Highlights - Board Meeting - May 14, 2024
The Abbotsford Board of Education regularly meets throughout the school year. Agendas and minutes from the public Board Meetings can be accessed through the District's Electronic School Board. Below is a summary of highlights from the meeting.
*Please note that we were experiencing audio/video issues during the entirety of this Livestream Board meeting.
Presentations
Barrowtown Elementary
Principal Michelle Basran, Barrowtown staff, and students shared about their school’s agriculture project. Students showcased the various projects underway on their school farm and how they learn through hands-on experiences.
*Please note that the Barrowtown presentation was not recorded due to audio/video issues during this Livestream Board meeting.
Eugene Reimer Middle School
At Eugene Reimer Middle, students use a method for mathematical exploration that incorporates both the core and curricular competencies. During this presentation, students demonstrated how they applied mathematical strategies from the thinking classroom and invited trustees to participate in a thinking classroom task. Principal Dean Johnston, Vice-Principals Michelle Myers and Rovi Sandhu, teacher Shannon Benmore, and Numeracy Helping Teacher Tawnie Hildebrandt accompanied the students during this showcase.
Community Partner: Abbotsford Hospice
The Abbotsford Hospice & Grief Support Society helps children, youth, adults and their families as they cope
with grief, death and dying through skilled and compassionate support, education and advocacy. Susanne Fehr, Director, Palliative and Training from Abbotsford Hospice & Grief Support Society provided an overview of this work.
Education
Safe and Caring Schools
David de Wit, District Principal, Safe Schools presented an overview of the comprehensive team of individuals supporting the goal of creating safe and caring school communities. The Safe and Caring Schools team provides support in four primary domains: mental health, social-emotional learning, equity and crisis response.
Strategic Plan and Preliminary Budget for 2024-2025
Secretary-Treasurer Velestuk provided an update on the results gathered from the recently closed preliminary budget consultation engagement portal.
Uncertified Employees Teaching on Call (UETOCs) Update
Superintendent Nosek provided the board with an update on the Uncertified Employees Teaching on Call (UETOC). Since February 2024, twenty-eight (28) Uncertified Employees Teaching on Call (UETOC) have been hired to help the district cover teacher absences on specific occasions where our TTOCs deployment cannot meet the demand.
Summer School Update for 2024
Superintendent Nosek provided the board with an update on the upcoming 2024 summer school.
Board Authority Authorized Courses (BAAC)
A recommendation was put forward THAT the Board of Education approve new Board/Authority Authorized Courses.
Personal Digital Device Restrictions & Board Policy 15 – Student Code of Conduct – Notice of Motion
Superintendent Nosek provided the board with information about schools having appropriate policies in place to restrict student personal digital device use and the notice of motion for proposed changes to Board Policy 15 – Student Code of Conduct.
Board Policy 13 – Recruitment and Selection of Personnel – Notice of Motion
Superintendent Nosek provided the board with information about an update to Board Policy 13 Recruitment and Selection of Personnel.
Operations
Board Self Evaluation
Board Chair Wilson presented information to the board.
Archway Community Services - 2024 Golf Tournament Sponsorship
A recommendation was put forward THAT the Board of Education approve the amount of $500 representing hole sponsorship in support of the 2024 Archway Community Services Charity Golf Tournament.
Abbotsford Sports Hall of Fame Sponsorship
A recommendation was put forward THAT the Board of Education approve the request for an annual sponsorship in the amount of $2,000 per year for three years, to the Abbotsford Sports Hall of Fame, targeting the achievements of young athletes.
Board Policy 2 - Role of the Board of Education
A recommendation was put forward THAT the Board of Education approve revised Board Policy 2 - Role of the Board of Education, as presented.
Trustee Announcements
Trustee Meetings & Events: April & May 2024
Superintendent Nosek shared about trustee meetings and events that have occurred in the period since the last Public Board meeting.