board of education saskatoon school division no. 13 ... · assessment 9-12, ms. karen peterson,...

Board of Education Saskatoon School Division No. 13

Meeting of the Saskatoon Board of Education

TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2014

Board Room 310 – 21st Street East

7:00 p.m.

Please Note: All public Board meetings are audio recorded.

AGENDA 1. Roll Call 2. Playing of O Canada 3. Adoption of Agenda 4. Comments/Concerns/Questions from the Public

(Maximum 5 minutes per speaker; 20 minutes total; comments must be related to specific agenda items)

5. Approval of Minutes of Last Meeting April 15, 2014 (unapproved)

6. Delegations

7. External Reports/Presentations a. Celebrating Excellence:

Saskatoon Tribal Council’s Mascot – Journey the Rezdog

8. Business Arising from the Minutes

9. Unfinished Business a. Items Arising from the Committee of the Whole

10. Correspondence a. Individual Item

11. Reports of Committees and Trustees

12. New Business

Decision a. Board Priorities b. Approval of Additional 2013-2014 Capital Projects

c. Portable Classrooms Order for 2014-2015 School Year d. Roofing Replacement Tenders at Various Schools e. Masonry Repair/Replacement Tender at Victoria School f. Secondary Service Provider of Student Transportation Request for Proposal T1314-0014

13. Reports from Administrative Staff

Information a. Core Strategy Update: Roadways to Reading b. Response to Trustee Waugh’s Question Regarding Increased Utility Costs

14. Notices of Motion

15. Questions by Trustees

16. Questions from the Public

NEXT REGULAR MEETING:

At the call of the Chair or Tuesday, May 20, 2014

7:00 p.m.

UNAPPROVED MINUTES OF A MEETING: of the Board of Education of the Saskatoon School Division No. 13 of April 15, Saskatchewan, held on Tuesday, April 25, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. 2014

MEMBERS PRESENT: Ms. Donna Banks, Ms. Kathleen Brannen, Mr. Dan Danielson, Ms. Bronwyn Eyre, Ms. Holly Kelleher, Ms. Colleen MacPherson Mr. Ray Morrison, Mr. Darrell Utley, Mr. Kevin Waugh Trustee Kelleher joined the meeting at 3:10 p.m. Trustee Waugh excused himself from the meeting at 4:50 p.m. Following discussions in Committee of the Whole, Ms. Banks moved that the Board rise and report.

CARRIED (8)

The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Secretary of the School Division Board Chair

UNAPPROVED MINUTES OF A MEETING: of the Board of Education of the Saskatoon School Division No. 13 of April 15, Saskatchewan, held on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. 2014

MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Ray Morrison (Board Chair), Ms. Donna Banks, Ms. Kathleen Brannen, Mr. Dan Danielson, Ms. Bronwyn Eyre, Ms. Holly Kelleher, Ms. Colleen MacPherson, Mr. Darrell Utley,

Mr. Kevin Waugh

Agenda: Mr. Utley moved approval of the agenda. Agenda

CARRIED (9)

Minutes: Ms. Banks moved approval of the minutes of the Minutes Committee of the Whole Meeting and Regular Board Meeting held March 25, 2014.

CARRIED (9) Celebrating Excellence – Visual Art: Mr. Dean Newton, Superintendent Celebrating of Education, introduced Ms. Karon Guttormson, Consultant: Arts Education. Ms. Guttormson highlighted Excellence - the activities and partnership with the Mendel Art Gallery, specifically the School Art exhibit. Mr. Jackson Visual Art Penno, a grade 4 student at Holliston School and Ms. Susan Woo, a grade 11 student at Centennial Collegiate shared their work with the Board and explained their learning connection that contributed to the art submission. Director’s Contract and Compensation: Ms. Kelleher moved that the Director’s Board approve the adjustment to the Director’s contract as discussed at the March 25, 2014 Committee of Contract and the Whole meeting. Compensation

CARRIED (9)

Correspondence: Ms. MacPherson moved that the Board receive, Correspondence in confidence, the correspondence from the closed session of the Committee of the Whole.

