trustees to balance needs or budget??
Canada’s largest school board, with a budget consistently larger than that of the Government of Saskatchewan, may be approving cuts to its operations during 2011 – 2012 fiscal year, in order to comply with the Harris-era regulations forcing school board’s to balance their budgets despite rising costs, aging and neglected infrastructure and the actual learning needs of students and adult learners in Toronto.
More info: www.tdsb.on.ca/boardroom/meetings
CPE's previous post on board meetings
voting and decisions [Staff moves expeditiously: TDSB This Week] published April 14th 2011 should be read in conjunction with the following summary published the following week on tdsb.on.ca
1 REVISED SUMMARY OF DECISIONS REGULAR MEETING April 13, 2011
This TDSB document is a summary of decisions made by the TDSB Board and is not intended to provide a record of information items that were received.
Information items can be found in the meeting agenda and related committee meeting agendas on the Web site. Presented in Special Education Advisory Committee, Report No. 20, March 7, 2011
Agenda Item 13.1(1) Agenda Page 1 Appointment of Member
The Board appointed Mary Goitom to serve as the alternate for the Learning Disabilities Association of Toronto District Chapter on the Special Education Advisory Committee for the term ending November 30, 2014.
Agenda Item Agenda Page Presented in Operations and Facilities Management Committee Report No. 21, March 23, 2011 13.2 (1)
5 Contract Awards, Facility Services [1728] The Board received the contracts in Charts A and B and approved the contract in Chart C, as presented in the staff report.
Agenda Item Agenda Page Presented in Operations and Facilities Management Committee Report No. 21, March 23, 2011 13.2 (2) 6 2009-10 Accommodation Review Committee Receiving Schools Phase One and Phase Two Program and Sketch Plan Approval (Accommodation Review Committees 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9) [1730] The Board decided:
(a) That the revised Program and Sketch Plans be approved for single phase projects for schools requiring upgrades to accommodate students from schools closing in June 2011 at a total cost of $18,502,635;
(b) That the Program and Sketch Plans be approved for Phase 1 and 2 of two phase projects required to accommodate students changing schools as a result of school closure in June 2011 (Phase 1) and June 2012 (Phase 2) as follows: (i) Renovation of 8,804 SF and addition of 13,109 SF at John McCrae Senior Public School to accommodate 899 students at a cost of $7,853,797; (ii) Renovation of 7,416 SF and addition of 2,045 SF at JR Wilcox Community School to ac-2 commodate 448 students at a cost of $2,580,790; (iii) Addition of 10,387 SF at Charles E. Webster Junior Public School to accommodate 559 students at a cost of $3,931,392; (iv) Renovation of 6,448 SF and addition of 22,744 SF at Joseph Brant Senior Public School to accommodate 782 students at a cost of $7,916,138; (v) Renovation of 7,211 SF and addition of 5,210 SF at Eastview Junior Public School to accommodate 482 students at a cost of $3,048,960; (vi) Renovation of 7,051 SF and addition of 7,546 SF at William G. Miller Junior Public School to accommodate 548 students at a cost of $3,740,392; (vii) Renovation of 9,800 SF at Hodgson Senior Public School to accommodate 326 students at a cost of $1,188,004; (viii) Renovation of 3,400 SF and addition of 12,700 SF at Maurice Cody Junior Public School to accommodate 694 students at a cost of $ 5,553,036; (ix) Renovation of 5,250 SF and addition of 1,850 SF at Eglinton Junior Public School to accommodate 507 students at a cost of $1,455,530;
(c) That Program and Sketch Plans be approved for additional facility framework elements as follows: (i) Expand the gymnasium at J.R. Wilcox Community School at a cost of $2,385,714; (ii) Expand the gymnasium at Cedarvale Community School at a cost of $2,272,857; (iii) Expand the gymnasium at Brock Junior Public School at a cost of $1,531,429; (iv) Expand the gymnasium at Dovercourt Junior Public School at a cost of $1,300,000; (v) Enlarge the floor area of the approved new gym at Charles E. Webster Junior Public School at a cost of $470,800; (vi) Expand gym at William G. Miller Junior Public School at a cost of $2,057,143;
(d) That the overall projected budget, in the amount of $65,787,617, for the 2009-2010 accommodation reviews including all facility framework elements, full-day kindergarten rooms and gymnasium expansions or additions be approved;
(e) That capital funding for potential future expansion in the amount of $7,250,000 be considered in future Capital Building Program Plans as required.
