date: feb 1, 2017 to: lester b pearson school board from ... feedback_budget.pdfthe westpark...

Date: Feb 1, 2017

To: Lester B Pearson School Board

From: St. Charles Elementary School Governing Board

Object: Response to 2017-2018 Budget Consultation

Question 1: Please list additional services or orientations you would like to

see offered by the school board.

Support for early literacy intervention

Support for special needs

Support for increasing school’s enrolment through marketing, different programs etc…

Resources to help schools gain more access to grants that are readily available. There are many grants that are available to schools such as literacy grants, grants for greener schools,

grants for promoting physical education etc…The only problem is finding the time needed to look for these grants and then file the

application. Administrators already have a lot to do and if the board can support the schools with this that would benefit everyone in gaining access to much needed and deserved funds.

Question 2: Do you have any suggestions to reallocate resources, increase revenues or decrease expenses or services?

Currently, there are children with special needs that cannot be

integrated into the regular classroom. These children would benefit from a program catered specifically to them with special

needs educators. The students fitting into this category should be combined and whatever resources necessary should be allocated accordingly. This would then allow the aides that were

dealing with these children more time to concentrate on those students that can be integrated into the classroom and where

integration is beneficial.

Goal for “buildings” should be to make them all energy efficient with the ultimate goal to be a reduction in future operating expenses.

Students should be taught to respect school property to minimize repair costs.

of 2

Question 3: Do you have any suggestions regarding objectives, principles or criteria used to govern the allocation of funds?

Funds should be allocated on a fair basis for the benefit of

students.

Question 4: With regard to the communication and presentation of financial results, do you have any suggestions?

Financial results should be compiled on a timely basis so that

decisions taken can be based on the most relevant data.

Information presented on a school budget should be more user friendly by including explanatory notes. Examples: grant to be used by ….; surplus should not be greater than x% of …; deficit

should not exceed … etc…

As with any consultation, the points brought forward by all stakeholders are important so thank you for your time.

France D’Aoust Director Financial Services Lester B. Pearson School Board February 9, 2017 Mme D’Aoust, In response to the 2017-2018 Budget Consultation for the Lester B. Pearson School Board, the governing board of Westwood Senior High School, Hudson, QC, respectfully submits the following suggestions:

1) Adequate Bussing for After School Programs During the Major School Change consultation, a brief was presented in November, 2015 by the chair of the Westwood Senior governing board. The brief clearly outlined the necessity for improved bus service following after school activities. An integral part of the high school experience is to participate in the cultural and sport after school activities offered. These programs promote the further development of our students. To participate transportation is required. At the moment many, including students and parents, recognize that the after school transportation service offered is inadequate. Presently, there are two late bus routes that cover the entire Westwood territory. It is not uncommon for a student to ride the late bus for an hour and a half, and then be dropped off a 10-15 minute walk from home, on a dark road with no sidewalks. Better bus service could also potentially increase participation in our after school activities, as well as our music program. We request that three late bus routes be offered Monday-Thursday. After the Major School Change consultation process, we were told that the transportation package was going to be reviewed, but so far nothing has been done to improve this situation for our students.

2) We would also like to suggest that the school board create a dossier that encompasses all steps necessary to move forward the idea of an off island adult education center. There is great need for such a facility in the off island region, and Westwood Senior has room to accommodate such a program. Given the lack of adequate transportation to on island adult programs, the need for an off island alternative becomes even greater.

The governing board of Westwood Senior High School feels that the above initiatives would better serve our present students, and help us to attract new day students, as well as new adult learners. Thank you for your kind consideration, Laura Pfeiffer Chair – Governing Board Westwood Senior High School

To whom it may concern,

After consultation with its members, the Governing Board of Westwood High School, Junior

Campus, would like to make the following suggestion with regards to the proposed 2017-18

budget:

In the event of a surplus, we would like to see the funds be redistributed directly to each school

and centre in the form of site grants. This would result in the monies being placed directly in

the hands of the administrators of each school who, we feel, would be best able to decide how

the funds should be spent as they are most in tune with the individual needs of each school and

its student population.

This is our only specific feedback with regards to the budget and we feel confident that the

School Board will make all its budgetary decisions in the best interest of the diverse students it

serves, including those with special needs.

