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Waterloo Region District School Board - Special Education Advisory Update
Submitted by Carmen Sutherland
There was discussion about the Townhall and how it was structured.
There were also some administrative updates including the fact that they are updating some of their procedures.
There was a discussion of how our Board got $500,000 for mental health and how this money may be used this money to hire child and youth workers for the elementary schools that do not have them. This is one time funding. The Board also received funding that is continuous to help support multidisciplinary teams.
The group has decided to support the PRO Grant for parent engagement from the Parent Involvement Committee. The group is also looking at how we can support whatever is done with the grant.
The evening ended with discussion about how to build better peer-to-peer relationships within schools.
The next SEAC meeting is Wednesday, June 13, at 7p.m. at the Education Centre, 51 Ardelt Avenue, Kitchener N2C 2R5.
Waterloo Catholic District School Board - Special Education Advisory Update
Submitted by Christine Zaza
At the May SEAC meeting, members congratulated Gerald Foran on his new role as Superintendent of Learning. Renee King presented a preliminary report on the special education budget; a more thorough report will be given at the next meeting.
SEAC members have not had any luck with their efforts to recruit new members; however, the committee decided to revisit this issue in the Fall. Due to the recent change in SEAC Chair, the committee decided to defer our PRO Grant application for one year. There were no new Ministry updates and no changes to the special education plan this year, other than changes in staff and staff development.
Trustee Update
Bill Conway provided several Trustee Updates. Trustee Amy Fee has resigned so that she can run as a PC candidate in the upcoming provincial election. The French Immersion program will be offered at two more schools in 2019, and at an additional two schools in 2020. There are no school closures planned at this time; in fact, new schools, including a new high school, are in the planning stages. The St. Louis Adult Learning Centre will be moving to the St. Francis campus in 2020.
An additional meeting was held on May 23, 2018. This update was submitted by Sue Simpson.
WCDSB SEAC met for an additional meeting on May 23 regarding the presentation of the Special Education budget for the coming year. Renee King, Manager of Business and Finance, shared updated information regarding the budget. Revenues will increase due to projected increased enrolment. SEAC approved the draft balanced budget to be presented to the Board of Trustees on June 4.
Irene Holdbrook, SEAC Chair, presented to the Committee of the Whole on Monday, May 14 providing annual updates and challenges on behalf of SEAC. The presentation was appreciated and well received.
There were no ministry updates and no association updates shared at the meeting.
The next SEAC meeting will be on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at 6:30pm at 35 Weber St. West, Kitchener.
