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The Trustees of the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board are pleased to provide this report. Relying on the Director’s Performance Framework that was approved at the May 28, 2007 Board meeting, the Trustees have completed their review of actual outcomes against intended expectations for the 2006-07 academic year.
First and foremost, the Trustees extend their appreciation to the Director for the philosophy and approach that he brings to this process. The review demonstrates transparency, accountability and indeed vulnerability as the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board endeavours to achieve the challenging outcomes it has established for itself.
The Trustees recognize that their ability to measure outcomes against expectations has improved dramatically. We commend the Director for his staff’s diligence in this regard. Further effort is required to ensure there are appropriate measures for all key indicators that will demonstrate a culture of continuous improvement at the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board.
The approved 2006 - 2007 Performance Framework is complex. There are six distinct components, each with a body of evidence and multiple Quality Indicators:
- Student Success
- Fiscal Responsibility
- Human Resources
- Director As Secretary of the Board
- Strategic Plan
- Communications and Community Relations
These six components support the over-arching "effectiveness" objective of the HWDSB – Effective Schools, Effective Staff, Effective Environments. The components within the Performance Framework have been thoroughly reviewed against the body of evidence to determine the level of achievement.
In the area of Student Success, the Trustees commend the Director for making student achievement his number one priority through the Director’s school visits, system messaging, organizational restructuring, resource allocation and the instructional leadership by Superintendents. However, Trustees feel that greater focus on the execution and monitoring of system plans/school improvement plans is required going forward. Additionally, Trustees would like to see the Director’s passion and urgency for change with respect to improved student achievement permeate the system. Staff must understand that it is time to see improved results.
In terms of Fiscal Responsibility, the Trustees commend the Director for the high level of fiscal responsibility shown in the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board. Trustees are exceptionally satisfied with the management of finances and the financial processes and controls in place, especially in light of the pressures facing the organization.
The Trustees appreciate that there has been definite steps taken to improve the overall Human Resources function. There were areas of measurable improvement noted. The Superintendent performance appraisals were completed; however, performance appraisals for the principals are behind schedule.
Excellent employee/employer relations are very important to the Board and trustees are not yet satisfied with the progress being made in this area.
Trustees are extremely appreciative of the support provided by the Director as Secretary of the Board. The Director sincerely listens to and responds to concerns raised by Trustees. He has acknowledged the importance of the Board of Trustees, seeks their advice and has provided the support and resources to build their governance structures. The most significant achievement under the Director’s leadership has been the focus on students, teaching and learning within the HWDSB, concurrently enhancing its provincial profile.
Trustees are satisfied with the degree of reporting through Strategic Directions and the Annual Operating Plan, and commend the Director for the increasingly comprehensive reporting on progress toward achieving targets. Reporting at this level of detail is a significant achievement and somewhat new in an educational environment.
With regard to Communications, Trustees are generally very satisfied with the quality and level of external/ media communications and relations. Although much effort was applied, there is still a need to develop innovative strategies to better engage parents. Further work is required with respect to internal communications.
In summary, the Trustees are exceptionally pleased in three areas: the role of the Director as Secretary of the Board; with Fiscal Responsibility; and, Strategic Planning. While acknowledging that some work is in progress, Trustees feel that improvement is still needed in Human Resources and Communications. The only area of serious concern is that more progress has not been made with Student Success. Clearly Student Success has not moved forward at the pace the Trustees, and indeed the Director himself, would have liked. This is where the most effort needs to be placed going forward into 2008.
The Trustees’ detailed appraisal of the Director of Education for the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, for the academic year 2006-07, follows.
Judith Bishop, Chair
On behalf of the Board of Trustees
Past Evaluation
Click here to access the 2006/2007 evaluation.
