Section B - Order of Business:

1.0 Routine Matters:

(a) Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Board Chair Mary Jess MacDonald.

(b) Notice of Motion (for approval at the June 3 Regular Monthly Meeting)

That the Strait Regional School Board revise its Bylaws, Policy II-A-1, Article 5 as outlined on pages 7 and 8 as follows: Page 7, deletion of 5.1.1 (b) as it is also stated in 5.2.1 (a); Page 7, addition of a new 5.1.1 (b); page 8, deletion of 5.2.1 (b) and 5.2.2.

(c) Reading of Mission Statement

The mission statement was read by Board Member Richelle MacLaughlin.

(d) Record of Attendance

Regrets were received from Board Member Anne Peters and staff members Monica Williams, Director of Programs and Student Services and Terry Doyle, Director of Operations.

(e) Approval of Agenda/Additions

MOVED and SECONDED (BOUDREAU/KEHOE)

That the agenda be approved as presented.

MOTION CARRIED.

(f) Acknowledgements:

Congratulations were expressed to:

Aaron Wolf, student at St. Mary’s Academy who placed first in the provincial Lions Speak-Out Competition held recently in Wolfville.

Staff and participants of the School Advisory Workshop held on Monday, May 4 in Mulgrave. The sessions were informative and approximately 43 of 50 possible participants attended.

Students from Dalbrae Academy provided a demonstration of a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) which is an underwater robot. The group will be presenting internationally at a competition in Buzzard’s Bay, Massachusetts.

Board Members acknowledged the following deaths:

John Boyle, former teacher and administrator at SAERC.

Nicole King, grade 11 student at SAERC who died in a tragic car accident.

Bernie MacDonald, former bus driver in Guysborough/Canso.

Catherine Currie, mother of Bernie Currie at SAERC.

Robert Reid, father of Lynn Gillis and father-in-law to Cyril Gillis, teachers at SAERC.

Edna Matthews, mother of former SAERC students who died in a tragic car accident.

(g) Adoption of Board Minutes:

MOVED and SECONDED (KEHOE/BOUDREAU)

To approve the following minutes:

Regular Board Meeting - Wednesday, April 1, 2009;

Special Board Meeting – Thursday, April 2, 2009;

Special Board Meeting - Wednesday, April 22, 2009. 09/05/2254

MOTION CARRIED.

Business Arising from Minutes:

There was no business arising from the minutes.

2. Board Committee Reports:

(a) Standing Committees:

Report of the Working Committee Meeting – Wednesday, April 15, 2009

The report of the Working Committee Meeting of Wednesday, April 15, 2009 was presented by Board Vice Chair, George Kehoe.

MOVED and SECONDED (KEHOE/BOUDREAU)

That the Strait Regional School Board revise the membership of the
Policy Ad Hoc Committee from the current four to five. 09/05/2255

MOTION CARRIED.

Two nominations were received for an additional member of the Policy Ad Hoc Committee, Board Members Clarence Reddick and Brian Murray.

MOVED and SECONDED (KEHOE/MACDONALD, G.)

To defer the selection of an additional member of the Policy Ad Hoc
Committee to the May Working Committee Meeting. 09/05/2256

MOTION CARRIED.

MOVED and SECONDED (KEHOE/HORTON)

That the Strait Regional School Board approve PRO-I-C-2:
Terms of Reference for Policy Ad Hoc Committee. 09/05/2257

MOTION CARRIED.

MOVED and SECONDED (KEHOE/MACDONALD, G.)

That the Strait Regional School Board approve for test-off
Draft #2: External Agency Involvement in Schools. 09/05/2258

MOTION CARRIED.

MOVED and SECONDED (KEHOE/MACHNIK)

That the Strait Regional School Board incorporate the goals with
accompanying priorities to the first draft of the Educational Business
Plan. 09/05/2259

MOTION CARRIED.

MOVED and SECONDED (KEHOE/BOUDREAU)

That the Strait Regional School Board hire a Building Operator
for the East Richmond Education Centre. 09/05/2260

MOTION CARRIED.

MOVED and SECONDED (KEHOE/MACDONALD, G.)

To adopt the minutes of the Working Committee Meeting of
Wednesday, April 15, 2009. 09/05/2261

MOTION CARRIED.

(b) Committee of the Whole Board

MOVED and SECONDED (KEHOE/MURRAY)

That the Strait Regional School Board approve the
Personnel Report dated May 6, 2009. 09/05/2262

MOTION CARRIED.

