26-oct-11

Halifax Regional School Board 33 Spectacle Lake Drive Dartmouth NS B3B 1X7 T 902 464-2000 Ext. 2321 F 902 464-2420

The HRSB would appreciate the support of the public and staff in creating a scent-reduced environment at all meetings. Please turn off your cell phone. Usage is restricted to outside the Board Chambers. Thank you.

AGENDA School Board Meeting

Wednesday, October 26, 2011 6:00 pm Board Chambers

33 Spectacle Lake Drive Dartmouth, NS

1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 3. AWARDS / PRESENTATIONS (Normally awards and presentations

will be limited to 5 minutes – the Chair may extend the time limit under unique circumstances.)

4. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS 4.1 Chantel Arbuckle 4.2 Peggy Wentzel presenting in honour of Mi’kmaq History Month 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES/BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES September 28, 2011 (Regular Board) 6. CORRESPONDENCE 7. CHAIR’S REPORT 8. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT 9. ITEMS FOR DECISION

9.1 Board Member David Cameron provided the following notice of

motion:



Whereas cancellation of school because of inclement weather represents a loss of valuable time for teaching and learning that cannot be made up; and

Whereas the cancellation of all schools in HRSB when buses do not operate imposes an unnecessary burden on many families whose children either do not use bus transportation or who are able to make alternative arrangements to transport their child or children to school; and

Whereas the current policy of the board (B.012) adopted January 27, 2010, states that “When deciding school cancellation due to severe weather, the Superintendent or designate shall consider closing individual schools, Families of Schools or all schools; and

Whereas most school boards in Canada have policies or procedures whereby schools normally remain open in the case of inclement weather, whether or not buses are able to run, with parents deciding whether or not it is safe for their child or children to go to school;

Be it Resolved that the policy of the HRSB be modified such that the

normal expectation is that schools will be open and staffed on each scheduled school day as prescribed by the Department of Education.

Decisions regarding the operation of buses will normally be made respecting each Family of Schools.

Only in cases of the most extreme weather conditions will the decision be made to close all schools.

9.2 Report 11-10-1317 - Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board Boundaries

Report – Charles Clattenburg, Director, Operation Services, and Jill McGillicuddy, Planner

9.3 Board Member Sheryl Blumenthal-Harrison provided the following

notice of motion: That we recommend that the Minister of Education request a change to

the Elections Act as follows: That HRM elect not only the 10 members by either election or

appointment but whereby HRM also elect the Chair of the HRSB. To follow suit under the municipal policy to elect counselors or as well

as mayor. 10. COMMITTEE REPORTS (Committee reports will be limited to 5

minutes – the Chair may extend the time limit under unique circumstances.)



10.1 Audit Committee 10.2 Nova Scotia School Boards Association

11. INFORMATION ITEMS

11.1 Report 11-08-1312 – Occupational Health & Safety – Quarterly

Update April 1 to June 30, 2011 – Mike Christie, Director, Human Resource Services and John Swales, Manager, Occupational Health & Safety

12. NOTICE OF MOTION 13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

• Board Meeting – November 23, 2011 14. IN-CAMERA

14.1 Personnel Issue – Mike Christie, Director, Human Resource Services 14.2 Contract – Terri Thompson, Director, Financial Services

15. ADJOURNMENT

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Public x Report No. 11-10-1317 Private Date: October 18, 2011

HALIFAX REGIONAL SCHOOL BOARD Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board Electoral Boundary Report

PURPOSE: To provide the Board with information regarding the upcoming

electoral boundary hearing at the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.

BACKGROUND: On July 27, 2011, the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board

(NSUARB) released its decision regarding the number of electoral districts and councillors representing the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). The number of electoral districts and councillors has been reduced from 23 to 16 plus the Mayor. Based on this decision, HRM’s electoral boundaries will be significantly altered for the October 2012 election.

The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board determined the number of electoral boundaries and directed HRM to formulate the altered districts. HRM has provided two scenarios and gathered public comment regarding these proposed electoral districts. On October 21, 2011, HRM will submit the proposed boundaries to the NSUARB which will hold a hearing on November 7, 2011. It is in the mandate of the NSUARB to make the final determination of the electoral boundaries. This decision will be based on both public comment and legislative requirements.

The primary consideration in electoral district reviews is voter equality, which endeavours to achieve relative parity across electoral districts and is measured by calculating and comparing the variances in the number of electors per district.

The NSUARB has determined the acceptable variances in the number of voters per electoral district. The decision in respect of HRM’s boundary application in 2004 application in part stated:

… as noted in its February 2004 municipal boundary decision respecting HRM, the Board now expects variances for relative parity between polling districts to be within +/- 10%, only allowing variances up to +/- 25% in extraordinary circumstances where the municipality provides a detailed written explanation confirming that factors such as community of interest or geography clearly justify the necessity of an increased variance in a polling district. (2004 NSUARB 78)

Section 43 of the Education Act requires:

… in the year 1999 and every eighth year thereafter, every school board shall apply to the Utility and Review Board to confirm or change the number and boundaries of the electoral districts in the school district or school region. 1995-96, c.1, s. 43; 1998, c.18, s. 555

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In 2008, the Halifax Regional School Board submitted an application to NSUARB to change the number of electoral boundaries and Board members to eight elected members in addition to the Mi’kmaq and African Nova Scotian representatives. The NSUARB reduced the number of electoral districts to eight and the number of elected members to nine (eight elected by district and the African Nova Scotian representative). Section 42 of the Education Act states that “A school board consist of such number of members, not less than eight nor greater than eighteen, as determined by order of the Utility and Review Board.”