The Board decided also:
Whereas, the future accommodation needs at Cedarvale Community School could be required as early as 2012 and that a gym addition, subject to approval by the Board, is planned for 2012;
Therefore, be it resolved that a capital allocation for the future accommodation needs at Cedarvale
3 Community School be set aside as part of the 2011-2012 Capital Building Program.
The Board decided also:
Whereas, the Ministry of Education encourages school boards to maintain parenting centres in schools, and to some extent provides operating funding for those parenting centres; and
Whereas, parenting centres are recognized to be valuable community resources to schools and helpful in developing parenting skills for parents of preschool-aged children; and
Whereas, the Ministry does not recognize the capital costs of parenting centres in school capacity figures and the overall funding formula; and
Whereas, the capital costs of building and maintaining classrooms that operate as parenting centres far outweigh the costs of operating them;
Therefore, be it resolved that the Chair send a communication on behalf of the Board to the Ministry stating that the funding formula should recognize and address the capital expense of building and maintaining parenting centres.
Presented in Operations and Facilities Management Committee Report No. 21, March 23, 2011 Agenda Item 13.2 (3) Agenda Page 8 Surplus Declarations: Nelson Mandela Park Public School District Energy Equipment Easements [1731] The Board decided: (a) That sub-surface easements covering a total of 1237 square feet (115 m2) of land at Nelson Mandela Park Public School, as presented in the report, be declared surplus to the needs of the Board and made available to Toronto Community Housing Corporation and to the City of Toronto for District Energy equipment; (b) That Regent Park Energy Inc. be afforded access rights for the installation, repair and maintenance of District Energy equipment on Board property.Presented in Program and School Services Committee Report No. 16, March 30, 2011 and Presented in Administration, Finance and Accountability Committee Report No. 18, April 6, 2011 Agenda Item 13..3 (2) and 13.4 (1) Agenda Page 19 and 23 Onestop Media Screens
The Board decided that the following be referred to staff for a report back to the Administration, Finance and Accountability Committee in June 2011:
Whereas, the evaluation of the Onestop Media Group’s pilot project, which brought real-time, digital communications network to students in four schools in Ward 10 was overwhelmingly positive; and
Whereas, trustees are supportive of providing local schools with the option of considering this 4 opportunity upon its relative merits;
Therefore, be it resolved that following consultation with parents, students and the local community, schools in Wards, 1, 11, 13, 14, and 18 be allowed to showcase Onestop media screens in their schools, as part of an extension of the program originally established in Ward 10.
Agenda Item Agenda Page Presented in Administration, Finance and Accountability Committee Report No. 18, April 6, 2011 13.4 (2) 24 Video Screens Alternatives
The Board decided that staff investigate and report back in the June 2011 cycle of meetings on other low-cost opportunities currently in place for students to develop and generate video content.
Agenda Item Agenda Page Presented in Administration, Finance and Accountability Committee Report No. 18, April 6, 2011 13.4 (3) 24 Review of Policy P006, Advertising
The Board decided: (a) That the Director convene a work group with staff, trustee, student, Board Advisory Committee representatives and external experts to review and propose revisions, if necessary, to the policy P006, Advertising and procedure PR507, Advertising based on current research and best practice;
(b) That the workgroup develop a comprehensive database of all advertising, partnership and sponsorship contracts including those that are linked to Board programs in schools to ensure our students are in learning environments that are safe, nurturing, positive, and respectful in keeping with the Board’s Mission Statement by October 2011.
Agenda Item Agenda Page Presented in Administration, Finance and Accountability Committee Report No. 18, April 6, 2011 13.4 (4) 25 Budget Development Timelines The Board decided:
(a) That public consultation on the proposed budget for 2011-2012 be held during the period May 5-16, 2011;
(b) That following a review of feedback from the consultations and development of recommendations to balance the budget, a special meeting of the Board be convened on May 25, 2011 to consider the 2011-2012 budget.
