Ad Hoc Policy Committee: October 12, 2023
The Ad Hoc Policy meeting for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board took place on October 12, 2023, with me as chair. During the meeting, staff brought forward three reports and a memo for discussion.
I voted in favour of the recommendations in Report 23-073, Approval of Revisions to Policy P.107.SCO Naming of Schools and Education Support Facilities and Opening Ceremonies. This report was brought back to the committee for finalization after being posted on the website for comment This report has two main purposes:
It provides a community-driven framework for naming and renaming schools and other Board facilities or special purpose areas that are aligned with the Board’s commitments to equity, diversity, inclusion, and human rights.
It provides a framework to recognize and celebrate the official opening of new schools, major additions, or other Board facilities, including special purpose areas within a school, such as libraries or gymnasiums within schools, adjacent daycare centers, and municipal facilities.
Report 23-062, New Risk Management Policy was brought forward for discussion. This Risk Management Policy is intended to minimize the risk exposure of the District and the Board. This will eventually improve the overall governance, and decision-making and enhance our ability to achieve the strategic objective in the Strategic Plan.
Report 23-066, Rescission of Policy Appeals Hearing Panel (Student Transfers). In April 1998, P.126.GOV was approved to provide a process for appeal to the Board with respect to the administrative decision of a school transfer request. Parents or guardians can appeal for a transfer request that is not approved by the school principal or superintendent of instruction due to transfer caps at schools.
This policy provides operational challenges including difficulties with scheduling the meetings and confirming the attendance of the trustee panel members, staff, and participants. Rescinding this policy will improve alignment with legislation, and other district school boards, improve response time to appellants and decrease dissatisfaction from participants with the process. Further to this discussion, I also highlighted that:
My zone sees quite a few cross-boundary transfers, especially in the high schools, one thing I want to highlight. I do not want to make the Superintendent of Instructions the bad people. Also, one piece of feedback I hear from my constituents is that there is confusion about the boundaries for middle schools and what high schools they will end up in. It will be important to communicate where students will be going and what criteria would be approved for a cross-boundary transfer.
The proposed draft will be posted to the District website and awareness will be raised on this consultation through parent, guardian, student, and school council communications.
Memo 23-062, New and Revised Board Policies, Procedures and Forms was brought forward to present the policies, procedures, and forms adopted, revised, or rescinded under the Tier 1 development.
Please note, that the opinions expressed here are entirely my own and do not reflect an official position of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board or the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board of Trustees. The recording can be found here if you would like to watch the entire meeting. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me using my contact form here.
Key links
Video for the Ad Hoc Policy Committee on October 12, 2023
Agenda for the Ad Hoc Policy Committee October 12, 2023
Report 23-073, School Naming
Appendix A: Naming of Schools and Education Support Facilities and Opening Ceremonies
Appendix B: New Schools and Other Board Facilities – Naming, Signage, and Opening Ceremonies (Proposed Changes)
Report 23-062, Strategic Enterprise Risk Management
Report 23-066, Recission of Policy P.126.SOC Appeals Hearing Panel (Student Transfers)
Memo 23-062, Minor Policy Revisions - Tier 1
