M I N U T E S OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MEDICINE HAT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 76 HELD IN THE BOARD ROOM, IN THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION OFFICE, ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16th, 2004, AT 7:05 P.M.
TRUSTEES PRESENT:Mrs. Gitta Hashizume, Mr. Greg Bender, Dr. L.J. (Roy) Wilson, Ms. Deborah Forbes, Mr. Terry Riley
OFFICIALS PRESENT:Dr. Linda Rossler, Superintendent of Schools
Mr. W.D. Pudwell, Associate Superintendent-Business &
Secretary-Treasurer
OFFICIALS ABSENT:Dr. G.W. Henderson, Associate Superintendent–Human Resources
OTHERS PRESENT:Mr. Andy Christie, Director of Facilities
Mr. Cal Martin, Director of Finance
Ms. Shawna Churchill, REDI Enterprises
Mrs. Sheila Donner, Teacher at Crescent Heights High School and President of the ATA Local #1
Mr. Colin Cooper, Band Teacher at Medicine Hat High School
Mr. Mark Bevan, Director of Programs and Instruction
CHAIR:Mrs. Gitta Hashizume
SECRETARY:Mr. Doug Pudwell
- APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The Chair requested that the following items be added to the Agenda: --
a)Action - Appointment of Standing Committee members,
b)Information - Zone 6 ASBA Report
c)Action – Board meeting dates.
20.Dr. WilsonTHAT the Agenda be approved as amended.
CARRIED
- ADOPTION OF MINUTES
- Ms. ForbesTHAT the Minutes of the Organizational Committee meeting, held on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2004, be adopted.
CARRIED
22.Mr. RileyTHAT the Board rescind Resolution No. 5 arising out of the Organizational Meeting of the Board of Trustees held on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2004.
CARRIED
23.Dr. WilsonTHAT the Minutes of the Regular Board and Committee of the Whole meeting, held on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2004, be adopted.
CARRIED
24.Mr. RileyTHAT the regular meetings of the Board of Trustees of Medicine Hat School District No. 76 be held on the first and third Tuesdays at 7:00 P.M., in the Board Room, in the School Administration Office, 601-First Avenue South West, MEDICINE HAT, Alberta.
CARRIED
III.CORRESPONDENCE
- Copy of Thank You Card, received from Drew Lindsay, directed to the Thelma Berkeley Robinson Scholarship Fund thanking the Scholarship Fund for the $300.00 Award she received for Communications Tech.
- Copy of letter, received from Mr. Ty Lund, Minister of Infrastructure, dated October 25th, 2004, directed to Mrs. Gitta Hashizume, Chair, enclosed a copy of Alberta Infrastructure’s 2003-2004 Annual Report
II.RECOGNITIONS/ACCOMPLISHMENT
We are proud of the manner in which our staff and students perform their roles, whether it is in the classroom or through their extra-curricular activities.
III.PRESENTATIONS
1.REDI Presentation
The Chair welcomed Shawna Churchill to the meeting.
Shawna Churchill advised the Board that REDI Enterprises had been working with schools in Medicine Hat for a number of years to change attitudes about people with challenging conditions.
She highlighted aspects of a new initiative that REDI is undertaking and how REDI will be working with principals to continue to respect the individuals and disabilities.
The Chair thanked Shawna for attending the meeting, and wished REDI Enterprises much success in their endeavours.
2.Mentorship Partnership for Beginning Teachers
The Chair welcomed Mrs. Sheila Donner, President of Alberta Teachers’ Association Local No. 1 to the meeting.
Trustees were reminded that a strong mentorship partnership has been developed between Medicine Hat School District No. 76 and the Alberta Teachers’ Association Local No. 1, and that the program is offered to beginning teachers and provides in-services, as well as a mentor to guide and support new teachers.
Sheila Donner provided additional highlights of the program.
The Chair thanked Sheila Donner for attending the meeting, and wished Sheila and all the Teachers much success.
- ITEMS FOR ACTION
1.Field Trip Request to San Francisco, California
The Chair welcomed Mr. Colin Cooper, Band Instructor, Medicine Hat High School, to the meeting.
Mr. Cooper requested permission from the Board for the Medicine Hat High School Senior Concert Band to travel to San Francisco, California for the period March 25 – April 3, 2005. He noted that the Senior Concert Band would perform for students and staffs at various schools in the area where Mr. Cooper had worked last year on his teaching exchange.
