Summary of Decisions from Board Meeting of April 20
Trustee Vacancy in Toronto District School Board Ward 5 (York Centre)
The Board decided: That the Toronto City Clerk be advised that pursuant to section 221(2) of the Education Act, the Toronto District School Board requires that an election be held to fill the vacancy created in the Toronto District School Board Ward 5 (York Centre); That the City Clerk be instructed to conduct the by-election in a scaled-down manner incurring only those costs required to fulfill the statutory provisions of the Municipal Elections Act. That the Chair send a letter to the Minister of Education with regard to the cost of the by-elections and to request financial assistance in this matter. Note – the City Clerk suggested July 25 as the by-election date
Championship Fields and Taxation
The Board decided that the following be referred back to the Community Use of Schools Advisory Committee for clarification of what is being asked for and the reason: That all information that has been presented to the board on championship fields and taxation is-sues in the last three months be sent to CUSAC members and Jeff Latto be invited to speak at the next CUSAC meeting.
Establishment of a Black Student Achievement Advisory Committee
The Board decided that a Black Student Achievement Advisory Committee be established. The committee will examine and make recommendations on strategies to create more equitable outcomes, raise achievement levels and create safe spaces for Black students.
Improving Playing Fields
The Board decided: That a playing field management plan be developed that includes both capital priorities and a strategy for improving maintenance; That the Artificial Turf Replacement Reserve be changed to an Artificial Turf Replacement and Playing Field Reserve and that the range of activities it can support be increased as presented in the report; That “That the Director explore opportunities to direct future development revenue and other potential sources of revenue into the playing field reserve” be referred back to staff to be brought back through the plicy process; That “That the Director explore opportunities to develop partnerships with local sports clubs as a potential source of revenue to improve school playing fields” be referred back to staff for the development of a policy; That an equity lens using the school learning opportunities index be added to the criteria for selecting schools for capital improvements.
Revisions to P076 Facility Partnerships Policy (now Community Planning and Partnerships)
The Board decided that the revisions to policy P076, Facility Partnerships (now referred to as Community Planning and Partnerships), as presented in the report, be approved.
Professional Development for Trustees: Background and Proposed Policy
The Board decided: That the high level trustee professional development guiding statement and proposed staff action plan, as presented in the report, be approved; That the guiding statement be reformatted to make it a policy and that it be referred to the Policy Review Committee.
Board Performance Assessment
The Board decided that a Board performance assessment, including options for self-assessments, be developed and presented to the Board for discussion.
Establishment of a Selection Committee for a Permanent Director of Education
The Board decided: That a Director Search Committee be established as follows: Mandate: to work with the executive search firm on record, The Phelps Group Inc., on the selection of a permanent Director of Education; Membership: Seven members: the Chair, the Vice-chair and five other trustees, as appointed by the Board – Trustees Arp, Chadwick, T. Ford, Kandavel, Pilkey, Shan and Story
Autism Awareness Day Flag Raising
The Board decided that in 2017 and going forward the TDSB hold a flag raising ceremony at its office at 5050 Yonge Street to mark Autism Awareness Day.
Latin-America History Month
The Board decided: Whereas, compared to the general student population, Latin American students were more likely to agree that learning more about their own culture would make their learning more interesting (73%), help them enjoy school more (63%), and help them do better in school (51%); and Whereas, a significant number of self-identified students from the Latin-American diaspora are generally under-performing academically compared to the overall Board student population; and Whereas, in April 2010, the Board decided that April be designated as Hispanic Heritage Month in the TDSB; and Whereas, the term Hispanic is not entirely reflective of the diversities that exist within our communities; and Whereas, the histories, experiences, various languages and traditional practices of our communities from Latin-America must be more appropriately represented and reflected; Therefore, be it resolved that April be recognized as Latin-America History Month.
2016-17 Operating Budget
Trustees will vote on the
2016-17 Proposed Budget Plan at the Board meeting scheduled for May 25, 2016 at 7 p.m. This plan incorporates the TDSB’s specific funding amounts for 2016-17.
TDSB Sets New Transparency Standard by Posting Director’s Contract
The TDSB is one of the first school boards in Ontario to post the Director of Education’s employment agreement with the Board on the it’s website. “I believe we need to identify opportunities that promote greater transparency, openness and accountability,” said Director of Education John Malloy. Learn more.