As outlined, the Halifax Regional School Board would be required by the Education Act to apply to the Utility and Review Board to confirm or change the boundaries in 2016. However, HRSB has decided to file an application to the NSUARB to change its electoral districts for the following reasons: • in accordance with Section 44 of the Education Act, the UARB

considers the boundaries of municipal polling districts and wards when it determines the electoral boundaries for school board districts;

• school board elections are held at the same time as municipal

elections and HRSB is responsible for incidental election costs related to the election of its members and with vastly different electoral districts the cost would be significant; and

• closely aligned electoral boundaries between HRM and HRSB

will lessen voter confusion.

The number of elected Board members and districts will not be reduced; however, the geographical area of each district will be altered.

CONTENT: HRM presented two options for the public’s consideration and

comment. During the consultation process, staff from HRM and HRSB worked collaboratively to determine mutually acceptable boundaries.

HRM’s public consultation concluded on October 14, 2011 with a

staff report and recommendation being tabled with Regional Council on Tuesday, October 18, 2011. Based on public comment and staff’s recommendation the following motion was put and passed:

Moved by Councillor Walker, seconded by

Councillor Streatch, that Halifax Regional Council recommend to the NSUARB Option 1 as revised during the public consultation process with the 16 polling district boundaries as outlined in Attachment 1 of the October 14, 2011 staff report.

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Attachment 1 of this report depicts the proposed electoral boundaries as well as graphically outlines each district. For school board electoral district purposes, two Municipal boundaries would be consolidated to create one School Board boundary. This option divides the HRM into sixteen districts, generally maintaining and urban, suburban, and rural division. This option would result in eight HRSB electoral districts as follows: District 1 – HRM A and C District 2 – HRM E and D District 3 – HRM F and G District 4 – HRM I and J District 5 – HRM H and K District 6 – HRM L and M District 7 – HRM N and P District 8 – HRM B and O Staff reviewed this option and would offer the following analysis: Advantages

• Generally maintains identifiable communities of interest across all of HRM;

• Voter parity of most districts is within the 10% variance • Generally follows community boundaries and where required

uses other identifiable boundaries to shape the polling districts;

• From a municipal perspective, the primarily rural district in the eastern shore is maintained as well as maintaining communities of interest in the south western coastal areas of HRM;

• This scenario is the preferred option as it better represents the family of schools and communities of interest.

Disadvantages • Given that HRSB electoral boundaries are comprised of two

municipal electoral boundaries there are proposed districts which will have an urban/suburban split and a rural/suburban split. This is evident with Eastern Shore and Cole Harbour being consolidated as well as the south end of Halifax and the northwest arm communities;

• There will be significant change in the Dartmouth East and Cole Harbour Electoral Districts. There is a requirement by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board that Lake Loon, Cherry Brook and Cole Harbour be maintained as one polling district. To ensure voter parity and respect the aspirations of surrounding communities, it would be difficult to revise the proposed boundary;

• Proposed changes to the Halifax Peninsula districts create proposed HRSB boundaries that have an urban/suburban split. This is necessary given the voter parity requirement and the significant change to the municipal boundaries;

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• Although this is the preferred option in respecting the Family of Schools structure, there are areas that the Families of Schools will be split; however, this occurs in the existing electoral districts.

The Board will distribute this report to School Advisory Councils for feedback and will post the report on its website at www.hrsb.ns.ca . The Board will accept public input on the report at [email protected] .

COST: In 2008, the incidental election costs to the Board was, approximately $320,000.00 and should the Board not amend the existing boundaries an additional cost of approximately $420,000.00 would be incurred.

FUNDING: Election costs are under the purview of the Board Governance budget.

TIMELINE: Approved electoral boundaries to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review

Board in for November 2011 to be implemented for Municipal and School Board elections in fall 2012.

APPENDICES: Appendix 1 – Proposed overall electoral districts and individual

district maps Appendix 2 – Voter populations and variance by district Appendix 3 – Polling District Descriptions Appendix 4 – List of Schools in each proposed district RECOMMENDATIONS: Senior Staff recommends that the governing Board approve the

electoral boundaries and forward them to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board for consideration.

COMMUNICATIONS:

AUDIENCE RESPONSIBLE TIMELINE Community via Web Doug Hadley Immediately School Advisory Councils Danielle McNeil-Hessian Following the Board meeting Department of Education Charles Clattenburg Following the Board meeting Halifax Regional Municipality Selena Henderson Following the Board meeting From: For further information, please contact Charles Clattenburg, Director

of Operations Services or Jill McGillicuddy, Planner – Operations Services by way of e-mail at [email protected] or at 464-2000 ext 2277.

