Fast Report: February 1, 2010 | Vol. 22, No. 4

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The OPSBA 2010 elections will be held as part of the Annual General Meeting which takes place from June 3 to 6 at Caesar's Hotel and Conference Centre in Windsor. The school boards in the Western Region look forward to hosting OPSBA's 22nd Annual General Meeting and Program.

** All nominations received by May 6, 2010 will
be published in the OPSBA Election Handbook/Materials **

Executive Positions for Nomination and Election

Positions to be decided through the election process at the Annual General Meeting and at the accompanying regional meetings include:

• President;
• Two Vice-Presidents;
• Vice-President / Vice-Chair of each of the five regions - Central East, Central West, Eastern, Western and Northern.

Please note the following important guidelines if you intend to run for an elected OPSBA position.

Nominations for President, Vice-Presidents, and Regional Vice-Presidents

• The deadline for nominations for these positions on Executive Council is 30 days prior to the AGM where elections are held. This means that nominations for President, Vice-President and Regional Vice-President must be received at the OPSBA office by May 6, 2010.
• If any candidate is interested in standing for more than one of the positions noted above, the candidate must declare his or her interest in each respective position by the May 6 deadline. This is very important, as there will not be an opportunity for "dropping down" (i.e., being considered for another of these positions if unsuccessful for the first) on the day that elections are held at the AGM.
• Nominations are only accepted from the floor of the AGM in situations where the number of advance nominations received is fewer than the number of positions to be filled.
• As well, nominations for Regional Vice-President for each of the five regions must be submitted by the May 6 deadline. Nominations will ONLY be accepted from the floor of each Regional Council election meeting where no nominations for that Region's Vice-President position have been received in advance.

Nominations for Regional Vice-Chairs and Core Issue Work Groups

• The nomination and election process for the position of Regional Vice-Chair (alternate to the Regional Vice-President) or for representatives to the Work Teams (Education Program and Policy Development) permits nominations to also be taken from the floor of the Regional meeting. However, advance nominations that are received by May 6 will be included in the election handbook/materials distributed to voting delegates and will be posted on the OPSBA website along with bios.
• There is a requirement that candidates for the position of Regional Vice-Chair (alternate to the Regional Vice-President) must be a confirmed member of the incoming Board of Directors.

Nominations, Nomination Forms and Biographies

• Nominations can be made by a trustee from a member board in good standing once they have confirmed the nominee is willing to stand for the elected position.

The 2010 Election Nomination Form, as well as the OPSBA Guide to Roles and Responsibilities are available online.

• Trustees running for election are asked to submit the nomination forms, along with a brief biography in electronic format, to the OPSBA office no later than end of day Thursday, May 6, 2010. It is suggested that a biography be up to one page in length and include the candidate's photograph.
• This information will be printed in AGM Election Guide, which is distributed to member boards so they can review the candidates and provide guidance to their voting delegates.
• Information on the candidates running for election will also be posted on the OPSBA website after the May 6 deadline.

Confirmation of Appointments to Board of Directors and Elections to Core Issue Work Groups

Also, during the Annual General Meeting and Conference - at the Regional meetings:

• Member boards confirm appointments (and alternates) to OPSBA's Board of Directors for the 2010-2011 term.
• School authorities elect a representative to the Board of Directors.
• Confirmation is received regarding representative(s) for the treatment centres/school authorities.
• The First Nations Caucus meets to elect a representative on Board of Directors.
• During the Regional Meetings, each region holds elections to choose their members and alternate members to the Education Program and Policy Development Core Issues Work Groups for 2010-2011.

See
2010 Election Nomination Form (56K pdf)
OPSBA Guide to Roles and Responsibilities (176K pdf)

For more information: Florenda Tingle, Executive Coordinator, ext.108; or Webmaster

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POLICY RESOLUTIONS — Submission deadline: Friday, March 26, 2010

Friday, March 26 is the deadline for OPSBA member boards to submit policy resolutions for consideration by the general membership at the 2010 OPSBA Annual General Meeting. Policy resolutions from member boards that are passed at the AGM are incorporated in the work planning that takes place over the summer and are aligned with the action framework to achieve OPSBA's priorities for the year ahead. The Key Work of OPSBA is the OPSBA publication that sets out this action framework.

