David Austen - Vice-chair
Michael Brown
Brenda Gillis
Pam Kavanaugh
George Kehoe, Board Chair
Hazel Kennedy
Gerald MacDonald
Mary Jess MacDonald
Lelia Machnik
Rosalee Parker
Clarence Reddick

Terry Donovan, Director of Human Resources Development
Jack Beaton, Director of Educational Services
David Forgeron, Coordinator of Human Resources Development
Joan Bona, Board Secretary/Executive Secretary to the Director of Education

Absent: Joan Marshall, Board Member

The meeting was called to order at 7:45 p.m. by Board Chair George Kehoe. The purpose of the meeting was to approve the staffing grid for the 2002-03 school year.

MOVED and SECONDED (KAVANAUGH/MACDONALD, M.J.)

That the Strait District School Board accept the staffing

grid document and school configuration for the 2002-03

academic year and will adapt staffing allocations where

significant changes to circumstances in individual schools occur.

MOTION CARRIED. (Recorded Nay - BROWN. Recorded Yea’s - AUSTEN, GILLIS, KAVANAUGH, KEHOE, KENNEDY, MACDONALD, G., MACDONALD, M.J., MACHNIK, PARKER, REDDICK) 02/05/918

Discussion on the motion:

Board member Mary Jess MacDonald noted that she would support the staffing alottments with the understanding that the board will consider significant needs not addressed in the grid. She expressed concern that there were no budget profile sheets and that the board was basing its decision to reduce staff in accordance with the Provincial guidelines of one teacher loss per 25 student decline. She also noted that if there is a decline of 25 students, in one school, or the region, it does not necessarily translate into 25 students from one class, and the reduction of one teacher position. It is a matter of not only equity but fairness to students in rural areas of the province. The problems and issues surrounding declining enrolment are currently being addressed by a provincial committee. Ms. MacDonald noted that the continuous cutting of positions has to come to an end and another solution will need to be sought to address these concerns.

Board member David Austen agreed with Ms. MacDonald. He noted that the Board was reducing staff according to anticipated enrolment declines in student population. Each year the process becomes more difficult and articulated that something has to be done for rural boards in Nova Scotia in order to deliver programs prescribed by the Department of Education. Small rural boards need special consideration and remarked that the 25:1 ratio does not work in a rural board based on geographics.

Board member Michael Brown noted that he would not support the staffing grid. Mr. Brown marked that his reason was more so in protest toward the provincial government and Department of Education in reducing funding. He added that his reason for voting against the motion in no way reflected work done by senior staff. The Provincial Government has to take a look at education funding. Education is in crisis.

Board member Lelia Machnik indicated that the only reason she was voting for the grid was that the Board has to go forward with education. Students have to have proper learning tools. She indicated that she has much animosity towards Department of Education bureaucrats in Halifax. However, the Board has to get on with educating students.

Board member Brenda Gillis expressed support for the motion.

Board members agreed to issue a press release. A draft copy will be sent via email for perusal by board members with a deadline of noon on Tuesday, May 6, 2002. Comments can be emailed to Norma Bernard.

MOVED and SECONDED (REDDICK/BROWN)

Whereas, the Government of Nova Scotia approved the BLAC report in 1995 in order to address the needs of African Nova Scotian students; and

Whereas, the Province of Nova Scotia has not adequately addressed the needs of African Nova Scotian students through the current funding formula to school boards;

Be it resolved that the Strait District School Board write a letter to the Ministers of Education and Finance expressing its discontent with funding to Nova Scotia School Boards and that the Province of Nova Scotia provide funding to school boards in order to implement specific recommendations contained with the BLAC report earmarked for action by individual boards.

MOTION CARRIED. 02/05/919

MOVED and SECONDED (BROWN/MACDONALD, M.J.)

To adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m.

MOTION CARRIED. 02/05/920

_______________________________ ___________________________________

GEORGE KEHOE JOAN BONA

CHAIR BOARD SECRETARY/EXECUTIVE SECRETARY TO THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION