Highlights from the Regular Board Meeting of December 19, 2022

Announcements

Thank you to the St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic School choir featuring students from Grades 2 to 8 for singing O'Canada and a song entitled Oceans at the December 19, 2022 Regular Board Meeting.

Presentations

Financial Overview Chief Financial Officer, Marie Hammond presented an overview of the board's finances. She highlighted that over the past two years operating reserves were utilized to promote student and staff safety, hire additional support staff, address remote learning options and to purchase additional technology. Ms. Hammond advised Trustees that "The Ministry of Education allowed the use of up to 2% of operating revenues from a board’s operating reserve per year during the pandemic, providing additional funding to boards with less than 2% available." Through the use of DCDSB’s accumulated surplus, the board was able to obtain supplemental funding that further supported pandemic related costs.   The board would like to replenish its operating accumulated surplus to 1% - 2% of its operating revenue. The increase in enrolment from Estimates to Revised Estimates in 2022/2023 has allowed the board to provide an allocation to accumulated surplus of $266,064. From May 2022 to October 2022, the board has increased enrolment by 352 students. The latest estimates project that DCDSB will see a modest increase in enrolment of 1.1% to 1.7% over each of the next three years.   Looking ahead to 2023-2024, the board will look at the following priorities to determine its budget: enrolment, grants for students' needs, transportation costs and the new transportation funding formula to be introduced for 2023-2024, inflation, current labour negotiations, accumulated surplus replenishment and the new Multi-Year Strategic Plan.

Brooklin English (Regular) Track Study Superintendent Grieve and Superintendent O'Neill presented on the Brooklin Regular (English) Track Study and the feedback obtained during the community consultation and engagement sessions held in October and November 2022. All information regarding community input and recommendations which emerged from the study can be view on the board's website at ww.dcdsb.ca/en/our-board/brooklin-regular-english-track-study.aspx. Committee members shared information and data on the three Catholic elementary schools, potential solutions to address the Regular (English) Track program at St. Leo, St. Bridget and St. John Paul II Catholic Schools. Superintendent Grieve reviewed the status quo option and how historical and project enrolment would impact the Regular (English) Track program over time. Superintendent O'Neill reviewed the implementation and future considerations plan that includes transportation, transition plan and introduction to the school community and a communication plan to ensure a smooth transition for students, staff and families. The Board of Trustees approved the Boundary Review Committee's recommendations that the proposed boundary revisions to the Brooklin Regular (English) Track Program and that the boundary change be implemented for September 2023. The current Grade 6 and 7 Regular (English) Track students currently attending St. Leo Catholic School will be allowed to graduate from the school subject to sufficient interest and viable class sizes.

2021-2022 Director's Annual Report Tracy Barill, Director of Education shared an overview of the 2021-2022 Director's Annual Report: Community of Faith. In the web-based report, Director Barill outlined the five strategic priorities, accomplishments, board staff, financials, and shared stories, awards and recognition that highlighted the achievements of students and staff over the past year. This Annual Report reflects on the progress achieved as the board concludes its Discovery 2023 - Renewing the Vision strategic plan. In January 2023, DCDSB will begin transitioning to its Inspire 2026 Multi-Year Strategic Plan. The Director thanked staff for their work on the core commitments of Excellence, Equity and Engagement.

Updates

Tracy Barill, Director of Education began the evening by recognizing some students and staff who achieved special recognitions recently. Director Barill congratulated Gabriel, a Grade 5 student from St. Paul Catholic School who won the Durham Regional Police Services (DRPS) Police Chief for a Day contest. Gabriel was one of ten finalists selected to read their essays to a community panel of judges which included Chief Todd Rollauer, members of the Police Services Board and members of the Police Appreciation Dinner and Awards Night Committee. More than 100 essays were submitted from Grade 5 students from across Durham Region. Gabriel served as Chief for a Day on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, and was the guest of honour at the 16th Annual DRPS Police Appreciation Dinner and Awards night on October 27. The Director shared a video of Gabriel, who was the board's Student Spotlight for December 2022.