Please note:

• Policy resolutions must reflect the corporate position of a member school board and address issues that have provincial implications.
• Proposals for action by OPSBA should be clearly described as part of the backgrounder or within the resolution itself.

Policy resolutions received at OPSBA by Friday, March 26 will be reviewed by a Policy Resolutions Review Committee - Executive Council and Regional Vice-Chairs acting in this capacity. The policy resolutions, along with comments from the Policy Resolutions Review Committee, will be presented to the Board of Directors for information at their April 23-24 meeting.

In accordance with the OPSBA Constitution, policy resolutions may also be presented from the floor of the Annual General Meeting but are first subject to obtaining the approval of two thirds of the delegates at the AGM to consider the new resolution. Once the approval to consider the new resolution has been obtained, the board representative (delegate) who has introduced the new resolution must provide copies of the resolution in writing for every delegate.

See
Guide to Submitting Policy Resolutions, including a sample submission form (36K pdf)

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS — Submission Deadline: Friday, March 19, 2010

Each year, member school boards have an opportunity to submit proposals for constitutional amendments for consideration by the Board of Directors. The deadline for submission this year is Friday, March 19 in order to allow time for staff and legal counsel to review the proposals and to prepare language before submission to the Board of Directors for consideration at their April 23-24, 2010 meeting.

Constitutional amendments must be first approved by the Board of Directors and are then forwarded to the OPSBA Annual General Meeting in June for confirmation by a two-thirds vote. The constitutional amendments take effect once confirmed by at least two-thirds of the votes cast at the Annual General Meeting.

In some cases, a proposed constitutional amendment can be referred to a specially formed work group for study and careful consideration of the full impact of the proposed change. That work group's recommendation(s) would be provided in time for the following year's process, i.e. consideration by the Board of Directors in April of the following year, and to the Annual General Meeting in June for consideration by the delegates.

The OPSBA Constitution and By-Laws, which was last amended in June 2009, is also available on the OPSBA website.

Please send submissions, including a clear rationale/background and the proposed Constitutional change, to OPSBA by mail, fax or e-mail to the attention of Florenda Tingle, Executive Coordinator at 439 University Ave., 18th Floor, Toronto M5G 1Y8; (416) 340-7571; or Webmaster

See
A guide to submitting policy resolutions
OPSBA Constitution and By-Laws

For more information: Florenda Tingle, Executive Coordinator, ext.108; or Webmaster

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Pontes brings "positive relationships, extensive Peel experience, optimistic and inspiring leadership," says board chair

The Peel District School Board has selected Tony Pontes as the new director of education. Pontes, currently superintendent of staff development and school support services and a 31-year employee with the Peel board, will assume the new role on March 1, 2010. He succeeds retiring director Jim Grieve who in November became the assistant deputy minister with the Ministry of Education. Since that point, Judith Nyman has served as the interim director of education.

"We were impressed by the quality of all the applicants we considered," says Janet McDougald, chair of the board. "Each candidate spoke about the positive reputation of this board and the outstanding quality of our staff. Though the candidates had many strengths, Tony Pontes was our clear choice. Not only does he bring an understanding of our organization, and critical continuity and stability, he also has a network of positive relationships throughout our board."

McDougald observes, "Tony has extensive experience in Peel and is known as an optimistic and inspiring leader. As well, his personal knowledge of our Report Card for Student Success means he understands the power of the goals and projects to make a difference for our students."

Says Pontes, "I have always felt honoured to be a learner and a leader in the system that has supported me throughout my life. I know the system and the region well. I have been a Peel resident since 1963, growing up in Streetsville and I now live in Brampton. I am excited knowing I will be working collaboratively with staff, parents and community partners in my new position, in order to enhance student success."

Pontes has spent his entire career in the Peel board. He began his career in 1978 as a teacher of mathematics and woodworking at the then J. A. Turner Secondary School. After time as a teacher, department head and vice-principal he became principal of Chinguacousy Secondary School and then Mayfield Secondary School. In 2000, Tony's leadership skills were acknowledged by his appointment as superintendent of education. He has had the opportunity to serve as both an elementary and secondary superintendent and that experience provides a key insight into the needs of all of our schools. In 2009, Tony became superintendent of staff development and school support services at the HJA Brown Education Centre. He is also incoming president of the Ontario Public Supervisory Officials' Association.

