Present: Dick Tilley, Cheryl Kozey, Peter Crowell, Bev McDonald, Ian Watt, John Sparling, Debbie German, Steve German, Debbie Rout, Alan MacDonald, Darlene Britten, Nancy Bliss, Deb Paterson, Peggy Lugar, Karen Kelly, Sheila Fortier, Sue MacLeod, Heather Sutherland, Janet Gagner, Jennifer Rubenstein, Rachel Ross, Nancy Sievert, Heather Lucas-Simms, Pat Johnston, Jennifer Walden, Christine Linders, Gail Creaser, Clyde Paris, Joanne Parsons, Lynn Kontak, Kathryn T. Ross, Hughena MacMIllan, Marcel Halle, Darlene MacAulay, Kerry Copeland, Gerry Miller, James Musgrave, Hugh Pullen, Pam Gasparetto, Michael Crosby, Debbie Hum, Pat Rhodenizer, Susan Kirkland, Angelica Silva and Jane Davies and Board Members Stella Campbell, David Driscoll, Carolyn MacFarlane and Jim Houston

1. No Minutes available for December executive meeting,
2. Treasurer's report: Many new payments in since Christmas that are not yet recorded. No report available at this time.
3. Committee Reports:
   1. School Board Committee - there was no December meeting and we were not informed . Dick has had a discussion with the School Board secretary and she promises improved communications. There will be a package of materials ready for us at each meeting and if we are unable to send a representative, the package will be sent to our post office box.. Next meeting to take place at the old Dartmouth City Hall at 6:00 PM on Jan 26^th - Dick Tilley to attend. The new chair of the Halifax Regional School Board is Stella Campbell. The Deputy Chair is Madeline Dillon from Bedford.
   2. Communications - Attempts at improving communications are ongoing. The School Board did not supply the usual list of PTA presidents this year and we are still working on updating our lists and obtaining fax and e-mail addresses. Our web site address is www.chebucto.ns.ca/Education/HDPTA The School Board web site is www.hrsb.ns.ca.
4. Gerald Muise from the Department of Education is to speak on environmental issues at our March 22^nd meeting.
5. We were told of a meeting taking place at Grosvenor Wentworth School concerning traffic concerns in Mainland North. There was an earlier meeting involving PTA representatives, councilors, school administrations and a police inspector in charge of crosswalks. This meeting will be concerned with such issues as parking signs - interested parties can call Debbie Hum at 443-8554.
6. Business Meeting adjourned
   
   

"Meetings like this afford our representatives the opportunity to gauge the feelings of their constituents - keeping in mind that although we may have differing opinions, we all want a safe learning environment for our children and the best education available to make them better citizens. " ( source unknown)

Stella Campbell provided us with one of her wonderfully thought-out handouts

(copy attached) .

Dave Driscoll clarified for us the new school board public presentation policy. A 15 minute presentation may be made to the board on the third Tuesday of every month. This is a presentation only and there will be no in-depth discussions, although questions for clarification will be allowed. Any person, group or school wishing to make such a presentation must inform the board secretary, Pat DeYoung, seven days in advance.

Jim Houston tells us that we are looking at a serious financial situation - at a significant deficit unless the Provincial Government comes up with some help. It would take 6 to 10 million just to bring us back to 0, 10 to 20 million to pay back this year's deficit. The challenge for the school board members is to identify where the priorities are when the resources are limited. They are committed to trying to make amalgamation work as it is a reality. It is to be hoped that when the time comes for the board to vote on the school review question, that the members will vote on the issues and not according to region. He sees the new Superintendent as a very important decision. Strong leadership and accountability are needed. On the question of teacher accountability, Mr Houston believes that it is the Board's function to pass on any concerns and to insure that the system is working as it should be but that the board members should not meddle in day-to-day affairs in the schools.

Caroline MacFarlane - On the subject of Supplementary funding, it is certainly her impression that Mayor Walter Fitzgerald is behind a move to see these funds cut. She reports that full day primary and teachers resources, etc were moved from supplementary funding to the global budget and the resulting freed funds were directed to the individual schools on a per capita basis. These funds were sorely needed and much appreciated by the schools and our board members would like to be able to continue to provide them. On the subject of Honour Courses at the High School level, it is the Provincial Department of Education that is whittling away at the programs at the high school level.



David Driscoll - Tells us, in reply to a question, that the School Board has tried, without success, to get the Government to come in and help set up a projected multi-year budget.

Stella Campbell - Projected deficits are so hard to pin down. In the summer the board was told there was a 1.3 million dollar deficit but the auditors found discrepancies and by September the figure had climbed to 6.3 million! Some contributing causes were:

1. Adjustments to achieve Teacher Assistant Pay Equity throughout the Municipality
2. An unexpected increase in the number of substitute days put in for. This situation is under investigation.
3. A carry forward of $1,400,000.00 deficit from last year.

Carolyn MacFarlane - All Amalgamation contracts are now put to bed and there will hopefully not be any new surprises. The Board's budgetary problems are largely due to amalgamation costs.

In General: There was a lively discussion of the French Immersion Fee question. Ms. Campbell explained that she put the motion on the table concerning fees for French Immersion to get discussion on the subject out in the open and not because she really wants to charge parents of French Immersion students a fee.

There are differing viewpoints on the costs to the system of French Immersion. The School Board is looking forward to an audit to provide the full picture. Some suspect that the program may actually be costing less to administer.