Committee of the Whole and Special Board Meeting: October 3, 2023
The Committee of the Whole Meeting and Board Meeting for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board took place on October 3, 2023.
Committee of the Whole
During the Committee of the Whole Meeting, staff brought forward one report with one recommendation and a Trustee brought forward a notice of motion for discussion.
I voted in favour of the recommendations in Report 23-070, Capital Priorities Submission. This report is asking for funding for new projects or additions only and renovations are not covered in this funding ask. I asked staff two questions during the discussion (timestamp: 49:42):
The repeat priority items, how long have they been on the list?
Some of these priority items have been repeated 5 to 6 times. We have spoken staff to staff about our needs and we meet with the ministry on a regular basis. The ministry does not provide an explanation on why they fund one priority over another.
Will this increase pressure on bussing since there are quite a few priorities that are bordering the Greenbelt?
In any of these schools, it is unlikely that the population will solely be walking.
I find it disappointing that some of these priority items have been repeated on the list 5 to 6 times with no explanation from the province of why priorities are accepted or rejected. The recommendations were passed and are expected to be voted on at the next board meeting.
I voted in favour of the motion for creating an Indigenous Student Trustee position. As part of our reconciliation efforts as a school district and our commitment to enhancing student voice and an Indigenous Student Trustee position would be a welcome addition to the board. The recommendations were passed and are expected to be voted on at the next board meeting.
A presentation on student transportation was brought forward for discussion (timestamp: 1:38:50). The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority claims they are facing a supply and demand issue, citing the supply of vendors has decreased and the demand for bussing has increased. The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority claims to have heard comments from the community and is working towards addressing them. Additionally, the operational review of the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority has begun, and more information will be presented after the operational review. For more information, please listen to the entire presentation here.
Special Board Meeting
During the Special Board meeting, staff brought forward one report with two recommendations for discussion.
I voted in favour of the recommendations in Report 23-070, Capital Priorities Submission. The recommendations were passed.
Report No. 23-072 Provisions for Calling Extraordinary Meetings of the Board and Appointing Trustees to a Strike Management Committee brought forward two recommendations:
THAT the Board invoke the provisions of Section 8.6 of the Board’s By-laws and Standing Rules regarding the calling of extraordinary meetings of the Board, for the purpose of dealing with issues related to collective bargaining, for the period from 26 September 2023 to 31 December 2023.
THAT the Board appoint Trustee Bell as a member of the Strike Management Committee, and Trustee Jennekens as an alternate member of the Strike Management Committee.
This Committee would be used to appoint two trustees to the Strike Management Committee if needed to deal with collective bargaining issues. I voted in favour of the recommendations and the recommendations were passed.
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 Committee of the Whole and Special Board Meeting on October 3, 2023
Agenda for the Committee of the Whole on October 3, 2023
Notice of Motion, Re: Indigenous Student Trustee
Agenda for the Special Board Meeting on October 3, 2023
Report No. 23-072, Provisions for Calling Extraordinary Meetings of the Board and Appointing Trustees to a Strike Management Committee
