Chair Bev Eckensweiler delivered her Inaugural Address for the current term. The full address is now available on the board website.
Director’s Report ~ Jamie McKinnon, Director of Education
Grade 7/8 Secondary Transition and Leadership 2019
This year we continue our partnership with St. Jerome’s University to provide ‘transition excursions’ for our grade 7 and 8 students. Students will travel to Kitchener-Waterloo where peer leaders from our secondary schools will guide them through the many activities, which include campus tours, STEAM Challenges, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) Activities, and an Innovative Amazing Race. The trips will take place May 13 to 15 (for students from the St. Mary’s High school feeder schools) and May 15 to 17 (for students from the Sacred Heart High School feeder schools). This is a great opportunity for students to get to know some of their future high school mentors through their roles as our secondary student leaders.
Why Commit to Transitions and Leadership development?
● To provide a rich learning experience for our students at a reasonable cost
● To expose students to a variety of pathways (trades, college, university)
● To support continued Catholic Education through secondary and post secondary where able
● To provide peer leadership opportunities and build connections to secondary school
● To promote equity among schools
● To support our Board strategic plans of Let’s Pray, Inspire, Learn and Shine
● To promote being future ready
Catholicity Committee Update
Bishop’s Dinner April 2 We continue preparations for our annual Bishop’s Banquet. This year we are celebrating being Joyful Disciples of Christ, an introduction to our 2019 Catholic Education Week Theme. Funds raised will support the Diocesan Capital Campaign and the Grey-Bruce Hospice South.
Renewing the Promise Our commitment to Faith in Action comes to life by connecting our Catholic teachings to our Project Based Learning work. We are moving beyond Design Thinking as a process toward a focus of service to others. We are connecting the Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations to the work being done in our classrooms, and our special projects, such as our upcoming STEAM Faire, to be held April 5 for all grade 3 to 6 students.
St. Mary’s High School Project - YPI (Youth and Philanthropy Initiative) SMHS students went into the community to research local charities, asking ‘how could we support your organization’. They then reported back to their classmates and made a pitch for their charity. The project will repeat with Semester 2 students, and at the end of the semester winning charities will be selected based on how well the students prepared their presentation and met the criteria for the project. A prize of $5,000 for the winning charity is being provided by YPI, a Toronto based organization. The project fits our project based learning model, providing real world experience for the students. We love this project and will be spreading this good news, and looking into the possibilities of developing our own ‘YPI’ here at BGCDSB .
Annual Directors Report 2017/18
The 2017/18 Director’s Annual Report is now available on our website. The report provides a highlight of our achievements related to the four pillars of our strategic plan.
Let’s Pray, Inspire, Learn and Shine together!
Strategic Planning Update
Planning is underway! We have had our initial meeting with our facilitators, Future Design School (FDS), and the Strategic Planning Steering Committee. Next, we will set dates and locations to connect with various stake holders. Targeted release date - Sept. 27th, 2019 (Board wide Faith Formation Day).
Below is a summary of our process:
Let’s Shine
2017-2018 Year End Audit Committee Report
The Annual Audit Committee Report for the year ended August 31, 2018 was presented to Trustees.
Audit Committee Members:
* Bev Eckensweiler - 2017-2018 Vice Chair & Trustee Representative
* Lori Di Castri - Trustee Representative
* Cathy Colton - 2017-2018 Chair and External Representative
* Donald Butland - External Representative
* Internal Auditors (Barrie Region)
* Mark Connors - Regional Internal Auditor
* Jeff Henderson - Senior Regional Internal Auditor
* External Auditors
* BDO Canada LLP
The Report includes a summary of 2017-2018 Internal Audits (PWC - Absentee Project) and a summary of the work performed.
Audit Committee Work During 2017-2018
* Approved Internal Audit Plan of the Internal Auditors for the Year End 2016-2017
* Approved planning reports of the external auditors
* Received and reviewed reports from Management, Internal Audit and External Audit
* Approved Annual Audit Committee Report to the Board for the year ending August 31, 2017 and the Annual Report to the Ministry of Education
* Recommended the approval of the External Auditors Report and 2016-2017 Financial Statements to the Board of Trustees
Trust Fund Summary
The Multi-year analysis of trust fund balances was presented, with a current balance of $1,253,792. $35,185 was allocated for 2018/19 scholarship/bursary awards. Investments maturing in 2018/19 total $45,240, with a total of $912,100 available to invest.