To: Senior Staff: October 18, 2011 Full Board: October 26, 2011

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Appendix 1 – District Maps Overall District Boundaries

Source: Halifax Regional School Board

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Proposed District A

Source: Halifax Regional Municipality

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Proposed District B


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Proposed District C


- 9 -

Proposed District D


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Proposed District E


- 11 -

Proposed District F


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Proposed District G


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Proposed District H


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Proposed District I


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Proposed District J


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Proposed District K


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Proposed District L


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Proposed District M


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Proposed District N


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Proposed District O


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Appendix 2 – Voter population and variance by district

Source: Environics Analytics and Halifax Regional Municipality District Voters Deviation District 1 36,089 -11.9 District 2 38,240 7.7% District 3 39,972 -2.4% District 4 44,330 +8.2% District 5 43,519 +6.2% District 6 42,044 +2.6% District 7 39,548 -3.5% District 8 40,567 -1%

Total Projected Voters 327,615 Districts 8 Voters per District 40,951 Above 10% 45,046 Below 10% 36,856

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Appendix 3 – Description of Districts Polling District Descriptions – Recommended Scenario as provided by Halifax Regional Municipality District A/1 – Eastern Shore/Musquodoboit Valley (3903 sq. km) The district encompasses the largely rural/coastal areas of HRM along the Eastern Shore and the Musquodoboit Valley. Commencing at the communities of Porters Lake and the Chezzetcook’s the district continues along Highway 7 to the furthest eastern most communities of HRM and, taking in all communities on the connecting provincial highways (374,224,357) through to the Musquodoboit Valley. The district then extends through the Musquodoboit Valley following the boundaries of HRM including the communities of Carroll’s Corner, Dutch Settlement, Lantz and Elmsdale (HRM portions), returning to Porters Lake following the community boundaries of Devon and Meaghers Grant. District B/2 –Fall River/ Waverley/Beaver Bank/Sackville (424 sq. km) Starting at the North West reaches of HRM and including the communities of Goff’s, Enfield and the Airport, the district extends along highway 102 including the communities of Fletcher’s Lake, Oakfield, Wellington, Fall River, Lakeview and Windsor Junction. The district also incorporates the community of Waverley along Highway 118. Moving westerly from Windsor Junction the district includes the communities of Lakeview, Beaver Bank, Middle Sackville (the portion north of Margeson Dr.) and Upper Sackville. District C/3 – Cole Harbour/Westphal/Lawrencetown/Prestons (201 sq. km) The district includes the north eastern portion of Cole Harbour along with the communities of Westphal, Lake Loon and Cherry Brook along with East and North Preston and surrounding areas through to Mineville and the coastal communities from Lawrencetown through to Lake Echo. Commencing where Main Street intersects the Forest Hills Parkway this district includes the communities of Lake Loon, Cherry Brook, Westphal and the north eastern portion of Cole Harbour. Moving easterly along the Lawrencetown Rd the district includes the communities of Lawrencetown, East Lawrencetown, Three Fathom Harbour, Seaforth, Grand Desert and West Porters Lake. Moving easterly along Highway 7 the district includes Mineville, Lake Echo, East Preston and North Preston. District D/4 –Colby Village/Cow Bay/Eastern Passage (53 sq. km) The district includes the neighbourhood of Colby Village as well as Cow Bay, Eastern Passage and Shearwater. Commencing at Caldwell Road and Cole Harbour Road the district includes the Colby Village portion of Cole Harbour and extends along Bissett Rd to the community of Cow Bay. Following Cow Bay Road and the coast line the district includes Eastern Passage and continues along the 322 Highway into Shearwater terminating at the community boundary. The boundary follows the Shearwater community boundary north easterly to reconnect at Caldwell Road. District E/5 – Dartmouth East (16 sq. km) The district commences at the southerly boundary of Dartmouth where Pleasant St and Main Rd intersect. The boundary continues along Pleasant St to Highway 111 encompassing the neighbourhood of South Woodside. From there the boundary follows Highway 111 to Main St, moving easterly along the center of Main St to the Forest Hills Parkway. The boundary then turns southerly to generally follow the community boundaries of Westphal/Dartmouth & Cole Harbour to run between Kirkland and Glenalva Crts to Circassion Dr and along Circassion Dr to the Forest Hills Pky. and along the parkway to Cole Harbour Road and continuing westerly to Caldwell Rd including Wexford Rd, the western portion of Delta Dr., Cherrywood Dr and all associated Streets.

