October 21st, 2014

Director’s Update

Waterloo Region District School Board – Board Meeting

On October 20, 2014 at 7:00pm, the WRDSB held its monthly Board Meeting. The agenda and reports for this meeting are available on the Board’s website by clicking here.

No delegations appeared at this meeting.

Receipt/Approval of Minutes

Trustees approved the following minutes:

  • Special Education Advisory Committee Meeting – September 10, 2014

Trustees received the following minutes:

  • Board Meeting – September 29, 2014

Receipt/Approval of Monthly Reports

Trustees approved/received the following monthly reports:

  • Suspension Expulsion Report – September 30, 2014
  • Staffing Information – Retirements and Resignations
  • Staffing Recommendations – Appointments
  • Annual School Councils’ Report

Reports

Bank Borrowing Resolution (For Approval)

In the normal course of business, the Waterloo Region District School Board borrows money to meet the current operating expenditures of the Board. This is necessary because of differences in cash flow.

Administration works with the Board’s banker, CIBC, to negotiate arrangements which will accommodate the borrowing requirements of the Waterloo Region District School Board, both on a current and a long-term basis. The day-to-day banking needs are also reviewed.

With the growth in the board’s overall budget over the last number of years due to full day kindergarten implementation and the extensive capital and maintenance program being undertaken by the board, the borrowing limit was increased to $50M effective September 2012. For the last two fiscal years, the $50M borrowing limit has been sufficient to meet the board’s cash flow needs.

Trustees approved the following recommendation:

That the Waterloo Region District School Board adopt the Resolution, as outlined in Appendix A of the report titled Bank Borrowing Resolution, dated October 20, 2014, authorizing the borrowing of money to meet current expenditures of the Waterloo Region District School Board for the fiscal year 2015.

2014-2015 Identification, Placement and Review Committee Membership (For Approval)

The Waterloo Region District School Board operates Identification, Placement and Review Committees. These committees are organized within schools, areas of schools, and the Region (district).

Each Identification Program and Review Committee shall consist of a minimum of three members, all of which shall be appointed by the Board. A member or Trustee of the Board is not eligible to be appointed as a member of this committee.

Engaging Students, Families, Staff and Communities: It is the expectation that school principals will actively consult with parents and, where appropriate, other community based professionals when considering the need to formally identify a student as exceptional and/or recommend placement in special education programs.

Embracing Diversity and Inclusion: Whenever possible the first placement consideration for a student should be in a regular classroom in their home school. Decisions should be made based on the best interests of the student while taking into account the need to provide appropriate accommodations and/or modifications for their learning.

Promoting Forward Thinking: The Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDTs) assigned to each school work closely with school staff, students and parents to develop appropriate programs to meet the individual needs of the student.

Trustees approved the following recommendation:

The Waterloo Region District School Board approve the staff members that have been submitted as members of the respective Identification, Placement and Review Committees for the school year 2014-2015 as per Appendix A; and

That the jurisdiction of each of these committees as outlined below is approved:

  • School Committees: A school I.P.R.C. is held when a program modification to accommodate an exceptional student with special education needs is possible within the school.
  • Area Committees: An area I.P.R.C. is held when program modifications to accommodate an exceptional student with special education needs is possible within the programs designated to serve an administrative area or a change in schools is required within that administrative area.
  • District Committees: A district I.P.R.C. is held when program modifications to accommodate an exceptional student with special education needs requires placement in cross-district special education programs, when school and are a resources have been exhausted or when specialized equipment is being considered.

Choices/Section 23 Programs Update (For Information)

Alternative program delivery models such as Choices for Youth and Section 23 – Care, Custody and Treatment programs provide students in-risk (acute) or at-risk (prolonged) the opportunity to continue their education while addressing a variety of social-emotional, behavioural or mental health issues that negatively impact engagement in school.

Choices for Youth (Expulsion Program): This voluntary program is geared towards students who have been expelled. The focus is on academic and non-academic components. Program components are customized to address the needs of individual students. The length varies, depending on individual student needs and progress in the program.

Choices for Youth programs are located in Kitchener and Cambridge, with two classes being offered at both Alternative and Continuing Education sites. All classes are supported by a classroom teacher and Child and Youth Worker.

Section 23 (Care, Custody, and Treatment): Students enrolled in Care, Custody and Treatment programs are demonstrating difficulty coping with in their home school, in spite of supports provided by teachers, guidance teacher, the Student Success teacher, Child and Youth Worker and/or social worker.

The Waterloo Region District School Board currently co-sponsors twelve Section 23 (Care, Custody and Treatment) Programs in collaboration with nine distinct community agencies.

New Dawn / Z by the Y Programs: The New Dawn and Z by the Y programs address service and treatment gaps for students in the intermediate division (Grades 8-11). Students exhibiting extreme internalizing behaviours are directed to these programs through formalized assessment services offered by Front Door (formerly the Canadian Mental Health Access Centre). This care and treatment program is being co-sponsored by Carizon–Family and Community Services in collaboration with the Waterloo Region District School Board.

During the summer of 2014, the New Dawn and Z by the Y programs moved to new locations. The New Dawn program has been integrated at the Alternative and Continuing Education site in Kitchener. The Z by the Y program has been integrated at the Alternative and Continuing Education site in Cambridge. The integration of these programs has enhanced access to high quality programming, facilities and services, at a reduced cost to the Waterloo Region District School Board.

The meeting adjourned at 7:45pm.