Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Highlights of the January 22, 2002 meeting

Board Highlights

Brampton Historical Society donates historical maps to board, Brampton schools

Peter Murphy, president of the Brampton Historical Society, presented a copy of a historical map of Brampton to the board. The Brampton Historical Society has donated one map for each school in Brampton. The original historical map is on display at the Brampton Heritage Complex at 9 Wellington St. E.

Peel board announces result of relief campaign for victims of the Sept. 11th attacks

After the tragedy that struck the US on Sept. 11, 2001, thousands of students, staff and community members rallied together to help one another to deal with the shock, grief and stress resulting from the crisis. Through the board's Helping our Neighbours--Relief for American victims campaign, $73,038.90 was raised by Peel staff, students and parents.

Student trustees Ashleigh Egerton and Ainsley Jenicek made two special cheque presentations. June Wade, fund development volunteer for the Canadian Red Cross, received a cheque for $51,418.34 for the Canadian Red Cross Society USA Disaster Relief Fund. Roslynne Mains, director of communications and community relations for United Way of Peel Region, accepted a cheque for $21,620.56 on behalf of the United Way of Canada for the organization's Sept. 11th Fund.

Noted Chair Janet McDougald, "The success of this campaign is a true reflection of what we can do when staff, students and parents come together to make a difference for children. I would like to congratulate our schools and work sites for generously supporting this campaign and acting quickly to help our neighbours in the US."

Director of education announces retirement

On June 30, Harold Brathwaite, director of education, will retire from the Peel board. Chair McDougald commented on Harold Brathwaite's contributions to Peel since joining the board in 1994.

Noted Chair McDougald, "Harold's stewardship has helped us through one of the most turbulent times in education. As a true champion of public education, he has always put the needs of students first. Harold exemplifies the power of one individual to make a difference for children. He has also spent an endless amount of time reaching out to provincial, national and international organizations to raise the profile of our board. These efforts have positioned the Peel board as a leader in education. On behalf of the board, I congratulate Harold on his extraordinary contributions to public education."

Special education audit process costs board $2.8 million

The board is writing to the provincial auditor, local MPPs and the minister of education to express concern about the cost of the special education audit process. Under the student focussed funding model, the compulsory audit process requires an enormous commitment of time from key special education staff and takes away from direct service to students.

In 2001/2002, staff time to perform the required process cost an estimated $2.8 million. Since 1998, the cost is $4.3 million. Service to schools and students has been affected, including:

• the suspension of support groups for students (eg. grief, anger management and social skills)
• a delay in servicing social work caseloads
• an increase in the number of families waiting for social work services
• a reduction of consultant resource support to teachers and direct support to students
• a reduction in testing and evaluation of students

Noted Chair McDougald, "The administrative burden of this process is unacceptable--particularly for a government with a strong stated commitment to reducing red tape and bureaucracy."

Vice-chair receives recognition from OPSBA for 25 years of service

Ruth Thompson, vice-chair of the board and trustee for wards 3 & 4 in Mississauga, will be honoured by the Ontario Public School Boards' Association on Jan. 25. A commemorative plaque will be presented to trustee Thompson at OPSBA's Public Education Symposium to commemorate her 25 years of service as a public school trustee.

Retirements

Trustees recognized the contributions and years of service of the following staff who are retiring effective June 30 unless otherwise indicated:

• Beryl Baker, secretary, will retire March 18
• Harold Brathwaite, director of education
• Heather Frazer, teacher
• Wayne Hayball, principal
• Nancy Hinton, teacher, will retire Feb. 28
• Jenny LeRiche, teacher, will retire Jan. 31
• Jane Moffat, teacher
• David Rodman, teacher
• Ann Ross, teacher, will retire Apr. 30
• Johan Tamming, teacher

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The next regular meeting of the board of trustees is Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m.