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The district includes the neighbourhoods of South Woodside, Russell Lake, Portland Estates and Portland Hills and Woodlawn. District F/6- Dartmouth Centre (11 sq. km) The district includes most of old Dartmouth within the circumferential highway. Starting at Highway 111 the boundary continues northerly until the intersection with Woodland Ave. The boundary then extends down the center of Woodland Ave to the intersection with Victoria Rd. and continues southerly onto Boland Rd to Jamieson St and south westerly to the Harbour. District G/7 – Dartmouth North/the Lakes (58 sq. km) The district includes Dartmouth North, Burnside, Dartmouth Crossing and Dartmouth the Lakes. The district commences at the intersection of Highway 111 and Main St (the shared boundary with District E/5) and continues east to Forest Hills Ext, north to the community boundary with Montague Gold Mines and into Waverley just south of the Silversides neighbourhood. The boundary then heads west to Windmill Rd at the community boundary between Dartmouth and Bedford and then southerly to the boundary with District F/6 at Jamieson St. District H/8 – Peninsula South (8 sq. km) The district takes in the southern portion of the peninsula of Halifax. The district includes Spring Garden Rd and the majority of the historic downtown of Halifax along Barrington St to the Harbour. This district also includes Point Pleasant Park and Sable Island. The boundary commences at the North West Arm and commencing at the bottom of Jubilee Rd. follows Jubilee Rd to Oxford St and extends north along Oxford St to Quinpool Rd. then extends along the centre line of Quinpool Rd. to Cogswell St. The boundary then moves along Cogswell St at the commons to North Park St. to North Park St and northward to Cornwallis St and down Cornwallis St to the harbour. District I/9- Peninsula North (7 sq. km) The district takes in the dockyards, container port and the Gottingen St & Agricola St Business Areas as well as the Hydrostone neighbourhood. The district follows the shared boundary with District H/8 and takes in the northern portion of the peninsula of Halifax. At the corner of Oxford St and Quinpool Rd. the boundary moves northward along Oxford to Bayers Rd and westward to Joseph Howe Dr. The boundary then moves northward along Connaught Avenue to the Bedford Highway and follows the harbour at the Bedford Basin to the lower end of Cornwallis St. The boundary then turns up Cornwallis St. following the boundary between District H/8 Peninsula South to North Park St, along the commons at Cogswell St. to Quinpool Rd to return to the corner of Oxford St. and Quinpool Rd. District J/10 – Fairview/Clayton Park (8 sq. km) The district takes in the neighbourhood of Fairview, Rockingham and the majority of Clayton Park below Dunbrack Street including Mount St. Vincent University. This district extends from the boundary with District I/9 at Joseph Howe Drive along the Bedford Highway to Princes Walk The boundary, just north of Princes Walk, crosses to the Bedford/Halifax community boundary on Kearney Lake Road and extends back along Kearney Lake Road to Dunbrack Street and along Dunbrack Street to Lacewood drive. The district includes the streets of Clayton Park West above Dunbrack Street (Chadwick, Chelsea, and Harrington Streets) and extends past the western portion of Washmill Lake Drive to Highway 102 and proceeds down Highway 102 back to Joseph Howe Drive.

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District K/11 – Peninsula West/ Armdale (12 sq. km) This district takes in a portion of the western peninsula of Halifax and extends from the roundabout to include the community of Armdale and associated neighbourhoods, along with residences on and adjacent to the Herring Cove Rd as far as the Williams Lake Rd and along the Purcell’s Cove Rd just past Hall’s Rd. The boundary extends from Oxford St on Halifax Peninsula up Bayers Rd to Connaught Ave and along Joseph Howe Dr. to Highway 102. The boundary then extends along Highway 102 and back to the North West Arm Dr. to Cherry Lane. The boundary then follows Penney, Hillary and Mont Streets to the Herring Cove Rd and along the Herring Cove Rd to extend behind the streets off of the Williams Lake Rd to the Purcell’s Cove Rd to just past Halls Rd. The boundary then returns along the North West Arm towards the roundabout as far as the bottom of Jubilee Road where it turns up Jubilee Rd to join at the corner of Oxford St and Jubilee Rd. District L/12 – Clayton Park West/ Beechville/Timberlea (84 sq. km) This district takes in the western portion Clayton Park above Dunbrack Street to Park Land Drive (including the Canada Games Centre) along with the Bayer’s Lake retail centre and extends along the St Margaret’s Bay Road as far as Exit 4 of Highway 103 to include the communities of Beechville, Lakeside and Timberlea. The boundary commences at the Bayer’s Lake interchange of Highway 102 and extends northwest along Highway 102 to the intersection with North West Arm Dr. It then traverses behind Birchdale Crescent and Westridge Drive to connect with Lacewood Drive. The boundary then moves easterly along Lacewood Drive to Dunbrack Street on onward to the Kearney Lake Road interchange. The boundary continues along Highway 102 to Larry Uteck Blvd and across to the Kearney Lake Road and then onto the Bedford/Halifax community boundary. The boundary continues westerly across country to Exit 4 on Highway 102. The boundary then extends westerly to Nine Mile River encompassing the community of Otter Lake and returns to the interchange at Highway 102 and Highway 103 where it commenced. District M/13- Spryfield/Sambro/Prospect Rd (354 sq. km) The district includes Spryfield and Leiblin Park and the communities along Highway 349 and 306 known as the Sambro Loop. The district also includes the coastal portion of the Purcell’s Cove Rd/Highway 253 as well as the communities known as the “Prospect Communities” extending from Goodwood along Prospect Rd as far as the Peggy’s Cove preservation area. District N/14 –South Shore/Hammonds Plains (685 sq. km) The district stretches from Hubbards to Upper Tantallon along the St Margarets Bay Rd, and then from Tantallon to the Peggy’s Cove preservation area (including Peggy’s Cove) along the Peggys Cove Rd. Inland the communities of Hubley, Lewis Lake, Stillwater Lake, Upper Hammonds Plains, Lucasville are included as well as the neighbourhoods of Kingswoods North and South. The boundary extends from the Peggy’s Cove preservation area (including Peggy’s Cove) across St. Margaret’s Bay to the furthest west boundary of HRM at Hubbards, including in the district the communities along Peggys Cove Rd to Tantallon and along St Margarets Bay Rd to Hubbards. The boundary then follows the line between HRM and Lunenburg and Hants Counties to Highway 101 at Upper Sackville. The boundary then follows the Sackville River to Westpoint Drive in the community of Lucasville and follows the community boundary line of Lucasville to include Lucasville and Kingswood North and South within the district. The boundary then turns west again to follow the community boundary lines between Hammonds Plains and Timberlea to connect with Highway 103 at Exit 4. The boundary follows the 103 south to the community boundary of Otter Lake and extends west across country following community boundary lines to reconnect to Peggy’s Cove Rd at Peggy’s Cove.

