April 29, 2020 regular meeting of LDSB Board of Trustees begins with Chair Suzanne Ruttan. Link to live meeting
bit.ly/LDSB-BoardMeet…. We will tweet highlights using #LDSBmtg
bit.ly/LDSB-BoardMeet…. We will tweet highlights using #LDSBmtg
Good evening. As we continue to trial virtual board meetings, Chair asks for patience as we learn and adapt to this new platform. As we are broadcasting from across district, there may be internet connectivity issues that arise. #LDSBmtg
We don’t anticipate any interruption, but if this does happen and we lose the connection, we will get back up as quickly as we can. #LDSBmtg
Gallery guests will hear all discussion during tonight’s meeting as participants’ mics are turned on. You will see presentations and reports shared to your screen. Only one person at a time will appear on your screen. #LDSBmtg
We begin our first virtual regular Board meeting with the Indigenous acknowledgement. #LDSBmtg
Begin with Private Session Report: Trustee French provides private session report from Feb. 12, 2020 no motions. March 25, 2020 meeting. Board passed a motion for consultant to lead recruitment process for selection of new Director of Education. #LDSBmtg
Motion passed that Board of Trustees select OESC and award the contract for recruitment services for the position of Director of Education. #LDSBmtg
Motions passed April 8, 2020: timeline be accepted for selection of Director; process. Motion passed April 22, 2020 re ratification of ETFO agreement. April 29, 2020 no motions. #LDSBmtg
Next up is the Chair’s Report: The Minister of Education has announced school closures will continue until at least May 31. Our staff remain committed to supporting our students until it is safe to be together again. #LDSBmtg
I am proud of new & innovative approaches being developed and delivered by Limestone staff during these unprecedented times for teaching and learning and business continuity. #LDSBmtg
Trustees are pushing through new ways of doing business. Board of Trustees has continued its work requiring decision virtually via telephone, email & video conference. We continue to trial virtual board meetings. #LDSBmtg
Last week’s announcement of a tentative agreement with OSSTF provides much need stability to the education sector. ETFO ratified its agreement yesterday. #LDSBmtg
Next, we hear from Director of Education @DebraRantz. Now in week four of emergency remote learning and you will hear more about that in an information report later in the agenda. #LDSBmtg
Much of our communication outreach has been to our families but we also want to ensure that students in particular are engaged during this time. That is why one of my video messages last week directly addressed students. #LDSBmtg
Student well-being & safety continue to be paramount & learning is important part of that safety plan. We know remote learning is not ideal but we continue to develop a range of options that are reasonable & practical to support students’ learning. #LDSBmtg
Emergency remote learning is interim measure that does not compare to learning that happens in our classrooms. Staff are making the best of an unfortunate situation, and we hope students are, too. #LDSBmtg
Reassure Gr 12 students & families that students who are on track for graduating this June will do so. Guidance Counsellors & Lead Student Success teachers have created dedicated website to navigate any changes. bit.ly/LDSBGr12s #LDSBmtg
Our Educational Services team has reached out to at-risk & students with special needs and this work will continue. We are here to support students through these times. We will continue to do everything we can to support the well-being of our entire Limestone community. #LDSBmtg
Board is present at various community partnership tables and are grateful for our guidance from Chief Medical Officer of Health & team at KFL&A Public Health. #LDSBmtg
Proud of our partners at Food Sharing Project who are providing hundreds of food hampers per week to our most vulnerable families in need with the support of some staff and dedicated volunteers in our community. Almost 500 families are being supported by this initiative. #LDSBmtg 
Central office staff in human resources, financial, facilities and information technology services, our program team & communications are pulling out all the stops to keep the district humming. #LDSBmtg
I am so proud of our staff, and all that they have done and all that they will continue to do to put our students first. #LDSBmtg
We move on to approval of the Consent Agenda which contains Board minutes (Feb) & Committee reports from Special Education Advisory (Feb & March), Environmental Sustainability Advisory (March), EPOC (March) and Budget (April). #LDSBmtg
Consent Agenda passed as presented. #LDSBmtg
Student Trustee Report from Trustees Crook & Putnam. Trustee Crook: InterSchool Council event cancelled due to COVID-19 closure. Thanks to all council members who put time for planning. #LDSBmtg
Student Trustee elections are coming up on May 4. Bring me great joy to say that LDSB will be electing its first Indigenous Student Trustee to represent both urban & rural high schools. Process has moved online. #LDSBmtg
Overall, these are incredibly difficult times but LDSB community has shown nothing but incredible effort and I congratulate everyone on their accomplishments. I hope everyone stays well during these unprecedented times. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Putnam: Both Trustee Crook and I would like to take a moment to thank Limestone’s amazing teachers, administrators & board office staff for their support during these trying times. We are grateful for everyone's patience, flexibility, understanding & hard work. #LDSBmtg
We would also like to recognize students & families who are doing their best to adapt to distance learning despite various barriers. Limestone has done an exceptional job making distance learning more accessible to all by providing over 2,000 devices to students. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Godkin asks about process for addition of Indigenous Student Trustee? Superintendent Burra indicates that it is same as process as electing existing student trustees. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Morning asks if we are making sure election is by Indigenous students . Superintendent Burra says each high school will select Indigenous student reps who will then come together to elect Indigenous Student Trustee. #LDSBmtg
Chair Ruttan indicates there are three reports for information tonight: Quarter 2 Financial Report, Emergency Remote Learning and an update on Kingston Secondary School. #LDSBmtg
We begin with Superintendent of Business Young and Interim Financial Operating expenditures for September 2019 to February 2020 (Quarter 2). #LDSBmtg
Manager Baumann presents report: As at Quarter 2, $121,423,445 of the $248,930,822 operating budget or 49% has been spent. Expenditures based upon items paid within stated period. #LDSBmtg
