Board Meeting: November 26, 2024
The Board meeting for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board took place on November 26, 2024. Staff brought forward 4 reports with 3 recommendations for discussion.
Coming out of the Audit Committee, I voted in favour of the recommendation in Report 24-126, Draft 2023 to 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements. The Consolidated Financial Statement gives the Audit Committee the opportunity to review the District’s annual financial statements to see if they are complete, consistent with available information and reflect the accounting principles applicable to the board. In the findings we see that the District is just over $12 million in deficit due to a change in Ministry financial regulations and overspending in certain areas. It is key to note that the Board cannot redirect the use of restricted amounts outlined in the Consolidated Financial Statements. The recommendations were carried on the consent agenda.
Coming out of the Policy Review Committee, I voted in favour of the recommendation in Report 24-116, Rescission of Policy P.085.SCO Student Safety Patrols. This report sought the approval of the rescission of Policy P.084.SCO Student Safety Patrol. The recommendation to rescind the policy is on the basis that the content is no longer relevant as the program the policy provides guidance for no longer exists. Student Safety Patrol programs were phased out over time, as schools mitigated risk-taking activities for students, and means of student transportation evolved over time. Due to changes in transportation trends and increased student safety concerns. The recommendations were carried on the consent agenda.
Coming out of the Policy Review Committee, I voted in favour of the amended recommendation in Report 24-115, Approval of Revisions to Policy P.008.GOV Advisory Committee on Equity. This report sought proposed revisions to support the governance of the Advisory Committee on Equity. The changes proposed to this policy include a change in membership, a change in the Trustee role on the committee, and implementing a consensus-based decision-making model that uses traditional voting only when necessary.
During the discussion, I proposed amendments to section 4.6:
In the introduction to the amendment, I made the following comments (timestamp 23:01):
I am bringing forward this amendment because I wanted to ensure that we are speaking to the intersectionality that members of the Advisory Committee on Equity may hold. I want to thank members of the committee for their collaboration on these amendments to ensure we are focused on the educational outcomes, evidenced by recent district academic achievement data, and informed by district disciplinary action data, and district well-being data for underserved student identities and communities. I look forward to the discussion around the table about these amendments.
In the conclusion to the amendment, I made the following comments:
I want to thank my colleagues around the table for the fruitful discussion. I also want to thank the Advisory Committee on Equity for their collaboration on these amendments. I hope all my colleagues support these amendments.
The amendment was carried. During the discussion, I proposed an amendment to section 3.4 to “add bullet “vi” under section “b. advise the Board of Trustees:” by:
“vi) providing feedback on how to create equitable and inclusive education for underserved students identified in recent District research, District identity-based data, and relevant and rigorous external research.”
The amendment was considered friendly. The recommendations as amended were carried.
The Integrity Commissioner brought forward a Code of Conduct Complaint and accompanying Investigation Report. You can refer to the recording of the meeting starting at timestamp 46:54 to hear the discussion and the two above reports for more information. During the discussion, I shared my thoughts (timestamp 1:10:35):
On five previous occasions in my term as Trustee, I have spoken to the fact that we as School Board Trustees need to hold ourselves to a higher-level of respect when it comes to interactions with one another and our community. To be clear, my definition of respect is honouring oneself and others through words and actions, supporting diversity of beliefs, and treating the world and everything in it with dignity.
To say I am disappointed that we are in the midst and discussing another Code of Conduct investigation would be an understatement. We as Trustees approved and signed this new Code of Conduct and have discussed and amended since its original adoption numerous times during our term. We agreed to do better. We agreed to show each other and our community respect. I hear time and time again from everyone around this table that we want to foster an environment for healthy discussion, respect, and to make our education system better for everyone in it. Yet here we are again.
I want to thank the Integrity Commissioner for her investigation, even if I disagree with the recommendations of the report. To me the facts are clear, harm has been done to our community, in particular to our Jewish staff member. The level of respect I want from around this table was not met. The remarks made by the Trustee show we have not lived up to the definition of respect and that we do not value the diversity of everyone around the table.
As Trustees we all contributed to this environment. I have asked, I have pleaded for us to do better and to live to an increased level of respect around the table. I continue to watch incidents that do not meet the level of respect even though we all agreed to this Code of Conduct. I want to show our community we can do better which is why I will be supporting a breach of the Code of Conduct.
I want to reiterate we are Trustees for a school board district. In school, even in early grades, students are taught how to use their words to resolve conflict, show each other respect, and to say we are sorry. Every single one of us needs to look at the incidents that led up to this investigation, how we contributed, and how we can do better.
In closing, I want to say that I am so sorry to everyone, and in particular to every person who was harmed. You as our community deserve a higher level of respect and deserve better from us. This investigation and this report are not a win for anyone sitting at this table and are certainty not what you as our community deserves.
Staff brought forward an oral update on the financial situation for the District (timestamp 2:28:46). This year, the district is estimating under funding of over 19 million due to underfunding and the impact of Bill 124. This puts the District in a vulnerable position with a lack of reserves if unexpected costs rise. The District is in a data gathering phase in several areas to assist in formulating a long-term plan to address the funding gap but we as Trustees in our advocacy role need to advocate for more funding for replacement costs and special education. The first Committee of the Whole, Budget is schedule for January 28, 2025 where we expect to hear an update on the District’s financial position.
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 November 26, 2024
Agenda for the Board Meeting on November 26, 2024
Report 24-126, Draft 2023 to 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements
Appendix A, Consolidated Financial Statements
Report 24-116, Recission of Policy P.084.SCO Student Safety Patrols
Appendix A, Student Safety Patrols
Report 24-115, Approval of Revisions to Policy P.008.GOV Advisory Committee on Equity
Appendix A, Advisory Committee on Equity
Appendix B, Advisory Committee on Equity – Changes
Memo from Staff, Revisions to Policy P.008.GOV Advisory Committee on Equity