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District O/15 –Sackville (27 sq. km) The district follows the community boundary of Lower Sackville with the exception of the eastern most boundaries along Cobequid Rd, which excludes the subdivision of Stone Mount. The district also includes the portion of the community of Middle Sackville south of Margeson Dr. District P/16 – Bedford/Bedford South & West (50 sq. km) The district includes the accepted community boundary of Bedford as well as the new and growing Bedford West and South neighbourhoods and a portion of the old City of Halifax adjacent to Shaunslieve Dr. The boundary commences at the boundary with Districts O/15 and N/14 at the Sackville River and follows the Sackville River to Highway 102 and the Bedford By-pass. The boundary then follows the Bedford Community boundary to Windmill Road above the Burnside Industrial Park and out into the Bedford Basin. The boundary then extends across the Basin to Shaunslieve Dr where it continues westerly across country to Highway 102. The boundary follows Highway 102 to Exit 2B and continues westerly to the Kearney Lake Road running along the centre of Kearney Lake in conjunction with the boundary of District L/12. The boundary then extends up the Kearney Lake Road (incorporating both sides) to the intersection with the Hammonds Plains Road and continues across country to reconnect at the Sackville River.

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Appendix 4 – List of schools in the proposed districts (Please note that although a school is located in a district the catchment area may extend into one or more districts0 District 1 Atlantic View Elementary Auburn Drive High School Bell Park Academic Centre Cole Harbour District High Colonel John Stuart Duncan MacMillan High Dutch Settlement Elementary Eastern Consolidated Elementary Eastern Shore District High GaetzBrook Junior High George Bissett Elementary Graham Creighton Humber Park Elementary Joseph Giles Elementary Lakefront Consolidated Elementary Musquodoboit Rural High Musquodoboit Valley Education Centre Nelson Whynder Elementary O'Connell Drive Elementary Oyster Pond Academy Porters Lake Elementary (PortersLake) Ross Road School Sheet Harbour Consolidated Elementary Upper Musquodoboit Consolidated Elementary District 2 Astral Drive Elementary Astral Drive Junior High Bel Ayr Elementary Brookhouse Elementary Caldwell Road Elementary Colby Village Elementary Eastern Passage Education Centre Ellenvale Junior High Eric Graves Memorial Junior High Mount Edward Elementary Ocean View Elementary Portland Estates Elementary Prince Andrew High Robert Kemp Turner Elementary Seaside Elementary School Sir Robert Borden Junior High Tallahassee Community Elementary District 3 Admiral Westphal Alderney Elementary Bicentennial School Caledonia Junior High Crichton Park Elementary Dartmouth High

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Harbour View Elementary Hawthorn Elementary Ian Forsyth Elementary John MacNeil Elementary John Martin Junior High Prince Arthur Junior High Shannon Park Elementary South Woodside Elementary Southdale-North Woodside Elementary District 4 Burton Ettinger Elementary Clayton Park Junior High Duc d'Anville Elementary Fairview Heights Elementary (Annex Building) Fairview Heights Elementary (Main Building) Fairview Junior High Grosvenor-Wentworth Park Elementary Highland Park Junior High Joseph Howe Elementary Oxford School Rockingham Elementary St. Catherine's Elementary St. Joseph's-Alexander McKay Elementary St. Stephen's Elementary District 5 Chebucto Heights Elementary Citadel High Cornwallis Junior High Cunard Junior High Gorsebrook Junior High Inglis Street Elementary John W. MacLeod – Fleming Tower Elementary LeMarchant-St. Thomas Elementary Saint Mary’s Elementary St. Agnes Junior High St. Catherine’s Elementary Springvale Elementary Westmount Elementary District 6 Atlantic Memorial – Terence Bay Elementary Beechville Lakeside Timberlea Elementary Brookside Junior Central Spryfield Elementary Elizabeth Sutherland School Halifax West High Harrietsfield Elementary Herring Cove Junior High J.L. Ilsley High Park West School Prospect Road Elementary Ridgecliff Middle School Rockingstone School

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Sambro Elementary William King Elementary District 7 Basinview Drive Elementary School Bedford Junior High Bedford South School C.P. Allen High East St. Margaret’s Elementary Five Bridges Junior High Hammonds Plains Consolidated Kingswood Elementary Madeline Symonds Middle School Shatford Memorial Elementary Sir John A. Macdonald High St. Margaret’s Bay Elementary Sunnyside Elementary Tantallon Elementary District 8 A.J. Smeltzer Junior High Ash Lee Jefferson Elementary Beaver Bank – Kinsac Elementary Beaver Bank – Monarch Elementary Caudle Park Elementry Cavalier Drive School Georges P. Vanier Gertrude Parker Elementary Harold T. Barrett Junior High Harry R. Hamilton Elementary Hillside Park Elementary Holland Road Elementary Leslie Thomas Junior High Lockview High Millwood Elementary Millwood High Olfield Consolidated Sackville Centennial Elementary Sackville Heights Elementary Sackville Heights Junior High School Sackville High Smokey Drive Elementary Sycamore Lane Elementary Waverley Memorial

Public X Report No. 11-08-1312 Private Date: Aug. 8, 2011

HALIFAX REGIONAL SCHOOL BOARD

Occupational Health & Safety – Quarterly Update – Q2 2011

April 1, 2011 to June 30, 2011

PURPOSE: To inform the Board of Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) issues. BUSINESS PLAN GOAL: To continue to improve student achievement and learning for all students. BACKGROUND: Reporting on a quarterly basis is part of a due diligence process so the Board

is aware of HRSB OHS significant statistics and activities. CONTENT: Please see Appendix A - Occupational Health & Safety Quarterly Update,

Q2 2011, April 1, 2011 to June 30, 2011. COST: n/a FUNDING: n/a TIMELINE: n/a APPENDIX: Appendix A - Occupational Health & Safety Quarterly Update, Q2 2011,

April 1, 2011 to June 30, 2011 Appendix B – OHS Audit Report RECOMMENDATION: The Board accept the report for information. COMMUNICATIONS: n/a From: John Swales, OHS Manager (2204) [email protected] To: Board - October 26, 2011

OHS Report Q1_2011 Page 1 of 1 Report # 11-08-1312

11-08-1312 - APPENDIX A

Occupational Health & Safety Quarterly Update

Q2 2011 April 1 to June 30, 2011

School Insurance Program (SIP) – Reported Incidents

Incidents Reporting Quarter Year Before Quarter Preceding Quarter

Group Apr. 1 to Jun. 30, ‘11 Apr. 1 to Jun. 30, ‘10 Jan. 1 to Mar. 31, ‘11 Employees: 72 44 70

Other, incl. students: 388 284 318

SIP Incident Report forms are submitted by school administrators for incidents occurring to school community members during school related activities.

Group Leading Location Leading Injury Leading Cause(s) Leading Body Part

Employees: Class/Resource Rm Bruise/Abrasion/ Swell

Aggression and Slip/Trip/Fall Finger/Hand/Wrist

42 % of employee incidents reported to SIP were in relation to the position of Educational Program Assistant. 40 % of employee incidents reported to SIP were in relation to the position of teacher / school administration.

Incidents resulting in a lost time injury or medical attention are also reported under Workers’ Compensation Board or Injury on Duty below. Nova Scotia Teacher’s Union (NSTU) This group of employees is not covered by WCB.

NSTU Injury On Duty applications received Reporting Quarter Year Before Quarter Preceding Quarter Apr. 1 to Jun. 30, ‘11 Apr. 1 to Jun. 30, ‘10 Jan. 1 to Mar. 31, ‘11

Injuries on Duty 12 6 1 One claim is for an incident in June 2010, one claim is for a period between November 2009 and June 2010, two claims are for workplace stress. OH&S Division of Department Labour and Workforce Development

Workplaces Inspected: Workplaces with Compliance Orders Issued: Total Compliance Orders Issued:

0 0 0

One Compliance Order remained open as at the end of June. A progress inspection was conducted the first week of July and a report from the Department of Labour & Advanced Education received mid August. The Compliance Order remains open as major works are ongoing.

Appendix A_OHS Quarterly Update Q1_2011 Page 1 of 3

11-08-1312 - APPENDIX A

Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) Claims

33 claims were submitted to the Workers’ Compensation Board, similar to the number of submitted claims during the same period last year. The number of claims with paid wage benefits, and the weeks of benefits (during the period) are lower than the same period last year. 21 claims had no resulting medical expenses or benefits paid. The following graph shows 2nd Quarter 2011 WCB data in relation to previous 2nd quarter data.

WCB Q2 Claim Data

63

55

27

38

3036

28

19

34 33

1613

912

6

$34

$27

$17$19 $19

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Quarter

# of

Cla

ims

or W

eeks

$0

$5

$10

$15

$20

$25

$30

$35

$40

Thou

sand

s

Ben

efits

Pai

d in

Q

Weeks of Benefits 63 55 27 38 30

Submitted Claims 36 28 19 34 33

Lost Time Claims 16 13 9 12 6

Benefit $'s Paid $33,787 $27,051 $16,955 $18,922 $19,382

Q2_'07 Q2_'08 Q2_'09 Q2_'10 Q2_'11

Employee Training

52 staff from Operations (Trades and IT) and Central Office participated in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention courses during the period. 53 Educational Program Assistants were recertified in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention. Six Educational Program Assistant Emergency First Aid re-certification classes were held in May. 111 EPA’s participated.


