Trustee Report - December 11, 2013

2014-15 Calendar Development - The Board is limited with the flexibility of creating a calendar due to government exam dates and teacher collective agreement schedules. Administration will develop draft calendars to present at January Board meeting and then send out to schools and communities for feedback. The calendar committee will then make recommendations from its findings to the Board for final approval. Because of the work of the C2 (teacher workload study) committee findings, administration is already looking at adding approximately six minutes per day to guarantee a start date after the September long weekend and allowing more time for teachers to collaborate with their colleagues during additional PD days.

HPV Vaccinations for Boys - Alberta Health made an announcement on Dec. 5 that the HPV vaccine will be available for all boys in Grades 5 and 9. The Board is awaiting further information regarding implementation.

FG Miller Jersey Sponsorship – The Board received further information on the proposed sponsor for a new set of basketball jerseys. Trustees were satisfied with the background information provided and approved the sponsorship request.

ASBA Strategic Plan - The Alberta School Boards Association develops a three-year strategic plan and is looking for information from all school boards. The local board completed their survey after the public meeting.

Policy 2 & 6 Review - Board annual work plan appendix in Policy 2 Role of the Board was amended and the addition to vice chair duties in Policy 6 to include the officer in the Whistleblower Protection legislation (Policy 21).

Superintendent’s Report:

• During the principals meeting on December 10, a local businessperson presented a workshop proposal aimed at preteen girls. GirlPower™ empowers girls from 6 to 12 years old with the skills, language, and self-confidence to be better friends and develop healthier friendships through their suite of GirlPower workshops. Girls learn what's normal in a friendship, the difference between healthy and unhealthy friends, and how to stand up for themselves. The principals agreed to the initiative, which will take place in the spring. Schools will allow for the promotion of the event through their local communication methods.
• Synrevoice - our automated calling system for emergencies, bus cancellations and other information is in place and has started to be used. The system makes automated phone calls, emails and text messages. In emergency situations, all three communications methods will be used (includes bus cancellations). In information call outs (ie. Christmas concerts, parent-teachers interviews) will only receive emails and/or texts. When Synrevoice is used, users will be asked to respond through pressing a number in instances where feedback is required (i.e. in emergencies and in cases where busses are sent home early - not in bus cancellations). If there is no response, the schools will contact the households. Our goal is to have call-out done by 6:45 a.m. during inclement weather days. However, some information may come later. Radio stations and the division website are a follow-up method of communication. Temperatures fluctuate in different communities, therefore there may be some communities that have bus cancellations and others that don’t. Parents must sign up to activate the text message alerts. Please see your school for more information.
• C2 Teacher Workload study - overall feedback has been positive and constructive. The committee is learning where teachers are putting their time and planning for future efficiencies. Teachers are providing valuable information on what’s working and what we can fix. 
• Kindergarten entry age - our division children must be age 5 by March 1. Division is investigating the possibility of moving the entry date to age 5 by Dec. 31. Would not change until Sept. 2015. See what research says, what other divisions are currently doing.

Financial Report - Trustees reviewed the 2012-2013 year-end audit letter and recommendations. Ongoing items such as vacation accruals and school-generated funds need to be monitored. The Board met with its auditor on November 27 to review the 2012-2013 report. Due to the efficient planning by our administration and other items that were outside of our control (i.e. government freeze of teacher wages, school-based budget carry-forwards), the division is looking at a $1.2 million surplus. A press release and the financial report are now on the website. Since the board is in an adequate position with its reserve levels, it is looking to stakeholders on future programming possibilities. The message to stakeholders is to look at items with sustainability and focus on improving student achievement. Superintendent Brodziak mentioned that this surplus is on top of low class sizes and daily teacher prep time which is a large cost some take for granted and is not a norm across the province.

Capital Projects - TH Mennonite – revised slab design is in for government approval. Hope to hear answer before Christmas.

ASBA Zone 2/3 - Trustee Pederson reported on highlights from the November 29 meeting which included discussion on school bus cameras and FOIP legislation.

ACSTA Report - Trustee Lafrance reported on the upcoming Catholic Education Symposium on Feb. 21-22 at the Archbishop Jordan High School in Sherwood Park. Registration for the Friday evening and Saturday conference is only $45 and is open to trustees, teachers, staff, parents and students.