Regards,

Tanja Minisini Governing Board Chair, Westwood High School, Junior Campus

Westpark Elementary School Governing Board March 20, 2017 Lester B. Pearson School Board 1925 Brookdale Dorval, QC H9P 2Y7 To Whom It May Concern, The Westpark Elementary Governing Board met in February 2017 to discuss budget allocations for the 2017-2018 school year. There were 4 main idea which were discussed as a means to maximize the school board’s budget. 1- To rent out school gymnasiums to be used for community activities on the weekends. 2- To make ongoing changes to the integration policy that surrounds special needs students. If special classes for special needs students were offered at schools like Westpark (as opposed to complete integration), perhaps more special needs students would be enrolled at schools like Westpark as opposed to being at specialized schools. This would perhaps increase overall enrolment in the LBPSB and consequently increase funds. 3- To share administrative services amongst schools in order to decrease expenses board wide (e.g. librarians, lawyers etc.) 4- To increase technological support within the schools in order to maximize the effectiveness of the new technology being implemented and consequently decrease long term costs. Thank you kindly for your consideration. Sincerely, Stacey Knecht Chair of Westpark Governing Board

GOVERNING BOARD

PIERREFONDS COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL

RESPONSE TO THE 2017 – 2018 LBPSB BUDGET CONSULTATION

March 21st, 2017

Dear France D`Aoust,

The PCHS Governing Board is aware of the increasing stress the ministry’s budget cuts place on our

school board, however it is very difficult to determine and prioritize the most critical needs when all

educational support are complex and interconnected. Please accept the following as the Pierrefonds

Comprehensive High School Governing Board’s response to the 2016 – 2017 LBPSB Budget

Consultation.

Question 1: Please list additional services or orientations you would like to see offered by the

school board.

The development of literacy is a fundamental building block in every level of education. It is

imperative that all school libraries and documentation technicians be maintained and/or re-

instated.

It is critical that the financial support not be decreased for services which directly impact our

students, especially in the area of Special Needs.

Question 2: Do you have any suggestions to reallocate resources, increase revenues or

decrease expenses or services? (note: these projects should ensure that the status

of the school is ready for the school year)

Develop and run Spring Break and Summer Programs/Camps focused on all age groups

where senior high school students can serve as counsellors in training.

Rent facilities to CEGEPs and universities after school hours, on weekends, and during the

summer break.

Introduce an optional Grade 12 program, which could be offered at a cost to participating

families.

Question 3: Do you have any suggestions regarding objectives, principles or criteria used to

govern the allocation of funds?

Schools should receive the rental funds in proportion to their usage, and the maintenance and

upgrades to the schools should take this into consideration.

Question 4: With regard to the communication and presentation of financial results, do you

have any suggestions?

No comment at this point.

The PCHS Governing Board has met, discussed and approved the above response. Thank you for

allowing us the opportunity to voice our opinion.

Sincerely,

Juan Lamosa

PCHS Governing Board Chairperson 2016/2017

2017-2018 Budget Consultation GROUP: PTU (Pearson Teacher’s Union) Question #1: Please list additional services or orientations you would like to see offered by the school board.

● Schools should be community based; ● Elementary schools should offer English streams; ● Junior and Senior elementary should not exist, this model does not encourage

mentoring among students and is dividing the community (siblings) ● IB programs at the Elementary level create segregation and are costly to parents.

These programs also create competition against our own schools in the same communities;

● An increase in closed classrooms for behavior and/or special needs students; integration is costly and the school board does not have enough funds to integrate properly;

● The arts (music, visual arts, music and dance) should be a priority and an important part of all student’s curricula (as intended by MEES);

● Respect class size as per the collective agreement (this is not the case) ● Literacy programs with a focus on Cycle 1 Elementary; ● Remedial literacy programs for students above the Cycle 1 Elementary; ● Offer Francais Langue Maternelle in our High Schools; ● Increase transitions services between the Youth and Continuing Education

sectors by investing in guidance counselors and transition consultants; ● Grant access to technological services for Continuing Education students (some

of these students don’t have technology available to them); ● Central mentoring program for teachers and administrators; ● Increase services for students in crisis; ● Increase school guidance counselors; ● Improve the AESOP system that is a cost to the school board.

Question #2: Do you have any suggestions to reallocate resources, increase revenues or decrease expenses or services?

● Adhere to zoning: Community schools could save transportation costs (The school board spends over 13 million on transport and is only give a fraction from the government.);

● Allow teachers to take part-time leaves. This will prevent burnouts and create a healthier workforce;

● Eliminate LEARNQuebec and TTFM ( Tell Them From Me);

● The school board should be applying for all government grants that are available and accessible;

● What does this mean: “The budget strives to foster the communication of the information required for the management of educational institutions”? Reduce expenditures related to this;

● Reallocate administration furniture costs to classroom furniture; ● Reduce promotional merchandise expenses; this money can be reallocated to

improving curriculum and investing in local school programs; ● Create class size ranges in Adult Education that allow for a balanced budget.

Public education should not create a profit; ● Allow for local purchasing to be opened up to various vendors.

Question #3: Do you have any suggestions regarding objectives, principles or criteria used to govern the allocation of funds?

● Use funds to enrich support services for students under 20 years of age in Continuing Education;

● Support the needs of smaller schools to create equality. Question #4: With regards to the communication and presentation of financial results, do you have any suggestions?