Says McDougald, "The board is confident Tony will continue to build on Peel's commitment to student success. He has a genuine belief in nurturing and recognizing people at all levels of the organization. His own personal experience immigrating to Canada as a child from Portugal also gives him unique insight and a strong connection to our newcomer population. He is committed to expanding our work with our diverse communities. We know that our staff and community will welcome him warmly and support him in his new role in Peel."

Peel trustees began the hiring process in the fall. With the assistance of an executive search consultant, the board conducted focus groups with key stakeholders about the qualities and experience the new director should bring to the job and conducted an online survey that provided valuable feedback. The board advertised in November and held interviews in January. On January 27, trustees conducted second interviews and finalized the contract with Pontes late last week.

The board's five-year contract with Pontes provides an annual salary of $235,000 plus benefits. Additional compensation includes a $10,000 annual car allowance, and seven weeks of vacation.

The Peel board serves 150,000 students in kindergarten to the end of secondary school. Operating 235 schools in the municipalities of Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga with an annual budget of $1.2 billion, the Peel board is the largest employer in Peel.

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Media contacts: Janet McDougald, Chair of the Board, 905.278.1402; Brian Woodland, Director of Communications & Strategic Partnerships Support Services, 905.890.1010 x2812

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Studying life forms is an important part of scientific learning, and gaining knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of animals through dissection is a key part of this learning. But for students who, for ethical or religious reasons, cannot participate in this aspect of in-class activity, what are the options?

In York Region a student was a catalyst in stimulating a board review of this aspect of the curriculum. No surprise that in the 21st century Facebook was the medium for identifying the keen interest in the topic and provided a forum for impassioned ethical debate. The result is a new Dissection Choice Guidelines recently issued by York Region DSB.

The Guidelines set out a number of alternatives available to students who opt out of the traditional dissection lab. Fortunately today one powerful alternative is available through the range of sophisticated software that provides access to a virtual dissection experience. Some of this software is available to school boards through OSAPAC and provides an economic alternative to the traditional approach.

The guidelines also suggest other alternatives. They touch on a number of issues beyond student choice; these include safe disposal, respect for living creatures, and environmental responsibility.

For more information: Susan Cook, Policy & Communications Associate, ext.112; or Webmaster

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Children's Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) has just re-designed their website. There is now a new page in the ‘For Professionals' section that will be valuable for educators across the province.

"One in 5 of children and youth under the age of 19 in Ontario has a mental health problem. This means that at any given time, almost 20% of students in an 'average' classroom will be dealing with some type of mental health problem - making it difficult for them to learn, or behave appropriately. Children whose mental health problems are left untreated may be disruptive in class or bully other students. Even more serious, poor grades and dropping out are both strongly associated with mental health problems." (CMHO Website)

The new section of the website includes resources that describe the mental health problems most likely to be present in today's classrooms, including anxiety and mood disorders, AD/HD, and behavioural disorders. These guides offer: tips on early identification and intervention; lots of practical suggestions on how to accommodate and respond to children and youth with mental health problems; and combating stigma in the classroom.

For more information: visit Children's Mental Health Ontario website

CMHO will be adding more resources on a regular basis so educators are encouraged to check the site from time to time.

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Ontario's New School Safety Rules Take Effect Today, Feb 1

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Ontario Reading Into The Future, Jan 27

Positioning Ontario For Long-Term Economic Growth, Jan 22

New Partnership Promotes Life-Skills For Aboriginal Youth, Jan 21

Investing in Aboriginal Students, Jan 20

New Decade, New Challenges, New Cabinet, Jan 18

Setting The Standard For Healthy Eating In Schools, Jan 15

39 Ottawa Area Schools To Get Full-Day Early Learning, Jan 14

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BCSTA e-digest, February 4

EQAO Symposium and Conference Webcasts

OASBO ICT Winter Workshop, February 24—25

OASBO Finance Committee Workshop, March 4—5

Teachers! Access FREE Online professional learning webcasts