Around the Horseshoe
Limestone District School Board Trustees' Spring 2018
April Meeting Highlights
Kingston Secondary School Update
Manager of Facilities Dave Fowler provided the Board of Trustees with an update on the construction of the new $42-million Kingston Secondary School. Bondfield Construction began on the project last fall. To ensure the project remains on schedule, the Board meets bi-weekly on site with the contractor and sub-contractor as well as with the architects. Also, monthly planning meetings are now being held with various school and Board staff to discuss topics such as technology, placement of legacy school artifacts, selection of building colours and moving and logistics. The Board will keep the community updated on the project with photos and drone footage of the construction on the Board website.
Quarter 2 Financials
Trustees were provided with an update on the interim financial operating expenditures for the second quarter (Sept. 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018). The interim report indicates a spending level of 50% aligns with the 50% spending level reported for the same period last year. The Board is on target to end the 2017-2018 fiscal year in a balanced-budget position.
OPSBA Representative Selection
Following a nomination and voting process, Trustee Alec Ross was chosen to represent the Limestone District School Board at the Ontario Public School Boards' Association for the upcoming year. Trustee Karen McGregor was voted as the alternate.
Rideau Heights Community Hub
Tree planting recognizes partnership
Celebration of Dance
May Meeting Highlights
Chair Paula Murray, on behalf of the Limestone District School Board of Trustees, extended condolences to the family, friends and school communities of Trustee David Jackson who passed away suddenly in April. A moment of silence was shared. A Book of Condolence from the Education Centre was presented to his family at a memorial service in early May.
Student Trustee Update
Trustees Marie-Ange Kanellos and Ayrison Haynes reported that Inter-School Council’s Zinc Saves Lives Battery Recycling Campaign was a great success. Seven Limestone secondary schools participated, and a large amount of batteries was collected. Although the goal of the campaign was to properly recycle batteries and provide zinc supplement treatment to those in need, Inter-School Council did turn it into a friendly competition with Napanee District Secondary School collecting the most batteries with Frontenac Secondary School not far behind.
Motion re electoral boundaries
Trustees agreed to ask staff for a report on the Limestone District School Board electoral boundaries for the position of Trustee in advance of the 2022 municipal election. Currently, trustee boundaries do mirror those of the City of Kingston, however, that is not a requirement.
Trustees discuss vacancy options
Trustees were provided with a staff report regarding the options to replace Trustee David Jackson who passed away suddenly in early April. As per the Education Act, a vacancy must be filled within 90 days by a qualified person. Usually, the two options to fill the vacancy are by-election or appointment. Because of the timing with a municipal election already scheduled for this year, a by-election was ruled out. With only one remaining Board Meeting scheduled in the 2017-2018 school year, and only two or three meetings before the municipal election, the Board sought legal opinions on alternative appointment options including appointing a former trustee. Following a Special Meeting of the Board on May 29, 2018, the Board of Trustees passed a motion to appoint former Trustee Helen Chadwick to fill the vacancy following the June 20, 2018 Board meeting.
June Meeting Highlights
OPSBA Achievement Award
Trustees recognized Chair Katherine Leverette with the Ontario Public School Boards' Association's Achievement Award for her work as Chair of the Limestone Learning Foundation. The OPSBA Achievement Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of non-teaching staff, parents, volunteers and community partners involved in education in the member boards. This award provides an opportunity to raise awareness and promote the importance of celebrating excellence and the necessity of recognizing the work of all members of the education community. The award was presented by OPSBA President and Limestone Trustee Laurie French and Director of Education Debra Rantz.
Trustees pass balanced 2018-2019 budget
Trustees of the Limestone District School Board approved a balanced budget for the 2018-2019 school year maintaining services and supports for student achievement and well-being. Next year’s budget allocates $279.4 million for operations and $17 million in capital expenses.
Highlights of the 2018-2019 Budget:
- Hiring of four new elementary guidance teachers to support grade 7 and 8 students’ academic transition to secondary school and beyond.
- Funding for a multi-disciplinary team - 8 additional specialists to support special education needs and expanded mental health wellness and awareness.
- $17.0 million in capital investments to maintain safe and energy efficient learning environments.
The majority of the 2018-2019 budget is directed to instruction and special education. The increase in expenditures that our community will see in the budget relates directly to the classroom - teachers, supply staff, education assistants, para-professionals, technicians - and aligns with the provincial labour frameworks. The Board managed to work within the provincial funding framework to prepare a balanced budget, while maintaining services and supports for student success.
Former Trustee assumes vacancy
Former Trustee Helen Chadwick was sworn in as the trustee representing the district of Portsmouth, Trillium and Meadowbrook-Strathcona. Trustee Chadwick fills the vacancy created by the sudden death of Trustee David Jackson in April. She will serve out the remainder of the current term, ending November 30. 2018.
Student Trustees pass the torch
Chair Paula Murray recognized outgoing Student Trustees Marie-Ange Kanellos and Ayrison Haynes for their work this past school year. Both students were applauded for the profound and positive difference they made around the horseshoe. Trustees Kanellos and Haynes have both provided a measured and intelligent voice that represented all students of the Limestone District School Board. Marie-Ange is graduating from Frontenac Secondary School and will be attending Queen's University in the fall to study a Bachelor of Science. Ayrison will return to Sydenham High School for Grade 12 but will return to the Board room as he was re-elected for a second term as Student Trustee. He will be joined by Sean Kim from Frontenac SS who was elected to replace Marie-Ange.
Limestone District School Board
Email: communications@limestone.on.ca
Website: www.limestone.on.ca
Location: 220 Portsmouth Avenue, Kingston, ON, Canada
Phone: 613-544-6920
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Limestone-District-School-Board-308623265872996/
Twitter: @LimestoneDSB