Special Board Meeting to update Trustees on school reopening plans begins at 6pm. Trustees & staff to attend in person. Public may observe virtually. Meeting link & agenda package bit.ly/32b7O8j We will tweet highlights using #LDSBmtg
Viewers can make use of captions & subtitles during tonight's live meeting. To turn on captions & subtitles, select Captions/Subtitles On in your video controls. To change caption language, select Settings>Captions/Subtitles & choose the language. #LDSBmtg
Chair Ruttan opens the meeting with the Indigenous acknowledgement of territory. The sole agenda item tonight is an update on school reopening plans. Majority of trustees & staff are inside the Boardroom while others are joining virtually. Regrets from Trustee Gingrich. #LDSBmtg
Agenda adopted as presented. Conflicts of interest declared by Trustees Elliott & Godkin as they have family members who are education staff. #LDSBmtg
We begin with short update from Director Burra: Staff continue to hone live feed to improve virtual/hybrid meeting experience for viewers. #LDSBMtg
Congratulations to new Superintendent of Education Alison McDonnell & Associate Superintendent Steve Hedderson who fill current vacancies on senior team. #LDSBmtg
Board has received further updates from Ministry including information related to staggered entry & we continue to adjust our planning. We understand this creates some confusion among families and in the community. #LDSBmtg
Central and school-based communication of up-to-date and accurate information will continue to be a focus of attention to ensure families and staff are kept informed. #LDSBmtg
Survey asking families if they are opting out of returning to classroom has closed. Under 10% of families indicating they are opting out of returning to school at this point. This represents about 2,000 students: 1,454 elementary & 545 secondary/continuing ed students. #LDSBmtg 
Health, safety & wellness for students and staff continues to be most important priority as we move forward. When it comes to COVID-19, health of our community is best defence & indicator, for the health of our schools. #LDSBmtg
Director Burra references staff report (see attachments) with latest updates (first half of report). #LDSBmtg
(second half of report) #LDSBmtg
Questions from Trustees now. Trustee Godkin asks about concerns of families being "removed" from home school if they choose remote learning. #LDSBmtg
Staff indicate that elementary families will have another opportunity to change their minds in mid-September. After that students have to be placed on a permanent attendance roll (in-person or remote) to ensure funding is received. #LDSBmtg
Staff know social importance for students & families being connected to their home schools. Board will reassess logistical considerations once school year begins. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Godkin asks how families who don't have access to online tools (website etc.) get information? Schools will be reaching out directly to families next week when they reopen to connect with families. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Godkin asks about availability of masks/PPE for students & if they can use a lanyard instead of taking them on & off. Staff reply that PPE distribution continues. Students cannot wear lanyards due to proper mask protocol & choking hazards as per public health. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Brown clarifies that those opting for remote learning is 10%. Staff reply that preliminary data is still being confirmed to ensure it is accurate. Numbers may change slightly over the next few days. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Brown asks if staff are asking for accommodations. Staff indicate that will be answered later in meeting as Superintendent Labrie will be joining a bit later. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Hutcheon asks for clarification on what is being decided at Board level and school level? Staff share that administrator work teams have been meeting all summer. Schools will use Board guidelines and adjust to local school context. #LDSBmtg
Schools will begin more school-specific communication with families as schools reopen next week. They will share info through their regular communication tools of which families would be familiar. Families can always connect directly with schools. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Hutcheon asks about data collection according to PPM on remote learning. Staff indicate they will track proportion of urban/rural remote learners which will be more reliable after start up. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Hutcheon asks about parent engagement in remote learning. Staff share that will be looking at ways to ensure families are engaged. History has shown it often increases due to nature of remote learning. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Hutcheon asks about water fountains. Staff share that water fountains will be closed but water-filling stations will remain open. Students will be asked to bring their own water bottles. There will be adequate signage. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Elliott asks if clear masks are available for students and staff. Staff reply these will be available.#LDSBmtg
Trustee Elliott wants to put motion on floor. Trustee Elliott moves that all students in LDSB K-12 wear masks inside schools and on buses allowing for appropriate medical exemptions. Seconded by Trustee Godkin. #LDSBmtg
Chair Ruttan indicates policy indicates substantive motions should be sent in advance so Trustees can review appropriately. She rules it out of order and asks Director for input. #LDSBmtg
Director does confirm substantive motions are supposed to be provided in writing in advance but will of Board could override that. Chair asks if motion could be moved to next week's EPOC meeting. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Elliott says that topic is important to board agenda and feels it is timely. Chair indicates that it would be fair to defer and allow trustees more time to review and discuss. #LDSBmtg
Chair indicates she wants discussion on motion but doesn't feel it is fir to do so tonight. She will rule motion out of order. She urges Trustee Elliott to consider moving to EPOC meeting Aug. 26. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Hutcheon says she doesn't understand the issue with delaying as much information was received at last week's special meeting. #LDSBmtg
Chair stresses that deferring motion will allow Trustees time to review and staff to review ramifications of such a motion. Trustee Elliott agrees to defer to EPOC meeting agenda. #LDSBmtg
Trustee French thanks staff for work since last week and says good feedback on various communication tools including videos. She asks to ability to respond to outbreak in a particular area? How do we accommodate on short notice due to outbreak? #LDSBmtg
Staff indicate some info not available as we await outbreak protocol. Board does have plans to shift learners to remote if required but will be determined on case-by-case basis. #LDSBmtg
Trustee French asks if there will be smaller in-person class sizes due to remote learners. Staff reply no. Funding is the same regardless so classes will be adjusted to allow for appropriate staffing. #LDSBmtg
Trustee French asks about category of masks for staff. Staff reply they are level 2 masks as recommended local and provincial mask protocol. #LDSBmtg
Trustee French asks about frequency of bus cleaning. Staff share that this is available on @triboardbus website and will be cleaned twice daily with focus on high-touch surfaces. #LDSBmtg
We move on to financial report (page 10-12). #LDSBmtg
LDSB allocation is normally 1% of total allocation but Ministry decided to opt for board-by-board allocation instead. This means we will receive $183K (less than the $300K we were expecting) for staffing. #LDSBmtg
Investment for ventilation should be $500K if we use 1% allocation but we haven't received our allocation yet. #LDSBmtg
Questions around what it would take for LDSB to move to 15-1 class size. Cost is $37.4M for 374 elementary teachers & $12.1M for 121 secondary teachers. This does not include costs for transportation, space rental & other expenses. This far exceeds our reserve amount. #LDSBmtg
Staff recommendation to use some of Board accumulated surplus to deal with some unexpected expenses (Ministry funding is currently not ample) to be nimble to respond as required. #LDSBmtg
That report provided by Superintendent of Business Young. #LDSBmtg
Questions: Trustee Godkin asks if staffing funding is two teachers? Staff confirm the funding does not cover two full teachers. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Godkin asks about WSIB costs and would that number be sufficient? Staff indicate that is number recommended by consultant. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Elliott asks if board would consider use of stand alone HEPA filters or other items where open windows and outdoor instruction is not possible. Staff indicate reviews are still under way. #LDSBmtg
HVAC systems are begin adjusted to open dampers to allow for fresh air. Trustee Elliott asks if there are community spaces that could be used such as parks or evacuation sites. Staff reply this is under investigation. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Elliott asks if outdoor equipment such as sun shades etc. would be available for those without access to shade and shelter. Staff reply yes, that will be determined on school-by-school basis. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Elliott asks if there will be Plexiglass shields? Staff indicate they may be used in office spaces. Where possible other strategies will be used including directional signage. Safety audits are still being conducted in schools They may be used in some locations.#LDSBmtg
Recommendation: LDSB approve amending the budget to use their Accumulated Surplus of up to 1% of operating revenues to a value of $2,465,397 to address the increasing and evolving COVID-19 related expenses in the 2020-2021 budget year. Approved as presented. #LDSBmmtg
We go back to Trustee Brown question re number of staff asking for reassignments. Staff indicate that about 20 or so staff have requested formal accommodations. In addition, some staff have requested leaves of absence. #LDSBmtg
Other staff who might not be eligible for formal accommodations have offered themselves for remote learning needs. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Godkin wants to put forth a motion: request Chair send letter to Ministry requesting exemption for LDSB to have flexibility to do hybrid model like designated boards (we are non-designated). #LDSBmtg
Director asks for clarification: is ask for LDSB to be a designated board or adjust to hybrid model during an outbreak. Trustee Godkin confirms he wants us to become designated board. #LDSBmtg
Director also clarifies that such a change would only apply to secondary panel only as even in designated boards elementary panel will all attend in person. #LDSBmtg
After more discussion, Trustee Godkin withdraws motion as staff clarify that public health has indicated there will be flexibility to move to adapted model in event of outbreak & there may be more info in outbreak protocol (which we still await). #LDSBmtg
Chair Ruttan moves to correspondence from Parent Involvement Committee letter. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Morning says she wants board to have moral courage to put Ministry on notice that LDSB doesn't feel that Ministry plan and resources are sufficient to keep students safe. She wants to make a motion about a response. #LDSBmtg
Chair Ruttan acknowledges her comments and asks what "putting Ministry on notice" means. Trustee Morning says she will craft a letter to send to Ministry. Trustee Elliott seconds motion. #LDSBmtg
Trustee French raises point of order. This is substantive motion and was not provided in advance. She is unsure what we are or are not supporting. #LDSBmtg
Chair Ruttan indicates that she understands Trustee Morning's philosophical stance but policy needs to be followed. Chair Ruttan indicates she did send a note to all Trustees indicating proper process following last week's special meeting. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Morning agrees to defer the letter and motion to EPOC Aug. 26. Trustees approve sending to committee. Director clarifies that there needs to be a clear motion before it goes to committee. #LDSBmtg
Chair asks mover (Trustee Morning) and seconder (Trustee Elliott) to send motion in advance for sharing with all Trustees. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Elliott indicates motion is second paragraph of PIC letter but he will work with Trustee Morning. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Hutcheon says PIC letter has many good points. She worries about confidence in public education. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Hutcheon thinks Ministry model is opening door to privatization. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Godkin thinks board is hiding behind policy to defer motions. #LDSBmtg
Trustee French says she is disappointed as Chair spent significant amount of time explaining how to move forward with proper policy. She acknowledges that parents are concerned and fearful but doesn't agree with all of letter. #LDSBmtg
Trustee French says getting stuck in process about writing letter is getting in way of staff work. Writing letter to Ministry will not change current plan or change conditions for students. She says the plan is not ideal but it is not unsafe or reckless as intimated. #LDSBmtg
Trustee Elliott disagrees with Trustee French. He thinks letter is not exercise in futility. Trustee Hutcheon agrees with Trustee Elliott. #LDSBmtg
Trustee French clarifies that writing letters is distracting staff from important work to be ready for first day of school and 90% of families say they are returning to school. She acknowledges plan is not perfect but Board letter from few weeks ago was clear about that.#LDSBmtg
Trustee McGregor thinks we are debating this tonight instead of next week. She knows families are concerned and indicates they could write letters themselves. This is distracting from other important work. #LDSBmtg
With no further agenda items, meeting is adjourned. #LDSBmtg
