1. Two Hills County Council - asked for
clarification on how the Student Health Initiative Program funding flows to the
Myrnam and Two Hills schools Family School Liaison Workers. The Board is
sending a letter in response.
2. Alberta School Councils Association
membership - Trustee Starosielski sent a group email out to chairs of local
school councils to ask if the division should continue with the ASCA
membership. All responses were in favour; therefore the Board's motion was
confirmed.
3. East Central Francophone Division land -
St. Paul Education discussed the land that was previously owned by SPERD and
was transferred over to the East Central Francophone division when the
francophone division was created. Some of the land was recently offered back
for sale to SPERD. Although St. Paul Elementary Community School could use the
land, the division is not in a position to purchase the land at this time.
4. Budget 2012/2013 - The Board approved
the 2012/2013 budget, forecasting overall expenses of $55,144,800 with a
$419,771 deficit. There are no significant changes to programs at this time.
The biggest assumptions and risks are salaries still to be negotiated (which
total 79% of budget incl. benefits), enrolment, federal tuition (don't know
final figures until the school year is complete). This year looks better than
last year, but there are more uncertainties at this time.
5. Policy 1 - our division foundational
statements - will be reviewed at a later date following consultations with all
of our stakeholders.
6. Whitefish Lake First Nation letter – went to all families in the
Goodfish Lake community on May 4 stating bussing to Ashmont Elementary School
for K-3 students will be suspended for the 2012-2013 school year. Another
letter, dated May 16, directed to our Superintendent, states bussing would be
further suspended up to Grade 6 to Ashmont Elementary for the 2013-2014 school
year. The Superintendent will be sending a letter to all Goodfish Lake families
currently attending Ashmont Elementary reminding them of registration
deadlines. Board representatives will be meeting with Whitefish Lake First
Nation Chief and Council. Approximately 65 students from Goodfish Lake attend K-3 Ashmont
Elementary and the current budget is built on these numbers - approx 1/3
students at Ashmont Elementary come from the Goodfish Lake community.
7. Superintendent report:
- budget
process - discussions with schools - staffing needs are being addressed
- Math
and Science Olympics – events will take place on alternate years - Racette will
host Science Olympics next year
-
Showcase of the Arts - moving to an evening program - GA will host next year
- healthy
lifestyles - AP167 - schools will develop their own programs
- AP370 -
student awards - on whether to continue with Grade 6 student awards even though
this level is moving to outcomes-based report cards - two recommendations:
-remove the award or recognize award for highest mark on Grade 6 Provincial
Achievement Tests - Board decided to
keep the Grade 6 award with highest average of PAT scores
8. Alberta School Boards Association Spring
General Meeting - 4 trustees attended – reported on issues such as school boards using social
media as a communications tool, parent engagement in education, Education
Minister Jeff Johnson’s desire to continue with Tripartite discussions, Education
Act legislation and teachers becoming learning facilitators instead of
lecturers.
9. Capital Projects:
Racette
on schedule
10. Community Consultation night – Trustees reported on the May
31 event and the feedback received from participants. The Strategic Planning
committee will create a brief synopsis of its findings to be reported back to
stakeholders in the near future.
11. Council of School Councils – School Councils had an
opportunity to meet with the Superintendent, Secretary Treasurer and the Board
on June 13 to discuss the 2012-2013 budget, school council housekeeping items
and the division’s new
assessment policy (in response to the media coverage on no zeroes).
Participants also had the opportunity to view the division’s new promotional video which
was premiered at the Community Consultation night. Group discussion focused on
the division’s
intention to explore the use of social media, such as Facebook and/or Twitter.
12. Tribal Chiefs Ventures Initiative – Program Coordinator Glenda
Bristow provided an update on the discussions and objectives being designed in
partnership with First Nation communities within Tribal Chiefs. Communication
and data sharing are the first two strategic directions being developed.
13. Zone 2/3 – Trustee Rudkowsky reported on
the following resolutions that our local school board association zone is
developing for the fall: transportation, financial literacy for students,
sexual minority students, full-time kindergarten, safe and caring schools.
14. Tripartite negotiations -
ATA rep Connie Landsiedel reported that the first Tripartite meeting is
scheduled for Friday, June 15. ASBA position - ASBA wants any negotiated items
to be fully funded if a provincial agreement is reached.
13. Zone 2/3 – Trustee Rudkowsky reported on
the following resolutions that our local school board association zone is
developing for the fall: transportation, financial literacy for students,
sexual minority students, full-time kindergarten, safe and caring schools.
