Two Hills Mennonite School sod turning – all government events were postponed after the
recent passing of Ralph Klein, including the school sod turning for April 3.
The school sod turning will be rescheduled for a future date.
Transportation Committee – met with school bus contractors to discuss local
bussing issues and rates – the Board approved modest rate increases and agreed
to cover the cost of the fuel subsidy grant, that the Province eliminated April
1, until June 2013. The Board also increased the inclement weather payout from
two to three days and agreed to cover the costs incurred during driver
evaluations. The Board is also writing a letter to the Education Minister
asking for the fuel subsidy grant to be reinstated with the trigger rate being
moved up to 85 cents/litre from the previous 65 cents.
Children’s Fair – the Board agreed to cover the cost of lunch for the local service
providers and one newspaper ad for the upcoming annual Children’s Fair which
provides information and referrals for parents of preschool children.
Registration fees – the Board approved a number of increases to school registrations
fees. Many of the fees go to cover the cost of extra school activities such as
swimming lessons and skating.
Policy review – Trustees reviewed and discussed policies regarding the recruitment of
staff and student transportation.
Capital Plan
– the Board approved its annual plan which lists its future school
construction/renovation projects in order of priority: 1. Ashmont schools
(modernization or new schools) 2. Two Hills Mennonite School (space constraints
in new building) 3. New Myrnam (modernization) 4. Heinsburg (modernization).
Locally Developed Courses – the Board approved a number of courses for
Regional H.S. and SPAEC that were developed by other school boards. They
include a number of English as Second Language (ESL) courses as well as
Forensics, Rock and Pop music, Yoga and Outdoor Education.
Superintendent’s Report:
Racette – the Board approved the Grade 6-8 students to be
finished school a day earlier in June in order for staff to prepare for the
move and for Portage to begin their construction plans. Grade 6-8 students will
be done on Wednesday, June 26. Grade 9 students will still write their exams on
June 27.
Heinsburg – the Board approved a request for staff to switch
PD days in order to attend a school day at the Amiskwaciy Academy (an Edmonton
school with a First Nations focus). Monday, April 29 will be a regular school
day for students and Friday, April 19 will be the new PD day for Heinsburg
students only.
School Administrators met for their monthly meeting on April 9. Discussed
budget and staffing in preparation for 2013/2014. Also discussed bullying
across the division to coincide with the new Education Act – taking an
inventory of school-related policies and resources to adapt a division-wide
approach on treating one another with respect and kindness (bullying
prevention).
The
Instructional Assistants PD day will
take on Staff Appreciation Day next year instead of during Teachers Convention.
The
Division is looking into purchasing an automated
call-out system as another tool in contacting parents/guardians during snow
days, etc. It can be adapted for individual buses or schools. Can also include
multiple phone numbers, texts and email addresses. There is a message received
feature, but schools would also ensure that contact is made if no contact made
through the system. The annual contract cost is $11,000.
Admin Procedure 422 – Staff PD
Opportunities – as already required
by the Superintendent and Trustees, all division staff will require approval
for professional development travel outside the province.
New Board Policy – Trustees will be circulating copies of a new
division policy for the naming of schools and other division-owned facilities/spaces
for feedback by School Councils and division staff.
Financial Report – Trustees have set May 28 for a special Budget meeting – early
indicators show that the division will need to do some trimming for the
2013/2014 school year.
Capital Report:
- FG Miller – construction of gym to be completed by the fall
- Racette – Trustees will tour the renovation progress on April 24
- Two Hills Mennonite – the province has an ambitious completion date of fall, 2015. Students in the modulars are scheduled to be moved into the new school by next spring in order to accommodate the attachment of the modulars.
Bylaw 1-13
– Trustees passed three readings of a new bylaw pertaining to the disclosure of election contributions and
expenses. A candidate will have to disclose any campaign contributions from
outside sources exceeding $100. Candidates will not have to disclose costs if
their personal contributions are under $5,000.
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