Board of Education meeting highlights

Contributed

Highlights of the School District 23 board of education meeting, January 11, 2012

Recognition

KSS Girls’ AAAA Volleyball Team

The Board of Education recognized the KSS Girls’ AAAA Volleyball Team who won the Provincial Championships held in North  Vancouver on December 1 through 4, 2011. This is the first time in sixty years that the provincial cup has been brought home to Kelowna.

Superintendent’s Report

The Superintendent reported on the following:

• Two proposed policies have been forwarded to Parent Advisory Councils for review. These policies are specific to employee and student use of social media and freedom of information and protection of privacy. Parent Advisory Councils are invited to provide input to the Board of Education prior to these policies receiving final approval.
• Despite the current Job Action, there is a great deal of professional learning going on. For example, the Buck Institute is currently in the District providing sessions on project-based learning.
• February 17th, 2012 marks the next Professional Development Day in the Central Okanagan. The Central Okanagan Teachers’ Association (COTA) is partnering with the District to host the Kagan Group which will focus on new strategies to increase student engagement in learning.

Action Items

1. Westside Road – Gravel Pit
The Board of Education agreed to write a letter to the Ministry of Energy and Mines expressing its concern regarding the Westcan Gravel Pit which is located on Westside Road, and requesting that heavy vehicle traffic be restricted before and after school when school buses and children are typically traveling on the road.

2. Education Week Breakfast – Tuesday, March 6, 2012
The Board of Education agreed to proceed with Education Week (March 5 – 9, 2012), however this year’s Education Week Breakfast is cancelled due to the increased responsibilities and dutiesassigned to Principals, Vice-Principals and excluded staff as a result of teacher job action.

Information Items

1. Draft Vision and Guiding Principles for Neighbourhood Learning Centres
The announcement of the construction of a new elementary school in West Kelowna, and a 300 student addition to Okanagan Mission Secondary School, provides a unique opportunity to partner with a local community group to obtain additional funded space for a neighbourhood learning centre. The Board of Education discussed the purpose and proposed guiding principles for future learning
centres. More information will come forward at a future Board meeting.

Next Regular Scheduled Board Meeting Date
Public Board Meeting
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.
School Board Office
The public is welcome to attend

Next Board Standing Committee Meeting Dates
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
6:30 pm Finance and Legal Committee