CARRIED (9)

Correspondence: Ms. Eyre moved that the Board receive Correspondence the correspondence as listed:

a) Correspondence from Saskatoon Teachers’ Association Re: Invitation to attend the STA Superannuation Banquet.

CARRIED (9)

Reports of Committees and Trustees: Reports of Committees Trustee Brannen reported on her attendance at the Mendel and Trustees Art Gallery School Art opening. She also attended several meetings for the Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation leading up to and including the celebrity roast event. Trustee Eyre reported on her attendance at Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation celebrity roast. She also shared with the Board correspondence to and from Deputy Florizone concerning the math curriculum.

UNAPPROVED Trustee Utley reported on his attendance at Bedford Road Collegiate’s PowWow. Trustee Waugh reported on his attendance at the State of the City address, CHEP art auction, Citizen of the Year luncheon honoring former principal Mr. Dennis Beerling, and Saskatchewan School Boards Association spring assembly and executive meetings in Regina. He also reported on a recent tour of Lakeridge School to hear the school’s concerns regarding portables and he has completed his last module of the school board member education and certification program.

Trustee Kelleher reported on her participation in the secondary vice principal administrative competition.

Trustee Banks reported on her attendance at Fairhaven School

and Tommy Douglas Collegiate’s School Community Council meetings. She also reported on her preparation and attendance at Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation celebrity roast, Saskatoon Industry-Education Council’s ‘Contact’ conference and Saskatchewan School Boards Association Spring Council and Public Section meetings.

Trustee MacPherson reported on her attendance at École River Heights musical performance and acknowledged all the hard work by parents and staff to make such a production successful.

Board Chair Morrison reported on his involvement in governance training sessions hosted by the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Board Policy 19: School Year: Ms. MacPherson moved that the Board Board Policy approve the minor housekeeping revisions to Board Policy 19: School Year. 9: School Year

CARRIED (9)

Reports from Administrative Staff: Reports were received, for information, Reports on the following issues: from Administrative Staff ● Assessing our Learning Community: Parent Perceptions 2013-2014: Assessing our Dr. Scott Tunison, Coordinator: Research and Measurement, highlighted the report and answered questions from Learning Trustees. Community: Parent Perceptions 2013-2014

● Core Strategy Update: Collegiate Renewal: Mr. Dean Newton, Core Strategy Superintendent of Education, Ms. Wendy James, Coordinator, Collegiate Renewal and Curriculum and Update: Assessment 9-12, Ms. Karen Peterson, Vice Principal and Mr. Scott Ferguson, Vice Principal of Walter Collegiate Murray Collegiate spoke to the Board regarding Tell Them From Me evidence around student’s learning. Renewal

● Financial Results for the Period September 1, 2013 to

March 31, 2014

Ms. Eyre moved that the Board adjourn to the call of the Chair or the Committee of the Whole Board meeting of Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at 3:00 p.m.

CARRIED (9) The meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m. Secretary of the School Division Board Chair

MEETING DATE: MAY 6, 2014

TOPIC: CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE: SASKATOON TRIBAL COUNCIL’S MASCOT – JOURNEY THE REZDOG FORUM AGENDA ITEMS INTENT [] Board Meeting [ ] Correspondence [] Information [ ] Committee of the Whole [ ] New Business [ ] Decision [ ] Reports From Administrative Staff [ ] Discussion [] Other: External Reports / Presentations BACKGROUND Strengthening Our Learning Community- Strategic Direction: Our Students’ Learning goal states: “Our students will engage in relevant and challenging learning opportunities to enhance their academic, personal, and social/cultural growth.” Our People goal states: “Our people will be committed to a constructive educational culture that values people, excellence, and life-long learning.” Our Community goal states: “We seek to build with our community shared ownership and responsibility for the well-being and education of our children and youth.” Our Organization goal states: “Our organization will be principled, innovative, collaborative, accountable, and effective.”

