Trustee Report - September 11, 2013

Policy 20 - the Board passed a new policy regarding the naming of schools and other division owned facilities, spaces, teams, and school-sponsored groups. The policy was created to ensure a collaborative process takes place among the community, school and division.

Student enrollment - as of September 10, enrolment is up 36 students from initial projections with a total of 4124 students. Some schools have "hot spots" with high numbers of students in certain classes. Administration has approved 1.5 staff hires to address these concerns, but is awaiting the Sept. 30 final count before making any other staffing decisions.

School Board Elections take place October 21. Nomination day is Sept. 23 between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Nomination packages can be picked up at central office or downloaded off of the website. Those intending to run for trustee will need five signatures from electors within their subdivision and a $100 fee. The term is now four years.

Fuel contingency plan - The Board received a reply from the Education Minister after writing about its concerns with the elimination of the diesel fuel subsidy program. The letter states that school boards will have to find "innovative ways to address these issues and to look for new ways to find efficiencies in their operations in these difficult times."

School trips update - The Ashmont Secondary School's trip to Quebec is finalizing its boarding arrangements. Two Hills School trip to the Dominican Republic has been cancelled.

Request to acquire locally developed courses - The Board approved the acquisition and use of the following courses developed by other school divisions: Instrumental Jazz, Chamber Ensemble (music), Band, Class 5 Drivers Training.

Policy review - Trustees suggested no changes to Policies 8 and 9 regarding board committees and committee representation. 

ATA rep - Randy Proskiw is the new president of the ATA local and the Board has agreed to continue cost-sharing a half-day sub for the local rep to attend Board meetings.

Division Pow Wow Sept. 20 - students from across the division will participate in the division pow wow at the Saddle Lake arbour from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Expense Reimbursements (AP 513) and Public Disclosure of Expenses (new admin procedure) - changes required due to new provincial requirements for full disclosure of expenses. Claims must be transparent and all senior staff and trustees must publicly post their remuneration.

Insurance for school divisions - SPERD's insurance flat rate premiums have increased from $5,000 to $25,000 due to high number of claims across the province in the past few years. 

WCB rebate - employers across the province have been receiving surplus distribution cheques. SPERD's cheque amounted to $7,833.40.

Superintendent's report:

• C2 committee - as part of the framework agreement with the province, the ATA local and the Board have created a committee to conduct internal reviews for a needs assessment within the division. The seven-member committee will determine what's working, what isn't and what can be rectified. Salaries have already been negotiated by the province, so all other issues will be on the table. Initial report needs to be done by end of October, 2013. The committee has its first meeting on Sept. 13 with a designated Alberta Education representative.
• Staff Appreciation Day - Oct. 11 - this year's guest speaker is Eva Olssen - a holocaust survivor with a powerful message about peace and forgiveness. She will also be visiting schools within the division over three days. The ATA local will hold sessions for teachers in the afternoon.
• August PD days - Ann Davis and Sandra Herbst led the two-day PD session - how we evaluate our kids learning - students are central players - they should know the final target and how to get there. Much of what our division does was reaffirmed, but staff were challenged. Follow-up at the October principals' meeting and at the C2 committee meetings.    

Financial report - enrolment looks like it will offset any staff changes - received auditor's letter re: 2013 interim audit and year end planning - going live with new payroll and accounting software at the beginning of December.

Capital Plan:

• Racette held its grand re-opening with Premier Alison Redford on October 4. A special thank you to Susan Kotowich-Dubrule and her entire staff for their dedication to the project. The school has some deficiency issues which are being addressed.
• FG Miller students are using their new gym - dealing with some deficiency items as well. Grand re-opening to be held sometime in October. 
• Two Hills Mennonite - schedule has been delayed by four weeks due to the planning issues and the underground aquifer - have hired de-water experts to create a plan - walls have started going up, but the flooring needs need to be determined. 
• Water main break in Elk Point Elementary parking lot - excavation taking place today to determine where the break occurred - temporary water set up from FG Miller.

ASBA Zone 2/3 report - Trustee Rudkowsky reported on the following items: collective bargaining process and how negotiations will look like in the future; salaries frozen for ASBA executive and committees; senior management remuneration report should include total compensation minus reimbursable expenses; fall convention will be discussing diploma exams percentages of school awarded vs. teacher awarded marks.