Trustee Report - May 9, 2012

1. Social Media - the Division is examining the use of Facebook and Twitter as another communication tool.  Over the next year, administration will be investigating a number of areas, including weighing the staff time required versus usage of the social media sites.

2. Registration Fee changes - Trustees reviewed and ratified school fee changes for the 2012-2013 school year that were previously approved by School Councils.

3. Policy Review - Trustees brought forward suggested changes to polices regarding Trustee Code of Ethics and Board Operations. Policy 1 Division Foundational Statements is up for review in June (note that this policy will likely change after receiving feedback from the Community Engagement Night on May 31).

4. Superintendent Report:

- Teacher Logic student information system was previewed by teaching staff

- Student Showcase - future events may be combined and held in evening so that more parents can attend; looking for feedback from all stakeholders - Thank you to Servus Credit Union for its generous donations and support for this event - Science and Math Olympics - will be held on alternating years

- AP 200 student assessment - principals have received feedback from staff on the draft version of the new admin procedure

- AISI Cycle 5 - principals gave final feedback on the proposal for student assessment

- Ag Safety Day May 22 - Grade 5 students from across the division will be attending the event hosted by the St. Paul Ag Society

- Healthy Weights Initiative - AP 167 - the admin procedure is in the process of being revised and will be ready in the next month

5. Community Spirit Grant - the Division received $2,492.75 for the 2010-2011 school year. This provincial grant can be applied for once the division receives private donations. The division then reallocates the grant money to the areas in which the donations were made. Private donors can also receive a charitable tax receipt from the division for qualifying donations of $20 or more.

6. Secretarial staff allocation - Trustees approved $7,000 in additional monies to be allocated towards extra training time for the new student information system.

7. Budget - Trustees will be meeting on May 29 to finalize the 2012-2013 budget.

8. ASCA conference - Four trustees and three School Council chairs attended the annual conference. The division has sponsored the registration fees of three parent council members each year for the past three years.

9. Capital projects

Racette - progressing on schedule

FG Miller 100% design documents phase - hopefully go for tender this month

TH Mennonite - schematic design is available for viewing

10. Collective Bargaining - the Board has received a request from the Alberta Teachers' Association to begin bargaining on the Collective Agreement. The Board's guiding principles are on the division website.

11. COSC - Council of School Councils meeting for all school councils - June 13 - 6:30 p.m. at Central Office Board Room.

12. Community Engagement Night - May 31 - 7:00 p.m. at Glen Avon School.