3. Staff Reports for Decision (Superintendent of Schools)

Jack Beaton, Superintendent of Schools distributed copies of the Superintendent’s Journal dated May 6, 2009. A copy of Mr. Beaton’s report is attached to the public record.

Mr. Beaton’s report outlined the grand prize award winners of the Strait Regional Science Fair held on Thursday, April 2, 2009 and Strait Regional Heritage Fair 2009. The Superintendent expressed congratulations to students and schools involved in the Nova Scotia Recycles Contest 2008. A complete list of winners is attached to the report.

Highlights of two French initiatives were outlined. Le Concours d’art oratoire (French Public Speaking event) and La Journée de la Francophonie were highlighted. A celebration of School Sport hosted by the Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation on Friday, May 1^st brought together over 650 people to recognize the value of school sport and honor exemplary athletes. Schools in the Strait Region were represented by students. Paul Long, Vice-Principal at Guysborough Academy has been selected as the Chair of the NSSAF Board of Directors for a two year term beginning with the 2009-2010 school year.

An update for the 2009-2010 budget was provided. The Strait Regional School Board has received the lowest percentage increase of all other school boards in the province. Mr. Beaton outlined budget ramifications in staff reductions, professional development, operational and technology areas. A draft of the 2009-2010 will be presented later in the month for Board consideration. Details of the authority of funding up to 50% of last year’s budget in terms of the provincial election call for June 9^th was outlined. Boards should not have any concerns that ongoing funding will not be in place.

In Human Resources, the first round of vacancies was circulated this week. Staff will be working to finalize teaching positions in schools throughout the Region.

The St. Mary’s Education Centre and St. Mary’s Academy have been referred to the school review process. The Identification Report has been available to the public and Board staff is currently finalizing the Impact Assessment Report which will be presented later in May. With the formation of a Study Committee, a written response to the Board will be formulated by November 30, 2009.

The Superintendent outlined a number of initiatives which will be taking place in the Region. Music, Strait from the Heart concert series will take place on May 27 and May 28 at SAERC auditorium. Details of the Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion’s advisory on the H1N1 influenza were provided. May is Gaelic Cultural Awareness Month and Speech and Hearing Awareness Month and specifics in both areas were provided to Board Members.

4. Report of the Regional Education Officer

Jim Burton, Director of Regional Education Services provided a written report to Board Members dated May 6, 2009. The report outlined information related to current initiatives undertaken by the Department of Education. Mr. Burton highlighted the role of Phil Hall, Coordinator of Information Technology in terms of ensuring that the virtual high school became a reality. A demonstration and in-depth presentation on the Nova Scotia Virtual High School will be arranged for a future Working Committee Meeting. Mr. Burton offered congratulations to Board Vice Chair George Kehoe who was nominated as the Nova Scotia School Board’s Association ‘School Board Member of the Year’. The award will be presented at the Annual General Meeting on May 14 to 16^th in Antigonish.

Section C - Reports, Correspondence and Communications:

1. Reports

No reports were presented for discussion.

2. Correspondence

A) BEA Announcement

A letter from the Black Educators Association announcing the appointment of Steven R.P. Carrington as Executive Director was acknowledged.

B) Letter from Almon Chisholm, Board Chairman, Strait Area Transit Board of Directors

A letter from Almon Chisholm, Board Chairman, Strait Area Transit was acknowledged. The letter expressed appreciation to the Board and its operations staff for support and commitment to the Strait Area Transit Cooperative.

3. Communication/Information

A) The Nova Scotia School Boards Association is hosting the Canadian School Boards Association annual Congress from July 9 to 11 at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax. Board Members were asked to register on line and provide Joan with a copy of the confirmation receipt for payment purposes. Deadline to register is May 31^st.

Section D – Future Meetings

1. Working Committee Meeting - Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Board Members suggested that the meeting be scheduled for the afternoon or evening in order to accommodate those members involved in CUPE negotiations. Board Members were also reminded to advise the Board Secretary of any absence due to the change in time. A Special Board Meeting will be required to deal with the Impact Assessment Report for the St. Mary’s Schools.

2. Regular Monthly Meeting - Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Section E – Other Business

1. (a) There was no other business.

2. Public Question Period - 15 minutes

There were no public questions posed.

MOVED and SECONDED (BOUDREAU/MACLAUGHLIN)

To adjourn the meeting at 7:47 p.m. 09/05/2263

MOTION CARRIED.


MARY JESS MACDONALD
BOARD CHAIR


JOAN BONA
BOARD SECRETARY/EXECUTIVE SECRETARY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT