Minutes of the May 2005 PAC Meeting by recorded by Candace Watson This is a DRAFT copy Lord Byng Senior Secondary Parent Advisory Council General Meeting Minutes Date & Time: May 24, 2005. Convened at 7:15 PM Location: Lord Byng Senior Secondary School, Library 3939 West 16^th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. ATTENDANCE:_ __Kirsten Brawn__, __Ken Cameron__, Michele Carrington, Flora Chang, Brian Crowther, Rick Downie, Louisa Flynn, Angela Kenyon, Elaine Knappfuller, Karen Mukai, Tracy Proke, Candace Watson._ _ _ SCHOOL REPS: Darlene Braeder (Principal), Rob Schindel (Vice Principal) 1. Minutes of the April 26th PAC meeting. / / /Rick Downie moved to adopt the Minutes of the April 2005 meeting. Kathy Mukai seconded the motion after a correction to the spelling of Mr. Mallett? name. Carried./ 2. Principal?s Report - Ms. Braeder thanked Rob Schindel for standing in for her at the last two PAC meetings as she was in New York in March and in Japan in April. - The Junior Band is away at Band Camp and the Seniors are writing their AP exams (3.5 hours). - Friday, over 60 people attended the Tea and Tour. The results of the 80^th celebrations are that the alumnae has reconnected with the school, most of the events have been full to capacity and the symphony concerts are new; however, no big cheques came in. - The last seismic meeting is in June; the work is to be finished in July. The school has to complete some work (new window blinds). - The final quote for a two-band communication system has been received at $98,000. Installation of such a system was recommended by the PAC. The system involves messages scrolling on TV monitors in the halls and classrooms. Now that the seismic is done we can go ahead with the system but the price has gone from $12,000 to $98,000. - Prom was held on May 14; by all reports it was a good event and no black eyes were received by the school. - The graduation ceremonies are to be held on June 3^rd in the Chan Centre, followed by a Dinner/Dance for 520 people at the Wall Centre. Afterward there is a dry After Grad at the school and 150 tickets have been sold. - The traditional ?Beach? is being held at the school tomorrow. This year the Grade 12 organizers are co-operating with the administration; it will be held at the side of the school, sand is hauled up from the beach, lawn chairs are brought out and a small pool. Kids go to the beach and don?t attend classes. The organizers have agreed to lay down tarps, to confine beach activities to before school, at lunch and break times and they have agreed to clean it up. - The student elections for next year are on the 26tth of My; there will be four assemblies, the speeches have been vetted. The Grade 8 reps will be elected at Grade 8 camp. There will be a Student Council Retreat in early September or the end of August to solidify the group. - The Grade Breakfasts have been held to celebrate the achievements of the students and allow teachers and students to socialize. - Next year the year end barbeque will be held after all of the Grade English exams; parent volunteers will be needed to help out. - The symphony has been a success; there are a number of subscribers for next year. - The B-Link conference is to be held over a two year period. All of the Grade 7?s from the feeder schools are invited and there will be a full slate of events. - The Junior awards are on June 7^th . Byng Arts Graduation is on June 10^th . - On June 27^th is the Teacher Appreciation Lunch. The office is open until July 8^th and then closed until the end of August. 3. Vice Principal?s Remarks (Rob Schindel) - Mr. S. handed out the tutorial and exam schedules. The school final exams are from the 15^th to the 17^th and the tutorial sessions are set out on the reverse side. He handed out a large sheet which gives the Provincial exam schedule for the Grade 10?s and Grade 12?s. These were just finalized today and are also posted on the web site. - There are several tutorials for each subject planned and also there will be review work done in class. 4. Graduation (Laurie Frederick) - the school-sanctioned activities are on June 3^rd and include the Dinner/Dance at the Wall Centre and for the first time a Dry After Grad. We have had a good turn-out of volunteers but one more person is needed to decorate (for about 2 hours only). - The cafeteria will be decorated on Friday afternoon; hands are needed to distribute the decorations (they?re all made). 5. School Planning Council Report (DB) /a) //General Upate/ - the SPC met and reviewed data all year high lighting the successes and failures at the school. - It was decided that the school goal of Social Responsibility is worth pursuing and will be continued with next year. - DB is preparing a report which will go out to the SPC; it will be posted on the web site after being approved by the VSB. - DB asked if the parents had any concerns because this will be the last chance to incorporate them into the report. - The Satisfaction Survey had a low number of responses. The general consensus was that the questions were not high quality. Judy Fau(?) volunteered to work with the group. Experience at Lord Byng and run forums over the year and get students more involved. The SPC has agreed to undertake the project. /b) //Sheila Marshall Repot/ - the research group has agreed to continue for four more years and look at the data y comparison with the base line information collected this year. - Karen Mukai, a member of the SPC spoke of the importance of getting feedback, of parents getting involved in all aspects of the school; she was sorry that there was such a low attendance tonight and said that if each parent should try to bring 20 people out. - With respect to the SPC, it is an on-going challenge to get people involved. The lead item in future PAC meetings should be how to drag more bodies in. - DB noted that the Grad Survey conducted last year provided useful information and we will continue with it. - Rob Schindel reported that 20 students, 2 parents and 5 staff have been working on the revisions to the Code of Conduct. There is a meeting on Friday. A behavioral expectation matrix has been developed. There are 3 Core Values which are the essence of the student body. The intention is to make the Code of Conduct come alive. 