25.Ms. ForbesTHAT the Board approve, “in principle,” the Medicine Hat High School Senior Concert Band to travel to San Francisco, California for the period March 25 – April 3, 2005, inclusive, subject to the following conditions: --
a]that the District’s Student Waiver Forms be signed by all parents;
b]that each student purchase Student Accident Insurance [i.e. Seaboard];
c]that each student purchase additional health insurance [i.e. Blue Cross Extended Health Care];
d]that there be no cost to the Board;
e]that criminal record checks be obtained for parent supervisors (non-district personnel);
f)that any adults participating in the trip who are not designated supervisors be informed and sign a release that the Board does not accept any responsibility [liability or otherwise] as a result of their participation and;
g]that Mr. Pudwell obtain confirmation that adequate District insurance is in place for this field trip;
h)that Mr. Colin Cooper, Band Teacher, Medicine Hat High School, continue to monitor and keep track of the travel advisories.
CARRIED
3.Transportation Agreement between Prairie Rose Regional Division No. 8, the Francophone School (Medicine Hat) Conseil Scolaire Du Sud De L’Alberta and Medicine Hat School District No. 76
Mr. Pudwell presented for Board consideration a Transportation Agreement, between Prairie Rose Regional Division No. 8, the Francophone School and Medicine Hat School District No. 76, which permits the Francophone School to transport Medicine Hat School District No. 76, “non section 23 French Immersion Schools, living in Redcliff, to Connaught and Crescent Heights High Schools.
He explained that the Agreement had been approved by both Prairie Rose Regional Division No. 8 and the Francophone School (Conseil Scolaire Du Sud De L’Alberta Francophone Schools) and he recommended Board approval.
- Mr. RileyTHAT the Board approve the Agreement between Prairie Rose Regional Division No. 8, the Francophone School (Medicine Hat) Conseil Scolaire Du Sud De L’Alberta and Medicine Hat School District No. 76, a copy of which is attached hereto and forms part of these Minutes.
CARRIED
- Committee Appointments
The Chair of the Board presented Trustee recommended appointments to Board Standing Committees.
27.Dr. WilsonTHAT the Board approve Committee appointments as per the Chair ‘s recommendations, a copy of which is attached hereto and forms part of these Minutes.
CARRIED
- DELEGATIONS
- REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
- Superintendent’s Report
The Superintendent provided a Report on activities during the last month.
28.Ms. ForbesTHAT the Board receive the Superintendent’s Report, dated November 12th, 2004.
CARRIED
- Alberta School Boards Association – Zone 6 Report
Mr. Bender reported on the ASBA Zone 6 Meeting. He noted that Peter Scott was elected Chair, and Marjorie Moncrieff, as Vice Chair.
29.Mr. BenderTHAT the Board receive his report.
CARRIED
- ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
1.International Education
Dr. Rossler advised that Alberta Learning is moving forward on an International Education Strategy, and provided Trustees with information about the Alberta Learning initiative.
- Medicine Hat School District No. 76 – Pupil Enrollment for the period ended October 31st, 2004
X.MOVE TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
30.Mr. BenderTHAT the Board move to Committee of the Whole to discuss certain confidential matters.
CARRIED
The Board moved to Committee of the Whole at 7:54 P.M.
VIII.RECONVENE TO OPEN BOARDMEETING
The Board reconvened at 9:56 P.M.
IX.ACTION ARISING OUT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
i)Expenses Incurred on School District Business
31.Mr. RileyTHAT the Board amend Operational Directive A-17: Expenses Incurred on School District Business, as follows: --
-Transportation Allowances – Income Tax Exemption Allowed Rate
-Meal Allowances - $60.00 per day on the basis of $15.00 for breakfast, $15.00 for lunch and $30.00 for dinner
CARRIED
ii)Trustee Benefit Coverage
32.Mr. RileyTHAT the Board extend the Option to Trustees of participating in Group Insurance Medical and Hospital Plans, and further that the Board cover Trustee premiums to the extent of single coverage, with Life Insurance at the rate for $25,000.00, and, further, should a participating Trustee wish to enroll into family coverage, the additional premiums would be the responsibility of the individual Trustees.
CARRIED
iii)Non-Organized Staff Proposal
33.Mr. RileyTHAT the Board of Trustees approve salary and benefit increases to the Non-Organized Staff as follows: --
-September 1st, 20030%
-September 1st, 20042%
-January 1st, 20052%
-January 1st, 20063%
-January 1st, 20073%
and, further, that the Board increase the Health Spending Account, effective January 1st, 2005, January 1st, 2006, and January 1st, 2007 at .33% totaling a 1% increase over a three year period, and capping the Health Spending Benefit at 2%, and, further that specific positions as reported to the Committee of the Whole meeting be realigned, and, further, that on an annual basis, prior to June 30th of each year, the Non-Organization Committee review and compare salaries and benefits with other jurisdictions having similar positions to reaffirm proposed increases to salary grids for the following school year.
CARRIED
X.ADJOURNMENT
34.Mr. BenderTHAT the meeting adjourn.
CARRIED
The meeting adjourned at 10:05 P.M.
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CHAIR
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SECRETARY