The Director also extended congratulations to the Grade 3 and Grade 5 & 6 students at St. Joseph Catholic School, in Oshawa and the Grade 11-12 senior instrumental music students from All Saints Catholic Secondary School for being named as top 10 finalists in their respective categories in the CBC Canadian Music Class Challenge. "Both schools have won this national award in the past few years and continue to showcase the great musical talent of our students. I encourage you all to watch their music videos – links are available at dcdsb.ca/news," said Director Barill. The elementary students at St. Joseph Catholic School, in Oshawa performed “Back in Your Head,” by Tegan & Sara and the senior instrumental music students at All Saints Catholic Secondary School performed “Lost Together,” by Blue Rodeo. "As this is our final Board meeting of the year, I wanted to take an opportunity to thank our Catholic learning community for a successful 2022. Although, once again, we have faced a variety of challenges and disruptions due to the pandemic and process associated with collective bargaining, it has also been an amazing year as we have finally been able to truly re-connect with one another. I am so proud to be part of a Board where staff, students and families continually witness, celebrate, proclaim and model the good news of the Gospel through their daily service and interactions," said Director Barill. The Director added, "As we conclude the board’s Discovery 2023 Renewing the Vision Strategic Plan, we can be confident that in spite of COVID-19, as a Board we have been able to meet and exceed the goals that were set three years ago under our strategic priorities of Witnessing Faith; Celebrating Inclusion and Well-Being; Teaching and Learning; Expanding Pathways and Managing Resources. As Director, I have been thrilled, along with the Senior Admin Team, and their various staff to be able to share highlights of our accomplishments with you, through our monthly presentations and reports, our internal and external newsletters, Weekly Buzz and DCDSB News. I cannot overstate the depth of admiration and appreciation I have for our dedicated staff who have persevered through (yes, I will say it one last time) “unprecedented” challenges.  As a result of their collective passion, resilience, ingenuity and faith we have been able to create positive changes in our core commitments to Excellence, Equity and Engagement." Looking ahead to 2023, the board is excited to launch our new multi-year strategic plan, Inspire 2026 in January and invite all members of our DCDSB community to join us on our journey of Listening, Learning, and Living in Faith. During the Advent season, DCDSB's school communities have participated in the spirit of giving through prayers, liturgies, donations to families in need, and other charitable acts. The Director noted that the Catholic Education Centre raised over $13,000 in one day for students and families in need, and the Catholic Principals Association raised over $1,700 for the Durham Catholic Children's Foundation through their recent Christmas celebration.  "Thank you for all the giving that you do in your service as part of the Durham Catholic District School Board. In this final week of Advent, may we remember how blessed we are to celebrate the season as a community with joy and anticipation; and extend extra prayers for those who may be facing challenges at this time," said Tracy Barill, Director of Education. On behalf of the Senior Administrative Team, best wishes to all our families for a joyous Christmas and Happy New Year.

Monique Forster, Chair of the Board, extended gratitude to Director Barill, staff and Trustees for the work that has taken place this past year and over the last three years on the board’s strategic plan – Discovery 2023. "We should all be proud of the accomplishments achieved during this challenging time in history," said Monique Forster, Chair of the Board of Trustees. "Together with my colleagues on the Durham Catholic Board of Trustees, I look forward to launching Inspire 2026 in January as we continue serving our students and families in the light of Christ." Chair Forster congratulated St. Mary Catholic Secondary School who were recently recognized by ShareLife as the top fundraising school in 2022 for the Durham Catholic District School Board. Students and staff raised $9,500 for ShareLife through dress down days and fundraising initiatives. The Chair also thanked Mr. Ladouceur’s Construction Technology class at Archbishop Denis O’Connor Catholic High School for building a five-foot nativity/creche that is on display outside of St. Bernadette’s Parish for the Advent season. "Thank you to Father Lemieux for reaching out to the school and for providing an opportunity for students to display their gifts and talents with the parish community and strengthening our home, school, parish partnership," added Monique Forster, Chair of the Board. Chair Forster thanked the board's Governance Officer, Liz Beckstead for keeping Trustees apprised of upcoming events in our Catholic Schools. While Trustees cannot always attend every event, the Chair expressed her appreciation to DCDSB's school administrators for sharing the invitations. "Having an opportunity to be present in our Catholic Schools once again is certainly a blessing," said Chair Forster. She added, "Last week I had the great opportunity, along with Trustee Hall and Superintendent Sorhaitz to visit some of the Ajax schools. Our thanks to Superintendent Sorhaitz for organizing these visits. Trustee Hall and myself also attended some beautiful Advent masses at St. James Catholic School, as well as St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School in Ajax." Chair Forster noted that she is looking forward to other school visits over the next few weeks. Last month, the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) held two orientation sessions for current and newly elected trustees. These workshops were a welcomed opportunity to deepen trustees’ understanding of the use of Robert’s Rules of Order and Conflict of Interest. Chair Forster added that in January, Trustees will have an opportunity to attend the OCSTA Trustee’s Seminar in Toronto. These events are great opportunities to network with other Catholic Trustees from across the province. Chair Forster added that over the past month, she attended regularly scheduled meetings with the Minister of Education. The meetings provide school board chairs with ongoing updates, and provide an opportunity to ask questions or address concerns that are shared with Minister Lecce. "I will be sharing highlights from these meetings with all trustees," said Monique Forster, Chair of the Board. "On behalf of the Durham Catholic District School Board of Trustees, I wish you all the best during the Advent season; and may this Christmas bring joy and happiness to all our Durham Catholic students, staff, families, friends, and partners. May the Lord bless us all," said Chair Forster.