11-08-1312 - APPENDIX A


Requests for Action from workplace JOHS Committees (received) A Request for Action form citing health concerns regarding accumulated (and falling) dust on grills and ceiling beams of a school gym was received. This request was redirected to Property Services and was completed during July (a scissor lift must be rented). Dust Collection Systems The approach in which individually designated priority shops will be fully commissioned is progressing with phased tendering and purchasing for collectors at the provincial level and mechanical/electrical works and sundries at the board level. It is anticipated that some four or five wood shops will be ready by the end of the calendar year. It has become apparent that there are some gaps in OHS program compliance for classrooms, specifically safety-sensitive educational work (i.e. high school chemistry, technology education such as wood shop and auto body). A strategic plan will be drawn up to address this. Provincial school board safety managers and safety program administrator are actively engaged in the development of new dust collection system maintenance and inspection manuals and logs with the Department of Education and the consultants whom are engaged by Transportation Infrastructure Renewal. The Nova Scotia Labour & Advanced Education OHS Division is also involved. Other The OHS Act requires the Occupational Health & Safety Policy be reviewed annually. During the 2010-2011school year, school based Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committees did not propose any changes. It is therefore recommended the Board retains the current version. The Custodial Division of Operations services emphasized safety during summer clean up via messaging and meetings with Supervisors and custodial staff, a follow-up to prevention efforts taken last summer. A baseline OHS Audit was led by the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board’s Manager of Occupational Health & Safety of 14 Halifax Regional School Board schools during the month of May. The summary report is attached as 11_08_1312 Appendix B.

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S4S Safety for Schools

HRSB OH&S Audit Report - 2011 1

Report On the S4S Safety Audit of

Halifax Regional School Board 18 August, 2011

Executive Summary During the period of 19-25 May, 2011 an Occupational Health and Safety Audit was conducted at the Halifax Regional School Board (HRSB) schools. A review of the program was conducted prior to that on 12 Jan 11. The audit focused on the Board’s safety program and its implementation in schools. The minimum standards for audit purposes were those set out in the provincial Occupational Health and Safety Act. The Lead Auditor for HRSB’s audit was George Thomson, OH&S Officer from the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board assisted by John Swales, Manager of OH&S, HRSB. HRSB has an active safety program, known in all schools audited. The program contains the necessary policies and procedures which, for the most part are available online and accessible to all HRSB employees. Some improvements to the program are recommended mostly around clarification or enhancing existing portions of the program. For schools the recommendations are about following through on OH&S Program requirements and maintaining proper records for (in most cases) the required five years. ______________________________ LEAD AUDITOR George Thomson OH&S Officer, AVRSB S4S Committee Member

Report

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On the S4S Safety Audit of Halifax Regional School Board

18 August, 2011 Introduction During the period of 19-25 May, 2011 an Occupational Health and Safety Audit was conducted at the Halifax Regional School Board schools. A review of the program was conducted prior to that on 12 Jan 11. The audit was developed based on a recommendation contained in a Department of Education Health and Safety Knowledge and Understanding Assessment conducted in 2006. The audit was developed by the Safety for Schools (S4S) committee which is comprised of the occupational health and safety program administrators from each school board in Nova Scotia as well as a representative from the Department of Education. The audit focused on the Board’s safety program and its implementation in schools. The minimum standards for audit purposes were those set out in the provincial Occupational Health and Safety Act. In order to increase the objectivity of the audit, it was decided that the Lead Auditor would be a S4S member from another school board, assisted by the OH&S program administrator from the board being audited. The Lead Auditor for HRSB’s audit was George Thomson, OH&S Officer from the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board assisted by John Swales, Manager of OH&S, HRSB. The audit was conducted in two parts. First, the Program Manual was assessed for its thoroughness and second the implementation of the program in schools* was assessed. In all schools staff were aware of health and safety issues and were putting efforts into ensuring they complied with rules and procedures. HRSB is to be commended on management and employee commitment to health and safety. Comments below reflect areas of strength in the program and its implementation in school which should be reinforced and used as a foundation for improvement. Recommendations for improvement are provided to ensure the Board is in compliance with the OH&S Act and to improve the general effectiveness of the OH&S program. While immediate and/or school-specific OH&S issues were addressed directly to the school administrator or representative, this audit report only includes generalized areas of strength and areas of improvement for the effectiveness of the program overall. __________ ∗ Fourteen schools were visited during the audit. They were: Sackville Heights Elementary; Gertrude M. Parker Elementary; Sackville High School; Upper Musquodoboit Consolidated; Duncan McMillan High School; Tallahassee Community; Eastern Passage Education Centre; Eric Graves Memorial Junior High; Ian Forsythe Elementary; Central Spryfield Elementary; Cornwallis Junior High; LeMarchant-St Thomas; Burton Ettinger Elementary and Fairview Junior High.

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Observed Strengths: OH&S Program and Manual: 1. The OH&S Program manual is comprehensive and covers all the requirements contained in the Occupational Health and Safety Act. 2. The Nova Scotia OH&S Act requires each employer to develop and maintain and OH&S Policy. HRSB has such a policy and it is reviewed annually by the Board’s Regional Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC). 3. The majority of the Board’s OH&S resources are available online through the employee-accessible portion of the Board’s website with a stated goal of placing all OH&S resources online. Resources such as new employee orientations briefings and JOHSC training modules are available to those that need them or wish to review them. Accessibility and ease of locating these resources is a very positive part of the program. Schools 1. All schools and members of school staff were receptive to the audit process and acknowledged the importance of providing safe and healthy work and learning environments. 2. A new employee orientation process exists within the OH&S Program and, while not all records could be located during the audit, it was clear that a concerted effort had been made to develop material so that all employees receive new employee, safety-specific, orientation training. 3. School staff were familiar with the OH&S resources available online. Even if in doubt about particular items, employees indicated they would first look for these items online. It was clear that during safety orientation employees had been made aware of these resources.

