June 11th, 2013

Director’s Update

Waterloo Region District School Board – Committee of the Whole

On Monday, June 10, 2013 at 7:00pm, the WRDSB held its Committee of the Whole meeting. The agenda and reports for this meeting are available on the Board’s website by clicking here.

Seven delegations appeared at this meeting.

Good News
Ms Nancy Dickieson, Director, Children’s Services from the Region of Waterloo presented the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association Partnerships Award for Local Municipal Champion to Chairperson Martin and Director Fabi. Ms Dickieson also presented Director Fabi with a Certificate of Appreciation signed by Regional Chair Ken Seiling for her work with Children’s Services, Region of Waterloo in the implementation of Early Learning and Full Day Kindergarten.

Reports
Community Approach to Wellness Presentation (For Information)
Superintendent Lila Read provided trustees with a presentation to update them about the South Cambridge Mobilization Team, focused on fostering Wellness and Well Being.

The South Cambridge Mobilization Team is a group of over 18 community partners who collaborate to support youth and families through linking families to supports, services and agencies.

2012-2013 Interim Financial Report and Forecast at April 30, 2013 (For Information)
The purpose of this report is to present the Interim Financial Report for the period ending April 30, 2013 and to forecast the year-end financial position for the 2012-2013 budget year.

In reviewing the expenditures to the end of April 30, 2013, our point of reference is a guideline that suggests spending should be at approximately 80% for classroom related expenditures and 67% for all other expenditures. However, there can also be significant variations in expenditures depending on associated circumstances.

Assuming that the restraint measures materialize, which offset the revenue reductions related to enrolment, spending is at the 62.31% level (compared to 67.73% in 2012).On individual lines, there are also variations from the anticipated norm due to timing issues and potential expenditure pressure or expenditure savings. Seasonality also affects the timing of some expenditure such as Continuing Education where many of the expenses are related to Summer School and occur during July and August.

Finally, it is important to consider that the spending represents eight months of operations and there are only two months of school remaining. Based on the information known to date, the forecasted “Annual Operating Surplus/(Deficit) – Unappropriated” is showing an estimated deficit of $668,000 (0.10% of revenues).

It is important that the system responds to the call for restraint. If restraints materialize, it is projected that the Board will be in a small deficit position ($668K or 0.10%) at the end of 2012-2013. As mentioned in the previous Interim Financial Report as at February 28, 2013, this is based on projected enrolments and estimated projections of cost mitigation and pressures and is likely to change as the year progresses. There are a number of issues where the eventual financial results remain indeterminable at this time. The October 31, 2012 numbers have been updated based on the audit results and the March 31, 2013 projection factors in the same reduction seen in secondary in October 31, 2012. Actual enrolment for both count dates is critical to the revenue projections for the year.

It is expected that some budgets will not be fully spent in this fiscal period thereby countering the currently projected deficit. In the limited time that is available between now and the end of the fiscal year, administration will continue to monitor expenses and adjust where possible to ensure the Board remains in a stable financial position for the 2012-2013 school year.

Revisions to Board Policy 1010 – Accessibility for Ontarians (For Approval)
At the Policy and Bylaw Committee meeting of April 8, 2013, revisions to Board Policy 1010 – Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities were presented to the Committee. After consultation with the appropriate staff, Committee members agreed to present Board Policy 1010 to trustees for their approval.

The revised Board Policy 1010 – Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities will be included with Board. Policies and will also be posted on the Board’s website.

Trustees approved the following recommendation:
That on the recommendation of the Policy & Bylaw Standing Committee, the Waterloo Region District School Board approve revisions to Board Policy 1010 – Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities, as outlined in the report ‘Revisions to Board Policy 1010 – Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities’, dated June 10, 2013.

Ontario Public School Boards’ Association – Approval of Membership Fee (For Approval)
Trustees are now required to review Section 2.1 of Board Policy 3007, which states:

Membership in the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) will be renewed annually in conjunction with the development of the Board’s operating budget, with the exception of the year of municipal elections. At that time, Policy 3007 (Membership in OPSBA) will be reviewed at the first Committee of the Whole Meeting in June following the election of board members.

Information regarding the services provided by the OPSBA is outlined in Appendix B, which include labour relations, lobbying, media relations, and professional development. The membership fee is based on a formula connected to a school board’s student enrolment. Last year, the fee was $104,726.90 (including HST), and it is anticipated that the fee for this year will be similar.

Trustees approved the following recommendation:
That the Waterloo Region District School Board approve Board Policy 3007, and continue with membership in the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association for the 2013-2014 year.

Distribution and Determination (Verbal Report)
This item has been deferred until Monday, June 17, 2013.

The meeting adjourned at 9:08pm.