MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MEDICINEHATSCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 76 HELD IN THE BOARD ROOM IN THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION OFFICE ON TUESDAY, May 5, 2009 AT 7:00 P.M.
TRUSTEES PRESENT: Ms. Deborah Forbes, Mrs. Gitta Hashizume, Mr. Terry Riley,
Mr. Greg Bender, Dr. Roy Wilson
OFFICIALS PRESENT:Dr. Linda Rossler, Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Grant Henderson, Associate Superintendent
Mr. Jerry Labossiere, Secretary-Treasurer
OFFICIALS ABSENT:Mrs. Sherrill Fedor, Associate Superintendent
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE:Mr. Andy Christie, Administrator of Facilities
Ms. Heather McCaig, Teacher, CrescentHeightsHigh School
Ms. Diane O’Reggio, President/CEO Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund
Mr. Christian Kagume, Student, CrescentHeightsHigh School
Mr. David George, Principal, CrestwoodSchool
Ms. Jade Monette, Teacher, CrescentHeightsHigh School
Ms. Val Morin, Parent, CrescentHeightsHigh School
CHAIR:Mrs. Gitta Hashizume
RECORDING SECRETARY:Mrs. Rita Olsen
- APPROVAL OF AGENDA
114. Ms. ForbesTHAT the Agenda be approved as presented.
CARRIED
- ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Presentation and adoption of the Minutes of the Regular Boardmeeting held on Tuesday, April21, 2009.
115. Mr. BenderTHAT the Minutes of the Regular Board and Committee of the Whole meetings held on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 be adopted.
CARRIED
- CORRESPONDENCE
- Copy of letter, dated April 9, 2009, from Northland School Division No. 61 to Mr. Paul Sinclair re: personnel policy.
- Copy of News Release, dated April 26, 2009 re Alberta on Alert for Swine Influenza.
IV.RECOGNITIONS/ACCOMPLISHMENT
- Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund
Heather McCaig, teacher at CrescentHeightsHigh School, and Diane O’Reggio, President and CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (Canada), were in attendance to present the Board with a copy of the poster created by Christian Kagume, a student at CHHS, who was also in attendance. Diane O’Reggio also shared with the Board what the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund is all about and thanked Heather McCaig, Lyle Cunningham, and CrescentHeightsHigh School for participating in this worthwhile project during Spirit of Mandela Week.
- Prism Players Theatre Association
The Prism Players Theatre Association had previously given generous donations of $500 to each of the following schools:ElmStreetSchool (music/drama), Elm Street (breakfast program), CrescentHeightsHigh School (drama), Medicine HatHigh School (drama), AlexandraMiddle School (arts) and ConnaughtSchool (drama). More recently, Prism Players Theatre Association again offered a generous donation of $1000 towards a supply program for students who need this support in the district. The district appreciates the tremendous support from the Prism Players Theatre Association towards supporting our district.
- Brenda Bower
Congratulations went out to Brenda Bower, teacher at CrescentHeightsHigh School, for her significant professional contribution to the Physical and Health Education Council (HPEC) of the Alberta Teachers’ Association.
- Practices to Support Students with Autism at Medicine HatHigh School
This item was deferred to next meeting.
- School Art 2009
Congratulations were given to the following students for having their art chosen as a winner at School Art 2009.
Braydon McGimpsey, Central ParkSchool
Miss Douvis Super Kids, Central ParkSchool
Safra Sailer, Medicine HatHigh School
Jessica Andrews, Medicine HatHigh School
Lindsey Hughson, CrescentHeightsHigh School
Sam Smith, CrescentHeightsHigh School
Kam Weigel, CrescentHeightsHigh School
Rachel Condon, CrescentHeightsHigh School
Chantel Chartier, Central ParkSchool
Melissa Hohenacker, CrestwoodSchool
Lauren Miller, Medicine HatHigh School
Kathleen Wagner, Medicine HatHigh School
V.PRESENTATIONS
- CrestwoodSchoolLeadershipAcademy
Mr. David George was present to share with the Board plans for CrestwoodElementary School’s LeadershipAcademy for September 2009.He explained how the academy will work with the principles and goals of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Mr. George is now certified in this LeadershipAcademy and explained that the leadership tools are the same as the Barrie Bennett tools. Mr. George was thanked for his great leadership role in our District.