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Areas for Improvement Program: 1. While the Board’s OH&S Policy is reviewed annually, there is a requirement for a record of senior management annual review and commitment as well. This is normally done by having the Superintendent sign and date the policy annually. Also, the policy could be strengthened by expanding on the employers “reasons for commitment to health and safety”. It is recommended that the OH&S Policy be reviewed to strengthen it as noted above, that it be signed annually by the Board’s Superintendent and posted in each school/worksite. 2. The OH&S program contains a number of safe work practices and job procedures. These are specific instructions as to how to complete a specific task or job safely. However, the program does not contain an identification process for which tasks/jobs should have safe work practices and job procedures produced, when and by whom. This is normally done by assessing tasks/jobs for risks and ensuring they are produced for those tasks/jobs with the highest risk. It is recommended that the OH&S Program be reviewed and that a process for identifying and developing safe work practices and job procedures be developed, included in the program and implemented. 3. Specific OH&S Training requirements are noted in the program manual for senior managers but not for all employee jobs/classifications. It is recommended that the OH&S Program be reviewed and that a process for identifying training requirements for all employee jobs/classifications be developed, included in the program and implemented. (Note: The Safety for Schools Committee [S4S] has developed a list of training for employees by job classification that may be of assistance in this.) 4. The Board’s OH&S Program does contain a Hazard Identification process. However, if does not mention specifically who is responsible to conduct this process or when. Some of this information is contained in training material but in the program itself. It is recommended that the OH&S Program be reviewed and that the responsibilities and schedule for conducting hazard assessments be clearly identified and included as part of the program. 5. The completion and maintaining of records is an important part of an effective OH&S program. While there is some mention of this in the HRSB program, it is unclear if the required records are being kept. It is recommended that the OH&S Program be reviewed and that a process for completion and maintaining of records, both at the program level but also at the school/worksite level, and the specific records to be kept, be clarified and included in the program. These requirements should also be made clear to school administrators and other managers responsible for completion and maintenance of records.

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6. Senior management commitment to OH&S is enhanced by their clear understanding of OH&S requirements. There has been an evolution of management responsibilities, particularly in Nova Scotia, which now include the potential for criminal code charges against senior managers or Board members. Some if this is mentioned in the OH&S program but it does not include all of the responsibilities as laid out in the OH&S Act, Education Act and the Criminal Code of Canada. It is recommended that the OH&S Program be reviewed and amended to include the requirements for such training; that the training be carried out and records kept for future reference. Schools 1. Most of the schools audited were aware of the OH&S Program and its general contents. As mentioned previously, the location of most of the OH&S resources online in a document depot ensured that even if unfamiliar with the specifics, employees knew where to look for OH&S information. However, in spite of the ease of access to the information, most schools were not following through on OH&S Program requirements such as Hazard Assessment, Inspections and Accident Investigations, New Employee Orientation or the ongoing requirement to review and update their Violence in the Workplace programs within the school. There was evidence that most schools put the necessary effort into these items when they were initially implemented but that ongoing maintenance was lacking. It is recommended that OH&S Program requirements be reviewed with school administrators and that a tracking and follow-up process be implemented to ensure that these requirements are consistently completed. 2. While most schools audited had some records or verbally reported OH&S program requirements were completed, there was a consistent lack of paper or electronic records available during the audit. In some cases, records had been kept but could not be located and, while records had been kept, the inability to produce them nullified the fact that they had been kept. While record keeping can be tedious it not only proves that activities have been completed but protects employees and supervisors by indicating that they have completed their responsibilities. It is recommended that the requirement to keep accurate and accessible records be reviewed with school administrators and that they review the requirements with their school Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees and that a tracking and follow-up process be implemented to ensure that these requirements are consistently completed.

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3. In 2007, a new set of OH&S Regulations came into force in Nova Scotia. These were the Violence in the Workplace (VIW) Regulations. HRSB, as well as other school boards in NS, implemented a program to address workplace violence and meet the requirements of the regulations. The initial roll-out was successful and most schools audited produced their VIW Plans. However, few schools had conducted (or recorded) the required annual review of the plan and any updates or the reviewing of the plan and its content with employees. It is recommended that the requirement for reviewing, updating and recording changes to the VIW Plans be reviewed with school administrators to include the requirement to review these plans with employees and that a tracking and follow-up process be implemented to ensure that these requirements are consistently completed. Conclusion Overall, the OH&S Program at HRSB is mature and well implemented. As with all management systems, there exists a requirement for continual review and improvement. With senior management making a renewed commitment to OH&S and following up on the recommendations contained in this report, HRSB, its staff and students will be well served as you continue to provide safe work and learning environments. ______________________________ LEAD AUDITOR George Thomson OH&S Officer, AVRSB S4S Committee Member

26-oct-11

Documents

halifax regional school

regular board

cancellation of school

school cancellation

families of schools

school boards

individual schools

family of schools