PUBLIC

If Private select Ed. Act. Section.

COMMUNICATION REGARDING ROLES AND

RESPONSIBLITIES OF TRUSTEES

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counsellors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14

Created, Draft First Tabling Review

February 9, 2015 February 17, 2015 Click here to enter a date.

Loretta Notten, Superintendent of Governance, Policy and Strategic Planning

John Yan, Senior Coordinator of Communications

RECOMMENDATION REPORT

Vision:

At Toronto Catholic we transform the world

through witness, faith, innovation and action.

Mission:

The Toronto Catholic District School Board is an

inclusive learning community rooted in the love of

Christ. We educate students to grow in grace and

knowledge and to lead lives of faith, hope and

charity.

G. Poole

Associate Director of Academic Affairs

A. Sangiorgio

Associate Director of Planning and

Facilities

Angela Gauthier

Director of Education

REPORT TO GOVERNANCE AND POLICY

COMMITTEE

Page 54 of 177

Page 2 of 5

A. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

On January 28th, 2015 the Board approved a staff report that presented

Considerations and a Proposed Plan for Effective Governance. Amongst

the recommendations in the report was the development of a

Communication “Trustee Mailer” that would highlight the role of Trustees

and what TCDSB aspires to when we use the term “Good Governance”,

consistent with our Multi-Year Strategic Plan priority of “Excellence in

Governance”.

B. PURPOSE

1. Excellence in Governance is one of six strategic priorities in our TCDSB

Multi-Year Strategic Plan. Sound understanding of the roles and

responsibilities of Trustees and of staff is integral to a good governance

model. Arising from a staff report on Governance Considerations, trustees

gave the following direction:

Trustees in conjunction with staff develop a communication to all

TCDSB stakeholders outlining the roles and responsibilities of

trustees, to be posted to the TCDSB website and highlighted in

communication to parents with Winter 2015 report cards.

C. BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS

1. In the Governance Plan Part 1, priorities that were identified included the

implementation of new TCDSB By-Laws, the development and

implementation of a new Multi-year Strategic Plan, policy development and

revision, as well as clear and effective management of various Board

committees.

2. Our current TCDSB Multi-Year Strategic Plan identifies “Achieving

Excellence in Governance” as one of its six key strategic priorities. In the

comprehensive system report card that was completed in 2014, this priority

emerged as one where there was room for growth. Areas for improvement

that were identified included enhanced clarity around roles and

responsibilities.

Page 55 of 177

Page 3 of 5

3. In sharing and examining practices from Catholic Boards across our

province, those which clearly delineate the role of trustees and

communicate the same to their stakeholders were identified as a best

practice at the OCSTA/Ministry of Education Trustee Orientation. One

such sample was shared from York Region Catholic District School Board.

(See Appendix A)

4. TCDSB trustees approved the co-development of a communication to

TCDSB stakeholders on the roles and responsibilities of trustees. The item

was referred to the Governance Committee for consideration and

development.

D. VISION

VISION PRINCIPLES GOALS

The call to be a Catholic

trustee is one that calls

each trustee to be a

prophetic voice, which

serves the good of the

whole, informed by our

Catholic Social

Teachings and Gospel

values. TCDSB aspires

to be a model of

excellence in governance

and a proud

representative of

Catholic Education in the

province of Ontario.

Excellence in

Governance

1. Clear

understanding by all

TCDSB stakeholders

regarding the roles

and responsibilities

of our Board of

Trustees,

complemented by an

equally clear

understanding of the

roles and

responsibilities of

staff.

2. Open lines of

communication.

Page 56 of 177

Page 4 of 5

E. ACTION PLAN

1. A communication to all TCDSB stakeholders has been drafted for the

consideration and input of trustees. The communication clarifies the trustee

role and proper communication channels. (See Appendix B)

2. Winter report cards across TCDSB schools have for the most part been

distributed at the beginning of February, so a modified distribution to

TCDSB stakeholders must be contemplated.

3. The “Trustee Mailer”, once approved, can be posted to the TCDSB website

and schools can be directed to include a reference to the link in their

monthly newsletter and messaging. Further it can be highlighted in the

regular distribution tools used by our TCDSB Communication department.

At the beginning of the new school year, the Trustee Mailer could be

included in new school year communications, to introduce parents to the

Trustees and to clarify their roles and responsibilities.