CURRENT STATUS

The Saskatoon Tribal Council has adopted a new mascot designed to engage children and youth about staying in school and other positive messaging. The new mascot has made his debut throughout 2014 representing Saskatoon Tribal Council at various events and activities. Throughout January and early February, the mascot visited rural and city schools to introduce a creative contest for students to name the mascot and tell his life story. The contest was highly successful with more than 1170 entries from 25 participating schools. Kielyn Scott from the grade 6 class at Westmount Community School was awarded the best name prize for her entry, "Journey". Tallyn Eagle from the grade 5 class at Whitecap Elementary School won the prize for best story. The name “Journey” complements the story of “Max” about perseverance despite the real life challenges that many youth face. The name speaks to the many different kinds of journeys in life such as personal, healing, educational, health, spiritual journeys. Journey’s message is to live a positive life and make healthy choices.

Watch for Journey at the First Nations winter and summer games, member community treaty days and powwows! With us this evening to introduce Journey are: • Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Felix Thomas • Grade 6 Westmount Community School student Kielyn Scott • Grade 5 Whitecap Elementary School student Tallyn Eagle

PREPARED BY DATE ATTACHMENTS Mr. Barry MacDougall, Deputy Director of Education April 30, 2014 None Mr. Dave Derksen, Superintendent of Education

SASKATOON BOARD OF EDUCATION 7a

http://www.sktc.sk.ca/fileadmin/user_upload/docs/events/RezDog-Contest-Winners_Mar-2014.pdf


TOPIC: CORRESPONDENCE

FORUM AGENDA ITEMS INTENT [] Board Meeting [] Correspondence [] Information [ ] Committee of the Whole [ ] New Business [] Decision

[ ] Reports From Administrative Staff [ ] Discussion [ ] Other:

BACKGROUND

The following correspondence is included in this file for the information of the Board:

(a) Correspondence dated April 17, 2014 from Trent Wotherspoon, MLA, Deputy Leader and Official Opposition Critic for Education, inviting input from the Board with regard to the impact government decisions and current funding are having in Saskatoon Public Schools.

PREPARED BY DATE ATTACHMENTS Mrs. Avon Whittles, Director of Education April 30, 2014 Correspondence

Document

RECOMMENDATION

Proposed Board Motion:

That the Board receive the correspondence as listed.

SASKATOON BOARD OF EDUCATION 10


TOPIC: BOARD PRIORITIES

FORUM AGENDA ITEMS INTENT [] Board Meeting [ ] Correspondence [] Information [ ] Committee of the Whole [] New Business [] Decision [ ] Reports From Administrative Staff [ ] Discussion [ ] Other:

BACKGROUND The Strategic Direction of Saskatoon Public Schools is established by the Board and is influenced by the needs of the organization and its stakeholders. The plan is the “tool” that the Board uses to determine its priorities and the resources required to fund those initiatives. The annual strategic planning and budgeting process is what brings the Strategic Direction to life, and also has been influenced by the Ministry of Education through the Continuous Improvement and Accountability Framework and, most recently, the Education Sector Strategic Plan. Strategic planning allows our organization the opportunity to clarify our purpose and to state our Board’s desired future direction. In addition, the Strategic Plan provides a clear blueprint for decision making, and includes measures and indicators that are used to guide progress. In 2011, the Board’s Learning Priorities of Literacy for Life and Collegiate Renewal were renewed for an additional three years with the intent that they would be reviewed in 2014. During the 2013-2014 school year, Saskatoon Public Schools and all other school divisions in the province have engaged in the development of a provincial Education Sector Strategic Plan. Plans to refresh or revise the learning priorities have been dependent on the development of the Education Sector Strategic Plan.