● PTU feels that there is little communication of results; ● Details should be included in the school revenues and expenses; ● Public spending should be clear and transparent; ● Teachers should be able to participate at the school board level. According to the

note accompanying the Budget Committee Members the Director General reserves the right to invite other personnel to the committee.

March 23, 2017

Sharon Lingle Secretariat Lester B. Pearson School Board 1925 Brookdale Avenue Dorval, Québec H9P 2Y7 Subject: 2017-2018 Budget Consultation

Dear Ms. Lingle,

On behalf of the Special Needs Advisory Committee, please find attached our response in regard to the 2017-2018 Budget Consultation.

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this consultation.

Respectfully,

Jennifer DiMarco Chair, LBPSB Special Needs Advisory Committee, 2016-2017

CC: Parents’ Committee, LBPSB

SNAC Response to the 2017-2018 LBPSB Budget Consultation

Question 1: Please list additional services or orientations you would like to see offered by the school board.

a) Communication with parents of students with special needs during the registration process regarding the services available to them, to help them learn how to navigate the system; (pamphlet, information sessions).

b) Communication with parents of students with special needs well in advance of periods of transition (e.g.: Elementary to High School), so that parents are aware of the support options available and differences between each potential school/program, in order to aid with the selection process.

• In particular, it is requested that written documentation be provided on the LBPSB website that describes the appropriate student profiles for the REACH, LIFE, and other special programs, including the WOTP (Work Oriented Training Path).

• In addition, when planning High School Open Houses, it is recommended that the Resource Room(s) be included on the school map, and be part of the official school tour, with access to resource team members to respond to questions.

c) Provide services to identify and support students with special needs as early as possible

d) Create partnerships with the appropriate unions (teachers, support staff) and governmental agencies to express the importance of the following:

• Allocation of integration aides earlier in the year, once enrollment is known in the Spring, so that they are already in place when the school starts in the Fall;

• Encourage schools to schedule meetings between parents/student/resource team/classroom teachers in the late Summer, before

school begins in the Fall, to ensure that the support staff is informed of the student’s development over the summer.

• Ensure continuity of services for students with special needs by minimizing changes in the support staff who are working with the student.

• Create a mechanism to ensure continuity of services for students with special needs as they migrate from preschool to elementary to secondary to Cegep. Ensure that information regarding all aspects of the student’s condition be forwarded in a timely manner, including transfer of medical information (with consent form), IEP and complementary service requirements.

e) Maintain or Increase the number of special needs professionals and para-professionals: Integration Aides, Special Ed Technicians, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, etc… to meet the ever growing needs, and reduce waiting list times for evaluation.

f) Provide additional opportunities for specialized training for both teachers and support staff who work with students with special needs to keep up to date with the latest methods and practices, as well as assistive technology tools.

g) Encourage schools to implement a Peer Mentoring Program or Buddy System whereby students with special needs are paired up with senior students who can provide guidance.

h) Provide schools with funding specifically for additional support for students with learning disabilities and special needs.

i) Provide specialized training to Support Staff personnel (Daycare staff, recess/lunch supervisors) and to Bus Drivers regarding how to effectively deal with students with special needs.

j) Increase the funding of Human Rights Education initiatives, to better support the acceptance of diversity in all its forms (religious, cultural, physical, sexual, or neurological) within LBPSB community

k) Allocate enough budget for snow clearing and salting, so that all students (especially those with mobility issues) and staff can safely travel back and forth from our schools in winter.


a) Provide additional funding for Teacher IEP Release Days. b) Provide additional funding to help at-risk students who are struggling but who may not yet have a diagnosis or who are in the process of being diagnosed.

c) Share best practices and programs throughout the board: communicate successful special needs programs implemented in one school with all schools, to reduce overlaps in spending and make the most use of the finances in play.

d) Allocate additional funding for educational, interactive web based programs that can be available for all students for home/school use - providing an additional resource for all students

Question 3: Do you have any suggestions regarding objectives, principles or criteria used to govern the allocation of funds?

Increase the priority of the inclusion of the growing number of special needs students throughout the board, and allocate more funds accordingly.

Question 4: With regard to communication and presentation of financial results, do you have any suggestions?

Provide a simplified infographic to clearly communicate how the funding for special needs students flows from MEESR to the board level to individual schools and programs.

March 27th, 2017 Geneviève Dugré Secretary General Lester B. Pearson School Board 1925 Brookdale Avenue Dorval, QC H9P 2Y7

Subject: 2017-2018 Budget Consulation – Clearpoint Elementary Dear Mme Dugré, Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the 2017-2018 Budget Consultation Plan. After reviewing at our Governing Board meetings, our response is as follows: Question 1: Please list additional services or orientations you would like to see offered by the

school board.

