International Union of Operating Engineers (Local 963)

1. International Union of Operating Engineers (Local 963) Presentation to the Board of School Trustees, SD 39 re: EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES REVIEW Prepared by Tim De Vivo, Bus. Mgr.

2. Who We Are • Represent school employees working in all Vancouver schools. • Tasks involve: heating, ventilating, minor repairs, cleaning, cafeteria services and student supervision.

3. March 5/08 Recommendations and Consultation • The recommendations as laid out in the March 5-08 report speak globally of compiling “the feedback in a transparent format to inform Trustee decision making.” (page 5)

4. March 5 Recommendations • Are too narrow in scope. • Exclusion of a school closure, Garibaldi Annex. • Clear absence of district direction regarding facilities. • Phase 1 must mean there will be subsequent Phases.

5. King Report: A “Compilation of Information” • In a press release dated January 14, 2008 three school trustees refer to this report: • a “report prepared by former Vancouver School Board facilities director Les King to be released immediately to counter the piecemeal approach to school closures.” (emphasis added)

6. UBC Parents Have Waited Long Enough • Parents have been patiently waiting for years for a much needed school. • VSB not spoken out about new schools, better designs, and the changing Ministry guidelines.

7. Creation of a district management working group (Rec. 6.2): • To “explore financing options with funding partners” • Implies the provincial government has no active role in capital financing. • Does not take on the role of education advocate. • Does nothing to advance the interests of “transparency.”

8. “Consultation” • Consultation can come about in a variety of ways. Genuine consultation features: • Open dialogue, answers to questions. • Clarity of purpose. • Good faith exchange of information.

9. The EFR process so far has missed the mark • The process has not been consultative in any meaningful way. • Stakeholders are not being provided with answers. • Critical elements are being withheld. • Creating more meetings without true consultation is merely a public relations exercise. • Data intake or political cross-tabbing?

10. Questions about leasing 1. Regarding the Bentall development of Granville/Broadway which resulted in new Education Centre, c. 1996: • Who advised the VSB during this property development? • Were there any other Request for Proposals to develop this property other than by the Bentall Group? If so, how many other bids? From whom, and how was the decision made to choose Bentall? • What was the rationale for accepting prepayment as referenced at page 19 of the 2007 Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements Year Ended June 30, 2007? • Does this amount of $16,996,000 as stated in above-referenced notes reflect the full amount of the lease value to the VSB? • If not, what this the difference and where is this documented? • Did the VSB receive any funds when CREIT (“Canadian Real Estate Investment Trust”) subsequently purchased 1508 West Broadway and 1580 West Broadway for $42.2 million in 2004?

11. Questions about leasing • 2. Regarding the ground lease with Kingsgate Property Ltd. (Kingsgate Mall property, 370 Kingsway, Vancouver): • Pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Ground Lease (1972) has the VSB received an additional rent/income? • This clause provides for “an amount equal to thirty-three and one-third percent (33 1/3%) of the amount by which the gross rental income received by or accruing to the LESSEE exceeds the sum of four hundred and forty thousand dollars ($440,000) in each and every LEASE YEAR” and at sub-clause (ii) “an amount equal to thirty-three and one-third percent (33 1/3%) of overage rent received by or accruing to the LESSEE in each and every LEASE YEAR.”

12. Questions about leasing/finances • 3. Regarding VSB financial documents: • Please confirm that the stated income from “rentals and leases” as referenced in Attachment B of the February 11, 2008 Committee 5 (Finance & Legal) documents for the year 2007 was $610,000? • If this is not the correct number, what was the income from “rentals and leases” and where is this documented? • There is an assumption that the VSB pays $1/year to lease/rent the VSB Education Centre? Is this correct? • If not, what is the actual annual cost to lease/rent (not operate) the Education Centre and where is this documented?

13. Question about private school’s interest • 4. Potential sale of Queen Elizabeth Annex: • Throughout the EFR process some stakeholders have asserted that a private school in the close vicinity to QEA has expressed an interest in purchasing the site. Is this correct?

14. Question about NRC site • 5. Acquisition of National Research Council (“NRC”) Building: • Throughout the EFR process stakeholders have asked about the leasing arrangements with respect to the NRC site and have been provided no firm answers. Is this correct? Does the VSB have no range of leasing costs to utilize this site? • Has an environmental assessment been conducted on the NRC site?

15. VSB Response .

16. School Boards are Not Private Boardrooms • Trustees are urged to keep this in mind in your deliberations. • Phased consultation should cease in favour of what is already believed to exist- a report, or “compilation of information”- authored in whole or in part by Mr. King.

17. Summary • Schools are not for sale. • An open, district-wide review of all facilities, including those that may indeed be “surplus” is required. • Trustees owe a detailed accounting of the costs to hire consultants. • The Operating Engineers look forward to a full and open process and trustees can begin that process tonight.