November 12th, 2014

Director’s Update

Waterloo Region District School Board – Committee of the Whole Meeting

On November 10, 2014 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 this meeting.

Policy and Governance

Final Approval of Board Policy 5002 – Leave of Absence – Federal & Provincial Candidates
Trustees approved the following draft policy.

Final Approval of Board Policy 4004 – Emergency Needs Expenditures
Trustees approved the following draft policy.

Review of Board Policy 2007 – Board Advertising Expense
Trustees approved the following draft policy.

Review of Board Policy 2009 – Board Advocacy
Trustees approved the following draft policy.

Review of Board Policy 4014 – High Heat and Humidity
Trustees referred the policy back to staff for further information.

Review of Board Policy 4016 – Business Complaint
Trustees approved the following draft policy.

System Fiscal Review

Reports

Long Term Fiscal Sustainability and Stability Task Force (For Approval)

In the past years, the Waterloo Region District School Board experienced a stable fiscal environment as a result of annual increases to enrolment, increases to ministry benchmarks and ongoing reviews for operational efficiencies which allowed resources to be freed up to support student learning and achievement.

The most important consideration in the budget process is to sustain the Board’s strategic direction and maintain the positive progress being made through board improvement plan and student learning.

Trustees approved the following recommendation:

That the Waterloo Region District School Board adopt the terms of reference for the Long Term Fiscal Sustainability and Stability Task Force as presented in the November 10, 2014 report.

More information about the Long Term Fiscal Sustainability and Stability Task Force, and budget process can be found in the report.

Major Capital Projects – Quarterly Update Report (For Information)

The strategic plan is supported by building new schools, harnessing the latest technologies, providing an excellent learning environment which promotes forward thinking and champions quality public education.

There are nine major capital projects currently under way, including three new elementary schools.

More information on these projects can be found in the report.

Update on Chicopee Hills Public School Site Zone Change (For Information)

On June 14, 2010, having previously directed staff to undertake a Pupil Accommodation Review in the Grand River South area, the Board authorized staff to negotiate the purchase of lands at the corner of Fairway Road and Lackner Boulevard in Kitchener. On January 11, 2011, the Board approved the recommendations of the Grand River South Accommodation Review Committee (the ARC) which included the plan to construct a new elementary school on the Fairway/Lackner lands.

The City of Kitchener was represented on the ARC by a staff member from the City Planning Department. Prior to the decision by the Board, the City provided a letter to the ARC expressing concerns about the proposed location of the new school.

Board staff gave serious consideration to the comments provided by the City. In evaluating the proposed location at the corner of Fairway and Lackner, Queensmount Public School, King Edward Public School, Sandhills Public School and Moffat Creek Public School locations were examined as examples of schools which front on major arterial roads.

On September 23, 2014 the City held a Neighbourhood Information Meeting which is part of their zone change approval process. Again, residents were updated on the scope of the application (more than just a school site plan approval), the City’s Mixed Use Node requirements and some of their remaining concerns. At that meeting City staff announced that their report would not be going to Council until the “new year”. They also indicated that additional information was required from the Board to support the application.

Given that a decision by Council to either approve or refuse the zone change to allow the school will not occur until January or February of 2015, it makes it increasingly unlikely that the remaining approvals and site preparation can be achieved in time to start construction and open the school in September 2016.

More information on the progress of the Zone Change and the timeline adjustments associated with it are available in the report.

Tree Management (For Information)

In response to work undertaken by the Environmental Advisory Committee of the Waterloo Region District School Board, a Shade Policy Working Committee was formed in 2011.

On January 23, 2012, the Board passed the following recommendations with respect to the provision of shade and the planting of trees:

That the Waterloo Region District School Board continue programs associated with greening and the provision of shade; and

That the Waterloo Region District School Board encourage schools and school councils to examine their site and identify needs to be forwarded to Facility Services for budget prioritization; and

That the Waterloo Region District School Board adopt the draft shade policy.

Since that time, administrative staff have continued to ensure that trees are planted according to Tree Planting Guidelines originally established in December 2011.

More information on tree management and necessary times for removal are detailed in the report.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:10pm.