Legislative Committee Meeting Review of October 2009 PC Motions October 2, 2009, 11:30a – 1:30p

Legislative Committee MeetingReview of October 2009 PC

Motions

October 2, 2009, 11:30a – 1:30p

Introductions

• Pete Penner, SD27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin)

• Jane Kellett, SD45 (West Vancouver)• Dave Walden, SD48 (Sea-to-Sky)• Linda McPhail, SD38 (Richmond),

Education Committee Representative• Stephen Hansen, Executive Director• Maggie Li, BCSTA Executive Assistant

Agenda

• Elluminate Orientation• Purpose of Meeting• Review of Received Councillor Motions • Challenges to Legislative Committee

Decisions• Late Motions • Next Meeting• Questions

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Purpose of Meeting - Emergence

• determine if motions presented are of emergent nature

From 2007 AGM:emergent is defined as “matters that if delayed until the AGM will impact negatively on boards’ ability to influence public policy or a public education issue.”

Purpose of Meeting - Revisions

• Approve recommended revisions to submitted motions

Review of Councillor Motions

3.1 Annual Facility Grant Reinstatement (merged)

3.2 Harmonized Sales Tax (merged)3.3 Increased Costs of Medical Services

Plan (MSP)3.4 Predictable Funding (merged)3.5 Funding Advocacy (merged)3.6 Land/Property Disposal (merged)3.7 Full Day Kindergarten

Review of Councillor Motions

3.8 Deferral of Full Day Kindergarten

3.9 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Target Act

3.10 Carbon Neutral Plan for School Districts

3.11 Debt Service Grants Agreements

3.12 Proposed Review of Boards of Education

3.13 Class Size and Composition Legislation

3.14 School Trustee Communication

3.1 Annual Facility Grant Reinstatement

Be it resolved:1. That BCSTA urge the Minister of Education and

Minister of Finance to immediately reinstate current and future Annual Facility Grant (AFG) allocations.

2. That BCSTA work with the appropriate ministries and BCASBO representatives to review AFG funding amounts and delivery process to enable boards of education to implement long term maintenance plans consistent with the Ministry of Education’s policy to protect assets under board stewardship and to ensure the health and safety of all students and staff in school district facilities.

• Emergent?• Approve merged? • Clarity of motion & rationale

3.2 Harmonized Sales Tax

Be it resolved:That BCSTA urge the Provincial Government to provide boards of education with a Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) rebate.

• Emergent?• Approve merged?• Clarity of motion & rationale

3.3 Increased Costs of Medical Services Plan (MSP)

Be it resolved:That BCSTA urge the Ministry of Education to ensure that, effective in 2009-2010, operating grants to Boards of Education include funding to cover the increased costs of Medical Services Plan (MSP) Premiums.

• Emergent?• Clarity of motion & rationale

3.4 Predictable Funding

Be it resolved:That BCSTA meet immediately with the Minister of Education to ensure the School Act funding provisions are adhered to in a predictable, responsible and accountable manner recognizing the responsibilities locally elected boards of education have to their communities.


3.5 Funding Advocacy

Be it resolved:That BCSTA develop a province-wide advocacy plan to respond to the cancellation of the AFG

program and other proposed cuts to boards of education arising from the September 1, 2009, Province of BC Budget Update.

That the following elements be included in the advocacy plan:Strongly opposing the cancellation of the Annual Facilities Grant (AFG) program for the 2009-10

school year.a)Urging the Ministry of Education to restore fully AFG funding to boards of education for the

2009-10 school year and beyond.b)Requesting the Province of BC to ensure that boards of education are provided with adequate

funding from the Ministry of Health to cover measures recommended by the Provincial Health Officer.

c) Calling on the Province of BC to provide boards of education with adequate funding to cover the cost of increased MSP premiums for school district employees.

d)Requesting the Province of BC to ensure that boards of education are provided with the 75% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) rebate that will be made available to municipalities.

e)Calling on the Ministry of Education to ensure that prior to the implementation of the all day Kindergarten program, consultations be held with the BCSTA, Boards of Education, Coalition of Child Care Advocates, BC Teachers Federation, BC Public Schools Employee Association, BC College of Teachers and other appropriate organizations to develop a comprehensive plan for developing and implementing the program, and that the plan include a fully funded budget plan that takes into account, human resources, facilities, curriculum, and related matters.

f) Requesting the Province of BC to reinstate the $20 per-student grant to school-based Parent Advisory Councils.


3.6 Land/Property Disposal

Be it resolved:That BCSTA facilitate a process by which the policy regarding the disposal of property be reviewed so that Boards are less restricted in property disposal that:• is not related to the closure of the school• is not related to a cash sale of property but rather the sharing of a property • is required for the Board to pursue a community partnership• helps Boards work to create community hubs• helps Boards actualize potential to serve children and the broader community


3.7 Full Day Kindergarten

Be it resolved:That BCSTA request from the Ministry of Education a detailed outline of the implementation of full day kindergarten within the province.

• Emergent?• Approve revisions?• Clarity of motion & rationale

3.8 Deferral of Full Day Kindergarten

Be it resolved:That BCSTA request that until the Government of British Columbia provides adequate, predictable and stable funding to support K-12 education, the Government of British Columbia defer the implementation of full day kindergarten.


3.9 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Target Act

Be it resolved:That BCSTA urge the Ministry of Education consult with Northern Boards of Education for the purpose of a review of the effect this Act has on the more rural or northern boards of the province.

• Emergent?• Approve revisions?• Clarity of motion & rationale

3.10 Carbon Neutral Plan for School Districts

Be it resolved:That BCSTA urge the Provincial Government to delay the requirement for school districts to become carbon neutral until the Annual Facilities Grant is reinstated.


3.11 Debt Service Grants Agreement

Be it resolved:That BCSTA urge the Ministry of Education to honor agreements with school districts regarding debt service grants.


3.12 Proposed Review of Boards of Education

Be it resolved:That BCSTA urge the Ministry of Education to consult with Boards of Education in the development of terms of reference for any review of boards/districts as announced in the Provincial Throne Speech.


3.13 Class Size and Composition Legislation

Be it resolved:That BCSTA urge the Minister of Education to review and revise current class size and composition legislation in consultation with Education Partners in light of recent arbitration rulings.


3.14 School Trustee Communication

Be it resolved:That BCSTA establish a province-wide email list to be made available to all school trustees for the purpose of facilitating the sharing of information, enhancing communications, and networking amongst school trustees.


Challenges to Leg Ctte Decisions

• Handled by the body at PC• Select a Chair to address questions

or challenges by body?

Late Motions

• Handled by the body at PC• 2-step process:

– PC to deem emergent– if emergent, vote on actual motion

Next Meeting

• When: January 2009• To review PC motions for Feb 2009

Questions?

See you at PC or Academy!

Documents

Legislative Committee Meeting Review of October 2009 PC Motions October 2, 2009, 11:30a – 1:30p