6. Treasurer?s Report (Kirsten Brawn) - Kirsten reported that the profit from the Hanging Basket fund raiser was $2,611 (40%); that tprofit from Grocery Certificates was $890 last month and that a GST rebate of $486 was received for the 2003/2004 year. - $1,700 has been moved through the accounts by the Grad Committee which are the proceeds from the raffle. - Kirsten has submitted an application to recover $880 paid in GST in 2002/2003. - /Tracy Proke moved to receive the Treasurer?s report; Louisa Flynn seconded the motion./ Here was a question about the personal names that appear in the statements. TP explained that these are volunteers who go and buy the grocery certificates from the stores for the program. /Motion carried./ 7. Unconditional Grant - PAC has supported the installation of a new communication system in the past. The total cost of the system will be $98,000 and DB was planning on deficit-financing it. DB has recommended and the Executive has agreed that the money from the Ministry be put toward the communication system. It will be a vast improvement on the existing system and represents the first upgrade since the old PA system was installed. - /Rick Downie moved that the unconditional grant be given to the school toward the new communication system. Karen Mukai seconded the motion. / - One parent asked what the system is; DB explained that it is a series of TV sets such as the system in the foyer of the VSB offices, which scroll messages, student bulletins, sports results, video clips and would be running during break times. - Eventually, there will be a monitor in each classroom and live broadcasts can be viewed in the classroom. For example, Gwynn Dyer speaks to the school each year and the auditorium has a capacity of 550; the speech can be broadcast live to the rest of the school. Foreman Howes will also be organizing student broadcasts. - Burnaby South and Cariboo Heights already have the system; Lord Byng would be the third Lower Mainland school to get one. - RD noted that the system would be very handy to have in an emergency but that technology is changing so quickly he can see prices dropping. - LF asked whether the cabling would be all done at the same time? DB said that she planned to use her funds from the vending machine contracts and GST rebates toward the system and classrooms will gradually be added as we can afford them. / / /Motion carried./ 8. Picnic Tables - Ken Cameron explained that on the Wish List was a student request for picnic tables; we had the resources this year and he was in the process of lining them up when DB expressed concerns about them being a supervision problem because they are out of the view of the office. - /Rick D. moved and Louisa Flynn seconded the motion that the motion to spend $3,500 to buy picnic tables be rescinded./ - RD noted that he had taken an informal survey of some students and concluded that new picnic tables would not be that useful. LF stated that the seating around the basketball courts has been created since the motion regarding the picnic tables. The administration stated that students tend to hang out there at inappropriate times and that they create a huge graffiti problem which causes more work for the custodial staff. - /Motion carried./ 9. Pizza Night (Rick Downie) - a different pizza place sent us chocolates to try to attract our business. Domino?s are anxious to help us out. This meeting was not publicized (or the last one) but from now on every fourth Tuesday is going to be Pizza Night for Lord Byng PAC so if you order pizzas form Domino?s you must say that it?s for Lord Byng and 20% of each order will come directly to the PAC. - LF asked if it was every 4^th Tusday or the 4^th Tuesday of every month (the latter). 10. Election of the Executive (Laurie Frederick) - LF announced that the following Executive members will return: Ken Cameron, Kirsten Brawn, Tracy Proke, Louisa Flynn, John Robertson, Jan Berney, Karin Smith and a new member Damiel Chowne. Michele Carrington said that she would stand again as well; we have not heard from Michele Danicek. - LF noted that the secretary?s post will be vacant and explained the Members-at-Large role. - LF asked whether anyone present would volunteer to be on the Executive. - Kathy Mukai stated that she had agreed to stand last year but was drafted for the SPC instead; she would like to be on the Executive but wondered how much of a time commitment it was? She agreed to be put down with a question mark and will think about it over the summer. - LF asked if there were any objections to voting in the Executive as a package (no) - LF asked how many were in favour? Opposed? Carried. - Ken Cameron said a few words of appreciation to the members who aren?t coming back: RD who has made such a big contribution in administering the Wish List; CW who has done a marvelous job as secretary for the past two years; LF who has been such a valuable resource after her many, many years of involvement at the PAC; she will be much missed. 