F. METRICS AND ACCOUNTABILITY

1. The MYSP metrics and report card provide feedback on results achieved.

2. The Board of Trustees is accountable to the TCDSB system stakeholders and

to the Ministry of Education.

G. IMPLEMENTATION, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN

1. The TCDSB “Trustee Mailer” will be posted to the TCDSB Website and

profiled in TCDSB communications department electronic correspondence,

including Twitter, e-News, It Starts in the Schools, etcetera.

2. The TCDSB “Trustee Mailer” will be included in fall communications from

local schools as the new school year begins.

H. STAFF RECOMMENDATION

Page 57 of 177

Page 5 of 5

That the Board approve for distribution the TCDSB “Trustee Mailer” as presented

in Appendix B.

Page 58 of 177

Meet Your Board of Trustees2014 - 2018

York Catholic District School Board • Twitter: @YCDSB Website: www.ycdsb.ca

York Catholic District School Board

Aurora/King/Whitchurch-Stouffville

Elizabeth Crowe Chair of the Board

Markham Milliken/Markham/Unionville

Marlene Mogado Vice-chair East Gwillimbury/

Georgina/Newmarket

Theresa McNicolMarkham Thornhill/Unionville

Carol Cotton

Richmond HillDominic Mazzota

Richmond HillAnn Stong

Vaughan Maple/Kleinburg

Teresa CiaravellaVaughan Woodbridge: Area 2, Ward 2

Dino Giuliani

Vaughan Thornhill/Concord

Cathy FerlisiVaughan Woodbridge: Area 3, Ward 3

Maria Marchese Joe McLeod Natasha IaboniStudent Trustee Non-voting member

Student Trustee Non-voting member

Page 59 of 177

Trustees are the community’s advocate for public education. They are required to carry out their re-sponsibilities in a manner that assists the Board in fulfilling its duties under the Education Act.

Role and Duties of Trustees

• The school trustee is a member of a team. Trustees function as a corporate board, being the legislative source of all decisions. Individual trustees are granted no authority through the Education Act;

• To ensure there is a process in place to allow individual trustees to bring forward their community’s perspective prior to a corporate Board decision

• To communicate the views and decisions of the Board back to their constituents• To support the Board’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan promoting student achievement and well-being, and the attainment of

the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations;• To develop, maintain, monitor and evaluate policies and organizational structures that support and promote the Board’s

Strategic Commitments which include the: Integration of Our Catholic Faith, Continuous Improvement of Student Achievement, Effective Use of Our Resources, and Engaging Our Communities

• To act as stewards of Catholic Education by ensuring that: ▪ Gospel Values are embedded in all policies and practices ▪ Provincial Curriculum is taught by Catholic Teachers from a uniquely Catholic perspective ▪ Support is provided for faith formation of students and staff ▪ Active collaboration is undertaken with our Catholic community to strengthen the home, school, parish partnership

• To hire and evaluate the Director of Education, who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the system

What Does This Mean for Catholic Families in York Region

The YCDSB has established policies and procedures to ensure that parents will have their specific questions answered and/or concerns addressed. Trustees are always willing to listen to parental concerns, especially those pertaining to Board policy. Trustees will refer parents to the following protocol with respect to individual school-based concerns:• Your classroom teacher and/or school principal is the first point of contact for any questions or concerns you may have;• Should you need further assistance, your Area Superintendent of Education is available to assist you;• In the event of any outstanding question and/or concern, please contact Frances Bagley, Coordinating Superintendent for

assistance;• The Director of Education, Patricia Preston, is always available for consultation and assistance with unresolved issues.

Catholic School Supporter Declaration

To help us nurture the gift of Catholic Education in the years to come, we ask for the support of every Catholic. Declaring yourself as an “English Separate School Supporter,” on your property tax assessment helps to ensure that our Provincial Government continues to fund Catholic Education. Catholic school parents/electors/supporters are encouraged to ensure that they are registered appropriately for the purposes of school board tax support as English Separate School Support is a requirement for admission to York Catholic District School Board Elementary schools. Every time you move, you must declare yourself an English-separate school supporter/elector.Please check your registration by calling the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) at 1-866-296-6722, or visit the website at www.mpac.ca. You may also get an Application for Direction of School Support by calling the York Catholic District School Board Admissions Office at 905-713-2711, ext. 2451 or 2453, or by visiting our website at www.ycdsb.ca.

York Catholic District School Board Multi-Year Strategic Plan

Mission Statement

Guided by Gospel values and Catholic Virtues, in partnership with home and Church, we educate and inspire all students to reach their full potential in a safe and caring environment.