1. To ensure all students attending LBPSB schools are fully engaged in their learning while maintaining the Board's "inclusive classroom" philosophy, proper support should be made available to those having specific needs such as: - New students having little to no English or French language skills (International

Students and those whose parents have obtained a Canadian work or study permit). - Students in the gifted range - Students with learning difficulties and other special needs

2. Introduce/enhance computer science education at both elementary and secondary schools. Students would not only learn how to use computers but understand how they work as well as how technology can be used to solve problems.


decrease expenses or services?

1. Increase promotion of school rentals, focusing on repeat, longer term customers such as Girl Guides, Martial Arts schools, Yoga classes, etc, while making the rental process less cumbersome.

2. Expand paperless activities* at both the board and school levels. Example, replacing permission slips requiring wet signatures with online forms and electronic approvals.

* We would like to know whether the implementation of the Fusion Portal has resulted

in sufficient savings to continue its promotion and expand services. 3. Offer in school tutorial services for a reasonable fee (convenient for those students that

seek similar services elsewhere) 4. Market the success of our schools to attract more students 5. Develop and promote alumni success stories



In support of Strategic Direction 2 – Ensuring Wellness, we feel the board should be investing in Mindfulness courses and programs for students, staff and administration with the aim of improving their wellbeing and physical and mental health.

Question 4: With regard to the communication and presentation of financial results, do you have

any suggestions?

1. Including a cover letter outlining major changes or key points would be beneficial. 2. Providing specific data to the governing boards and parents so that they can better

understand the financial impact and make more valuable contributions to the consultation process. The information should be stored on-line with the specific links for access given to all concerned parties for review.

3. Providing feedback on the recommendations submitted by the governing boards. We are not sure which of our recommendations have been considered over the last few years.

In addition, we would like to share with the school board what services at Clearpoint we feel are both important and critical:

1. Receive integration aide support as well as student services support for our students with special/specific needs: Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Pathologist, Psychologist.

2. Maintain class sizes and ratios. 3. Continued support for International Baccalaureat Programme. 4. Maintain the cleanliness of the school. 5. Maintain physical education hours for all grades. 6. Maintain arts/dance/music programs for all grades. 7. Maintain daycare services at a minimal charge.

Sincere regards, Alberto Sanchez Governing Board Chairperson Clearpoint Elementary School 17 Cedar Avenue Pointe-Claire, QC H9S 4X9 [email protected]

Dorval Elementary School – Governing Board 1750 Carson, Dorval Quebec H9S 1N3

2017-2018 BUDGET CONSULTATION

Following is the response to the Budget Consultation from Dorval Elementary School Governing Board. Question 1: Please list additional services or orientations you would like to see offered by the school board. • Increase Student Success by incorporating Study Skills and Time Management Skills for all

students starting at elementary school. If students are provided the additional tools to be able to maximize their learning, they do better throughout their school career. This will improve marks and graduation rates.

• Raise the level of technical support offered in schools so they may leverage the use of

technology in the classrooms. • Add extra day for a librarian in the schools, at Dorval Elementary in the pass, apart from

performing the library duties of managing the library with teachers, she would also take care of applying for all the school grants and managing the task, which would bring value to the school to leverage the grant opportunities.

Question 2: Do you have any suggestions to reallocate resources, increase revenues or decrease expenses or services? • Continue drive towards less paper communication.

• Drive more shareable technologies within all schools, example Christmas Park has been a test

case for this initiative leverage this throughout all schools.

• Continuously develop the professional development of teachers specifically around technology and how to leverage it in the classroom.

• Increase the budget of the Inter Cultural Committee. Question 3: Do you have any suggestions regarding objectives, principles or criteria used to govern the allocation of funds? • Centralize as much as possible.

• The Board should only buy technology that stood the rule of five years of usefulness.

• Maintain current funding levels for all educational programs. Question 4: With regards to the communication and presentation of financial results, do you have any suggestions? • Make the budget clear, where the money is spent and for what reason. Therefore, our

community can understand where the money is going.

• Find a simpler, easier to understand format.

Dorset Elementary School Governing Board 106 Dorset Road, Baie d’Urfe, Qc, H9X 2Z6 France D’Aoust Director Financial Services March 30, 2017

2017-2018 Budget Consultation Priorities Response

1) Please list additional services or orientations you would like to see offered by the school board.

Adequate funding for integration in all LBPSB schools (integration aides, behavioral technicians, etc. Continued

and extra funding for literacy (Math & Science) endeavors (includes supporting LBPSB libraries).

More one on one resources i.e. early literacy intervention, math intervention, French resources.

Specialized programs for gifted and challenged students.

Continued funding for physical educating.

Computer technicians in all schools and additional financial resources for iPads, computers, screens, etc. Electrical capacity of outlets at the schools to meet the operational (and/or functional), as well as the

technological demands on them.

Funding to help daycare to cope with, and meet the changing needs of students.

Board wide environmentally responsible initiatives.

