The Board said thank you and farewell to Trustees Rudkowsky, Younghans and Miller for their years of
service. The three trustees dedicated a combined 30 years of service.
Policy 20
- additional item added to board policy regarding naming of school facilities -
any additional costs associated with the facility-naming shall be assumed by
school and/or nominating party.
Enrolment
- Official Sept. 30 count is 4128 students - up 47 students from projections. A
total of 2.5 full time staff have been hired at three different schools to
accommodate "hot spots".
Naming of FG Miller
Gymnasium - the school council and principal have submitted a request
as per Policy 20 - Mr. Danyluk is well known for the dedication to his home
community of Elk Point and especially as a coach volunteering at the school.
This gym renovation was one of his dreams as a former trustee, board chair and
local MLA. The board passed the motion to accept the naming of F.G. Miller gym
as the Ray Danyluk Gymnasium.
Whisteblower Protection
legislation - As per new provincial regulation, the division has created
new legislation to allow for the disclosure of an alleged wrongdoing and
protection against reprisals for employees who make such disclosures.
Discussion took place as to whether this new item should be a board policy or
an administrative procedure. The reporting officer will be the Board Vice
Chair. The motion was passed as Board Policy 21.
Policy Review
- policies regarding role of trustee and board chair were tabled to the next
meeting and passed to the policy committee to create a new review schedule.
PATS and DIPS 2013 -
K-9 Provincial Achievement Tests (PATS) for the division are at provincial
average and have improved over the past few years - still lower on the standard
of excellence (above average students). Discussion over whether Grade 3
students should write the PATS in spring, 2014 or wait until the fall and write
the new "pilot" exam in the fall - the decision will be left to the Grade
3 teachers in discussion with administration. Diploma (DIPS) exams are also
around provincial average and standards of excellence fall just below
provincial average.
School trip
- the Superintendent approved the Ecole Mallaig school trip to Quebec in April
for Grade 10-12 students.
Superintendent report:
- Eva Olsson was the guest speaker for our staff appreciation on Oct. 11. She is 89 years old, a holocaust survivor with a message of forgiveness and peace.
- Job fairs -made the decision not to attend any job fairs for recruiting new staff. Our applications have been strong and many people are interested in coming into our area. New teacher mentorship program was cut back due to budget restraints, so may move these funds from job fairs to return focus to first year teachers.
- Nov. 6 take your child to work day - Grade 9 students.
- C2 committee - stems from framework agreement with ATA, ASBA and province - regarding teacher workload. Info was shared at principals' meeting on Oct. 8. Examining if we are asking the right questions. Committee will work throughout the length of the four-year agreement. Good process, committee has been working well together. Gov rep said we are actually ahead of other boards and that the relationships are strong.
- Academic dishonesty policy - has gone through a number of drafts at school and principal level. Included a definition of academic dishonesty, as well allowing some discretion at the school level. Will go to students, staff, school councils and distributed through newsletters. (prepare copies for school council meeting)
- School sport tournaments - junior high tournaments should take place after school (whether hosting or going away). High school students should not be permitted to attend tournaments around diploma exam time (ie. will be allowed first week of January, but not after classes resume in January)
- Flag protocol - new admin procedure on flying flags at half mast.
- Division career counseling - another position was added this year. Two division counselors for career planning. Finding proper balance between using teacher time at school and division counselor time.
- Non-teaching ads on Facebook - will be up to discretion of each school.
- Report card meetings - Grade 4-6 outcome-based report cards. Division staff are examining how they are going and tackling any subsequent problem-solving.
Financial report
- enrolment figures are positive - some staffing has been added which more than
offsets the number of enrolment increase. Busy with the transition to new
accounting and payroll software. Yearend audit at the end of October.
Capital Projects:
FG Miller - gym re-opening is Oct. 16 at 10:30 a.m.
TH Mennonite - temporary heat in the old school - floor slab
issues have delayed project by 4-5 weeks due to underground aquifer.
Zone 2/3 report
- Trustee Rudkowsky gave his final report after covering zone 2/3 meetings as a
trustee for the past 9 years - issues discussed included changes to portable
classroom funding; PD for whistleblower legislation, curriculum redesign,
health effects of wifi, funding framework changes, specific definition of
reserve funds, changing instruction to teacher PD needs; Education Act rules
and regulations; advocacy suggestions for MLA luncheon.
