Ad Hoc Policy Committee: September 19, 2023
The Ad Hoc Policy meeting for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board took place on September 19, 2023, with me as chair. During the meeting, staff brought forward two reports, a memo, and a work plan for discussion.
The 2023 to 2024 Policy Review Work Plan was brought forward to discuss the schedule for reviewing policies during the term of the Ad Hoc Committee. To aid in the evaluation of the policy review structure, a tiered approach will be applied to the work plan:
Tier 1 Policy Review: Minor revisions that correct inconsistencies; modernize language; harmonize definitions; establish consistency about spelling, capitalization, and punctuation; ensure alignment with, and references to language in statutes, regulations, policy memorandums, or other regulatory directives; and/or insert, add, or delete reference documents.
Tier 2 Policy Review: Non-substantive updates to current policies and new policies required by Board motion, legislation or a Ministry Policy and Program Memoranda (PPM) that do not significantly alter policy direction and therefore do not require wide public consultations.
Tier 3 Policy Review: Developing new policies required by Board motion, legislation, or the Ministry Policy and Program Memoranda (PPM), or revisions to existing policies that lead to substantive change in the direction and require extensive public consultations with stakeholders.
Memo 23-050, New and Revised Board Policies, Procedures and Forms was brought forward to present the policies, procedures, and forms that were adopted, revised, or rescinded under the Tier 1 development. Over the past year, there were updates to 17 policies, 12 procedures, and 29 associated forms, while developing 3 new procedures.
Report 23-058, Tier 2 Revisions to Policy P.107.SCO Naming of Schools and Educational Support Facilities and Opening Ceremonies was brought forward for initial discussion and consultation with the committee before community consultation. 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.
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. Feedback from the public will be received between September 8, 2023, to September 29, 2023.
Report 23-059, Amalgamation of Policy P.035.SCO Extended Day Programs and Policy P.059.SCO Child Care Programs In Schools sought input on the proposed amalgamation of Policy P.035.SCO Extended Day Programs and Policy P.059.SCO Child Care Programs in Schools. This proposed amalgamation ensures the effective delivery of all District Extended Day and Child Care Programs that operate outside of the regular school day and comply with the Education Act and the Child Care and Early Years Act, of 2014. The proposed amalgamated draft will be posted to the District website between September 8, 2023, to September 29, 2023.
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. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me using my contact form here.
Key links
Agenda for the Ad Hoc Policy Review Committee on September 19, 2023
Memo 23-050 New and Revised Board Policies, Procedures and Forms (2022-2023 Update: June 19, 2022 to June 26, 2023)
Report 23-058, Tier 2 Revisions to Policy P.107.SCO Naming of Schools and Educational Support Facilities and Opening Ceremonies
Report 23-059, Amalgamation of Policy P.035.SCO Extended Day Programs and Policy P.059.SCO Child Care Programs In Schools
