October 21st, 2013
Waterloo Region District School Board – Committee of the Whole Meeting
On October 21, 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.
No delegations appeared at the meeting.
Policy & Governance
Approval of revisions to Board Policy 4005 – Procurement
Trustees approved the recommended changes to the policy. The policy will be updated on the Board website.
Approval of revisions to Board Policy 4008 – Segregation of Duties and Signing Authority
Trustees approved the recommended changes to the policy. The policy will be updated on the Board website.
Review of Board Policy 1000 – Display of Flags
Trustees reviewed the policy, and no changes were made.
System Fiscal Review Update
Bell Times & Walking Distances
Trustees received an update on the System Fiscal Review, including savings achieved to date. So far, $100,000 has been saved, as a result to the contract with the Board courier contract.
An update was provided to Trustees on the subject of changing bell times. Schools have received their proposed new bell times (with a maximum change of 20 minutes) and will consult with their school councils at the next meeting. Feedback will be submitted to staff based on school consultation.
Under the proposed change to bell times:
- 92 schools will change by 10 minutes or less
- 45 schools will have no change at all
- 12 schools will change by +/- 15 minutes
- 14 schools will change by +/- 20 minutes
Staff will also be attending the Student Senate meeting on November 7, to inform students of possible changes.
Bell Times Presentation
Bell Times Data
Reports
Capital Priorities Submission – October 31, 2013
Staff presented Trustees with a report to seek approval of the Board’s 2013-14 recommended Capital Priorities, to be submitted to the Ministry of Education for funding consideration under the Capital Priorities Grant Program.
The Ministry has asked that boards focus on one or more of the following needs, when making submissions:
- Accommodation Pressures
- Facility Condition
- School Consolidations
Staff are submitting eight capital projects for funding. The list of capital projects is available in the report.
Trustees approved the following recommendation:
That the Waterloo Region District School Board approves the Capital Priorities for submission to the Ministry of Education, as listed in Appendix A of the report entitled, “Capitals Priorities Submission – October 31, 2013,” dated October 21, 2013.
Trustee Distribution and Determination Motion Follow-Up Report
At the Board Meeting of September 30, 2013, Trustee C. Harrington moved the following motion:
That the Waterloo Region District School Board maintain the current ‘status quo’ model of determination and distribution of trustees within the Region of Waterloo.
After a brief discussion on the motion, and a subsequent motion to defer consideration which was defeated on a tie vote, the motion as listed above was put to a vote. This motion was lost on a tie vote.
As a result of the outcome of the voting on this motion, Trustee M. Ramsay suggested the motion was ‘improper or illegal’ and requested that the Manager of Corporate Services research the legality of the motion and moved the following motion:
That the Waterloo Region District School Board request that a follow-up report on the ‘legality’ of the following motion be provided at the October 21, 2013, Committee of the Whole Meeting and that no further action regarding this motion be taken until the report is received and considered by trustees:
That the Waterloo Region District School Board maintain the current ‘status quo’ model of determination and distribution of trustees within the Region of Waterloo.
After consideration of the definition of dilatory or improper motions, the motion presented by Trustee C. Harrington at the Board Meeting on September 30, 2013, does not meet the criteria and therefore would not be considered as a dilatory or improper motion.
As a result of this opinion, if trustees decided to remove this motion they would have the option of reconsideration.
Motion from Trustee M. Johnston – Correspondence re Mandated Memoranda of Understanding
Trustee Johnston served notice at the September 30, 2013, Board Meeting that she wished to present a recommendation at a future meeting regarding sending a letter of concern with regard to the Mandated Memoranda of Understanding.
Trustees approved the following recommendation:
That the Waterloo Region District School Board write a letter of concern with regard to the Mandated Memoranda of Understanding from the Provincial Government.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:45pm.
