Present:

Dick Tilley Tower Road 429-8884 fx 427-5082

Cheryl Kozey Saint Agnes 425-3232 494-1941

Alan MacDonald Grosvenor-Wentworth 447-3931

Darlene Britten Westmount 453-5312

Pat Rhodenizer Rockingham 443-3360 443-6563

Bill Mckillip Gorsebrook 454-4732

John Sparling Burton Ettinger 457-7109

Bev McDonald Beaufort / Fine Arts 423-9039 425-1709

1. Oct 19th meeting : CASTLE made an excellent presentation to a smaller crowd than we would like to have seen attend. They made literature available explaining to parents how to get action and what the current legislation requires of schools. It was suggested that HDPTA pay CASTLE membership dues and help disseminate information. Also suggested that HDPTA send a letter to Gerald Muise, who has been appointed by the Department of Education to help School Boards deal with serious air quality problems.

2. School Board Meetings: Next meeting is November 24th. Dick to call for an agenda the day before. Recent concerns include (a) new policies on bomb threats, fire drills and extracurricular trips. The liability waivers are being examined for adequacy. (b) Golden Apple awards to be given monthly to community members who have been active in each of the 13 feeder communities. (c) Early French Immersion policies to be reviewed including boundary questions and universal access. (d) in camera sessions dealing with supplementary funding and the approach to the Municipality. (e) School closure issue.

3. It was decided to invite School Board Representatives to attend the January 18th meeting. Notices to be sent out twice to each school PTA.

4. Issues suggested for future meetings:

(a) Environmental - Clean Air Policy - Perhaps a meeting with Mr. Muise.

(b) Accountability - What is the current process for review of a teacher's suitability? What can an unhappy parent do?

(c) Budgetary Process - The ongoing saga of Supplementary Funding.

(d) Advisory Councils - Are they really working? How do they work with PTA's?