11. The 80^th Anniversary Events - KC noted that the school made successful contacts with the alumnae, that there was more involvement in school events but that it was not successful in attracting donations to the school. PAC advanced $500 toward advertising but the total cost was $1,879.24, the difference was paid by the school - KC asked for a motion to reimburse the school in the sum of $1,379.24. - /Laurie Frederick moved and Kathy Mukai seconded the motion. Carried./ 12. Speaker, Angela Kenyon, Trustee, speaking on the VSB Budget - Ms. Kenyon noted that she has been involved in VSB budgets for over 15 years, first of all as a parent from an East Side school, then an elected member of the District parents, then the Chair, now as a trustee. - She is in charge of Committee 5, the Finance Committee; her 3 year term is almost up. In the first year there was a $2.4 million deficit; there have been only two years when there have not been cutbacks. - The VSB is trying to make the process as collaborative as possible, meeting in the districts, in the schools and on March 15^th the question was asked ? how are we going to deal with the budget? - The trustees opposed management because they felt that the udget did not reflect what the parents had decided. - Experienced businessmen have been asked how much they think the budget is ($50 million). In fact, the budget is $415,500,497 and it?s not enough. - Management presented a budget and the trustees presented a budget; there was a 7% increase in the supplies budget. - Next year there were $11.2 million in cuts and they went through the same process again, meeting with as many people as they could. This time the decision was made that the trustees and management would have weekly meetings and they worked together. - $1 million = 18 teachers - Costs are going up by $5 million annually and enrolment is going down. Fewer students means less money. - In 15 years enrolment is 3% less - This year they have $6.8 million to spend; one consistent message is being received: too any meetings. - Ms. Kenyon believes that there are 3 areas where everyone can agree: � Equity � Stability � Preparation for the future. - It is not a perfect process; the District Superintendent said that ?if no one is happy then you?re probably doing a good job? It?s a good budget and she?s proud of it. - Lord Byng will be getting a second Vice Principal. /Questions/ - Ken C. noted that the PAC has really been advocating for a second VP and because of the nature of the school we think that it?s very important to have that extra resource. We really appreciate this. - Kathy Mukai asked DB how the duties will be split up. DB responded that it depends on who the individual is, that they want to work with a person?s strengths. RS is looking for new leadership roles. The candidates were short-listed today. - With respect to the preparation for the future aspect, for example a recent article on the Baby Boomers retiring at the City. The VSB is trying to prepare for that. - LF asked what was the reason for the $5 million increase annually; was it salaries? Ms. Kenyon answered that it was inflation, salary increases due to teachers attaining higher education, and declining enrolment (500 students are lost per year). - One parent asked about collective bargaining between the District and the Union. Ms. Kenyon stated that the employers and the Union have never successfully negotiated an agreement; it has always been imposed by the Province. - Our representative in the process is BCCPAC, one trustee is allowed to attend. - At the AGM they elected a Board; occasionally reports are produced; she does not know what they say to government. - Rick Downie asked where the next cuts will be: teachers, classrooms, schools? Ms. Kenyon said that in the old days she was a foster mom and the resources were available if they were needed. - The District budget was 10% of the entire budget, now it?s 3%. There is no fat in the system and the students lose - Ms. Kenyon noted that Surrey, a growing municipality, has more resources because oit?s growing (Intensive French at the Grade 5 level). - Funding formulas change regularly. For example the climate factor for Vancouver is 0; Surrey gets $600,000 for climate issues, also Coquitlam. - One parent questioned about money for special needs. Ms. Kenyon said that the base funding is $5,743 per student up to $32,000 for a deaf or blind student. A full time SEA costs $35,000 minimum - Funding for higher incidence disabilities such as learning disabilities and behavioral difficulties is different. $1,100 per student for 5 years is allocated to ESL. Vancouver has the highest percentage of ESL students. - There is such diversity in Vancouver; it?s difficult trying to explain to the different provincial governments about the complexity here. There was to be an ?urban factor? which would have resulted in extra funding for Vancouver but the Liberals turned it down. - How do you lobby for $? Each faction is played off against the others. How do you present a united front to whatever government is in power? How do you twist arms? The BCSTA is the provincial association; strong resolutions are passed; there is unity on the floor, dedicated people represent the schools. - The VSB raises $26 million each year (leases, international students, continuing education courses). There is a Vancouver Public Schools Foundation which receives philanthropic donations for educational enhancements (may not be applied to operating costs). - Laurie Frederic mentioned that she was involved with a non-profit organization, member-funded, that was trying to get $ from the government. The government was invited to have direct representation on the Board and that made some difference. - Ms. Kenyon stated that Christy Clark would never meet with the Trustees, Tom Christianson has come twice. - She is concerned about the financial burden on the parents; she has a full accounting of all the fees paid from K to Grade 12 and it?s huge. - Laurie F. asked whether balance was being maintained across the District? Ms. Kenyon said that when she was the Chair of the District parents this was of great concern to her; raising $800 a year was huge. - Now more money is available toward teachers on call for field trips but this is not really an enhancement. - Magee pays for the Grade 6?s at Queen Alexandra to have a field trip, Grade 6 Camp. /Laurie F. moved to adjourn the meeting; Kathy Mukai seconded the motion/. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM and there was a wine and cheese social following.