REGULAR BOARD MEETING

(1) CALL TO ORDER:

The meeting of the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board was called to order today beginning at 6:00 p.m.

(2) RECORD OF ATTENDANCE:

(3) APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

(a) Deletions:

There were no deletions.

(b) New Business/Additions:

Moved by Commissioner Fraser

Seconded by Commissioner Matheson

THAT all Board members participate in the Criminal Record Checks and Child Abuse Registry Checks to take the lead province wide showing that we support the importance of this process while also including this in our Board by-laws.

Motion carried
2015-02-04

(4) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

Moved by Commissioner Fraser
Seconded by Commissioner Margettie

that the minutes for the following meetings be approved by the Board. . .

Regular Public Board Meeting -January 26, 2015
Special Board Meeting -February 2, 2015
Special Board Meeting -February 9, 2015

Motion carried
2015-02-05

(5) BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES:

n/a

(6) CORRESPONDENCE:

n/a

(7) DELEGATIONS AND PETITIONS:

Students from Cusack Elementary Choir presented to the Board and public.

(8) SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:

Mrs. Beth MacIsaac, Superintendent presented her report.

The goal in our 2014-15 Business Plan is to prepare students for the 21^st century. This articulates a priority to provide learning resources that reflect diversity and explore issues in a broader societal and global context. To that end, this report will focus on both activities during African Heritage Month and personnel who support our goal.

The United Nations has declared 2015-2024 as the International Decade for People of African Descent. This designation by the international community recognizes that people of African descent represent a distinct group whose human rights must be both promoted and protected.

In Canada and our home province of Nova Scotia, February 2015 is African Heritage month. The theme for this year is Social Justice. According to the Department of African Nova Scotian Affairs, over 50 African Nova Scotian communities throughout the province and 21,000 African Nova Scotians contribute to our rich diversity.

February 16, 2015, was our first Provincial Heritage Day, and this first February holiday recognizes Viola Desmond. Born in Halifax in 1914, Ms. Desmond took a “courageous stand against segregation laws in Nova Scotia”. Viola’s story is faithfully recorded by Ms. Wanda Robson, the author of Sister to Courage: Stories from the World of Viola Desmond, Canada’s Rosa Parks.

Our very own “African Nova Scotian trailblazer,” Mr. Lorne Green, was featured in the Thursday, February 12^th edition of the Cape Breton Star. Seven years ago, Mr. Green became the first African Nova Scotian to become School Board Chair, a position he occupies to the present day.

During the month of February, you will notice many school personnel wearing beautiful and vibrant Kente cloth to symbolize African culture. Kente cloth is made up of strips of silk and cotton fabric, woven by hand in the colours that represent Africa:

Red – life and blood

Blue – innocence

Green – Mother Africa, Mother Earth

Black – people and unity

Gold – strength and fortune

Many activities to celebrate African Heritage Month are taking place in our schools. Some of these activities include presentations by Viola Desmond’s sister, Wanda Robson, a widely respected community volunteer from North Sydney, who at the age of 77 fulfilled a lifelong dream, graduating from Cape Breton University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

Sergeant Craig Smith, author of The Journey Continues: An Atlantic Canadian Black Experience, will also present in our schools. He is the author of a chronology of black history from 1605 to December 2010.

Malik Headley, a grade 11 student at Glace Bay High School, was the featured artist at the annual Black Reflections Art Gallery at the Menelik Hall. The art gallery is held each year and is an opportunity for African Nova Scotian students from our system to showcase their talents.

The Black Learners Advisory Committee released a report in December 1994 entitled BLAC Report on Education, Redressing Inequity – Empowering Black Learners. One of the recommendations of the report was “to provide a support person in the school to whom Black learners can go for assistance”. As a result of this, the Student Support Worker program, already established in Halifax, was expanded across the province.

Our six support workers are under the guidance of Ms. Lynn Crawford, Coordinator of Race Relations, Cross Cultural Understanding and Human Rights. The role of the student support worker in our system is both vital and comprehensive. A crucial aspect of the role, in collaboration with school staff, is the building of strong relationships among African Nova Scotian students, their teachers, school administration and their parents/guardians. The guidelines for African Nova Scotian student support workers were prepared by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development in 2011 through collaboration with RCH coordinators throughout the province.

As per the guidelines, Student Support Workers are based in schools with a focus on working with schools and home to support student success by promoting safe, supportive and respectful school climates. Through positive role modeling and extensive outreach within the school and community, areas that impact student achievement are supported.

The job description of student support work specifically addresses the importance of familiarity with student needs, monitoring of progress and attendance and communication with home. Acting as a student advocate, the student support worker promotes increased contact with students, parents, teachers, as well as community supports. Student course selection and career planning are essential, integral elements of the program.

During African Heritage month, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms. Lynn Crawford, our RCH Coordinator for her leadership in the promotion of cultural proficiency in our Board and her dedication to the Student Support Worker program. I would also like to commend our student support workers for their day to day work with our students, monitoring progress and providing continuous support.

I would like to draw your attention to our school websites and also our school board website that highlight the achievements of many students across our system.

Moved by Commissioner Fraser
Seconded by Commissioner Toomey

To accept the report as presented. . .

Motion carried
2015-02-06

(9) BOARD CHAIR REPORT:

EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT

(10) REPORT FROM COMMITTEE:

Moved by Commissioner Toomey
Seconded by Commissioner Fraser

that the Board approve the minutes of the Education Committee Meeting of Monday, February 9, 2015. . .

Motion carried
2015-02-07

a. NSTU Retirement(s)/Resignation(s):

Moved by Commissioner Toomey
Seconded by Commissioner Margettie

That the Board accept with regret and thanks for years of service the following resignation(s)/retirement(s). . .

