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May 12, 2008 | Vol. 20, No. 17WHAT'S INSIDE?20th AGM & PROGRAM 2008 20th AGM & PROGRAM 2008
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When: |
June 12 — 15, 2008 |
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Where: |
Sheraton on the Falls Hotel and Conference Centre |
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Who: |
Trustees, Directors of Education, supervisory officers, student trustees and other board members are encouraged to attend this annual OPSBA conference. |
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Hotel: |
Book early to avoid disappointment! |
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HOTEL CUT-OFF DATE: |
May 12, 2008 |
Watch OPSBA’s Fast Reports for regular updates and future announcements.
The Registration Form and the Program are available online.
For more information: Gail Anderson, Executive Director, ext.109; Ernesta Graham, Events Coordinator, ext.115; or Susan Weinberg, Policy & Professional Development Coordinator, ext.128
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IMPORTANT! Meal and Entertainment Tickets are Available for Guest/Spouse
If you have not yet purchased meal tickets for your guest/spouse, please obtain meal tickets BEFORE the event at the OPSBA registration desk.
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Guest/Spouse |
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Thursday Welcoming Reception and Entertainment |
$50.00 |
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Friday Continental Breakfast |
$18.00 |
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Friday Buffet Lunch |
$30.00 |
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Friday Dinner at Queenston Heights |
$50.00 |
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Saturday Continental Breakfast |
$18.00 |
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Saturday Lunch |
$35.00 |
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Saturday Dinner & Entertainment |
$75.00 |
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Sunday Buffet & Closing Speaker |
$45.00 |
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Refreshment Breaks (2) |
$15.00 |
A ticket or name badge is required to participate in the meals.
REMINDER! If you ordered tickets in advance, please pick them up at the OPSBA registration desk.
For more information: Gail Anderson, Executive Director, ext.109; Ernesta Graham, Events Coordinator, ext.115; or Susan Weinberg, Policy & Professional Development Coordinator, ext.128
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Ministry of Education UPDATE
2008: SB 12: Capital Program Amendments, April 29
Ministry of Education Memorandum 2008: SB 12, Capital Program Amendments memo brings boards up to date with the various capital programs being managed by the Ministry.
The memo shows that progress is being made in various areas, for example, capital debt commitments (stranded debt), growth schools, PTR (Prohibitive to Repair), GPL (Good Places to Learn). All in all, this is good news.
This memorandum also shows that the Ministry continues to have greater control on boards' capital activity. Boards are reminded that they need Ministry approval before entering into any new capital commitments, tendering any projects and transferring funds from their capital reserves (including NPP-related projects). Boards are being asked to complete their Capital Liquidity Templates by the end of June 2008.
For more information: Wayne Burtnyk, Finance Consultant, 416.340.2540
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Infrastructure Ontario
During the last decade, Ontario has made significant progress in renewing and modernizing it’s public infrastructure through the implementation of projects like Renew Ontario, expansion of the terms of reference for the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal (PIR), the development of funding vehicles such as the Ontario Financing Authority (changed to the Ontario Strategic Infrastructure Financing Authority (OSIFA) in November 2005), and the creation of Infrastructure Ontario (a crown corporation with a mandate to provide project management of complex infrastructure projects and lending through OSIFA).
The Ontario Strategic Infrastructure Financing Authority (OSIFA) was initially created as an innovative financing vehicle to assist Ontario municipalities and Heath Agencies renew and build critical public infrastructure. In July 2006, OSIFA merged with the Ontario Infrastructure Projects Corporation to form the Ontario Infrastructure Projects Corporation or Infrastructure Ontario.
The terms of reference for OSIFA was expanded in late 2005 to include Universities and Colleges, and there are announced plans in both the 2007 and 2008 Provincial Budget to expand into the broader public sector including Education.
