Highlights of the October 2013 board meeting
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 23, 2013
GUELPH, Ontario — The Upper Grand District School Board held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 22, 2013. The following are highlights of the meeting.
Congratulations to Ken Danby PS Principal Karen Acton who has been appointed to a one year term as an Education Officer with the Toronto and Area Regional Office (TARO) of the Ministry of Education. As this is a temporary position she will take a leave of absence from the board. Sharon Colbourne, a retired principal, will be appointed to the position of temporary Principal at Ken Danby effective November 4, 2013.
Career Education Council Request
At the October meeting of the Program Committee trustees passed a motion to refer the Career Education Council’s request for an additional $6,000 to help offset costs to the Finance Department for response. Superintendent of Finance Janice Wright said that staff would forward the request to the 2014-15 budget process if that was the board’s direction. Trustees passed a subsequent motion to do this. Another motion, to provide the $6,000 to the CEC immediately as emergency funding was defeated.
Boundary Review James McQueen Public School, Fergus
The board confirmed the start of the Boundary Review for James McQueen Public School. The Boundary Review will focus on three schools, James McQueen, J.D. Hogarth and John Black (all in Fergus) to establish the boundaries or grade structures for the schools (both regular track and French Immersion). The review is expected to be completed for final board decision at the January 28, 2014 meeting. Report #1 of the Boundary Review is posted on the board’s website: www.ugdsb.ca/jmbr.
Appointments to the Audit Committee
Congratulations to Bruce Robinson and Steve Routenburg who were reappointed to the Audit Committee as External Members until November 30, 2016.
Policies Approved
Trustees approved the following policies: #314 Duties and Responsibilities of the Director of Education and #106 Student Trustees. Both policies as amended and in the new policy format will be posted publicly to the board’s website.
Reconsideration Motions
Trustee Kathryn Cooper placed a notice of motion to have three resolutions from the January 2012 meeting reconsidered in November 2013 in accordance with the board’s by-laws. The motions deal with the Implementation Plan for the Edward Johnson Boundary Review and deal with the direction and grandfathering of French Immersion students from Rockwood at schools in Guelph. The motions require a 2/3rds majority to be reconsidered. (Board Procedural Bylaw # 1, Clause 67.)
Deferred Motion from the September 24, 2013 Board Meeting
Trustees approved a motion to approve their expenses as at August 31, 2013. The motion originated at the Chair’s Committee in September and was deferred from the September Meeting as not all trustees had the opportunity to review the expenses.
Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day
Trustees approved a resolution proclaiming October 30, 2013 as Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day. The day will be marked on the board’s website and messages will be sent to the schools in “….recognition of the education, dedication and commitment of child care workers to children, their families and the quality of life of the community.”
French Immersion Conference
Guelph Trustee Susan Moziar’s request to attend the two day French Immersion Conference being held in Mississauga for one day on October 26, 2013 was approved. Trustee Busuttil is also attending the conference. (See the Board Minutes, September 26, 2013.)
The next Regular Monthly Meeting of the Board will be held on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at the Guelph Board Office, 500 Victoria Road North beginning at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.
For more information:
Maggie McFadzen, Communications Officer
519-822-4420 ext. 725
[email protected]
Mark Weidmark, Administrative Officer – Communications
519-822-4420 ext. 544
[email protected]
Categories: Media Releases