Board News: Feb 23, 2021

February 22, 2021

The Regular Meeting of the Langley Board of Education begins at 7:00 PM on February 23, 2021.

Agenda

Announcement

Board Chair Rod Ross read a few announcements on behalf of the Board acknowledging Diversity and Respect Week and Black History Month.

Vice-Chair David Tod made an announcement related to an update on the rainbow crosswalk project. The Board has successfully fundraised $12,000 thanks to the help of the community. The rainbow project is a symbol of diversity and inclusion for the District.

The video link above will begin on this agenda item.

Secretary-Treasurer’s Reports

Amended Budget Bylaw 2020/2021

Secretary-Treasurer Brian Iseli gave an update on the Amended Annual Budget. He reviewed total operating revenues and operating expenses including various costs such as staffing, supplies, and services. He commented on the impacts COVID-19 has had on revenues and expenses. He explained the District’s current deficit budget structure and how the District is appropriating its surplus funds.

The Board of Education passed the following motion:

That the Board of Education approves staff to appropriate (unrestrict) the following restricted surplus amounts to balance the 2020/2021 Amended Budget:

• $488,628 school surpluses
• $37,561 Internally restricted for Indigenous Education
• $210,000 Internally restricted for commitments 2019/2020
• $1,929,032 Internally restricted for COVID-19 contingency

Also, the Board of Education carried and gave the following motion three readings:

That the School District No. 35 (Langley) Amended Annual Budget Bylaw 2020/2021 in the amount of $282,349,826 be given first reading.

That the School District No. 35 (Langley) Amended Annual Budget Bylaw 2020/2021 in the amount of $282,349,826 be given second reading.

That the Board of Education of School District No. 35 (Langley) approves having all three readings of the Amended Annual Budget Bylaw 2020/2021 in the amount of $282,349,826 at tonight’s meeting.

That the School District No. 35 (Langley) Amended Annual Budget Bylaw 2020/2021 in the amount of $282,349,826 be given third reading, passed and adopted on this 23rd day of February 2021.

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Superintendent’s Reports

District Transitions Goal

Assistant Superintendent Mal Gill gave a presentation on the District’s Transitions Goal. He explained the target for the District is to increase Langley’s Six-Year Dogwood (including Evergreen) Completion Rate to 93%. He provided a brief summary of how the province breaks down the data. Based on our data, Langley has a 92.8% Completion Rate in 2019-2020 which is above the 89.6% Completion Rate for the province. He remarked how the District is doing well but acknowledged there is more work that is needed, especially with our Indigenous learners and diverse learners. The goal is to continue this upward trend and support students. There has been a steady increase among Indigenous learners and diverse learners but the goal is to close the equity gap.

Director of Instruction Dawne Tomlinson explained the District’s Ensouling Our Schools initiative. It is an initiative which involves teams at every school which work together on strategies to ensure students feel a sense of belonging and be able to access the curriculum and be successful. District Principal of Instructional Services George Kozlovic described the different components (structures and systems) of Ensouling Our Schools and how it is aligned with the District’s strategic plan. DW Poppy Secondary School Principal Dean Pacheco shared stories and experiences at the school. He talked about how DW Poppy has the highest number of students of children in care, students with IEPs, and struggles with student mental health. He touched on components of the school’s action plan and talked about the strategies in place to help students graduate with provide hope and efficacy and leave with a plan for the future. Some examples he mentioned include the school’s lead in implementation of Standards (Competency) Based Assessments, Intervention Checkpoints, and understanding students’ stories (building relationships). Pacheco shared the most recent grad rates and emotional stories of successful students who have graduated at DW Poppy. Assistant Superintendent Woody Bradford closed the presentation with a summary and a positive outlook for the future.

The Board approves the report as presented.

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Superintendent’s Reports – COVID-19 Update

Superintendent Gord Stewart provided an update on COVID-19 and its impact on schools. The District has experienced 135 cases at 35 sites with November and February the two months with the largest amount of school exposures. Stewart provided a breakdown of schools and numbers categorized by family of schools. He says the District is aware of the COVID-19 variant and its potential but adds the District is prepared to take direction from public health in the event of an exposure connected to the variant. Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Barry Bunyan shared an overview of recent changes in health and safety guidelines including mask policy, physical education class, music class, staff gatherings, and clarity on a number of aspects of procedures.

The Board approves the report as presented.

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District Calendar

The Board of Education passed the following motion:

2022-2023

2023-2024

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New Business

Question Period

Trustee Comments