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Board Meeting Highlights for October 2020

For Immediate Release
October 28, 2020

GUELPH, Ontario – The October meeting of the Upper Grand District School Board was held on October 27, 2020. The following provides highlights from the meeting.

Board Motion – Supporting our Community

The Board of Trustees passed a motion “that the Upper Grand DSB is committed to an inclusive culture of collaboration and respect for all members of our community. We will not tolerate any expression of hatred. We stand up for and support all members of our diverse community. As a public sector organization and employer, we are committed to breaking the cycle of systemic racism in our own operations and the broader community.”

The motion was put forward by Trustee Jolly Bedi, who expressed that she was stunned to hear about the hatred and assaults targeting Muslim individuals in Guelph at the end of September.

“After the incidents, members of the Guelph community expressed their support and posted statements on social media, left notes of support at the Muslim Society of Guelph, and started a petition. This is a call to organize a commitment to show care for one another,” said Bedi. “We can do more reflection, outreach and partnerships to bring a vision of caring and safe community where everyone truly belongs now and for the future. I hope that these words resonate with all of us here and we are able to pass the motion and show our support.”

The motion passed unanimously.

Director’s Performance Appraisal and Senior Staff Achievements

Earlier in the evening, the Board of Trustees received a report on the Director’s Performance Review. As in years past, the feedback was overwhelming positive and trustees expressed gratitude for UGDSB Director of Education, Martha Rogers’ exceptional work over the past year. Trustees commended Dr. Rogers for her strong, wise and calm leadership.

“This has been a particularly challenging year for many reasons and Dr. Rogers’ leadership through these challenging times has been phenomenal. We are so very grateful for her and the work she has done for staff, students and families in the 2019-2020 school year,” said Chair of the Board Martha MacNeil.

Also earlier in the evening, trustees received a report on the Achievements of the Senior Administration. 

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to express our gratitude to the Senior Administration for their tremendous accomplishments this past year and the way they rose to the challenges of 2020 time and again, tirelessly and without fail. We are so very lucky to have such an exceptional team leading the way and we thank you for all that you do,” said MacNeil.

In addition to the incredible accomplishments of the Senior Administration in the past year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Senior Staff are also responsible for a number of areas, including:

Naloxone Update

Staff provided an update on the implementation of Naloxone in Upper Grand schools and sites. In January 2020, trustees approved the implementation of Naloxone in UGDSB schools and board offices as part of first aid protocols, starting in the 2020-21 school year. Due to the school closures in March and work required to reopen schools in September, the board’s implementation plans were temporarily paused. With the school year now underway, those plans will proceed, beginning with virtual training provided to staff. Once the implementation is complete, all schools and board offices will be supplied with Naloxone kits, which will be stored in each site’s Automated External Defibrillator box.

Secondary Vice-Principal Transfer and Appointment

The following Secondary Vice-Principal transfer and appointment were effective October 27, 2020:

Vice-Principal Transfer:

Vice-Principal Appointment:

Hyland Heights ES Addition – Building Project Report

Staff presented a report on the Hyland Heights Elementary School Addition project, in accordance with UGDSB Policy 309, which requires staff to develop a Building Project Report that outlines the size, type and scope of the project, target budget, preliminary timelines, and more.

Hyland Heights ES is located in a growing part of Shelburne. As part of the 2019-20 Capital Priorities Grant Program, the Ministry of Education approved funding to build a four-classroom addition at Hyland Heights ES to replace the school’s existing 4-portable complex. The 4 classrooms will have a capacity of 92 pupil places. The project’s total funding was approved at approximately $2 million.

The project will proceed as soon as possible, subject to Ministry approval. To view the full report, please visit the board website.

Financial Reporting Update

Staff provided a timeline on when the Board of Trustees can expect updates on the financial position of the school board. The unprecedented changes to the school environment in response to COVID-19 has made financial forecasting particularly challenging. The Finance department is working on finalizing the 2019-2020 Financial Statements and preparing the 2020-2021 Revised Estimates. To view the report and key dates related to financial reporting timelines, please visit the board website.

The next regular monthly meeting will be held on Tuesday November 24, 2020, at 7 p.m. Meeting details will be posted online at https://www.ugdsb.ca/board/board-meetings/board-and-committee-meetings-2020-2021/.

 

About the Upper Grand District School Board

The Upper Grand District School Board serves more than 35,000 students through 65 elementary schools and 11 secondary schools in the City of Guelph, County of Wellington and County of Dufferin. The UGDSB covers the ancestral and traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Six Nations of the Grand River, and Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territories. Student success is the goal of over 4,000 dedicated teaching and support staff who are aided by the contributions of caring volunteers and community partners.

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