Board Meeting: June 24, 2024
The Board meeting for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board took place on June 24, 2024. Staff brought forward 9 reports with 12 recommendations for discussion.
Coming out of the Ad Hoc Policy Committee on June 6, I voted in favour of the recommendations as amended in Report 24-083 on the Approval of Revisions to Policy P.112.CUR Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition for Mature Students. The changes proposed include migrating the policy to the new template, affirming the board’s commitment to diversity, and remove the reference documents from the body of the policy. During the discussion at the Ad Hoc Policy Committee, amendments were brought forward and incorporated as needed into the report. The recommendations were carried.
Coming out of the Ad Hoc Policy Committee on June 6, I voted in favour of the recommendations as amended in Report 24-084 on the Approval of Revisions to Policy P.102.CUR Cooperative Education and Experiential Learning. The changes proposed include migrating the policy to the new template, affirming the board’s commitment to diversity, and clarifying the screening process of the employers. During the discussion at the Ad Hoc Policy Committee, amendments were brought forward and incorporated as needed into the report. The recommendations were carried in the consent agenda.
Coming out of the Ad Hoc Policy Committee on June 6, I voted in favour of the recommendations as amended in Report 24-069 on the Approval of Revisions to Policy P.038.SCO Secondary School Commencement Ceremonies. This report seeks the approval for the proposed revisions to the Policy P.038 Secondary School Commencement Ceremonies. The changes proposed include migrating the policy to the new template, affirming the board’s commitment to diversity, and delegating the responsibility of commencement ceremonies to the principal. During the discussion at the Ad Hoc Policy Committee, amendments were brought forward and incorporated as needed into the report. The recommendations were carried in the consent agenda.
Coming out of the Ad Hoc Policy Committee on June 20, I voted in favour of the recommendations as amended in Report 24-086 on the Revisions to Policies in Response to the Revised PPM 128 the Provincial Code of Conduct and the School Board Codes of Conduct. The changes proposed are in line with the requirements of the revised PPM128 which reflects the Board’s commitment to good governance as set out in the board. During the discussion at the Ad Hoc Policy Committee, amendments were brought forward and incorporated as needed into the report. The recommendations were carried in the consent agenda.
Coming out of the Ad Hoc Policy Committee on June 20, I voted in favour of the recommendations as amended in Report 24-090 on the Revisions to Policy P.051.GOV Evaluation of Director of Education and Secretary of the Board. The changes proposed are in line with the requirements of the new regulations for the Director of Education Performance Appraisal passed in Ontario in March 2024. The changes in the policy and newly introduced regulation offer clear directives for evaluating the performance of Directors of Education including a clearly defined evaluation cycle for 2024 to 2025 (outlined on page 2 of the report). During the discussion, amendments were brought forward and incorporated as needed into the report. The recommendations were carried.
Coming out of the Ad Hoc Policy Committee on June 20, I voted in favour of the recommendations as amended in Report 24-082 on the Approval of Policy P.005.GOV Board Member and Student Trustee Expenses and Support Services. The proposed updates have been developed in alignment with the Board’s commitment to Responsible Resource Use, intending to improve overall governance and decision making of the OCDSB and enhance our ability to achieve the objectives of the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan. During the discussion at the Ad Hoc Policy Committee, amendments were brought forward and incorporated as needed into the report. The recommendations were carried.
I voted in favour of the recommendations in Report 24-085 on the Special Education Plan for 2023 to 2024. The Special Education Plan aims to provide students, families, and employees a fulsome tool to guide and resource when supporting students with special educational needs in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board through the key areas of focus, learning, wellbeing, and social responsibility. Additionally, school boards are required to prepare and submit a Special Education Plan to the ministry annually. The revision to the Special Education Plan was done in consultation with the District’s Special Education Advisory Committee. The recommendations were carried.
I voted in favour of the recommendations in Report 24-094 on the Approval for the Chair and Director to Approve Contracts for the Summer Period. This report seeks approval to provide authorization for the 2024 summer period, to the Chair and Director, to sign necessary approvals and contracts above the regular signing authority limits of $500,000 for specific contracts: notwithstanding, the existing Signing Authority and Spending Controls policy. The recommendations were carried.
I voted in favour of the recommendations in Report 24-096 on the Approval of Short-Term Borrowing Resolution. To ensure operational practices that effectively and responsibly manage financial resources, this report aims to approve a borrowing resolution in advance of potential need ensures the District is able to meet its immediate cash flow requirements and demonstrates good governance. The recommendations were carried.
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. Please note answers from staff are paraphrased, 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 Board Meeting on June 24, 2024
Agenda for the Board Meeting on June 24, 2024
Report 24-083, Approval of Revisions to Policy P.112.CUR Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition for Mature Students
Report 24-084, Approval of Revisions to Policy P.102.CUR Cooperative Education and Experiential Learning
Report 24-069, Approval of Revisions to Policy P.038.SCO Secondary School Commencement Ceremonies
Report 24-086, Revisions to Policies in Response to the Revised PPM 128 the Provincial Code of Conduct and the School Board Codes of Conduct.
Report 24-082, Approval of Policy P.005.GOV Board Member and Student Trustee Expenses and Support Services.
Report 24-072, Update on the Advisory Committee on Equity Policy Review
Report 24-085, Special Education Plan
Report 24-094, Approval of the Chair and Director to Approve Contract for the Summer Period.
Report 24-096, Approval of Short-Term Borrowing Resolution