Promotion of quality of education that LBPSB provides.

Library technician for a at least one day per week.

2) Do you have any suggestions to reallocate resources, increase revenue or decrease expenses or services?

That the Equipement Services Department ensures that the equipment purchased can function in the schools and

is updated regularly.

To solicit corporate, private and municipal support.

That there be a reduction in redundancies i.e moving towards electronic student report cards.

That we continue reducing the amount of paper used in communications.

3) Do you have any suggestions regarding objectives, principles or criteria used to govern the allocation of funds?

Provide the resources to do the whole job not just part of it. (for example, if we are going to provide services for

special needs we need the aides, training, behavioral technicians, etc.

We need to maintain the electrical capacity and infrastructure to use it as well as software updates and technical

support)

4) With regard to the communication and presentation of financial results, do you have any suggestions?

That we maintain the high level of transparency. We would suggest adding an extra document to the financial

reports to show the input of the different schools and what these inputs actually had as an effect on the LBPSB budget.

2017 – 2018 BUDGET PRIORITIES RESPONSE: St. John Fisher Jr.

March 27, 2017

Please find the governing board’s response to the budget priority questions.


school board.

Suggestions: MARKETING.

Question 2: Do you have any suggestions to reallocate resources, increase revenues or decrease

expenses or services?

Suggestions:

1) Ensure adequate funding for librarians and other resource staff, without which our

schools will lose even more students.

2) Ensure more funding for students with special needs who are not coded, for

assessments and more specialists on site.



Suggestions: To keep the promotion of our schools in the forefront of decisions.

Question 4: With regard to the communication and presentation of financial results, do you

have any suggestions?

Reply: Not at this time.

Respectfully submitted,

Julie Ann Smith, Chair

St. John Fisher Junior Campus Governing Board

1

March 27, 2017

Sharon Lingle

Secretariat

Lester B. Pearson School Board

1925 Brookdale Avenue

Dorval, Québec H9P 2Y7

Re: Budget Consultation Response from Beacon Hill Elementary

Dear Ms. Lingle,

The response of the Beacon Hill Governing Board to the Budget Consultation is as follows:


school board?

We would like to see more classrooms adapted to fit Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

concepts. UDL can be defined as "the design of products and environments to be usable by all

people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design"

(Center for Universal Design, NCSU). Through the application of UDL to the classroom, all

children (and teachers) can benefit from an environment that suits them and enhances learning,

as opposed to the children having to adapt/maladapt to the traditional school environment. This

will also provide a positive and creative environment for the teachers to work in.



Profits made from international students and the sale of LBPSB buildings should be re-invested

in the remaining buildings in order to maximize the learning potential of our schools.


govern the allocation funds?

All financial decisions should be made in the interest of enhancing the learning environment to

accommodate the broad spectrum of learning types in each classroom, thus supporting student

success on multiple levels.

http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/about_ud/udprinciples.htm

2

Question 4: With regard to communication and presentation of financial results, do you have

any suggestions?

All financial results should be clearly posted on the LBPSB website and made accessible to all

parents of the board.

Submitted, with respect, by the Beacon Hill Elementary School Governing Board.

Celena Scheede-Bergdahl, Chair

2017-2018 BUDGET PRIORITIES RESPONSE

Submitted by: The Central Students’ Committee


school board.

● We believe that all students should have the proper academic and social support to be

successful in school. The school board is faced with difficult decisions and we think that

this should always be seen through the lens of students.

● We appreciate the focus on improving Wifi and technology in our schools. We would

like to make sure that the board continues to prioritize the accessibility of technology for

all students in future budgets. We need to stay current and progress with the times. It's

important to ensure that these resources are distributed equally amongst the Lester B.

Pearson schools. The use of technology also allows us to be more environmentally

friendly as it begins to minimize the need for paper.

● We feel it's important to provide appropriate transportation services to students whose

schools are situated in outlying areas of the Lester B. Pearson School Board. We would

like to grant those wishing to partake in after school extracurricular activities, access to

transportation in order to get home at an appropriate hour. This bussing should drop a

student off at a respectable distance from their home in order to ensure their overall

safety.

● Many students would enjoy having the option of taking different language courses, such

as Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, etc. The offering of these courses would not only help a

student learn something new, but would serve to enhance their learning experience.

Question 2: Do you have any suggestions to reallocate resources, increase revenues or decrease

expenses or services?

● We believe that some funds should be allocated to the Student Life classes/committees in

school in order to continue encouraging leadership, school enhancement and participation

of more students in developing these skills.

● Funds should also be set aside to support our Arts programs in schools (visual, media,

music, drama, etc.). Schools are often forced to limit student opportunity due to the lack

of centralized funding. The Arts are a creative outlet for many students as well as

complimentary to the more formal academic classes. We believe that targeted funding in

the arts will improve the appreciation of the arts and support student engagement and

student success.