- ITEMS FOR ACTION
- Field Trips
a)Field Trip Request to Hawaii
Ms. Jade Monette, teacher at CrescentHeightsHigh School, and Val Morin, parent at CrescentHeightsHigh Schoolrequested permission for students from the Crescent Heights High School JV Girls’ Volleyball team to travel to Hawaii on April 2-10, 2010. The volleyball team will be playing three volleyball matches while in Hawaii.
It was recommended that the Board approve, in principle, a field trip for students from CrescentHeightsHigh School to travel toHawaiifor the period April 2-10, 2010, inclusive, subject to the following conditions:
a]that the District’s Student Waiver Forms be signed by all parents;
b]that there be no cost to the Board, other than the cost of substitute teachers for approvedsupervising teachers traveling on the Field Trip;
c]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;
d]that the Secretary-Treasurer, or designate, obtain confirmation that adequate District insurance is in place for this field trip;
e]that criminal record checks be obtained for parent supervisors (non-district personnel);
f]that the Principal/Teacher responsible continue to monitor and keep track of the travel advisories and ensure that students and parents are aware that the trip could be cancelled;
g]that the Principal/Teacher comply with all criteria set out in Policy 743;
h]that a letter be signed by each parent granting permission for their child to travel out-of-the-country with another specifically named adult;
i]that each student be in possession of a passport, valid for at least six months beyond the expected return date;
j]that each parent be given a copy of the letter from Dr. Linda Rossler, Superintendent, re: measles immunization.
116. Mr. RileyTHAT the Board approve, in principle, the Field Trip request for students from Crescent Heights High School to travel to Hawaii for the period April 2-10, 2010 inclusive, providing all conditions are met. This item will come back to a Regular Board meeting for final approval no later than March 1, 2010.
(4 in favour, 1 opposed)
CARRIED
Jade Monette left the meeting at 7:38 p.m.
2.French as a Second Language Review
Dr. Rossler reviewed recommendations of the French as a Second Language Review, completed by Mr. Paul Houlston, with the Board.
VII.ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
1.PSBA Meeting Report
Mr. Riley reported on the PSBA meeting held in SlaveLake. He shared a document regarding Environment Scan and discussed the Proposed Key Positions for New Framework Legislation.
It was agreed that this matter would be discussed in more detail at a Conference Meeting.
2.IT Academy
Dr. Rossler explained that starting in September 2009 students will be able to register at Medicine HatHigh School for the new IT Academy program. Completion of all modules in the one-semester program will help prepare students to write A+ certification exams. This is an exciting new program and opportunity for students interested in the IT field of study. We are fortunate to have this program due to recent training taken by teacher Brenda Nesdoly.
- AISI Research Project
Dianna Millard, Director of Alberta Education School Improvement Branch, identified three jurisdictions in the province to work with researchers from the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia on Alberta Education sponsored research. Medicine Hat School District No. 76 was one of the three jurisdictions chosen. The research is focused on studying how AISI funding has contributed to the overall learning culture of our School District. Interviews will be conducted with teachers, school board members, school administrators, parents, support staff, students and AISI coordinators.
VIII.MOVE TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
It was recommended that the Board move to Committee of the Whole to discuss certain confidential matters.
117. Dr. WilsonTHAT the Board move to Committee of the Whole to discuss certain confidential matters.
CARRIED
The Board moved to Committee of the Whole at 7:55 p.m.
IX.RECONVENE TO OPEN BOARD MEETING
118. Mr. RileyTHAT the Board reconvened to the Open Board meeting at 8:27 p.m.
CARRIED
X.ACTION ARISING OUT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
The following action arose out of the Committee of the Whole Meeting.
119. Mr. RileyTHAT the Board accept with regret Dr. Rossler’s letter of retirement, dated April 26, 2009, with her last day of work being August 31, 2009.
CARRIED
120. Dr. WilsonTHAT the Board approve an external review of IT.
CARRIED
XI.ADJOURNMENT
121. Mr. Bender THAT the meeting adjourn.
CARRIED
The meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.
CHAIR
SECRETARY