5 Agenda Item Agenda Page Presented in Administration, Finance and Accountability Committee Report No. 18, April 6, 2011 13.4 (5) 25 Communications Plan Update and Next Steps
The Board decided:
(a) That in light of the potential federal election, the letter concerning federal settlement funding approved at the March 2011 Board be sent also to all federal parties, with a request for a statement on the party’s position on the matter and that a reply be pro-vided by April 28, 2011;
(b) That in light of the potential federal election, letters be sent to all federal parties requesting their position on providing federal infrastructure funding to school boards, and that a reply be provided by April 28, 2011.
Agenda Item Agenda Page Presented in Administration, Finance and Accountability Committee Report No. 17 (Part 2), March 2, 2011 14.1(4) 30 Establishment of Full-Day Kindergarten Implementation Workgroup
The Board decided that staff be authorized to enter into discussions with CUPE 4400 and the Elementary Teachers of Toronto to consider the possibility of direct delivery of the extended day and extended year early learning program and report back to the Administration, Finance and Accountability Committee on their findings.
Agenda Item 15.1 Agenda Page 31
Establishment of Ten Alternative Learning Programs of Choice The Board decided that the following be referred to staff for a report back to the Board once a Program Area Review report is completed:
Whereas, the Board currently has 19 elementary and 22 secondary alternative schools and a wide range of specialized programs; and
Whereas, the Board currently offers curricular options for students, including International Baccalaureate programs, CyberArts and High Performance Athletics programs; and
Whereas, the Programs of Choice provide increased opportunities to address the achievement gap; and
Whereas, the Programs of Choice offer additional learning opportunities for student success; and
Whereas, the Programs of Choice provide more learning options to accommodate different learning styles and interests; and
Whereas, the Programs of Choice offer alternative learning environments and choice for parents 6 and school communities to consider; and
Whereas, the Programs of Choice enable school communities recently completing accommodation reviews with opportunities to revitalize existing programs;
Therefore, be it resolved:
(a) That the Director commence the following ten alternative learning Programs of Choice by September 2011; (i) Boys’ Leadership Academy (Grades 4-8), Calico Public School, The Elms Junior Middle School; (ii) Girls’ Leadership Academy (Grades 4-8), Highland Heights Junior Public School; (iii) Sports and Wellness Academy (all elementary grades), Carleton Village Junior/Senior Public School, James S. Bell Junior Middle School, Rene Gordon Elementary School, Donview Middle School and Shoreham Public School; (iv) Vocal Music Academy (Grades 4-8), Heather Heights Junior Public School, Ryerson Community School;
(b) That the Director immediately commence a Program Area Review and report back to Board during the May cycle of meetings and that the report include staffing implications for the immediately affected and other schools;
(c) That when the Program Area Review is established, that two student council members from each school involved in the review, where applicable, be included as a member of the Program Area Review team;
(d) That the Director report back to the Board in January on the actual cost of implementing the programs and the implications to student enrolment and staffing in the sending schools;
(e) That staff identify a funding source for Programs of Choice as identified above within existing Board funds;
(f) That the Director report on the implementation plan for the proposed ten alternative learning Programs of Choice by May 2011;
(g) That the specific and total cost implications be identified and reported to the Board in the May 2011 cycle of meetings with regard to start up costs, resources, staff and facilities for the proposed programs;
(h) That the Director provide an update on the ten alternative learning Programs of Choice in January 2012;
(i) That the Director provide a full report on the ten alternative learning Programs of Choice by May 2012;
(j) That a committee be established to consider alternative names to the term Programs of Choice and that Themed Schools be considered;
(k) That the Vocal Music Academies be adopted under the neighbourhood school program rather than the proposed school within a school model.
7 Agenda Item Agenda Page 15.2 33 Roma Students and their Families The Board decided:
Whereas, 2011 is the 25th anniversary of Canada receiving the Nansen medal from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees–the first time an entire people were so honoured for the years of work by Canada and Canadians in support of refugees; and
Whereas, there is a disturbing anti-immigrant, anti-refugee spirit in both recent Federal Bills, C-11 and C-49, reflecting an effort to criminalize and stigmatize new Canadians and refugee asylum seekers in the mind’s eye of the Canadian public; and
Whereas, the Inner City Advisory Committee considered the matter at its meeting held on April 5, 2011 and the members agreed with following;
Therefore, be it resolved:
(a) That the Board advocate vigorously on behalf of Roma students and their families in TDSB schools;
(b) That the Chair send a communication on behalf of the Board to encourage the Federal Government
to re-examine the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada’s decisions on the status of Roma refugee claimants in Canada and refute Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Jason T. Kenney’s claim that Roma people are, “economic migrants jumping the queue who could easily move to 26 other Western democracies in the European Union,”1 a statement which has impacted the supposed neutrality of the Refugee Board in its decision making.
