Synopsis of Board meeting
COVID-19 Update: In providing an update to the Board on the COVID-19 pandemic, Superintendent of Schools/CEO Peter Jory reported that he feels everyone has rallied for the crisis.
“People have really stepped up and recognized their role to help. Everyone has been wonderful at pushing through this challenge.”
He noted, though, that this takes an emotional toll and people are getting tired. “It is tiring to be in a such a different place with so many unknowns and making major changes to everyday practices. Of course, staff are missing their students, but still everyone is generally trying to make the best of it.”
Educationally, connections and conversations between teachers and students are taking place. He said the district has already provided technology to students and continues to do so, trying to maintain some equity.
For staff there has been a sharp learning curve as everyone learns how to use Microsoft Teams, the video conferencing program being used by SD83. Staff are also using this time to get further training in the district’s new MyEd B.C. student information management system.He noted about 100 invitations have gone out to essential service workers to provide care for children at the Hub schools, with most finding alternative arrangements. “We are expecting more to say yes as we get into tier two and three essential services.”
Jory said on the good news side the district is probably farther ahead than expected on how much learning is going on. “The invitation to learning opportunities model which we are using is being well accepted and appreciated by most families. We are hearing reports that some families, especially those with multiple children, are, for many reasons, feeling overwhelmed. This model lets them choose. Thank you to our Instructional Leadership Team for taking the lead on this.”
Revised Budget Development Process and Timeline: The Board supported, in principle, a revised 2020-21 preliminary annual budget timeline as presented at the meeting. This includes shifting all budget committee meetings to virtual meetings, changing the public budget meeting to an online survey and moving the preliminary budget approval to June 17th.
Townhall Q & A: The Board also decided to hold an online Townhall meeting to answer questions around the budget. The date will be published when finalized.
Trades/Careers Program Update: District Principal Reid Findlay provided some information on Ministry of Education funding eligibility clarifications as well as reported that some students are now taking part of their trades training online during his update on how COVID-19 pandemic was affecting students in the Youth Discover, Youth Train, Youth Explore and Youth Works in Trades programs. See Power Point here
Livestreaming: With large gatherings banned, the Board of Education meeting was livestreamed on Tuesday. At the meeting the Board passed a motion that, in the absence of this policy the Board will have the livestream recording available to the public until the next board meeting, at which time a decision will be made whether it should be archived. At its next meeting, Policy Committee will begin developing a policy for the livestreaming of board meetings.
Long Range Facilities Plan: The board spent a considerable time discussing the information which has been gathered to help them determine a long range facilities plan. They talked about which options they are leaning towards and if there are any options which could be deleted. No motions were made. It was decided to have a Committee of the Whole meeting in May to further discuss the plan.
Trip Cancelled: The Board rescinded approval for a trip to Quebec in May by Shuswap Middle School’s Grade 8 French Immersion students due to COVID-19 and the unacceptable level of risk to students.
Capital Plan bylaw: The Board gave the first two readings to a capital bylaw to fund projects approved by the Ministry of Education for the 2020-21 year. The bylaw is for funding for the HVAC upgrades at Eagle River Secondary ($1.429,000) and the replacement of three buses ($141,483 each).
Superintendent’s announcements: Superintendent Peter Jory mentioned some of the ways schools are working to maintain connections with their students at home, including M.V. Beattie’s 30-day Lego Challenge. He also noted how one Len Wood student is helping seniors learn how to use Zoom video conferencing technology and how he is in turn learning about how life used to be. Jory added that birdhouses built by South Canoe in conjunction with Shuswap Makerspace are now being well used by swallows at the Salmon Arm Bay. Also, two former SAS grads, Michael Worobey and Bechara Saab, are both involved in helping with the COVID-19 pandemic. Worobey as a pathogen researcher at the University of Arizona, and Saab with a mental health and wellness app, which is free for public use.
Trustee announcement: Trustee Marianne VanBuskirk congratulated Principal Gord Ritchie and his team for organizing an amazing basketball jamboree, which took place just before Spring Break. She noted it included hundreds of young athletes and focussed on fun, fair play, fitness and friendships.
Labour Relations update: Trustee Quentin Bruns reported to the Board that an agreement has been reached with the B.C. Teachers’ Federation, and is waiting to be ratified. He also stated that risk management items have been reviewed and returned to the Audit Committee.
Partner Group update: Trustee Marty Gibbons reported on the first ever online Partner Group meeting. One of the topics the Partner Group discussed was changes to learning at home. He noted at the meeting, DPAC expressed some concerns around families with multiple children feeling overwhelmed. He also mentioned that the Sorrento PAC recently held a Zoom meeting and hopes others are taking advantage of technology to continue to allow for parent input.