Motions

That the Durham Catholic District School Board approve the 2021/2022 Audited Financial Statements. That the Durham Catholic District School Board approve the 2022/2023 Budget - Revised Estimates. That the Durham Catholic District School Board approve the proposed boundary revisions for Archbishop Denis O’Connor and Notre Dame Catholic Secondary Schools as outlined in the Archbishop Denis O’Connor and Notre Dame Catholic Secondary Schools Boundary – Final Staff Report, dated December 19, 2022. That the Durham Catholic District School Board approve the change in boundary revisions for Archbishop Denis O’Connor and Notre Dame Catholic Secondary Schools effective September 2023. That the Durham Catholic District School Board approve the proposed boundary revisions to the Brooklin Regular (English) Track program as outlined in the Recommended Option section (pages 12-14) of the Brooklin Regular (English) Track Study – Final Staff Report, dated December 19, 2022. That the Durham Catholic District School Board approve the change in boundary of the Brooklin Regular (English) Track boundary for September 2023. That the current Grade 6 and 7 Regular (English) students presently attending St. Leo Catholic School be allowed to graduate from St. Leo subject to sufficient interest and viable class sizes. That the Durham Catholic District School Board approve the membership for the following Statutory Committees as follows: Audit Committee: Trustees De Souza, Ste. Marie, McCafferty, alternate Trustee Beatty; Special Education Advisory Committee: Trustees McCafferty and De Souza, alternate Trustee Damianopoulos; Supervised Alternative Learning Committee: Trustee Beatty, alternate Trustee Forster; Expulsion Hearing Committee: Trustees Ste. Marie, Hall, and Emanuel, alternate All Trustees; Suspension Appeal Committee: Trustees Hall, Emanuel, and McCafferty, alternate All Trustees; and Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee: Trustee Ste. Marie, alternate Trustee Hall. That the Durham Catholic District School Board approve the membership for the following Standing Committees as follows: Finance Committee: Trustees Damianopoulos, Emanuel, and Forster and alternate Trustee Hall; Board Award of Merit Committee: Trustees McCafferty, De Souza and Forster; Trustee Youth Award Committee: Trustees Hall, Emanuel and Forster; and The Outstanding Home/School Communication Award Committee: Trustee Emanuel. That the Durham Catholic District School Board approve the committee membership for the following committee: Student Senate Committee: Trustee Beatty That the Durham Catholic District School Board approve the attendance of a senior staff member at the 2023 ThoughtExchange Leadership Summit to be held January 11-13, 2023 in Colorado Springs, CO.

Announcements

Morgan Ste. Marie, Vice-Chair of the Board made the following announcements: Retirements Dean Tarrant, Elementary panel, effective March 31, 2023. Eric Gangl, St. Mary Catholic Secondary School, effective January 31, 2023. Norma Giulietti, St. Josephine Bakhita Catholic School, effective December 31, 2022. Theresa Mood, St. John Bosco Catholic School, effective December 31, 2022. Resignations Daniel Carlin, Senior Manager, Planning/Capital/Admissions, effective November 18, 2022. Natalie Irwin, St. James Catholic School, effective August 22, 2022.

2022-2023 Board of Trustees: Monique Forster (Chair) - Ajax Morgan Ste. Marie (Vice-Chair) - Oshawa Kim Beatty - Oshawa Richard Damianopoulos - Scugog, Uxbridge and Brock Robert De Souza - Whitby Janelle Emanuel - Whitby Marisa Hall - Ajax Jim McCafferty - Pickering Sophie Nwaoha - Student Trustee Moyin Esan - Student Trustee

Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of December 19, 2022 will be posted on the board website as part of the agenda for the Regular Board Meeting of Monday, January 23, 2023.