Board Meeting: September 19, 2023
September 18, 2023
Agenda
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Board Chair Candy Ashdown made an announcement to acknowledge the upcoming National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. The Board wore orange shirts in light of the acknowledgment. Ashdown explained the significance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and described it as a fulfillment of the federal Call to Action #80 in collaboration with Aboriginal Peoples to establish as statutory holiday to honour the survivors of residential schools, their families and community members.
She further outlined the significance of Orange Shirt Day and described it as an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day to raise awareness of the individual, family, community, and intergenerational impacts of residential schools and to promote the concept of “Every child matters.” She carried on saying that the day is more than about showing support by wearing orange, but Truth and Reconciliation is a year-round process that ask us to listen and learn more so that we can build reciprocal relationships and create compassionate communities in our District.
The video above will begin on this agenda item.
Superintendent’s Reports
Facilitated Board Self-Evaluation Process
Superintendent Mal Gill provided background information about the Facilitated Board Self-Evaluation. Gill explained the Board had undertaken a self-evaluation process in August 2023. It was a process facilitated by Suzanne Hoffman, CEO of the BC School Trustees’ Association (BCSTA) and that it was an expected process for the Board as part of its membership with the BCSTA. It included a confidential survey of Trustees and the Senior Team. As he described, the same survey was completed by the last Board with the intention to compare results and establish goals moving forward. Areas of review in the process included governance, communications and community relations, vision, culture, planning, and board development.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education receives the update on the Facilitated Board Self-Evaluation Process for information, as presented.
The Board approves the report as presented. The video above will begin on this agenda item.
Framework for Enhancing Student Learning Process
Deputy Superintendent Woody Bradford explained to the Board what the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning (FESL) is, as he described it is the District’s education roadmap. He said it is the key piece to ensuring the District’s past actions and the present actions are working together at the systems level with a focus on enhancing student learning. He explained how the creation of the FESL document is created in collaboration and consultation with key staff in the District, and that everyone plays a role in executing the FESL in our District, including system leaders, teams, and individuals. He explains how the document is broken down into three main themes: “here’s what”, “now what”, and “so what” (reflections on learning). He mentioned the work and consultation with various partner groups and the structures in place such as the District’s Ensouling our Schools Initiative. The overarching goal is to create compassionate learning communities. He talked more about the structures in place to help in meeting these goals and meeting the needs of students.
George Kozlovic, Director of Instruction, presented actions around literacy. The goal is for all students to meet or exceed literacy expectations for each grade level or individual IEP or AIP goals. One of the structures includes the use of the Balanced Literacy Guide. He talked about the creation of a new Pre-K K to 12 District Literacy Team to draft a Pre-K to 12 Literacy Plan. This work is forthcoming.
Next, Kozlovic presented actions around numeracy. The goal is for all students to meet or exceed numeracy expectations for each grade level or individual IEP or AIP goals. One of the structures includes the use of the Balanced Numeracy Guide. The District has a team that is developing evidence-based elaborations, resources, and numeracy strategies to support and enhance the Balanced Numeracy Guide. Another action is providing specific and targeted professional development for staff on numeracy.
Kozlovic also presented actions around career education. The goal for all students is to transition successfully from secondary schools with the core competencies to achieve their life and career goals. The District is focused on career education alignment throughout the K-12 system and enhancing exploration and development.
Michael Morgan, Director of Learning Support Services, presented actions around human and social development. The goal is for all students and staff to feel welcome, safe, and connected to their school. The main action is to create Langley’s Social Emotional Learning Guide. One of the first things to do is have all the District’s departments (Aboriginal Education, Learning Support Services, and Instructional Services) coming together and having a common understanding of what emotions are and meaning.
Deputy Superintendent, Woody Bradford, closed the presentation by outlining next steps in actions under the FESL. Next steps include waiting on the Ministry to transition and update data, continue to consult rightsholders and partner groups, use data to assess impact of actions, use failures as the opportunity to learn and grow, and celebrate success through stories. He displayed the FESL website to the Board. He explained how it’s a fluid document that continues to be updated throughout the year.
The Board approves the report as presented. The video above will begin on this agenda item.