Q2 indicates a spending level of 49% - 1% less than same period last year. 1% reduction related to savings as result of strike days. There will be offsetting funding reduction due back to the Ministry. #LDSBmtg
Board is on target to end the 2019-2020 fiscal year in a balanced-budget position. Staff recommend Trustees receive report for information. #LDSBmtg
Questions: Trustee Godkin wants to know where money for government announced iPads will come from? Superintendent Young indicates this report is prior to COVID-19. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Elliott asks about savings from strike days. Superintendent Young indicates there re savings as staff are not paid if they are striking. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Brown asks about savings on bus transportation due to school closures. Superintendent Young says Ministry direction is to continue paying with exception of costs for fuel. #LDSBmtg
Trustee French asks about replacement of items due to COVID-19 protocols: donation of PPEs and extra cleaning and PPE for schools. Superintendent Young says transportation savings will be clawed back by province but there are supply savings. #LDSBmtg
Trustee McGregor asks if there will be savings to trustee budget as no travel is occurring. Superintendent Young indicates this will be tracked. #LDSBmtg
Here are Q2 financials. #LDSBmtg
Next, Director Rantz provides update on Emergency Remote Learning Plan. School boards across Ontario were directed by Ministry of Education to draft a continuity of learning plan to begin April 6, 2020 due to COVID-19 extended closure. #LDSBmtg
Here is the Emergency Remote Learning Report #LDSBmtg
Director notes that one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work in LDSB due to urban/rural mix of district. Here is a snapshot of some of the work during COVID-19. #LDSBmtg
Director clarifies there is no new funding for technology as Minister announced re availability of iPads. Also, iPads are not always the best device for students. Now have small number of students w/o devices. Our biggest need is Internet connection. #LDSBmtg
Superintendent Burra provides further update: 2000+ devices deployed. Over next few weeks we should be able to resolve Internet access needs identified by schools. Outliers would be lack of WiFi or data in a geographical area. #LDSBmtg
Director Rantz indicates staff will continue to evaluate current needs & change learning and teaching plans as needed; engage families in 2-way communication; & account for student accommodations or additional support as needed. #LDSBmtg
Director Rantz indicate staff working on survey to obtain feedback from students, families & staff to inform plans going forward. #LDSBmtg
Questions from Trustees: Trustee Godkin asks if board will prepare for second wave in Sept/Oct. Director indicates that contingency planning is ongoing. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Morning asks if we are soliciting feedback. Director just spoke of survey that is currently in development. Morning asked about how many students we haven't connected with. Director indicates schools are working to engage and there are few remaining. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Morning asks about print packages for families. Director indicates access protocol in works to go into schools to do this work but working with families on what will be best and might be combo of online/traditional. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Morning asks about what learning will look like in fall with protocols? Directors says whatever it is will follow public health directives. It is too early to say. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Brown asks if there has been any push back from families? Director says families are engaged and grateful. #LDSBmtg
Trustee McGregor asks what are solutions for families in remote area where there is no access to Internet. Director says that creative solutions are under way including cell phones equipped w/ LTE to hotspot data. Working surgically with individual families. #LDSBmtg
Trustee French asks about what remote learning looks like for students with special needs. Superintendent McDonnell says Educational Services staff has been focused on mental health with mobilization of social workers to connect with most vulnerable students #LDSBmtg
...this helped to determine who needs tele-counselling & referrals for other services. Student support counsellors, adolescent care workers & attendance counsellors also providing support. #LDSBmtg
...other Educational Services team members have been reaching out with all families to determine needs and deal with different stressors and needs. Supports are tailored to each student. #LDSBmtg
...families learning through staff coaching how to address social-emotional reactions so that learning can continue wherever possible. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Gingrich asks what is plan for lost or broken devices? Director says board does expect there will be some loss (as is the case normally) and Superintendent Burra says we will divert some resources to replenish. #LDSBmtg
Student Trustee Crook asks about PA Days and exams being cancelled as per Minister announcement. Director says boards still awaiting further info and direction from Ministry. More to come. #LDSBmtg
Final report is an update on Kingston Secondary School from Superintendent Young. Work continued throughout March to address COVID-19 protocols. There were some delays and reduced workforce. #LDSBmtg
All non-essential construction was halted on April 4, 2020 as a result of emergency orders. Will take about four weeks to restart work. Construction which was its final stages, has been delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic. #LDSBmtg
If allowed to resume construction, we are looking at a later completion date. #LDSBmtg
Questions from Trustees: Trustee Godkin asks about contract. Superintendent Young indicates contracts are discussed in private session. #LDSBmtg
Trustee McGregor asks about considerations for later move-in date. Superitendent Burra says we cannot speculate on anything until we receive direction about construction start up. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Gingrich asks what percentage of completion we are at and what is communication? Superintendent Burra says we are at 93% completion. Director says communication will be going to families & staff tomorrow after notification to Board tonight. #LDSBmtg
Schedule was on track and construction was going to be complete for September occupancy until COVID-19 closures. #LDSBmtg
Moving on to notion of motions. Trustee Elliott withdraws notice of motion as situation as resolved. #LDSBmtg
Next, Chair Ruttan highlights correspondence and future meeting dates. No further items. Motion to adjourn. Thanks for following! #LDSBmtg