CURRENT STATUS Since last August, all school divisions in Saskatchewan have been engaged in the development of an Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP). Beginning in October with a five day workshop that included all the province’s directors of education, many board chairs, the SSBA executive, ministry personnel and the deputy minister, the plan was drafted, refined, shared with boards, school divisions and stakeholder groups for feedback and ultimately established for implementation in the 2014-2015 school year. Because there is strong alignment between the outcomes and hoshins in the Education Sector Strategic Plan and the goals of Literacy for Life and Collegiate Renewal, Administration is recommending that we renew the Board learning priorities with minor revisions to align more fully with the ESSP. The current planning documents and staff development structures at the division and school level support both the Education Sector Strategic Plan and Board Priorities. 2014-2017 Board Priorities In fulfilling the intent of the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP), the Board has identified two priority areas to receive greater focus for the school division. These priorities are Literacy for Life and Collegiate Renewal. The Board recently refreshed these priorities to reflect what was learned during the extensive province wide consultation that took place during the development of the ESSP.


Literacy for Life All K-8 students will achieve at or above grade level in reading, writing, and mathematics. They will be engaged in their learning and graduate as active participants in lifelong learning and as responsible, caring, culturally responsive citizens in the community, nation, and world. In pursuit of this goal, we will focus intensively on the engagement, achievement and graduation rates of First Nations, Inuit and Métis students.

The significant characteristics of Literacy for Life include: a strong focus on student engagement, achievement and early learning intensive professional development for our staff regarding powerful teaching, learning and assessment

strategies, on-going measurement of our results, and a long-term commitment to this change initiative.

Collegiate Renewal All collegiate students will be engaged in their learning so that they graduate as competent, active participants in lifelong learning and as responsible, caring, culturally responsive citizens in the community, nation, and world. In pursuit of this goal, we will focus intensively on the engagement, achievement and graduation rates of First Nations, Inuit and Metis students.

The significant characteristics of Collegiate Renewal include: on-going assessment of student engagement through the following four dimensions: competency,

relevancy, potency, and sense of belonging; intensive professional learning opportunities for staff that focus on powerful teaching, learning, and

assessment strategies; and honouring student, parent/guardian, and community partner voice and perspective in the learning

process.

PREPARED BY DATE ATTACHMENTS Mr. Barry MacDougall, Deputy Director of Education April 30, 2014 None

RECOMMENDATION

Proposed Board Motion:

That the Board approve Literacy For Life (early learning and literacy) and Collegiate Renewal as Saskatoon Public Schools’ two priorities within the Education Sector Strategic Plan for the next three years, 2014-2017.


TOPIC: APPROVAL OF ADDITIONAL 2013-2014 CAPITAL PROJECTS

FORUM AGENDA ITEMS INTENT [] Board Meeting [ ] Correspondence [ ] Information [ ] Committee of the Whole [] New Business [] Decision


BACKGROUND Recently, the Ministry of Education has provided funding for new portables at the following schools: Henry Kelsey (1), Dundonald (1) and Forest Grove (2). The portables are needed to accommodate the enrolment increase at each school. The Ministry provides funding for 65% of the cost of each portable. Administration would like to proceed with some of these projects during the 2013-14 fiscal year; therefore, 35% of the funding from Saskatoon Public Schools will be needed during 2013-14.

The facilities department is proposing the addition of three new portable classrooms at Forest Grove School. The third portable classroom would to be funded 100% by Saskatoon Public Schools. This is a better cost/value solution than repairing, upgrading and remodeling the existing portable classroom and its connecting corridor at Forest Grove. To fund this project, $500,000 of the capital reserves formerly approved in 2013-2014 for roof replacements would be used.

In order to fund the work to be completed during the 2013-2014 fiscal year, $540,000 from Unrestricted Accumulated Surplus would be needed.

The 2014-2015 provincial budget Preventative Maintenance and Renewal (PMR) funding (previously Block capital projects) is approximately $2.7 million. This new funding is expected to be received in June 2014 and can be used on capital projects during the 2013-2014 fiscal year. It is proposed that this funding along with $160,000 in capital reserves (formerly approved for roof replacement projects in 2013-2014) would be used for roof replacement projects.

