THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT 68

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING

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BOARD ROOM
395 Wakesiah Avenue
Nanaimo, BC V9R 3K6
Trustees
  • C. McKay, Chair
  • J. Stanley, Vice-Chair
  • T. Brzovic
  • S. Higginson
  • G. Keller
  • B. Robinson
  • C. O'Neill
  • E. Wilkinson
Staff
  • S. Saywell, Superintendent/CEO
  • M. Walsh, Secretary-Treasurer
  • T. Davie, Deputy Superintendent
  • D. Burgos, Ex. Dir. of Communications
  • K. Matthews, Manager Admin. Services

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The Chair will call the meeting to order. With great respect and humility, we acknowledge and honour the lands of the Snuneymuxw people. The Snuneymuxw people maintain their profound, unique and spiritual connection to the land through ageless traditions, teachings, stewardship and expressions of reciprocity.

The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:04 pm.

There were no additions. 

There were no deletions. 

There was no change in order. 

  • R21/10/27-01

    That the Agenda be approved.

    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
  • R21/10/27-02
    IT WAS MOVED BYTrustee Stanley
    IT WAS SECONDED BYTrustee Keller

    That the minutes from the Regular Board meeting held on September 29, 2021, be adopted.

    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
  • R21/10/27-03
    IT WAS MOVED BYTrustee Brzovic
    IT WAS SECONDED BYTrustee Higginson

    That the Section 72(3) Report from the Closed Board meeting on September 29, 2021, and the Special Closed Board Meeting on October 6, 2021, be received.

    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Education Committee Meeting: November 3, 2021 at 6:00 pm

Business Committee Meeting: November 20, 2021 at 6:00 pm

Board of Education Meeting: November 24, 2021 at 6:00 pm

Statutory Holiday: November 11, 2021 (Remembrance Day - Schools Closed)

Chair McKay advised that the Board is in discussions with respect to a vaccination policy.  Those discussions are taking placing in an in-camera (closed) Board Meeting as they relate to labour relations and the health and safety of employees of the District.  Any public announcements regarding this matter will come the District's Communication Department. 

There were none. 

Re: K-3 Mask Mandate

  • R21/10/27-04
    IT WAS MOVED BYTrustee Brzovic
    IT WAS SECONDED BYTrustee Stanley

    That the Board of Education of School District No. 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) refer the above correspondence to the Board Chair for response. 

    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Re: Vaccinations 

  • R21/10/27-05
    IT WAS MOVED BYTrustee Higginson
    IT WAS SECONDED BYTrustee Wilkinson

    That the Board of Education of School District No. 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) refer the correspondence from M. Robinson to the Board Chair for response. 

    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Re: Town of Ladysmith OCP Review 

  • R21/10/27-06
    IT WAS MOVED BYTrustee Stanley
    IT WAS SECONDED BYTrustee Robinson

    That the Board of Education of School District No. 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) refer the correspondence from Mayor Aaron Stone, Town of Ladysmith, to the November 2021 Business Committee meeting.

    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Re: Premier's Awards for Excellence

  • R21/10/27-07
    IT WAS MOVED BYTrustee Brzovic
    IT WAS SECONDED BYTrustee Robinson

    That the Board of Education of School District No. 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) refer the correspondence from Minister of Education, Jennifer Whiteside to be received and filed. 

    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Re: Supporting Inclusive Education for Learners with Down Syndrome

  • R21/10/27-08
    IT WAS MOVED BYTrustee Higginson
    IT WAS SECONDED BYTrustee Wilkinson

    That the Board of Education of School District No. 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) refer the correspondence from Down Syndrome BC to be received and filed. 

    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
  • R21/10/27-09
    IT WAS MOVED BYTrustee Keller
    IT WAS SECONDED BYTrustee Wilkinson

    That the Board of Education of School District No. 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) direct staff to apply for the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund through the Ministry of Children and Families for funding childcare expansion for up to five school sites.

    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Re: Draft 2022/2023 Budget Calendar

Secretary-Treasurer Mark Walsh presented the draft Budget Calendar which will guide the budget planning cycle for the 2022/23 school year. Trustees requested that the Budget Calendar be connected to the District's Strategic Plan with learning and departmental needs. An Information Sheet is attached to the Agenda. 

Re: School Site Acquisition Charge Resolution 

Trustee Keller declared a conflict of interest and did not participate in the discussion or the vote.

Secretary-Treasurer Mark Walsh provided an update on the District's progress towards instituting a School Site Acquisition Charge.   An Action Sheet is attached to the Agenda. 

  • R21/10/27-10
    IT WAS MOVED BYTrustee Stanley
    IT WAS SECONDED BYTrustee Brzovic

    That the Board of Education of School District No. 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) approve the school site resolution for presentation to the District of Lantzville, the City of Nanaimo, and the Regional District of Nanaimo, for a consultation period of not less than 60 days for final approval by Board By-law following the consultation period.

     

    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

There was no unfinished business.

Re: By-Election 

Secretary-Treasurer Mark Walsh provided options for the Board's consideration with respect to a By-Election.  An Action Sheet is attached to the Agenda. 

  • R21/10/27-11
    IT WAS MOVED BYTrustee Higginson
    IT WAS SECONDED BYTrustee O'Neill

    That the Board of Education of School District No. 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) appoint Secretary-Treasurer Mark Walsh as the Chief Electoral Officer pursuant to Section 36(3)(a) to organize and implement a by-election created by the resignation of Trustee Barron and notify the Minister of Education as required by Section 36(3)(c).

    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Board Motions Report was received as information. 

There were none. 

The Board's Annual Work Plan was received as information. 

Question Period is intended to enable the public to obtain clarifying information regarding a current agenda item.


Individuals wishing to ask questions of the Board upon completion of Committee and Board sessions shall do so in writing on the form provided which includes their name, street address and email address.  The individual will be asked to verify his/her self and be afforded the opportunity to read out their own question.  Each individual shall be limited to one follow-up question upon receiving a response. Forms are available in the information rack near the entrance of the Board Room.


If the meeting is being held online, individuals wishing to ask questions of the Board shall type their question in the Q&A compose box on the right side of the screen and then select send. Your question will be read by the Board or Committee Chair.


Questions and responses will be included in the video of the meeting and the meeting minutes and will be part of the public record.


 

Question from Humphreys: I am wondering whether there will be ongoing public engagement during the budget process as I don't see it on the schedule. Answer: Yes, the public can participate through the Thought Exchange, ask questions during the public meetings when budget discussions are taking place or alternatively request to make a presentation to the Board.

The meeting adjourned at 6:47 pm.

  • R21/10/27-12
    IT WAS MOVED BYTrustee Stanley
    IT WAS SECONDED BYTrustee Brzovic

    That the meeting be adjourned.

    CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY