Board Meeting Highlights

September 4, 2007

• Board recognized Dana Kosowick, Robert Moore School teacher, for Project Overseas. The primary purpose of Project Overseas is to improve the quality of education in developing countries. Dana Kosowick, an ETFO sponsored member for the Rainy River Local and District School Board was on of 50 Canadian teacher participants this year. She was in St. Vincent and the Grenadines from July 9-28, 2007 teaching computers to 37 Vincentian teachers.
• Kathy Smeeth, and Maureen Ricard, members of the Program Support Team provided an update on Summer Programs 2007 and Summer Institute 2007. Summer Programs 2007 offered the Ministry of Education sponsored training for Junior Literacy. The theme for Summer Institute 2007 focused on writing and in particular the craft of writing.
• Board approved three policies.
• Board Chair, Dan Belluz, presented the minutes from the Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee meeting that was held on June 11. Highlights included a review of activities from 2006-2007 that schools participated in to develop an appreciation of local native culture; an investigation for increased time for language/studies at the elementary level and expanding secondary; and parental involvement workshops.
• Board Chair, Dan Belluz, presented the minutes for the Special Education Advisory Committee meeting held on June 20. Highlights included a Ministry audit of the systems SEA files; INAC funding, which remains frozen; and the family counseling program, held at Rainy River, which has been reviewed and is being lauded as an exemplar in other areas of the province.
• Vice Chair, Judy Eluik, presented an update from the Ontario Public School Boards' Association. The 2007 Annual General Meeting was held in Huntsville on June 7-10. Highlights included the resignation of OPSBA President Rick Johnson. Colleen Shank, OPSBA Vice President, has temporarily assumed the President's duties. Trustees, Margaret Heyens and Glenda Belluz, were in attendance and participated in some of the workshops.
• Director of Education Jack McMaster welcomed everyone back. He reported that provincially, he attended a CODE meeting in Toronto and discussion at the meeting involved the water testing that was going on in the province. Things are very good in our Board and water tests were okay. Regionally, there was a teleconference with the directors from NOEL regarding Aboriginal Learning. At the Board level, Jack McMaster provided a copy of the Director's Plan to trustees. The four main areas of the plan were relationships, organization, team-building, and decision-making.
• Board approved an updated Personnel Report as presented by Human Resources Administrator, Diane Ross.
• Director of Education, Jack McMaster, presented the 2007-08 System Plan. The plan will be presented to staff in all schools by team members that includes the Director of Education, the Superintendent of Education, Heather Campbell, and Assistants to the Director, Linda Hill and Brent Tookenay.
• Manager-Plant Operations Raymond Roy presented the minutes from the Occupational Health and Safety Committee meeting that was held on June 7.
• Superintendent of Education, Heather Campbell, presented Secondary Success - The Rainy River District School Board Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test Board Report 2006-2007 and School College Work Initiative Dual Credit Programs for 2007-2008.
• Assistant to the Director, Linda Hill, presented a report on the New Teacher Induction Program. This year, workshops on Understanding the Needs of Aboriginal Learners, and Antibullying were added to the program. Support continues for new teachers through the establishment of mentoring relationships.
• Manager-Plant Operations Raymond Roy provided the 2007 Summer Facility Projects report. He thanked maintenance and custodial staff. Trustee, Ron McAlister recommended that a commendation be sent to staff that worked on these projects over the summer.