The Citizen, 2004-04-22, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY. APRIL 22, 2004.
AMDSB meeting initiation into pilot project
By Stew Slater
Special to The Chizen
Anyone hoping to dispel the
public perception that school board
meetings are boring should be
thankful no members of the public
attended the most recent gathering
of the Avon Maitland District School
Board.
The Tuesday. April 13 meeting
was the board's initiation into a
three-month pilot project during
which trustees will spend significant
time in so-called "committee of the
whole." engaging in free-ranging
discussion uninhibited by many of
the rules of order used under the
more common "regular session."
Under the new format, trustees
and senior staff spent about an hour
discussing a theoretical concept
called Professional Learning
Communities in reaction to an
article written by a former U.S.-
based school superintendent who
recently conducted a professional
development session for Avon
Maitland principals.
And another 20 minutes v3as spent
arguing the merits of the word
"unlocking" as it is used in a
proposed update of the board's
mission statement.
Trustees, of course, likely won't
share the belief the meeting was
boring. Before theyconvened briefly
into regular session to approve
changes to trustee expense accounts
and then adjourn the meeting, hoard
members nodded in approval as
chair Meg Westley expressed her
satisfaction with the new format.
Communications manager Steve
Howe. who handles the
responsibility of getting news about
the hoard into the media. suggested
after the meeting that committee of
the whole could potentially — given
a certain topic — be more exciting.
He suggests it could inspire the type
of passionate exchanges which the
public doesn't always expect from
school board trustees, and which
school board reporters complain are
sometimes stifled by the rules of
order followed during regular
session.
"Just imagine if we had started
this a couple of months ago, and
talked about the flexible timetable in
committee of the whole," said
Howe, referring to a contentious
issue which led to considerable
discussion in regular session and a
split vote among trustees.
Under the pilot project. the first
Avon Maitland meetings of April,
May and June — on the second
Tuesday of each month — will
largely follow the committee of the
whole structure, with initial
discussion surrounding one
particular item of information.
April's article was written by
consultant Richard DuFour, who
advocates building a so-called
Professional Learning Community
throughout an entire district, in
which teachers and administrators
are encouraged to build on their
expertise through professional
development, and share their
knowledge instead of working their
entire careers in isolation.
"We're all going to be testing the
waters this evening," stated Westley.
as she opened the meeting. "The
idea of this new format is to discuss.
in a more informal setting, some of
the issues we're dealing with
without the pressure of having to
make a decision."
The second meeting of each
month — on the fourth Tuesday —
will be reserved for more specific
business of the board. Most trustee
votes, except those which demand
timeliness, will be held during these
meetings.
During the April 13 meeting, in
the only vote, trustees convened
briefly into Regular Session to
approve an increase in the amount of
money available to board members
for registration in conferences and
conventions. The chair will now
receive as much as $2,450 per year,
the vice chair $1,800. and other
board members $1,250.
If one board member doesn't use
their entire allocation, other
members may be allowed to exceed
their share. but any expense which
causes the entire budget to be
exceeded must be approved by the
entire board.
Danein'
The Carry On Cloggers presented their spring show at the Blyth Memorial Hall this past
weekend. The event raised $6,700 for the Make A Wish Foundation. (Vicky Bremner photo)
Maitland Conservation Foundation's
16th Annual Dinner and Auction
Friday April 23rd
Brussels, Morris & Grey Community Centre
$30 per person
Proceeds support the
335-3557 Wawanosh Nature Centre
HEALTH ON THE HILL
Where should we go?
A full day of events, beginning with an area tour and exhibits gave area residents a taste of
Huron County during the 15th annual Tourism Event and Brochure Swap at the North Huron
Community Complex in Wingham. These guests listened intently to a range of speakers who
explained all the exciting places to visit in the area. (Elyse DeBruyn photo)
A Review of activities at
SEAFORTH COMMUNITY HOSPITAL.
Seaforth Medical Clinic announces with regret, Dr. Vince
Tong's departure. The Clinic and Hospital have greatly
appreciated Dr. Tong's presence in this time of limited physician
resources. Although he will be missed, we wish him well as he
pursues new career opportunities outside of Ontario.
Hospital Gift Shop sponsored by the Seaforth Hospital
Auxiliary, is looking for Volunteers to help in their Gift Shop.
This is a perfect opportunity for anyone that has retired and
would like to donate a few hours a month. Anyone interested may
contact Auxiliary President, Bonnie Bedard @ 527-1792.
Your visit to the Gift Shop is welcome; the Auxiliary carry an
interesting variety of novelty items in addition to jewellery,
selection of knit baby/children's wear, adult sweaters/sleepwear,
confectionary, greeting cards, etc. Whether you are visiting a
patient, attending an appointment or meeting, or just out
shopping, please drop by and check it out.
"Hike for Hospice" is upcoming Sunday, May 2, 2004 11:00
am to 2 pm. Why not make this a family event and either
participate in the walk (two routes.. either boardwalk St.
Christopher's Beach, or Menesetung Trail at Goderich) or, pledge
someone who has already made the commitment? Proceeds will
stay in the community and aid the work of Huron Hospice
Volunteer Service. For information, call (519) 527-0655.
Inhalation Medications regular users of inhaled medications
who have aerochambers at home, are requested to please bring
their equipment to the doctor's and or hospital appointments'`'