CURRENT STATUS The total amount of funding required by Saskatoon Public Schools from Unrestricted Accumulated Surplus in 2012-13 for additional capital projects is $540,000. PREPARED BY DATE ATTACHMENTS Mr. Garry Benning, Chief Financial Officer April 30, 2014 None Mr. Stan Laba, Superintendent of Facilities Ms. Wanda McLeod, Budget and Audit Manager RECOMMENDATION Proposed Board Motions:

1. That the Board approve the transfer of $540,000 from the Unrestricted Accumulated Surplus to InternallyRestricted Surplus Designated for Tangible Capital Asset Expenditures for additional portables at Henry Kelsey, Dundonald and Forest Grove schools.

2. That the Board approve the use of $500,000 from Internally Restricted Surplus Designated for Tangible CapitalAsset Expenditures that was formerly approve for portable roofing replacements for three new portable androofing replacement for existing portables at Forest Grove School.

SASKATOON BOARD OF EDUCATION 12b

MEETING DATE:

TOPIC:

MAY 6, 2014

PORTABLE CLASSROOMS ORDER FOR 2014/2015

FORUM AGENDA ITEMS INTENT [] Board Meeting [ ] Correspondence [ ] Information [ ] Committee of the Whole [] New Business [] Decision


BACKGROUND Administration has recently provided Trustees with an outline of prioritized potential capital and operating expenditures in 2014-2015, including five new portables and associated work at three different school sites

CURRENT STATUS Based on the above, it is proposed that the Board approve the following capital projects:

1. Provide one new portable classroom at Henry Kelsey School.

2. Provide one new portable classroom at Dundonald School.

3. Provide three new portable classrooms at Forest Grove School.

PREPARED BY DATE ATTACHMENTS Mr. Stan Laba, Superintendent of Facilities April 30, 2014 None

RECOMMENDATION

Proposed Board Motion: That the Board approve the purchase of five new portable classrooms from Versatile Concepts Industries Ltd. - one at a purchase price of up to $212,500 for École Henry Kelsey, one at a purchase price of up to $212,500 for Dundonald School, and three at a total purchase price of up to $605,000 for Forest Grove School. Total purchase price of five new portable classrooms shall not exceed $1,030,000 plus GST.

SASKATOON BOARD OF EDUCATION 12c


TOPIC: ROOFING REPLACEMENT TENDERS AT VARIOUS SCHOOLS

FORUM AGENDA ITEMS INTENT [] Board Meeting [ ] Correspondence [ ] Information [ ] Committee of the Whole [] New Business [] Decision [ ] Reports From Administrative Staff [ ] Discussion [ ] Other:

BACKGROUND Prioritized roofing replacement at existing schools continues to be a Facilities priority in 2014-2015.

CURRENT STATUS Four tenders for 10 partial roofing replacements at 8 schools were received on April 10, 2014. Flynn Canada was the low and acceptable bidder for all of the work, resulting in a net tender amount of $2,496,563 plus GST and a total project cost of $2,856,198. PREPARED BY DATE ATTACHMENTS Mr. Stan Laba, Superintendent of Facilities April 29, 2014 Tender Results RECOMMENDATION Proposed Board Motion: That the Board approve the roofing replacement tender in a total amount of $2,496,563 plus GST to Flynn Canada Ltd.