Summer Session and School Start-up
Assistant Superintendent Marcello Moino provided an update on Summer Session. He explained the mission which is to provide students with short term educational opportunities every summer that support long term development and inspiring them to reach their full potential. There were learning opportunities at the elementary, middle, and secondary levels, and StrongStart for age 0–5-year-old learners. He highlighted the diversity in programs which included explorations and the locations available across the District that helped make learning accessible to families. There were 3,400 registered students which is approximately 15 per cent of the District’s student population. He highlighted the new addition of Summer Session StrongStart at Parkside Centennial and Douglas Park Community Elementary schools which were successful programs.
He reviewed some of the District priorities for school start-up. Pre-liminary numbers point to, the District looking at a potential growth of 1,000 students with the final count expected at the end of September. Our schools welcomed many new and returning students. He described how schools have focused on improving the student experience and helping students feel welcome. He gave an example of the WEB leaders (“Where Everyone Belongs” mentors) at Betty Gilbert Middle, who were trained before the start of school year to help welcome incoming new students.
The Board approves the report as presented. The video above will begin on this agenda item.
FOIPPA (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act) Administrative Procedures
Superintendent Mal Gill gave a brief introduction of the FOIPPA procedures.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education receives new Administrative Procedure 177: Privacy Impact Assessments, new Administrative Procedure 178: Critical Incident and Privacy Breach, new Administrative Procedure 179: Privacy Management Program and revised Administrative Procedure 180: Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy for information, as presented.
The Board receives the procedures as presented. The video above will begin on this agenda item.
PIDA (Public Interest Disclosure Act) Policy/ Administrative Procedure
Secretary-Treasurer Brian Iseli provided background information on the province’s Public Interest Disclosure Act and the school district’s proposed Policy and Administrative Procedure in alignment with the Act.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education serves Notice of Motion to the District’s education committee and its education partner groups that it intends to adopt new Policy 20: Public Interest Disclosure at the November 21, 2023, Regular Board Meeting.
The Board approves the motion as presented. The video above will begin on this agenda item.
Secretary-Treasurer’s Reports
Five-year Capital Plan Update
Secretary-Treasurer Brian Iseli provided an update on capital projects, with a specific focus on minor capital projects. He listed some minor capital projects planned, including the Aldergrove window and door replacement project, food program infrastructure in multiple schools, universally accessible playgrounds, and an additional bus to serve students with diverse abilities.
Recommendation: In accordance with provisions under Section 142 (4) of the School Act, the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) hereby approves the proposed Five-Year Capital Plan (Minor Capital Programs) for 2024/2025, as provided on the attached Minor Five-Year Capital Plan.
The Board approves the report as presented. The video above will begin on this agenda item.
Audit Committee
Approval of Audited 2022-2023 Financial Statements
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the 2022/2023 Audited Financial Statements and request staff to submit them to the Ministry of Education and Child Care.
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 2022/2023 Financial Statements.
3 Surplus Restrictions
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the internally restricted surplus of $2,937,040 for commitments from 2022/2023, as described in note 12 of the 2022/2023 Audited Financial Statements.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the internally restricted surplus of $125,000 for initiatives not completed in 2022/2023, as described in note 12 of the 2022/2023 Audited Financial Statements.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the internally restricted surplus of $77,271 for Indigenous Education, as described in note 12 of the 2022/2023 Audited Financial Statements.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the internally restricted surplus of $2,695,414 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 2022/2023 Audited Financial Statements.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the internally restricted surplus of $1,981,482 to balance future budgets, as described in note 12 of the 2022/2023 Audited Financial Statements.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the internally restricted surplus of $1,747,329 for student capacity needs, as described in note 12 of the 2022/2023 Audited Financial Statements.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the internally restricted school operating fund surpluses of $264,997 from 2022/2023 be carried forward to 2023/2024 for schools, as described in note 12 of the 2022/2023 Audited Financial Statements.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the internally restricted surplus of $270,000 for classroom furniture as described in note 12 of the 2022/2023 Audited Financial Statements.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the internally restricted surplus of $350,000 for projector replacements, as described in note 12 of the 2022/2023 Audited Financial Statements.
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the restricted surplus of $30,919 for Future District Capital Contributions, as described in note 12 of the 2022/2023 Audited Financial Statements.
Interfund Transfers
Recommendation: That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves the transfer of $109,461 from the special purpose fund and $7,307,635 from the operating fund to the capital fund, as described in note 13 of the 2022/2023 Audited Financial Statements.
The Board approved all the above motions. Please refer to last video above.
New Business
No new business.
Trustee Comments
Question Period
Due to the online format of the meeting to the public, question period is being conducted via email format.