Committee of the Whole: October 8, 2024
The Committee of the Whole meeting for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board took place on October 8, 2024, with me as chair. Staff brought forward 2 reports for discussion.
Staff brought forward Report 24-105, Equitable Access to Technology Plan for discussion. This plan is a multi-year roadmap that aims to close digital usage and access gaps through the addition and allocation of existing digital learning resources and equipment. During the discussion, I asked the following questions (timestamp 1:01:35):
Question: While reviewing this plan, I cannot help but look at the correlation with the EQAO results that have recently come out. I am personally seeing a direct comparison for our students that do not have access to technology at home or a reliable strong internet connection and the results for EQAO being lower. I am wondering if the Director of Education and then staff can comment on that correlation and how we are planning on addressing that through this plan.
Answer: It is a complex query that you can look at in the actual taking of the test and then preparation for EQAO. The journey that each student takes to complete EQAO varies. The results of EQAO feed into the creation of this plan to create a more equitable learning space for all students.
Question: Hotspots being handed out to students has been mentioned a couple of times and I am wondering if we are handing them out on the scale to address 2% of students across this board in grade 9 "hardly ever" or "almost never" have access to a strong Internet connection at home to complete my schoolwork.
Answer: No we are not handing them out of this scale but we want to try and reduce the gap and make sure we are reaching all of the students who have this gap. It is at the principal’s discretion to identify students in need of a Hot Spot.
Staff brought forward Report 24-110, Elementary Program Review, Relevant Data and District Data. This report provides the analyses and syntheses of District-level data and contextually relevant external research related to the program review at the elementary level. This report also provides an update on the status of the review, a revised timeline for sharing proposed model(s) and subsequent implementation of any approved changes to elementary programming and delivery in the District. During the discussion, I asked the following questions (timestamp 2:11:00):
Question: I appreciate the over 80 pages of research that have been produced. Is there going to be an Executive Summary or if we are planning on doing some engagement sessions to explain the research to our community?
Answer: The purpose of the 80 pages was to ensure our Trustee had access to the research. There will be an executive summary that will be available on the Engage OCDSB website and will be presented to each of the advisory committees.
Question: Have there been any major delays in the timeline for delivery or any roadblocks that we did not foresee coming up that we might want to comment on?
Answer: Staff were aware that this would be a complex rollout. Currently, we have nothing to flag. We need to ensure we are hearing more community voices that will allow for a robust rollout. This is an aspirational program rollout.
Question: Looking at the previous public engagement sessions we did, they were targeted at community members available from 6 to 9 pm and I would like to know for this next phase, how are we planning on targeting community members we do not always hear from and is there a plan to do engagement sessions at varying times.
Answer: Part of the reason we are going back to the Advisory Committees is to get some additional information on how we target different groups and hear different voices.
Staff provided a verbal update on Back-to-School Enrolment Updates. Our Elementary Enrolment is approximately 1,130 students below projections, the hope is that we will add students over the next few weeks. Classroom reorganizations will be occurring and will conclude by Friday, October 11. The Secondary Enrolment is very close to projections. During the discussion, I asked the following questions (timestamp 2:43:36):
Question: I appreciate that this is not what we wanted to hear that we are below projections, could staff come up with some theories or do we have any ideas of why we are below projections again with our elementary estimates? I cannot help but wonder if this is related to the Elementary Program Review.
Answer: There are multiple factors including families having access to a community school. We have reached out to communities, and we have heard varying feedback including the proximity of schools and program availability in the community.
Question: Is there a way we are going to try to reach out to the families that chose to leave the board?
Answer: Yes, we are below projections but is that any different than other boards across the province? We are at the informal conversations with our community to identify why families chose not to enrol or not come back to the school board.
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 on October 8, 2024
Agenda for the Committee of the Whole on October 8, 2024
Report 24-150, Equity of Access to Technology
Report 24-110, Elementary Program Review Relevant Research and District Data
Appendix A, Consultation Report
Appendix B, Research Review for Second Language Programming
Appendix C, Research Review for Special and Inclusive Education
Appendix D, District Data
