and as presented at the June 25, 2008 Public Board Meeting, be read for the third time and finally approved this 25th day of June, 2008.
7.3 New Regulation 490R – Admission of Exchange Students (Regulations)
Board Decision:
THAT: The Board approve new Regulation 490R – Admission of Exchange Students, as presented and amended at the June 4, 2008 Education and Student Services Committee.
7.4 Family Life Program Review Schedule
Background information: This program was reviewed annually for the past few years; however, the committee feels that this program is consistently running smoothly and would like establish longer intervals between reviews.
Board Decision:
THAT: The Board review the Family Life Program on a three-year cycle in keeping with similar District program reviews.
7.5 Property Bylaw No. 106 – Sale of Former Bellevue Creek Elementary School Site to the City of Kelowna - Withdrawal
Background information: Subsequent to the initial discussions with the City, the City could not secure a partner for the purchase and therefore has withdrawn their offer.
Board Decisions:
THAT: The Board of Education of School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan) withdraw Property Bylaw No. 106 – Sale of Former Bellevue Creek Elementary School Site to the City of Kelowna, prior to third reading.
THAT: The Board of Education direct the Superintendent to dispose of the former Bellevue Creek Elementary School property through a public process.
7.6 District Strategic Plan
This motion is deferred until a public Board meeting in September
7.7 Amendments to Policy 630 – Dedication and Naming of Schools and Facilities
Board Decision:
THAT: The Board approve the amendments to Policy 630 – Dedication and Naming of Schools and Facilities, as presented and amended at the June 18, 2008 Public Planning and Facilities Committee Meeting, and as amended at the June 25 public Board meeting.
7.8 Property Bylaw No. 107 Mount Boucherie Secondary School – Fortis BC Inc Statutory Right-of-Way Lot A, District Lot 3486, Plan 26784, O.D.Y.D.
Board Decisions:
THAT: The Board give first, second and third readings to School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan) Property Bylaw No. 107 (as attached) at the June 25th, 2008 Public Board Meeting. THAT: School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan) Property Bylaw No. 107 (Mount Boucherie Secondary School - Fortis BC Inc Statutory Right-of-Way) be read a first, second and third time, and finally adopted this 25th day of June, 2008; AND FURTHER THAT: A Bylaw of the Board of Education of School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan), hereinafter called "the Board", to grant approval for a Statutory Right-of-Way in favour of Fortis BC Inc on Lot A, District Lot 3486, Plan 26784, O.D.Y.D. commonly known as Mount Boucherie Secondary School site, located at 2751 Cameron Road, Kelowna, BC, for the purpose of maintaining and protecting electrical services to the school, as per the attached survey plan; AND FURTHER THAT: The Board certifies that the granting of this Right-of-Way shall have no adverse effect on the educational programs provided within School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan).
7.9 Adoption - Annual Budget Bylaw 2008/2009
Board Decision:
THAT: The School District No. 23 Annual Budget Bylaw for the fiscal year 2008/2009 (as attached) be given all three readings at the Public Board Meeting of June 25, 2008. THAT: The School District No. 23 Annual Budget Bylaw for the fiscal year 2008/2009, in the amount of $163,970,058 be read a first, second and third time and finally adopted this 25th day of June, 2008.
7.10 School Act Class Size/Class Composition Update Report
Board Decision:
THAT: The Board approve the submission to the Minister of Education, the attached School Act Class Size/Class Composition Update Report for the month of June, 2008 as presented at the June 25, 2008 Public Board Meeting.
7.11 Letter to Local Irrigation/Water Districts re: Drinking Water at Schools
Board Decision:
THAT: The Board write a letter to the local irrigation/water districts expressing concern about the regular disruption of water service due to water alerts, and request that the local irrigation/water districts give priority to providing to schools drinking water that meets the standards established by the Interior Health Authority.
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For comments, please contact:
Moyra Baxter, Chairperson of the Board (250) 767-6153
Mike Roberts, Superintendent of Schools (250) 860-8888
For background information, please contact Lisa Harrison lharriso@sd23.bc.ca or 470-3284