Board News - Meeting of June 15, 2010
PLEASE NOTE: This Board News also contains information from a Special Meeting, June 16, 2010.
Board appreciates new school in Willoughby
Board of Education Chair Joan Bech thanked the Ministry of Education for approving a new school in the Willoughby area. The Ministry announced the project as part of a $144 million funding package for Full Day Kindergarten implementation in BC. "Langley School District is very pleased with the announcement from the Ministry of Education that a new school has been approved for the Willoughby area," she said. "The district has long had new schools in Willoughby as a priority on its Capital Plan, and the Ministry had indicated the request would be given high priority at the provincial level as well." Details of the project have not been released, but the Ministry will be funding a 15 classroom school, scheduled to open in the fall of 2012. A modular classroom will also be available by the fall of 2011.
The new facilities come as a welcome relief as the district plans to implement Full Day Kindergarten in crowded Willoughby schools. FDK is being partially implemented in the district beginning in 2010-2011, but won't be implemented in Willoughby until the 2011-2012 school year. "This will help us greatly in planning to make room for Full Day Kindergarten," Chair Bech said. "Without this additional capital funding for the district, we faced a severe challenge delivering Full Day Kindergarten to families."
See full release
Middle School configuration embraced in Aldergrove
Parents from Aldergrove area schools said they are very happy with the Middle School configuration, which has been implemented in their area. "I think the administration has done a tremendous job of pulling it together," said Betty Gilbert parent Bruce Taylor. "I want to thank you for letting us try something different in Aldergrove. I truly believe the system came through in our community."
Parkside Centennial PAC President Margo McPhalen said students in her K to 5 school have adapted to the configuration without difficulty. "The kids really showed us who was scared - us parents," she said. "The kids jumped in with both feet." She added that having a younger school population, which doesn't straddle the adolescent divide, has proved beneficial.
Betty Gilbert parent Tracy Olley said students have embraced the Middle School environment. She noted benefits like the Explorations component of the Middle School Program and the ability of the school to create a 'better dynamic' due to the larger cohorts of students. At Betty Gilbert, she noted, there is an 'A' Honour Roll; a 'B' Honour Roll; and an 'Effort' Honour Roll, and she said students are proud to be on any of them. "The kids high-five themselves on the way to picking up their honour role certificates," Ms. Olley said.
Interim Secretary Dave Greenan thanked for service
Members of the Board thanked Interim Secretary Treasurer Dave Greenan for the contribution he has made to Langley School District during his six months here. Mr. Greenan accepted the position on an interim basis, beginning his tenure in January. With Assistant Secretary Treasurer Tally Bains and other members of the Finance team, he embarked on a reorganization of financial operations, implementing improved budgeting and budget monitoring processes. Langley School District incurred a $8.3 million deficit in the 2008-2009 operating year, and anticipates a $5.3 million deficit in 2009-2010. Mr. Greenan would later present a balanced 2010-2011 Budget Bylaw to the Board. He has also been instrumental in developing a four year Deficit Elimination Plan, which he and Superintendent of Schools Cheryle Beaumont have presented to the Ministry of Education to pay down the accumulated deficit of $13.5 million over four years.
"I'm sure Mr. Greenan would agree that his time in Langley has been a unique and challenging experience," Board Chair Joan Bech said, while thanking Mr. Greenan.
2010-2011 Budget Bylaw approved at June 16 Special Meeting
The Board gave First and Second Readings to the $155 million 2010-2011 Budget ByLaw at their regular June 15 meeting, and held a Special Meeting June 16 at 5:30 p.m. to give Third (and final) Reading. "The proposed budget recommends reductions of $7 million to address a projected shortfall due to a structural deficit and continuing cost pressures that have seen expenses increasing faster than revenues," Interim Secretary Treasurer Dave Greenan said in an Information Release that was distributed before the June 15 meeting.