Redundancy Planning for IT Processes
Board Policy 5-30 states that “The Board recognizes that a risk exists within an organization when administrative staff must be away from their primary position for reasons such as vacation, illness, family emergency, jury duty, untimely resignation etc. The Board is committed to the continuity of business processes by ensuring that administrative staff are adequately trained and cross-trained in the various mission critical business processes.” In line with this policy, IT Processes were recently reviewed for Redundancy Planning and a report was presented to Trustees.
Annual Insurance Presentation
The Board of Trustees approved the 2019 insurance renewal plan with the Ontario School Boards’ Insurance Exchange as presented, with a total premium payable of $86,609. Overall, we experienced a decrease in premiums between 2018 and 2019, but added new coverage for Legal Expense insurance (coverage for legal expenses incurred in relation to the following types of legal proceedings that are not typically insured through a liability insurance policy: contract disputes, property disputes, employment disputes (non-union), and human rights tribunals). Another notable change to the policy was an increase in Privacy Data Liability insurance.
Revised Estimates
Why Do We Revise the Budget?
* Opportunity for School Boards to update the budget that was approved in June 2018 based on new information:
* Enrolment
* Staffing
* Ministry Funding Changes – EPO Grants
* Capital Projects
* Required by the Ministry of Education
* Provincial year end is March 2019
* Provincial budget for 2019-2020a
What are the Significant Changes?
* Enrolment Updates
* Updated Staffing → qualifications and experience - impacts both GSN revenue and expenses
* Statement of Operations Changes
* Capital Spending Changes
* Funding Changes - based on recent announcements
Enrolment Summary:
* Overall we are up .33% in enrolment
(based on 50% of October 31 forecast and 50% of March 31 forecast)
* Increase of about 4.3% over the 2017-18 Actuals
Staffing Summary:
* Overall we are up 3.8 FTE (full time equivalent)
*
Changes in the revised budget were a result of reprioritizing needs across the system.
Statement of Operations:
Overall we are down $57K or .09% compared to our original budget. (This summary does not reflect the new EPO’s and/or EPO changes.)
Capital Spending:
Overall capital spending forecasted for 2018-2019 is down by 49.3%. The timing of approval for various projects are resulting in a forecasted deferral of funds.
Summary:
Overall we have a balanced revised estimates.
We are planning to use $ $1.4M of accumulated surplus to support the carry over costs of the installation of 8 portables into Owen Sound schools as well as an additional 5 more portables to be purchased to support increased pressures across the system.
We are not making commitments to use accumulated surplus at this point in time for operating expenses.
Our revised budget is compliant with Education Act requirements for a balanced budget.
2018/19 Funding Announcements
Alecia Lantz, Superintendent of Business, provided a summary of funding changes. Seven programs received full funding, while 4 programs received reduced funding. Five programs were discontinued – Tutors in the Classroom, The Re-engagement 12+ Initiative, Innovation in Learning Fund, Indigenous-Focused Collaborative Inquiry, and Ensuring Equitable Access to Postsecondary Education.
Student Trustee Reports:
Mackenzie Finamore ~ St. Mary’s High School Owen Sound
Let’s Pray
* week of prayers for Christian unity
* Preparation for Youth Philanthropy Initiative with Semester 2 grade 9 teachers.
* Advent services at church and school were all successful with a main focus being on charity and providing to those in need.
Let’s Learn
* There was a Grade Eight Parents Night on January 10th and the 15
* The Grade Nine EQAO took place from January 21st to the 24th
* Exams took place January 25th, 28th, 29th and 30th
Let’s Shine
* The girls senior and junior volleyball team has been fighting hard game every game.
* Girls hockey team is undefeated
Let’s Inspire
* The mental health committee has gotten together to plan a breakfast for all students before their first exam day Friday
* Students are preparing to be peer leaders at St. Jerome grade 7 & 8 trip.