SASKATOON BOARD OF EDUCATION 12d


TOPIC: MASONRY REPAIR/REPLACEMENT TENDER AT VICTORIA SCHOOL

FORUM AGENDA ITEMS INTENT [] Board Meeting [ ] Correspondence [ ] Information [ ] Committee of the Whole [] New Business [] Decision [ ] Reports From Administrative Staff [ ] Discussion [ ] Other:

BACKGROUND Exterior masonry repair and repointing at Victoria School continues to be a facilities priority for 2014-2015. In 2013-2014 the Board approved $200,000 to undertake the remediation of the east (facing park) façade of the building. Together with approximately $35,000 left over from Phase I work, undertaken in 2012-2013, on approximately 50% of west façade (facing Broadway Ave.) of the building there is approximately $235,000 is available for this work. CURRENT STATUS Two tenders were received on April 22, 2014, with Gracom Masonry LP being the low and acceptable bidder for the work. It is proposed that Gracom be awarded the work with the potential to add to the work as per submitted unit prices, to a maximum not to exceed project cost of $235,000.

PREPARED BY DATE ATTACHMENTS Mr. Stan Laba, Superintendent of Facilities April 29, 2014 Tender Results RECOMMENDATION Proposed Board Motion: That the Board approve the award of the masonry repair/replacement tender at Victoria School at a cost of $153,920 plus GST to Gracom Masonry LP, and that the Board approve additional expenditures up to a total project value of $235,000 plus GST for additional masonry repair/replacement work as may be required after detailed site investigation by, and recommendation from, jointly, the structural consultant and the Board’s cost consultant, as per unit price submitted by Gracom Masonry LP as part of its tender.

SASKATOON BOARD OF EDUCATION 12e


TOPIC: SECONDARY SERVICE PROVIDER OF STUDENT TRANSPORTATION REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL T1314‐0014

FORUM AGENDA ITEMS INTENT[] Board Meeting [ ] Correspondence [ ] Information [ ] Committee of the Whole [] New Business [] Decision


BACKGROUND Currently Saskatoon Public Schools has a single contract with First Canada to provide the School Division’s entire student bus transportation services requirement. The initial term of this contract expires June 30, 2016.

The rapid growth in enrollment and student transportation has brought challenges and First Canada was unable to provide a number of the routes required for the 2013‐14 school year.

A Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued March 31, 2014 to select a secondary provider of student bus transportation services. With the award of a contract to a secondary service provider the division would operate with two suppliers. Operating with more than one supplier has proven effective in larger centres such as Calgary and Edmonton during periods of rapid growth.

The RFP was completed with Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools and was posted on our public website and the provincial government’s Sasktenders website. The RFP was closed on Wednesday April 23rd and proposals were received from the following three (3) firms:

Hertz Northern Bus Ltd. Rilling Bus Ltd. Southland Transportation Ltd.

The evaluation committee consisted of Sheila May, Transportation Manager and Gordon Mortson, Manager of Purchasing Services from Saskatoon Public Schools and Laurier Langlois, Manager of Corporate Services and Joel Lloyd, Chief Financial Officer from Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools.

The evaluating committee scored the proposal from Hertz Northern Bus Ltd. the highest.

Hertz Northern’s proposal offered the best pricing and scored highest in the categories of performance, technical ability and proposal strength.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS The purchases will be made from budgeted funds.

SASKATOON BOARD OF EDUCATION 12f

PREPARED BY DATE ATTACHMENTS Mr. Garry Benning, Chief Financial Officer April 30, 2014 Price Summary Ms. Sheila May, Transportation Manager Mr. Gord Mortson, Purchasing Manager

RECOMMENDATION Proposed Board Motion: That the Board award, subject to a subsequent award to be made by the Board of Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, a contract in joint with Saskatoon Public Schools and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools to Hertz Northern Bus 2006 Ltd. for student transportation services for a period of five (5) years commencing September 1, 2014 and ending June 30, 2019 with an option to extend the contract for three additional terms of one (1) year each for a maximum potential contract length of eight years.

