2. Agenda. Sheila McGinn announced the agenda and introduced the evening's guests: Mr. Glen Greencorn, School Board financial officer, and Ms. R.D. Mahar of the Evergreen Foundation.

3. Presentation on School Board financing. Sheila McGinn made a slide presentation outlining the basic financing of School Board operations, and Mr. Greencorn answered questions and led discussion arising from the presentation.

4. Presentation by Evergreen Foundation. Ms. Mahar made a slide presentation on school ground naturalization. School grounds tend to be barren and windswept, with no seating and with only sparse vegetation. Environmental improvements can be made through providing wooded areas, ponds, gardens, and even by keeping animals. The school grounds thus become an outdoor classroom. School grounds in Halifax fall into three main categories: those that have natural areas on the grounds or nearby, but they are not open to the students; those that are predominantly grassy; those that are paved. A number of naturalization pilot projects have been started. A regional conference on school ground naturalization will be held in Halifax in October 1995. Ms. Mahar then answered questions.

5. Report of Co-chairs. Deborah Naugler and Sheila McGinn reported that they had recently attended the regular monthly meeting with the School Board chair, co-chair, and director. The main topics had been the Education White Paper and the 1995-96 School Board budget. An information meeting on these topics would be held for P.T.A.s and School Board members and staff at 7.00 p.m. on 27 February at the Teachers' Resource Centre. On 8 March, at 7.00 p.m. at Queen Elizabeth High School, the Minister of Education would be present at a public input meeting for the entire Metro area.

Discussion then focused on the amalgamation of school boards proposed in the White Paper. Among the points made:

• the White Paper is vague on promised savings
• Halifax would end up as part of a Metro Board with 57,000 students
• the timing of the 8 March meeting allows no time for considered responses
• the plan is related to municipal amalgamation
• the White Paper reflects a philosophy that bigger is better
• the funding implications are unclear

6. Sub-committees. It was agreed that the sub-committees on collective agreements, educational quality, and management systems had completed their work and were now ready to disband. The work of the committee on alternate funding was ongoing. It was proposed by Don Horne, seconded by Derek Hawes, and carried, that a new sub-committee be set up to examine the question of school board amalgamation. Volunteers for this committee: Don Horne, Derek Hawes, Deborah Naugler, Marcie MacQuarrie, Ian Watt.

7. Liaison with P.T.A.s. Deborah Naugler reported that executive members had visited a number of P.T.A.s, and are willing to visit more.

8. Mayor's Task Force on Youth at Risk. Sheila McGinn reported on attending a workshop meeting of this group, and on its ongoing work.

9. Treasurer's Report. Marcie MacQuarrie reported that the current balance was $514.00, with dues of $185.00 collected. Twelve of forty P.T.A.s had paid dues so far, and another notice would be sent out.

10. Adjournment, 9.35 p.m.