Motion carried
2015-02-08

b. NSTU Deferred Salary Leave:

Moved by Commissioner Toomey
Seconded by Commissioner Currie

That the Board approve the following request for deferred salary leave. . .

Motion carried
2015-02-09

c. NSTU Term Positions:

Moved by Commissioner Toomey
Seconded by Commissioner Margettie

That the Board approve the following term positions. . .

Motion carried
2015-02-10

d. Amendments to Term dates (for information):

e. ERIP REQUESTS:

Moved by Commissioner Toomey
Seconded by Commissioner Fraser

That the Board approve the following recommendations for ERIP. . .

Motion carried
2015-02-11

f. Human Resources Reports:

Moved by Commissioner Toomey
Seconded by Commissioner Berk

That the Board approve the report as presented. . .

Motion carried
2015-02-12

g. MS. SUSAN KELLEY, DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AND STUDENT SERVICES:

Moved by Commissioner Toomey
Seconded by Commissioner Berk

That the Board approve the PSS Report as presented by the Director of Programs and Student Services, Mrs. Susan Kelley at the Education Committee meeting. . .

Motion carried
2015-02-13

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT

h. REPORT FROM COMMITTEE:

Moved by Commissioner Berk
Seconded by Commissioner Currie

that the Board approve the minutes of the Management Committee Meeting of Monday, February 9, 2015

Motion carried
2015-02-14

i. OVERTIME REPORT:

Moved by Commissioner Berk
Seconded by Commissioner Matheson

That a committee be formed to review overtime with a recommendation brought back to the Board for final approval. . .

Motion carried
2015-02-15

j. BANK OF MONTREAL:

Moved by Commissioner Berk
Seconded by Commissioner Margettie

That the Board extend its’ service agreement with the Bank of Montreal for an additional option year to expire December 31, 2015. . .

Motion carried
2015-02-16

k. Mr. George Boudreau - Report of the Director of Financial Services :

Moved by Commissioner Berk
Seconded by Commissioner Toomey

That the Board accept the Director of Financial Services report. . .

Motion carried
2015-02-17

l. Results of Posting NL#1214:

For information. . .

Moved by Commissioner Berk
Seconded by Commissioner Organ

That the Board approve the following individuals for regular status. . .

Motion carried
2015-02-18

m. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCE SERVICES – MS. WENDY KING:

Moved by Commissioner Berk
Seconded by Commissioner Tilley

That the Management Committee recommend acceptance of the Director of Human Resource Services report. . .

Motion carried
2015-02-19

n. NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE PURCHASE OF LAND:

Moved by Commissioner Berk
Seconded by Commissioner Toomey

That Senior staff begin negotiations to purchase land adjacent to Sydney Academy. . .

Motion carried
2015-02-20

o. REPORT – DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS – MR. PAUL OLDFORD:

Moved by Commissioner Berk
Seconded by Commissioner Margettie

That the Board approve the report presented by the Director of Operational Services at the Management Committee meeting . .

Motion carried
2015-02-21

p. CORRESPONDENCE:

Moved by Commissioner Berk
Seconded by Commissioner Organ

That the Board approve the correspondence report as presented at the meeting. . .

Motion carried
2015-02-22

(11) NSSBA REPORT:

Mrs. Barb Mercer, NSSBA Representative had sent regrets for this evening. Her report was presented by the Board Chair Lorne Green. He noted that the Board of Directors are scheduled to meet on March 5th and 6th, 2015. An NSSBA Report will follow these meetings.

Moved by Commissioner Fraser
Seconded by Commissioner Tilley

That the Board approve accept the report as presented. . .

Motion carried
2015-02-23

(12) MR. JOHN ASTEPHEN, REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICES REPORT:

Mr. John Astephen, presented the following report:

1. Minister Releases Education Action Plan

Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey released the plan, 3 Rs: Renew, Refocus and Rebuild, Nova Scotia's Action Plan for Education on Thursday, January 29, 2015.

The five year action plan focuses on fundamental changes to improve and modernize the education system for the first time in a generation, create an innovative curriculum, promote inclusive school environments and advanced excellence in teaching and leadership.

There will be a stronger emphasis on math and literacy in the early grades beginning next September. The streamlined curriculum will include more time for teaching both math and literacy in the early years, reduce the number of learning outcomes and identify essential ones, increase access to modern technology and include diverse learning material.

Other initiatives to be implemented between 2015 and 2020, include:

- support Department of Health and Wellness screenings for preschoolers at 18 and 36 months

- an improved Individual Program Plan process

- new mandatory Grade 10 citizenship course

- an audit of school boards by the auditor general to look at their current structure and review

their efficiency and effectiveness of their operations

- restructuring of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to align with

the actions in the plan.

The action plan reflects the views from successful public consultations when more than 19,000 Nova Scotians had their say before the Minister's Panel on Education. It is also driven by data from student assessments.

The department will release an annual progress report on the action plan that will be available at www.ednet.ns.ca.

2. Committees/Meetings attended as of February 23, 2015

January 26, 2015 -CBVRSB Monthly Board Meeting, Sherwood Education Centre, Sydney, NS

February 2, 2015 - CBVRSB Education Committee Meeting

February 9, 2015 - CBVRSB Management Committee Meeting

February 9, 2015- CBVRSB Special Board Meeting

Moved by Commissioner Fraser
Seconded by Commissioner Googoo

Motion carried
2015-02-24

(13) NEW BUSINESS:

(14) NEXT MEETING DATE:

Next Scheduled meeting date - Monday, March 30, 2015 – Sherwood Park Education Centre -6:00 p.m.

(15) Adjournment of the meeting. . .

the meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.

(16) Public Session:

n/a