* De-stress initiatives (St. John’s dogs) in prep for exams
Meredith Legace ~ Sacred Heart High School Walkerton
Let’s Pray
* During Advent, all religion classes were involved with hosting prayer services in the chapel.
* Father Les was involved with our Advent mass at the church.
* We had an Angel tree and a Christmas dinner for students that were acknowledged by the staff. Students enjoyed breaking bread together and receiving gifts that were donated by staff members. The staff also donated
the food for the dinner.
* The prayer table has been set for Exam week, with students having the ability to leave their intentions in a basket outside the office.
* Prayer services and short contemplative thinking sessions have been organized to happen in the mornings before exams. Many students really enjoy this time as they are able to walk into their exams relaxed and ready to do their best.
Let’s Learn
* The grade nines did their EQAO on the 17th and 18th.
* Exam Review week begins the 22 to the 24 and exams are taking place throughout the week of the 28th. Students have begun to receive their study and review packages and are in the middle of preparing for their semester one exams. The library has been extremely busy.
* Because it will be the first time for many of the grade nines, the Trinity groups went around to the classrooms on the 15th with studying tips and tricks and information on what type of learning style suits different individuals.
Let’s Shine
* On Janurary 10 the dance classes held their first performance of the year to showcase the talents of the first semester junior and senior dance classes.
* The downhill hill ski club travelled to Blue Mountain on January 12 for the first time. Though the weather was fairly cold, many students enjoyed the days as the conditions were otherwise fantastic!
* The Girls and Boys volleyball teams have had great success this season with many hard-fought wins and losses. They are both moving on to upcoming tournaments and finals and the Girls team is advancing undefeated. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn have high hopes and are very excited for the next few weeks as the teams have performed so well and achieved so much.
* The Boys Basketball teams are well into their season. The juniors have had great success and are placed in the top 3 in the league.
Let’s Inspire
* On the 18th in support of Wes for Youth and Mr. Hambrocks run for mental health, students were able to wear their jerseys and hats to show support and raise money. It was 2 dollars to have permission to wear the hats.
* Ms. McGillivray and the Mental Health champions are organizing a project for students of all grades to be able to reach out for help with their mental struggles. The wall will feature the different names of teachers who are trained in different mental health services. This is a great addition to our school as students will be able to ask for help and know where and who to ask whenever they require aid.
* Mardi Gras preparations have begun with Student Council. This event is highly anticipated by many students as it is a great way to interact with every one of different grades in a friendly, fun and encouraging environment.
* The Me to We club has been selling candy grams and Rafiki chain bracelets outside of the cafeteria all week to promote school spirit during exams. They have made lots of sales as Rafiki chains are always a big hit and students love to support the Free the Children movement.
* The St. John’s Ambulance therapy dogs have been in for a visit. Students enjoy seeing and petting the dogs.
* We have one of our students who will be participating in the Special Olympics for Alpine Skiing Racing. We are looking forward to hearing about his events.
Let’s Inspire
Board Policy and Administrative Procedures
Future Policy Review (February 12, 2019 and May 22, 2019)
* Administrative Chart by Position – 4-1(b)
* BP 5-8 Community Use of Schools
* BP 5-16 Video Surveillance in Schools and School Buses
* BP 6-30 Catholic School Councils
* BP 9-2 Student Services Program
* BP 9-11 Physical Restraint of a Student
* BP 10-1 Religion and Family Life Education
* Acceleration and Retention – New
* BP 6-28 Smoke Free Environment
Policies and Procedures as well as Policies and Procedures under review can be viewed on the board website at www.bgcdsb.org
Dates of Interest:
April 2, 2019 – Bishop’s Dinner, Cargill Community Centre
April 16, 2019 – Lenten Retreat, LaunchPad Hanover
May 16, 2019 – Theology on Tap, Mudtown Station, Owen Sound
June 4, 2019 – Theology on Tap, Gilley’s Feedlot, Kincardine
Next Board of Trustees meeting is Monday February 25 10:30a.m., at the Catholic Education Centre.
source: media release, BGCDSB