Core Values

Excellence Equity

Catholicity

Integrity Respect

InclusionFiscalResponsibility

Strategic Commitments

Integration of Our Catholic Faith

Effective Use ofOur Resources

Engaging OurCommunities

ContinuousImprovement of

Student Achievement

Vision Statement

Our students will become creative and critical thinkers who integrate Catholic Values into their daily lives, as socially responsible global citizens.Page 60 of 177

TORONTO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

TRUSTEES

Joseph Martino Ann Andrachuk Sal Piccininni Patrizia Bottoni Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 Maria Rizzo Frank D’Amico Michael Del Grande Garry Tanuan Ward 5 Ward 6 Chair, Ward 7 Ward 8

Jo-Ann Davis Barbara Poplawski Angela Kennedy Nancy Crawford Ward 9 Ward 10 Ward 11 Vice-Chair, Ward 12

Chris MacDonald & Hannah McGroarty Student Trustees

Toronto Catholic District School Board

80 Sheppard Ave. E., Toronto ON. M2N 6E8 • 416-222-8282 • www.tcdsb.org MYSP: www.tcdsb.org/Board/MYSP

Transforming the

world through

witness, faith,

innovation & action

Page 61 of 177

Good Governance

Effective Trustee Governance is an essential element to a strong and effective board culture. The Toronto Catholic District School Board’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan identified Governance as one of our key strategic priorities.

Trustees, as the governing body of the School Board, have a vital role in setting policy, establishing a budget that focuses on student achievement and well-being and providing strategic direction for the Board as a whole. This challenge is more effectively embraced when informed by the Gospel and the call for Trustees to be guided by Catholic Social teaching.

According to Marion Thomas Howell and the “Good Governance Guide”, Governance is at its best when boards:

Focus on doing their jobs and empowering staff to do their jobs.

Have great conversations and members are engaged with the purpose of making better decisions.

Practice governance as a team sport; Boards exercise collective influence and individuals do not hold power.

Expect the same level of excellence from themselves that they expect from the system that they govern.

The Role and Duties of your TCDSB School Board Trustee

Your Trustee functions as a member of a corporate board that collectively makes decisions, including the recruitment, employment and evaluation of the Director of Education, who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the system.

Trustees represent their community’s perspective during the deliberation process and they inform their local constituents about Board decisions and opinions, however individual trustees have no authority through the Education Act.

The Board of Trustees supports the Board’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan, with emphasis on student achievement and well-being, and the Catholic Graduate Expectations.

Trustees collectively develop, maintain, monitor and evaluate policies and organizational structures that support and promote the goals of the Board’s MYSP, including a commitment to:

o the Integration of Our Catholic Faith, Continuous Improvement of Student Achievement, Effective Use of Our Resources and engaging Our Communities;

o ensuring that Gospel Values are embedded in all policies and practices;

o ensuring that the Provincial Curriculum is taught by Catholic Teachers from a uniquely Catholic perspective and that support is provided for faith formation of students and staff;

o ensure that active collaboration is undertaken with our Catholic community to strengthen the home, school, parish partnership.

Addressing Questions and Concerns

TCDSB has established policies and procedures to ensure that parents will have their questions and concerns addressed in a timely manner. Trustees are always willing to listen to parental concerns, especially those pertaining to Board policy. Trustees will refer parents to the following protocol with respect to individual school-based concerns:

Your classroom teacher and/or school principal is the first point of contact for any questions or concerns you may have.

Should you need further assistance, your local Superintendent of Education is available to assist you.

The Director of Education is always available for consultation and assistance with unresolved issues.

Help us Nurture the Gift of Catholic Education

Declare yourself as an “English Separate School Supporter” on your property tax assessment to ensure that our provincial government continues to fund Catholic Education. There is no difference in the amount you pay for Catholic or Public school support. Catholic school parents/electors/supporters are encouraged to ensure that they are registered appropriately for the purposes of school board tax support as English Separate School Support is a requirement for admission to Toronto Catholic District School Board elementary schools. Every time you move residence, you must declare yourself an English-separate school supporter/elector.

Please check your registration by calling the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) at 1-866-296-6722, or visit the website at www.mpac.ca. You may also get an Application for Direction of School Support by calling the TCDSB Assessment Office at 416-222-8282 ext. 2666, or by visiting our website at www.tcdsb.org/Board/Assessment.

Page 62 of 177