He notes as well that the 2010-2011 Budget does not include repayment of a projected accumulated deficit of $13.5 million from the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 operating years. A Deficit Elimination Plan has been submitted to the Ministry of Education, which requests beginning a four year repayment schedule in the 2011-2012 school year, with equal payments of $3.375 million in each year.
The 2010-2011 budget is based on an enrolment of 18,316 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) students and 1,737 FTE staff. Staff reductions will be: 41.12 teachers (25 school based and 16 central); 5.27 administrative positions; 26.46 Education Assistants; 34.97 Support Staff; and 1.42 Other Professionals.
Board Chair Joan Bech noted that many school districts are faced with difficult decisions, but acknowledged that Langley's challenge has been made even greater by the accumulated deficit, which was due largely to accounting errors and lack of financial controls. "The problem is that we spent more than we had and now the debt must be paid," she said. "We have done everything we can to keep services to students at a high level." Several trustees remarked that although schools will be affected, quality programs and services will still be delivered in Langley.
See the Budget Information Release and Package, The 2010-2011 Budget Bylaw
Capital Plan calls for Willoughby Middle School
The Board approved a new Capital Plan which makes its first priority construction of a middle school in the Willoughby area; its second, land acquisition for school purposes in the southeast Yorkson neighbourhood; third, expansion of R.C. Garnett Elementary School; fourth, expansion of R.E. Mountain Secondary School. Major considerations in the capital plan are continued growth in the Willoughby area and the phased introduction of Full Day Kindergarten for all students by the 2011-2012 school year. "Population projections have significantly increased for the Willoughby slope since the previous reports were compiled," states the background information to the plan. "Although the resulting conclusions are similar, pressures are yet more urgent."
Cost of a Middle School with capacity for 750 students is projected as $26 million; the cost of increasing the capacity at R.E. Mountain Secondary School from 725 to 1,250 students is projected as $16 million.
See the Five Year Capital Plan
District Achievement Contract approved
Trustees approved the District Achievement Contract, which must be submitted to the Ministry of Education by July 15. The purpose of the contract is to set out a plan for the improvement of student achievement in key areas. In Langley these are: Literacy, Numeracy and Transitions. The plan was initially adopted in 2008, and 2010-2011 was scheduled to be its final year in a three year cycle. But Langley, in consultation with the Ministry of Education, will extend its DAC by an additional year. District Principal of Instructional Services Suzanne Hoffman said the DAC focuses the district's educational objectives. "As a district we have to continue working on these things together," she said. "Getting to some of these goals is about life choices for some of our students." The updated 2010-2011 DAC will be posted on the district web site when the approved draft of the document has been formatted and prepared for publication.
Community Literacy Plan approved
Adult literacy remains the priority of Langley's Community Literacy Plan, which was approved by the Board of Education at the June 15 meeting. The Provincial Government has given school districts the mandate to improve literacy around 'Four Pillars': Early Learning, K-12, Adult Literacy and Aboriginal Literacy. The vision for the Community Literacy Plan is to "weave literacy in all its forms throughout the fabric of the community, creating learning opportunities for all," states the background information to the report. Langley has hired Literacy Coordinator Hatti Hogeterp to work with community partners promoting literacy.
See the Community Literacy Plan
Specialty Academy Fees Set
The Board approve fees that are charged for specialty academy programs at Langley Secondary School, Langley Fine Arts School, Walnut Grove Secondary School and Aldergrove Community Secondary School. Special academies are programs that meet learning outcomes that are additional to a standard educational program, and reflect a specific sport, activity or subject area. They must offer at least 240 instructional hours and 8 credits in a one-year academy; 120 hours and 4 credits for each year in a multi-year program.
See the Specialty Academies and Fees
District to receive $215,000 for Full Day Kindergarten Furniture and Equipment
Langley School District will receive $215,000 to furnish and equip 16 classrooms for Full Day Kindergarten, which will be implemented over two years, starting in September 2010. Expenditure of the funding, which is part of $144 million that the Ministry of Education has allocated for FDK, required passing a capital project bylaw, which the Board did at its Special Meeting June 16.