Image Credit: SUBMITTED/School District No. 73 (Kamloops/Thompson)

The Board of Education conducted its inaugural Board Meeting and election of Board Officers. The newly elected Board Officers are as follows:

Meghan Wade
Chairperson

Gerald Watson
Vice-Chairperson

Kathleen Karpuk
British Columbia School Trustees Association Provincial Council

Gerald Watson
British Columbia Public School Employers Association
 

SD73 Business Company Chair Appointment
Vice-Chairperson, Gerald Watson was reappointed to this position.

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

CONSENT AGENDA

• Superintendent’s Report
• Chamber of Commerce Support Letter
• Notice of Motion
• Policy 201.1 Board Committees
  • Policy 506.5 Graduated Adults
  • Policy 912.2 Principal and Vice Principals: Process for Appointment
  • Policy 1030.1 Interior Painting of Schools

EDUCATION TOPICS
The Board recognized Vice-Principal, Beth Dye, for the honour of being the 2017 recipient of the Geographic Literacy Award. Vice-Principal Dye was presented the award by the Governor-General in Ottawa. The award is given to educators who increase geographic literacy throughout a career. The Board thanked Vice-Principal Dye on this incredible achievement.

The Board heard Principal Mochikas speak about a MakerSpace Project. Principal Mochikas was joined by Brock Middle School teacher, Bev Brown. Three students spoke
to projects completed through an Innovation Grant. Students studied projects that would support students with disabilities. The success of the projects led to their continued use at Brock Middle School.

REPORTS FROM SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

Out-of-Province Field Trip – Kamloops School of the Arts (KSA)
Assistant Superintendent Hamblett brought forward a field trip request for the KSA band and choir to participate in the Edmonton Music Tour in Edmonton, AB.
The motion was approved. 

Student Learning Grant update
Director Carson spoke to the Student Learning Grant final allocations to schools. Final allocations were disbursed to schools with the expectation that dollars are spent by the end of January, 2018. A final report will go to the Ministry of Education in July, 2018.

Elementary Extra-Curricular Sporting Trips
Assistant Superintendent Schoen presented information regarding the cost of transporting rural students—those 50 kms or farther from Kamloops—by bus to Kamloops and area schools to attend elementary school extracurricular sporting events. The estimated cost of supporting extracurricular bussing is just over $14,000 per year. The use of a bus is contingent on the availability of a bus and driver. The motion was approved.

REPORTS FROM SECRETARY-TREASURER

Staffing Request
Director Smillie spoke to a staffing request of 6.0 FTE Certified Education Assistants to ensure that students were supported for safety and personal care.
The motion was approved.

Budget Update
Secretary-Treasurer Stretch reported that increased enrolment (170 additional students) created a surplus for allocation. Allocations included 6.055 FTE Teaching positions, 18.0 FTE CEA positions, and 2.0 FTE clerical as well as just over $700,000 for supplies and services.

REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND CHAIR

Chair’s Report
Chairperson Wade reported various presentations on the capital advocacy plan. She also represented the Board at the formal Remembrance Day Ceremony. The Minister of Education visit was another avenue to discuss the capital advocacy plan. The CUPE Retirement evening was well attended. A website design workshop was held and
included input from students. Another successful DWIT conference was held. The IB parent night well attended.

Diversity Advisory Committee
Trustee Karpuk attended an advisory round table on updated social plan with the City of Kamloops. Input was provided on issues and opportunities.

TRUSTEE REPORTS, INQUIRIES, AND GOOD NEWS
Trustees reported presentations on the capital plan to several school Parent Advisory Councils.

MOTION for senior staff to look at the cost of Kamloops city schools to attend extracurricular in the outlying communities. The motion was carried.

The next public board meeting will take place December 11th at the School Board Office at 7 p.m.

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News from © iNFOnews, 2017