Policy Review Committee: April 10, 2025
The Policy Review Meeting for the Ottawa-Carleton District School took place on April 10, 2025. Staff brought forward 3 reports with 5 recommendations for discussion.
I voted in favour of the recommendations in Report 25-012, Approval of the Proposed Merger of Learning Resources Policies. This report sought the approval of the proposed merger of Policy P.030 CUR, Learning Media Requiring Approval and Policy P.031 CUR, Learning Resources. With the proposed merger of these policies, the main changes include introducing stronger language, ensuring learning resources are selected to align with curriculum and learning expectations, clarifying the definition of learning resources, and clarifying the right to appeal learning resources.
During the discussion, I voted against an amendment that was brought forward to add in point 4.6 in the Amended Policy P.030 CUR after the Director or designate “THAT section 4,6 of Appendix A to Report 25-012 be amended to read as including an appeal to a committee comprising a multidisciplinary review”. During the discussion, I made the following comments (timestamp 43:00):
I appreciate the intention of the amendment, but I think the choosing of the Trustee to be on the panel would be more political versus the appeal of the learning resource. I also think a panel of Trustees will make it more political versus the appeal of the learning resource.
The amendment failed. During the discussion, I voted in against an amendment that was brought forward for the Amended Policy P.030 CUR, THAT a new section be added after 4.6 of Appendix A to Report 25-012 to read as a decision of the multidisciplinary review panel may be appealed to a panel of trustee and adjust the numbering of the policy as appropriate. The amendment failed. The recommendations were carried as amended.
I voted in favour of the recommendations in Report 25-021, Rescission of P.082.HR - Selection, Training, Placement, and Appraisal of Staff for the Positions of Principal and Vice-Principal. This report seeks approval to rescind Policy P.082.HR because the training, selection and placement of principals and vice-principals is an operational task that does not require a formal policy. The recommendations were carried.
I voted in favour of the recommendations in Report 25-011, Approval of Revision to P.128 GOV, Privacy Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) and Rescission of P.093 SCO Confidential Communication between Students and Staff. This report sought approval for revisions to Policy P.128.GOV, Privacy Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) and Rescission of P.093 SCO Confidential Communication between Students and Staff. The main changes include simplifying the language, removing detailed procedural language covered by our umbrella obligation to comply with privacy legislation, and simplifying content using legislative language.
During the discussion, I voted against an amendment that was brought forward to “THAT the words are permitted are removed”. The amendment failed. 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. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me using my contact form here.
Key links
Agenda for the Policy Review Meeting on April 10, 2025
Report 25-011, Approval of Revision to P.128 GOV, Privacy Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) and Rescission of P.093 SCO Confidential Communication between Students and Staff.
Appendix A, Revised Policy
Report 25-012, Approval of the Proposed Merger of Learning Resources Policies
Appendix A, Revised Policy
Report 25-021, Rescission of P.082.HR - Selection, Training, Placement, and Appraisal of Staff for the Positions of Principal and Vice-Principal