● We believe that we should allocate more money towards building infrastructure. Our

buildings, for the most part, are older and the state of the hallways, bathrooms,

gymnasiums, auditoriums and classrooms directly impact the school climate. One of our

recurring concerns is the outdated and grungy bathrooms that students avoid at all cost.

Furthermore, there is a particular need in the high school to equip female washrooms

with free feminine hygiene products. We feel that some of the locker rooms are in need

of renovations. We would also like to have additional attention/repair/replacement of

stained ceiling tiles, rusty lockers, older water fountains and poor lighting. We would also

encourage the promotion of school murals on walls as well as lockers. Not only do we

feel that this would improve the aesthetic of our school environments (which would

attract potential students and parents), but we strongly believe that encouraging the

creation of art will make for a more comfortable learning environment.

● We feel that it's important to offer nutritional lunches and snacks in every school

cafeteria.

● Comfort is a crucial part of the learning process, as it helps students focus and allows

them to relax. However, a cause of discomfort for many students are the overheated or

cold classrooms, therefore the addition of heating and cooling systems in schools with a

greater need, would help with the awareness of students during a class.



● We feel that all decisions should be taken considering the additional challenges faced by

school in/with:

1) Socio-economically disadvantaged areas

2) Outlying geographic location within our school board

3) Higher levels of students requiring specialized services

Questions 4: With regard to the communication and presentation of financial results, do you have

any suggestions?

● A video post (YouTube or other) on the LBPSB website that describes the sources of

funding and where LBPSB money is currently spent.

● Provide google docs and spreadsheet to identify where monies are being prioritized and

in what schools.

● Provide a clearer description of the different funding from the Minister of Education and

how they can be used in schools to support students.

Thank you for your consideration,

Cierra Leitman and Emma Gauthier

Central Students’ Committee co-chairs

2017 - 2018 BUDGET PRIORITIES RESPONSE GROUP: THE GOVERNING BOARD OF LAKESIDE ACADEMY Question 1: Please list additional services or orientations you would like to see offered by the school board?

1. Offer Study Skills and Organization course (for credit) to all grade 7 students for a portion of the year.

2. Incorporate a first aid course into the Sec IV gym program (even if it incurs an associated fee).

3. Offer more support in training teachers to better use and leverage information and communication technologies within curriculum.

4. More Integration Aide hours to match ‘at risk’ students and more teachers aids in the classroom.

5. Develop web-based Optional Courses for High School students.

6. Develop funding and support for programs for gifted students (enrichment).

7. Allow credit card payment of all school field trips, sports and activities as well as online payment of school fees.

8. More allocation for the resource departments of high schools (to allow the continuation of specialized programs such as Reach).

9. Money allocation for updating of PE equipment. 10. Continuation of IB allocation money. 11. Better marketing of all LBPSB schools:

• hire an outside organization to market all LBPSB schools

• ensure that a committee is struck to survey or research why parents are choosing private school rather than public

• spend some time/money researching which programs or services offered at private schools could be emulated (even if on a different scale) so as to serve the needs of the student population who go to private schools in order to benefit from what they believe can or is not being offered in public schools

• publicize the successes of our LBPSB schools so the public can see it • A portion of advertisement/ media Board budget should be allocated to individual

schools.


1. Rental revenues generated through the use of school facilities should be redirected back to the school that supplied the location for rent OR expenses related to ‘wear and tear’ and maintenance of rental facilities should be allocated out of rental income prior to the distribution of remaining rental revenues to the schools

2. Focus efforts to increase Board-level support services (i.e. Psychologists, speech therapists, O.T.’s) OR reallocate these support services and divert them to the schools

3. Focus efforts on becoming “greener” at the Board level (and ultimately school level) by offering more support to enable wider use of web-based assignments given by teachers and completed by students

4. Increase the use of technology in the classroom and work space to reduce paper and ink

consumption

5. Use online technology to improve the process for parent feedback to the teachers and

school (so teachers are enabled to better collect parent feedback and to notice trends

and respond accordingly - for example when it comes to the amount of time taken up by

homework, etc.)

6. Fewer resources spent on bussing. Bussing should not be provided to people outside the

school territory/ city limits

Question 3: Do you have any suggestions regarding objectives, principles or criteria used to govern the allocation funds?

1. Funds should continue being used towards maintaining and increasing student success rate and increasing enrollment within the English/eligible community

2. Allocation of funds should not always be based on a per capita allotment but rather an equitable distribution based on the needs of the individual schools

3. Schools that have a population that have financial difficulties should be allocated more

funds to increase success

Question 4: With regard to communication and presentation of financial results, do you have any suggestions?