Request for Proposal T1314‐0014Pricing Evaluation

2014‐15 School year Hertz Northern Bus Rilling Bus Southland BusDesignated Area Routes 8 217.95$ 1,743.60$ $ 235.00 $ 1,880.00 $ 246.00 $ 1,968.00

Designated Area ‐ Double Loops 5 239.95$ 1,199.75$ 240.00$ $ 1,200.00 246.00$ $ 1,230.00 French Immersion/Cree Culture 9 217.95$ 1,961.55$ 240.00$ $ 2,160.00 246.00$ $ 2,214.00 Language ProgramSpecial Education 2 207.95$ 415.90$ 240.00$ $ 480.00 250.00$ $ 500.00

Prek, Kindergarten and Preschool Runs 5.5 87.98$ 483.89$ 135.00$ $ 742.50 85.00$ $ 467.50 (either AM or PM one‐way runs)

Cost per day 5,804.69$ 6,462.50$ 6,379.50$ Total cost for 2014‐15 school year based on 183 days 183 1,062,258.27$ 1,182,637.50$ 1,167,448.50$

Points 40 36.00 36.40


TOPIC: CORE STRATEGY UPDATE: ROADWAYS TO READING PROGRAM

FORUM AGENDA ITEMS INTENT [] Board Meeting [ ] Correspondence [] Information [ ] Committee of the Whole [ ] New Business [ ] Decision [] Reports From Administrative Staff [ ] Discussion [ ] Other:

BACKGROUND The “Roadways to Reading” program was designed to provide intensive, individualized and targeted Tier 3 intervention for students with severe reading difficulties. The locally developed program design is based on the research of Sally Shaywitz, Richard Allington and Timothy Rasinski and targets five key elements associated with learning to read: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. CURRENT STATUS This past fall the “Roadways to Reading” program was implemented in fourteen elementary schools and expanded into an additional nine elementary schools in February, 2014. Mrs. Kim Swan, Coordinator of Student Services, Mrs. Donnalee Weinmaster, Superintendent of Education and Mr. Scott Tunison, Coordinator of Measurement and Research, will provide an update of the implementation and share how the program is making an impact on our students’ reading. The Roadways to Reading support team including Sheila Erickson, Learning Disabilities Consultant, Jonothon Koch, L.D. Itinerant teacher and Stacey Hoskins, L.D. Itinerant teacher, will be in attendance to answer questions. PREPARED BY DATE ATTACHMENTS Mr. Barry MacDougall, Deputy Director of Education April 30, 2014 Fall-Winter 2013-14 Mrs. Donnalee Weinmaster, Superintendent of Education Results


Roadways to Reading:

Fall-Winter 2013-14 Results

Prepared by: Dr. Scott Tunison – Coordinator: Research and Measurement

Mrs. Kim Swan – Coordinator: Student Services Mrs. Donnalee Weinmaster – Superintendent of Education

Mr. Barry MacDougall – Deputy Director

May 6, 2014

- 1 -

Introduction Response to Intervention (RTI) is typically seen as having three interconnected components. This three-tiered service delivery system outlines assessment practices and describes the intensity of intervention needed to help children make sufficient progress in their reading skills. In Saskatoon Public Schools, Roadways to Reading offers a Tier 3 reading support designed to provide intensive, individualized and targeted intervention to the most at-risk students. Roadways is a locally designed program that follows a sequential format that covers each of the five components of reading. Intervention instruction within the Roadways program ideally takes place outside the regular reading block, in small groups of students (4:1 ratio of students to adult). The program is delivered 4 days a week, Monday to Thursday, in 100 minute sessions. A Learning Disabilities Consultant and two Learning Disabilities Itinerant Teachers provide the leadership required to implement this Tier 3 project. Roadways Overview Roadways to Reading is a 16-20 week program. Term 1 began September, 2013 until January, 2014. Term 2 is currently running from February, 2014 until the end of June, 2014 in 23 schools. The following information is based only on Term 1 data in 14 schools. Who were the students? There were 153 Roadways students during the fall-winter term. Ranging from second to eighth grade:

- Just over half of the students were boys (83 boys and 70 girls); - Two-thirds were in grades 2-4 (the remaining students were spread fairly evenly among Grades

5-8); - Nearly one-third were of First Nations, Inuit, or Métis (FNIM) ancestry (52 FNIM and 101 non-

FNIM); - Approximately one-in-ten of the students were identified as being English language learners; - About one-third had previously participated in Leveled Literacy Intervention or Read to Succeed

(46 out of 153), the remainder of the students had received some form of Resource support in the past.

