XXXXXX XXXX school governing council

MINUTES OF MEETING OSHC 9th Dec 2010

Parent Member: Y Jacqui Larkin Chairperson Y Peta ODonohe Deputy Chairperson AP Ken Rickard Finance Y Danyse Soester Secretary Y Peter Bowen Y Tracey Bohm Y Leanne Isaacs Y Susan Ruthenbeck Y Wayne Stevens ? Carolyn Mitreska ? Jodie Cooke ? Tina Lehman Staff Member: Y Julie Gale - Principal Y Ruth Hill Head R-3 Y Elise Hutton Head 4-7 Ap Karen Ahang - ACEO ? Katrina Georgiou Teacher ? Phil Crossing Teacher ? Danielle Windsor - Counsellor A Anne Weinert - Finance Y = Present Ap = Apologies A = Absent

Visitors Greg Petherick

6.05pm This meeting was not a rostered GC meeting but has been called to discuss an issue that has arisen and requires immediate attention. Due to the important nature of business discussed these minutes will be written without the normal GC minutes structure. XXXX XXXXX (OSHC Director) has been charged by police with a serious offence of a sexual nature against a minor. At present there is a suppression order pertaining to this case so discussions are of a closed and complex nature. XXXX has a restraining order placed upon him so that he is not allowed to contact or approach anyone (staff or student) from the school and he is not allowed to come onto school grounds. We as a council must look at how we will navigate and direct OSHC governance over the upcoming holidays to ensure an ongoing stable environment of supportive care to our students. XXXX XXXX is asking the governing council to sign over (power of management) = both human resources and general decision making abilities to herself and XXXX XXXX until the 25th of Jan 2011. This is to ensure the smooth running of OSHC over the school holiday 2010/2011 period. This will enable them to hire/fire/delegate as they see best for OSHC and it also means that they make clear and fast decisions and have an open communication

process during this time without having to involve the complete GC therefore minimizing any delays. Discussion was had about informing parents and since the suppression order is in place then at present there is only a letter to inform that XXXX will not be there til further notice. A letter will be sent to XXXX inform him that as he is not able to fulfil his contractual agreement that he should resign. Discussion was had about: The risk to the XXX children and community, how do we manage this risk? What should happen if we fire him and the charges are dropped can he sue XXX (Not if we follow DECS recommendations) His contract, and to which degree he will be held to it. Our duty of care to the children and the community. Information of this being made public & the risk to our children about how much they should know about this matter. About how GC members should maintain themselves to the outside community. (information transfer) (No comment as there is a suppression order!) XXXX XXXX and her role to play in filling the void. (said she will step in to help) Support services (will be available to any victims for long as required) XXXX XXXX Public liability - should we fire him and what happens if he is not guilty? Do we owe him a duty of care because just because someone is accused of something does not mean that they are guilty? This is a life changing accusation we are not a judge and are we all not innocent until proven guilty? (great debate) If we fire him how are we going to protect the school from any legal ramifications.(following DECS advice protects XXX) Are GC protected from legal ramifications? (Yes.) DECS have recommended that we write to him saying that he must show good cause for not being able to fulfil his contractual agreements and if he cannot then we should terminate his contract. Thus doing if we follow this advice then any ramification will be directed to DECS and not to XXX. There should be a response period to this letter so his response is timely and we can act swiftly to ensure the smooth running of OSHC. XXX said she felt that the risk for XXX was too great, irrelevant of the legal outcome. Many agreed. Discussion: how would we as parents feel should he be found legally not guilty and would resume his position. (Great discussion) XXXX XXXXX maintained that GC members were bound by nondisclosure and the suppression order left us with the only answer to any question about this matter as I am not able to comment at this time if this case is not to be tainted or he be found guilty by gossip then GC members MUST NOT COMMENT on this subject outside of this room. (Staff room) We must not forget our non-disclosure responsibility to the school and a suppression order is legally binding.

So it is moved that the GC delegate the powers of human resources and decision making to the principal/s of XXX & GC Chairperson until the week 8 term 1. 1. XXXX XXXX 2. XXXX XXXX. All I.

Discussions: Show good cause letter to XXXX will be sent 10th Dec with a 14 day answer required). Do we need more OSHC employees to fill the void? (big pool, we handled this when XXXX was sick) Discussion turned to XXXX & he was asked about Counselling services XXXX replied saying OSHC had access to services. XXX answered that he has social workers available and have regional and central services. XXXXX would also be involved. Parents if there is an issue requiring counselling send them to XXX or principal. XXXXX XXXXX contract ends the 26th Jan.

Opening to this meeting the matter of a debt write off $3285 debt = 10 families Have exhausted all avenues and no longer able to follow up from 2005-2009 Moved DECS process under. 1. XXX 2. XXXX Moved to write off $1747.20 All I. Meeting closed at 6.55.