1. More transparency and accountability from the Board with regards to where public funds are being spent (i.e. how much is actually spent on schools and student programs)

2. Would like to hear from the Board about strategies and changes from one year to the next with regard to the Budget and be updated throughout the year

3. Make the budget easily accessible and in a format that is simple and easy for people to comprehend.

4. Simplify the budget. Create an overall budget showing how funds predetermined by the board are allocated and create a section that shows the amount of funds the principal is allowed to distribute. This will clarify how much of the funds are actually distributed at the sole discretion of the school.

�

March 31, 2017

Re: LBPSB Budget Consultation 2017-2018

Dear Mrs Lingle, In response to the budget consultation, please see Springdale Elementary’s suggestions.

Question 1: Please list additional services or orientations you would like to see offered by the School Board.

We feel priority should be given to these particular services, should monies become available.

• More funds available to schools with low-income, struggling families who are unable to pay their school fees and daycare fees, thus creating a school debt

• Elementary program/opportunity for awareness regarding Financial Literacy • More support for students with special needs by way of complementary services and teacher

support. • Increase support for staff with regards to wellness. Counselling services have been decreased

yet burnout rates on the rise. We need to put more resources in place to move from a reactive approach to a proactive one.

• Support for early literacy programs. • Intensive intervention and materials for students struggling with French. • Continued advancement in the area of technology. Continued professional development to

properly support and deliver digital initiatives. • Increase funding for homework programs for students having difficulty, especially for those

who get little or no support at home.


• Increased access to websites and shortened wait time for resources are required. • The rental of our facilities can be looked at with regard to how the board regulates the

fees charged to organizations.

Question 3: Do you have any suggestions regarding objectives principles or criteria used to govern the allocation of funds?

• Despite the Government cuts we have incurred, continued effort is essential in placing the education of our students first by providing the necessary services in place for all to succeed.

• Funds should be allocated according to need and not postal code.

Question 4: With regard to the communication and presentation of financial results, do you have any suggestions?

• Continued transparency in reporting to the LBPSB community.


Nancy McAlear GB Chair, Springdale Elementary

cc. Mrs Kerry-Ann Payette, Principal, Springdale Elementary

Nancy McAlear

Dear Mrs Lingle,

I am writing to you further about our predicament concerning funds available for our school. Our population consists of many diverse backgrounds, many who are low income families struggling to make ends meet. Taking a quick look at our postal code, we are placed in a certain socio-economic bracket, but many of Springdale families are not from the same neighbourhood. The D.D.O. postal code is a false representation of our reality.

Our school daycare is in the red because of many parents who are unable to pay their daycare fees, nor able to pay school registrations. Proceeding with collection agencies, this problem gets lost with paperwork. It is difficult to see other school daycares thrive with profit, in turn returning these profits back to the students with activities and programs. It is unfortunate that this is not our reality and our students suffer.

Our Home & School has helped with sponsoring some programs; such as Mad Science, and has initiated a Buddy Bench at School with the help of donations from our DDO Mayor. They bring joy to the children with activities at the end of the year. They also have helped families in distress with financial aid. Yet, we feel that there is so much more that can be done, with your help.

We are appreciative of the board’s support and we understand that the ministry may not recognize our needs based on our postal code representation. Perhaps with further understanding and the reality of our families in need, there can be other resources that could be directed to Springdale.

Thanking you in advance,

Nancy McAlear on behalf of our Governing Board and Springdale Elementary Staff

cc. Mrs Kerry-Ann Payette, Principal, Springdale Elementary

Nancy McAlear

St Patrick Elementary Budget Consultation response 2017-2018


school board.

a. The board wide implementation of on-line payment options for school fees and

expenses.

b. Additional funding for integration aides and extra early intervention with support for

students with additional needs.

c. Ensuring that functional libraries in schools are retained.

d. Allocate addition funding for educational, interactive web based programs for all

students for home and school use.

e. Provide on-site or interactive on-line training for all Governing Board members.



a. More use of online technology for dissemination of information.

b. The sharing of best practices throughout the board: communicate successful programs

implemented in one school with all schools to reduce overlaps in spending.

c. The continued and increased use of rentals of facilities.



a. Financial decisions should be made in the best interest of all students.

b. The criteria should include transparency to parents and committees as decisions are made.

Question 4: With regard to communication and presentation of financial results, do you have

any suggestions?

a. Presentations of financial results should be simplified and user-friendly, info graphs and

charts could allow for simpler communications between the board and parents.

b. Results need to be easier to find online and available to all.


Donnalynn Rainey

St Patricks Governing Board Chair 2017-18.

Pointe Claire, March 30, 2017. Me Geneviève Dugré Secretary General Lester B Pearson School Board 1925 Brookdale Avenue Dorval, Québec H9P 2Y7 Me. Dugré, On behalf of St-Thomas Governing Board, I would like to thank you for offering us the opportunity to comment on the Budget Consultation. This document was discussed at a meeting held on March 33rd, 2017. Below is our official response to each of the questions outlined in the consultation document. Question 1: Additional services or orientations

1- Additional technical services must be a priority; 2- Additional guidance councilors and FSSTT behaviour technicians; 3- Adequate arts and physical education facilities for all schools. 4- Put in place a better response service to extreme weather conditions (including snow removal

and de-icing) in order to ensure a safe environment around the schools for students and staff as well as for visitors.