The Good Places to Learn initiative has created a large pool of impending building projects including development in areas where little building activity had taken place recently. As a result, the Ministry of Education is undertaking pilot projects under the auspices of Infrastructure Ontario in three northern district school boards to determine the viability of using this vehicle to provide full project management and financing assistance in the development of these and future projects. The use of this project management method is intended for those school boards with little or no experience in the area, and will include all of the services normally required for building projects including Legal, Procurement, Project Management, Financial and Risk Management, Development and Construction, Stakeholder Relations, etc. Once the pilots have been completed the Ministry will determine the usefulness of using Infrastructure Ontario for further projects.
See
Infrastructure Ontario
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Memo Summary: May 2008
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ISSUE DATE |
FROM |
DOCUMENT TITLE/DETAILS |
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07/05/2008 |
Nancy Naylor, Assistant Deputy Minister |
See also: Infrastructure Project Signage Order Form 2008 B5: Infrastructure Project Recognition Signage Program |
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07/05/2008 |
Nancy Naylor, Assistant Deputy Minister |
2008 B6: Enhanced funding for adult education programs |
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05/05/2008 |
Paul Anthony, Director, Teaching Policy and Standards Branch |
NTIP Update: Funding into the GSN and Updated NTIP Manuals |
See
http://cal2.edu.gov.on.ca/may08.html
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Early Bird Registration Rate for CSBA Congress 2008 Available Until May 31
The CSBA Congress 2008, "Teach Our Children Well," will be held from July 3 to 5 in Regina, Saskatchewan. Some of the confirmed special guests and keynote speakers include:
- Catriona Le May Doan – Olympic speed skater and Gold Medal winner
- Ian Jukes – Teacher, administrator, writer, consultant, university instructor and keynote speaker
- Gordon Tootoosis – Award winning Cree First Nation actor and 2005 recipient of the Order of Canada
- Dr. Pat Wolfe – Award winning author and educational consultant specializing in the application of brain research to the educational practice
- Pat Katz – Accomplished writer and a life balance and renewal strategist who is a frequent media guest expert on issues of balance, stress, time, and organization
As members of OPSBA, individuals are entitled to the member’s conference rate. There is also a further discounted members ‘early bird’ rate which is available until May 31st that members should take advantage of.
Visit the CSBA Congress 2008 website for more information and to register either online or to print a registration form for faxing.
See
CSBA Congress 2008, "Teach Our Children Well"
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OSTA-AECO to Host its 8th Annual General Meeting
OSTA-AECO will be hosting "Students for Education: Framing Futures," its eighth annual general meeting and professional development conference at the Toronto Hilton Hotel from May 29th to June 1st. The evening of May 29th will include a reception for trustees, board staff and members of the education community, starting at 6 p.m. The two-day professional development conference for both outgoing and incoming student trustees will also take place at the Hilton and will include Minister Kathleen Wynne, People for Education's Annie Kidder and other innovative voices on education. The professional development is specifically tailored to suit the needs of student trustees.
For more information: director.development@osta-aeco.org
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Calendar of EVENTS
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Friday, May 30, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
OPSBA Board Room, Toronto
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(in conjunction with AGM & Program)
Thursday, June 12, 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sheraton on the Falls Hotel & Conference Centre, Niagara Falls
20th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & PROGRAM 2008
Hosted by Central West Region
June 12—15
Sheraton on the Falls Hotel & Conference Centre, Niagara Falls
Phone 1.800.519.9911 or 905.374.4445
OPSBA Room Rate: $139 + taxes (Traditional Room) or
$189 + taxes (Fallsview Room)
Cut-off Date: Monday, May 12
2008 CONFERENCE OF THE NORTH
October 17—19, 2008
Travelodge Hotel Airlane
698 Arthur Street West, Thunder Bay
Tel: (807) 473-1600 or 1-800-465-5003
Fax: (807) 475-4852
OPSBA rate $85 + Taxes (single); $92 + Taxes (double)
Cut-off Date: Wednesday, September 17
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If you have any comments about Fast Reports,
contact CARLA GARBAS, Editor
COLLEEN SCHENK, President • GAIL ANDERSON, Executive Director
OPSBA • 439 University Avenue, 18th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1Y8
Tel: (416) 340-2540 Fax: (416) 340-7571
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