Agenda Item Agenda Page 15.3 35 Operation of the Rexdale Pupil Accommodation Review The item was withdrawn from the agenda.
Agenda Item Agenda Page 15.4 37 Task Force on Success of Students of Portuguese Heritage: Membership and Funding The Board decided:
1 Toronto Star, Monday, March 22, 2010 8
Whereas, on March 9, 2011 the Board approved the establishment of a Task Force on Success of Students of Portuguese Heritage that will present a report to the Board by the end of October 2011; and
Whereas, the Board also decided that the membership of the Task Force on Success of Students of Portuguese Heritage include “Leaders and role models in the community from all different sectors including education, business and community organizations”; and
Whereas, the Board continues to build teacher capacity to develop and sustain culturally responsive teaching;
Therefore, be it resolved:
(c) That the Task Force on Success of Students of Portuguese Heritage be convened by staff include the following: (i) up to three trustees; (ii) three students from universities, including one from each of the University of Toronto’s, Ryerson’s and York University’s Portuguese student associations; (iii) two high school students of Portuguese heritage; (iv) two parents of Portuguese heritage who are school council members; (v) up to two elementary teachers; (vi) up to two secondary teachers; (vii) one university professor; (viii) two representatives from the Portuguese business community; (ix) two representatives from Portuguese community associations; (x) role models from the community; (xi) senior Board staff, as appointed by the Director; (xii) research staff, as appointed by the Director.
(d) That up to $25,000 be allocated for resources to support the Task Force on Portuguese Students’ Success to be broken down as follows: Regular Task Force MeetingsLight Refreshments (6 evening meetings starting @ 6:00 pm sandwiches and beverage required) $500 Literature Review review of pertinent international studies and academic papers 3,800 Photocopying & Supplies 250 Preparation of Final Report 5,000 Graphic Layout and Printing 1,800 Printing 6,500 9 Two Community Consultation Meetings Flyers/posters, communication materials 700 Speaker Honorariums 1,000 Light Refreshments 1,500 Child Minding 350Total $21,400
Agenda Item Agenda Page 15.5 39 Trustee Gay-Straight Alliance
The Board decided: Whereas, the Board is committed to the eradication of homophobia and the harmful effects that homophobia has on schools and society as well as individual students; and
Whereas, the Board is committed to establishing cultures of kindness in every school; and
Whereas, the Board has declared April 13, 2011 as Day of Pink to celebrate and encourage inclusiveness in its schools and the support that school communities provide to students who are targets of marginalization, harassment, and assault; and
Whereas, the Board encourages the establishment of Gay-Straight Alliances in schools as an effective way to help students learn to fully respect others and better understand that those who may seem at first glance to be different from them share their same basic humanity; and
Whereas, the Board believes that Gay-Straight Alliances in its schools improves school climates and thus increases the success and well-being of all students in the school; and Whereas, there are Gay-Straight Alliances in 50 TDSB schools;
Therefore, be it resolved that the members of the Board declare themselves to be a Gay-Straight Alliance. Agenda Item Agenda Page Presented in Report No. 41 of the Committee of the Whole (Private), April 13, 2011 4.1 1 Note: There may be matters other than the following or other decisions related to the same topic that are included in the private minutes and referenced in the public report of the Committee of the Whole. Declarations of Surplus Properties in the Toronto Lands Corporation Portfolio [1636]: Surplus 10 Declaration of Richview Public School The Board decided that Richview Public School be declared surplus to the needs of the Toronto District School Board. Contract Award [1739] The Board approved the contract in Chart A, as presented in the staff report for telephone services supplied by Bell Canada at an estimated annual amount of $2,574,457 for the period March 2011 to January 14, 2016.
Matters Not Adopted The Board did not adopt the following matters: Program and School Services Committee, Report No. 16, March 30, 2011 (1) Feasibility Study for Elementary Programs of Choice [1721]