Question 2: Reallocation of resources, increase revenue, decrease expenses/services

1- Increase rental charges for applicants outside the LBPSB community and our existing ententes; 2- Re-evaluate staffing positions by department at the school board to determine if contractual

positions might better fit the needs; 3- Adopt a more frugal attitude with regards to stationery expenditures and non-pedagogical

expenses.

1

Children’s World Academy 2241 Ménard Street LaSalle (Québec) H8N 1J4 March 31, 2017

Lester B. Pearson School Board Mme France D’Aoust, Director Financial Services 1925 Brookdale Ave. Dorval (Québec)

Subject: Response to Consultation on LBPSB’s Policy on Budget Priorities 2017-2018 Dear Mme D’Aoust, Please accept the following response and recommendations from the Governing Board of Children's World Academy regarding the current consultation on the Lester B. Pearson School Board's Budget Priorities. We feel that our responses from last year are still relevant, and we would ask that LBPSB maintain what is already offered to students and add the following: Question 1 – Please list additional services or orientations you would like to see offered by the school board: The Governing Board of CWA would like to make the following points regarding this question:

We would like to see the addition of a mandatory workshop on study and organizational skills

targeting grade 6 and 7 students, helping to ease the transition from elementary to high

school.

We would like to ensure that students have access to appropriate information technology.

We would like to see more funds allocated towards school supplies.

We would like to see more funds allocated towards sports equipment.

We would like to see more funds allocated to provide integration aide support for ‘at risk’

students.

We would like to have on-line payment options created for school-related expenses (e.g.

school fees, field trip fees, busing charges, etc.).

2

Question 2 – Do you have any suggestions to reallocate resources, increase revenues, or decrease expenses or services?: The Governing Board of CWA would like to make the following points regarding this question:

We would like to see ongoing promotion and marketing of all LBPSB Schools. This could be

done using a social media campaign, hiring an outside organization to market all LBPSB

schools, create and distribute 3-4 minute promotional videos for each school, or partner with

interns from University programs that focus on marketing.

We would like to have a survey sent to parents of all Grade 6 students to find out why many of

them leave our school board.

We would like to see an increase in Board-level support services (psychologists; speech

therapists; occupational therapists) and reallocate these support services diverting them to the

schools. We feel that much more needs to be offered for students with special needs as this

constituency continues to grow within our schools.

We would like to see something done about the fact that schools such as CWA, which operate

with a large after-school daycare, incur a significant increase in the maintenance costs related

to extended use of the facilities (cleaning, maintenance and repairs; other capital costs). The

same principle also applies to the use of facilities after hours (evenings and week-ends); to

this end we would like to see:

Revenue generated from rental income should be re-distributed to schools on the basis of

the use of each facility (this should be beyond the minimal mandatory cleaning costs

already associated with renting facilities);

Use of special facilities such as the turf field at CWA should be used to generate revenue

which would be used to compensate the school in a manner commensurate with the costs

of creating/maintaining such facilities;

Ensure that agreements with local municipalities are negotiated in a manner that reflects

the above-mentioned factors, and reflects any improvements in the facilities that a school

may provide the community (such as the new turf field at CWA);

We would like to see schools that are in close proximity to one another organize their daily

schedules in such a way that lunch supervision staff could work more easily in several schools

on the same day. This would help address a very common problem of schools being short-

staffed during lunch hours, and by potentially increasing the number of hours lunch

supervisors can work, would provide a better incentive to attract and keep competent staff in

schools.

3

Question 3 – Do you have any suggestions regarding the objectives, principles or criteria used to govern the allocation of funds?: The Governing Board of CWA would like to make the following point regarding this question:

Regarding capital expenditures, we request that the school board provides a 5-year plan

indicating current and projected capital spending (listed by facility and amount); this plan

would be available to the public and up-dated on an annual basis.

Question 4 – With regard to the communication and presentation of financial results, do you have any suggestions?: The Governing Board of CWA would like to make the following points regarding this question:

We would like to see more transparency and accountability from the Board regarding how

public funds are being spent (how much is spent on individual schools and individual student

programs).

We would like to hear from the Board about strategies and changes from one year to the next

with regard to the Budget and be provided with periodic up-dates throughout the year.

These recommendations were unanimously supported by the Governing Board of Children's World Academy. Respectfully submitted, Jennifer Millen Alana Leroux Governing Board Chairperson Principal

date: feb 1, 2017 to: lester b pearson school board from ... feedback_budget.pdfthe westpark...

Documents