Board News: September 20, 2022
September 19, 2022
Agenda
Announcements
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
District Principal of Aboriginal Education Mike Pue presented to the Board of Education regarding the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. He started by acknowledging the First People’s Principles of Learning, which guides the District’s work and the journey of Reconciliation. He praised and honoured members of the school community (Luke and Josette Dandurand and Cecilia Reekie) who have made an impact at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Ottawa, and in the District’s journey of Truth and Reconciliation locally in Langley. He shared a video from the Ballantyne Project outlining the negative effects of Residential Schools on survivors and those who may have not returned. He shifted to talking about Reconciliation in Education, which includes examining one’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples. As the District approaches National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, he encouraged the community to read the ninety-four Calls to Action. He closed the presentation with a video from educator Kevin Lamoureaux outlining the purpose of Ensouling our Schools, which is an initiative that focuses on ensuring all students feel safe and have a sense of belonging while at school.
The video above will begin on this agenda item.
Honouring of Retiring Trustees
Board Chair Rod Ross shared some positive words in honour of Trustee Shelley Coburn and Trustee David Tod, who are retiring from their roles as trustees. He commented on the impact both trustees have had on the Board and school community. To close the presentation, he shared gifts with the departing trustees.
The video above will begin on this agenda item.
Superintendent’s Reports
Board Evaluation
Superintendent Mal Gill provided an overview of the Board evaluation, which is basically a review or a “self-evaluation” of the Board and its work over the last four years. This evaluation included areas of responsibility and focus areas. It was determined the Board’s greatest strength is related to “development and maintaining a culture of student learning.” Further area of focus for the Board will be continued learning for Trustees and Staff in relations to roles and responsibilities. He closed with a list of next steps.
The Board approves the report as presented. The video above will begin on this agenda item.
School Start-Up
Assistant Superintendent Marcello Moino and Assistant Superintendent Lisa Lainchbury shared an update on School Start-Up. He started the presentation by informing the Board of the COVID-19 guidelines that were shared with administrators and the school community as part of school start-up, which were guidelines that were not that different from last June. He then introduced Ministry priorities which included Truth and Reconciliation, Mental Health, and the Student and Family Affordability Fund. When it comes to education and collaborative learning intentions, the goals included understanding and developing professional learning communities, Trauma-Informed Practice, and implementing the Teaching and Learning Framework, all of which follow the Ensouling our Schools model of creating compassionate and inclusive learning communities.
Assistant Superintendent Lisa Lainchbury provided examples of professional development opportunities for staff. She touched on the facilities updates completed in the Aldergrove community, which are celebrated by staff and the Board. She provided an example of ongoing work with staff at Nicomekl Elementary with the purpose to “listen with intention” to ensure students feel a sense of belonging.
The Board approves the report as presented. The video above will begin on this agenda item.
Framework for Enhancing Student Learning
Deputy Superintendent Woody Bradford presented the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning (FESL), which acts as a guideline for the District to follow to improve student success and equity of learning outcomes for every student in public education. This is the second annual report. The focus areas for the District include to illuminate emerging areas of need and inequities, effective strategic engagement process, and District Operational Plans to align with student learning goals. Bradford reviewed the strengths and considerations of the FESL.
Director of Instruction George Kozlovic presented some of the goals from the FESL. One of the goals is literacy: all students will meet or exceed literacy expectations for each grade level or their individual IEP or AIP goals. He shared that the data points to an increase in most levels across the system except for some categories of students. To continue to help with improvements, the District is releasing a new Balanced Literacy Guide and the creation of K to 12 Literacy Team (IS/LSS/Aboriginal). A second goal is numeracy. There has been continued improvement in almost all of our District numeracy results except for some categories of students. To continue to help with improvements, the District is continuing to use the Balanced Numeracy Guide. The District is focusing on the development of elaborations and other instructional supports such as videos and classroom resources, as well as specific focus of these supports in areas that a majority of students find challenging. A third goal is human and social development, which aims for all students and staff to feel welcome and safe, and to promote the Mental Health in Schools Strategy. He talked about various next actions including Trauma-Informed Practice training for staff and upcoming anti-racism work at the District.