As students meet grade level they exit the Roadways program. The average stay in the program is approximately 17 weeks. How was student progress assessed? During their time in Roadways, each student’s progress was monitored regularly with a variety of assessments that focused on key aspects of literacy that research has shown to be common among struggling readers. Teachers used the data from each round of assessment to tailor instruction in response to each student’s strengths and challenges. For the purposes of this update, we report the results from our division-wide assessment – Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System (F&P). The F&P assessment has students read from a series of increasingly difficult books and answer several questions about each book to determine his or her comprehension of the text. The assessment has 26 levels ranging from simple picture books at Grade 1 to complex texts at Grades 7 and 8. At each grade, a student is expected to progress through a number of “levels” (see Figure 1 for the “expected levels” for each grade).

- 2 -

Term 1 Results In general, most students improve at about one grade level per year. However, for a variety of reasons, some students struggle with their learning. Students selected for Roadways support were two years or more behind the expected level for their grade. When students are behind their peers, their rate of growth must be faster than would be experienced by a “typical” student in a “regular” classroom. Given that students typically spend about 16-18 weeks (about one-half a year) in Roadways, we considered the program to have been successful for them if they experienced more than one-half a year’s growth during their experience in the program. Based on our first-term results, 122 of the 153 in Roadways during term 1 achieved more than one-half year’s growth in reading. Of these students, 75 students gained one or more grade levels in reading. The ultimate objective of any instructional intervention is to put students on the path to catch up with their grade level peers. Many of the Roadways students had significant gaps to overcome but 23 students (15%) did reach grade level. Reflections and Implications We consider Roadways to have been very successful for a great many students this term. A significant proportion of the students made substantial improvements in a relatively short period of time. Our Learning Disabilities Consultant continues to monitor past Roadways students to ensure their progress continues. Our two learning disabilities itinerant teachers work collaboratively with resource teachers and classroom teachers to develop capacity at the classroom level to support our students. Since February we have expanded the Roadways program to an additional nine schools bringing our total to 23 schools, supporting 332 students. We are now at the halfway mark of our Term II session and data collected is indicating similar positive results. Looking to the future, we anticipate continuing to:

• Expand the Roadways to Reading program to all elementary schools; • Provide the bridging between Resource and classroom teachers through collaboration and

sharing of resources and expertise; and • Provide professional development targeting the five pillars of reading (i.e. Phonics, Phonemic

Awareness, Fluency, Vocabulary and Comprehension).

- 3 -

Figure 1 – F&P Instructional Level Expectations

- 4 -


TOPIC: RESPONSE TO TRUSTEE WAUGH’S QUESTION REGARDING UTILITY (NATURAL GAS) COSTS IN 2013-14 FORUM AGENDA ITEMS INTENT [] Board Meeting [ ] Correspondence [] Information [ ] Committee of the Whole [ ] New Business [ ] Decision [] Reports From Administrative Staff [ ] Discussion [] Other: Response to Questions from Trustees

BACKGROUND At the April 15, 2014 Board meeting, Trustee Waugh had a question about the utility (natural gas) costs in 2013-14 as a result of the colder than normal winter. CURRENT STATUS Based on a review of the natural gas financial results from September 1 to March 31st in 2012-13 ($1.30 million) and 2013-14 ($1.32 million), natural gas consumption for Saskatoon Public Schools was higher in 2013-14. PREPARED BY DATE ATTACHMENTS Mr. Garry Benning , Chief Financial Officer April 30, 2014 None Ms. Wanda McLeod, Budget and Audit Manager

SASKATOON BOARD OF EDUCATION 13b

board of education saskatoon school division no. 13 ... · assessment 9-12, ms. karen peterson,...

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