The Board approves the report as presented. The video above will begin on this agenda item.
Secretary-Treasurer’s Reports
Statuatory Right of Way – Langley Secondary School
Secretary-Treasurer Brian Iseli explained the request from the Township of Langley to implement a statuatory right of way and widening of road project at Langley Secondary School. As part of the project, the Board of Education must pass a bylaw.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) – Langley Secondary Road Widening Right-Of-Way Bylaw 2022 be given first reading.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) – Langley Secondary Road Widening Right-Of-Way Bylaw 2022 be given second reading.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 approves having all three readings of Langley Secondary Road Widening Right-Of-Way Bylaw 2022 at tonight’s meeting.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) – Langley Secondary Road Widening Right-Of-Way Bylaw 2022 be given third reading, passed and adopted on the 20th day of September, 2022.
The Board approved all of the above motions. The video above will begin on this agenda item.
Audit Committee
Five-Year Capital Plan Update
Secretary-Treasurer Brian Iseli provided an update on capital projects. He listed some minor capital projects planned, including Aldergrove windows and doors replacement, universally accessible playgrounds for Simonds Elementary, Noel Booth Elementary, and Glenwood Elementary, as well as the purchase of a wheelchair bus for the District’s Transportation service.
The Board approves the report as presented. The video above will begin on this agenda item.
Approval of Audited 2021-2022 Financial Statements
Secretary-Treasurer Brian Iseli presented the District’s 2021-2022 Financial Statements which included a review of Operating Accumulated Surplus.
The Board approves the report as presented. The video above will begin on this agenda item.
Financial Statement Discussion & Analysis
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the Financial Statement Discussion and Analysis (FSD&A) be included with the 2021/2022 Financial Statements.
The Board approves the above motion. Please refer to last video above.
Surplus Restrictions
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the internally restricted surplus of $2,489,351 to balance future budgets, as described in note 12 of the 2021/2022 Audited Financial Statements.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the internally restricted surplus of $107,804 for infrastructure replacement, as described in note 12 of the 2021/2022 Audited Financial Statements.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the internally restricted surplus of $1,500,000 for student capacity needs, as described in note 12 of the 2021/2022 Audited Financial Statements.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the internally restricted surplus of $2,622,054 for the school generated funds balance that hasn’t been spent and now is part of the operating surplus due to PSAB, as described in note 12 of the 2021/2022 Audited Financial Statements.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the internally restricted school operating fund surpluses of $421,322 from 2021/2022 be carried forward to 2022/2023 for schools, as described in note 12 of the 2021/2022 Audited Financial Statements.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the internally restricted surplus of $167,804 for Indigenous Education, as described in note 12 of the 2021/2022 Audited Financial Statements.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the internally restricted surplus of $1,233,788 for commitments from 2021/2022, as described in note 12 of the 2021/2022 Audited Financial Statements.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the internally restricted surplus of $283,393 for COVID-19 contingency, as described in note 12 of the 2021/2022 Audited Financial Statements.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the internally restricted surplus of $250,000 for classroom furniture as described in note 12 of the 2021/2022 Audited Financial Statements.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the internally restricted surplus of $750,000 for projector replacements, as described in note 12 of the 2021/2022 Audited Financial Statements.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the restricted surplus of $630,919 for Future District Capital Contributions, as described in note 12 of the 2021/2022 Audited Financial Statements
The Board approved all of the above motions. Please refer to last video above.
Interfund Transfers
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the transfer of $443,540 from the Special Purpose Fund and $5,666,140 from the Operating Fund to the Capital Fund, as described in note 13 of the 2021/2022 Audited Financial Statements.
The Board approves the above motion. Please refer to last video above.
New Business
No new business.