Trustee Report – June 11, 2014

Ashmont Intersection – the Board received a reply from Alberta Transportation stating that changes to the intersection on Highway 28 are not on the current three-year plan. The Board initiated the request for further review after hearing concerns regarding no left-hand turning lane on the highway while heading east.  Ashmont School Council mentioned they would be writing a letter of concern to Alberta Transportation as well. The Board will also be following up with the County of St. Paul.

COSC Meeting – School Council members, principals, local ATA members, trustees and administration met in the evening of June 11 for the annual Council of School Council meeting.  Alberta Education Director Gilbert Guimont provided further information on the Province’s current Curriculum Redesign process and led the group into a valuable discussion. Secretary Jean Champagne also provided information on the division budget and Superintendent Glen Brodziak presented a report on the teacher workload (C2) study with input from ATA committee member Connie Landsiedel.

Cross Area Transportation Appeal – the Board heard an appeal from a family regarding a cross area transportation request.

Ashmont Secondary SEVEC Request – the Board approved a request from Ashmont Secondary School to begin the application process for an exchange trip to another region in Canada.

ASBA Membership Fee Task Force – Trustees received a call for interest involving a new task force created by the Alberta School Boards Association regarding a review of the ASBA membership fee formula.

Policy Review – Policy 4 Trustee Code of Ethics and Policy 7 Board Operations was reviewed with suggestions referred to the policy committee. With the change to regulations in conjunction with the new Education Act, the Board is expected to see many changes to policy in the coming year.

County FCSS bussing - the Board granted permission to the County FCSS to use a division bus for their summer program in Ashmont.

Locally developed courses – the Board approved the acquisition of a locally developed course entitled, Perspectives on the Human Condition, for the high school level.

Heinsburg School Travel Club – Trustees approved the school’s travel club’s request to travel to Costa Rica next spring break provided all division policies and procedures are followed.

Superintendent’s Report:

• Staff continues to keep students focused on completing their academic studies until the end of June.
• Staffing for next year is 75-80% complete.
• Staff and students were encouraged to wear red on June 10 to show support of the RCMP across the country and in our local community.
• The division was approved for an Alberta Wellness Grant, which will go towards items such water bottle fillers, smoothie machines, etc.
• Bus Driver Appreciation – June 13 – schools will be showing appreciation to our bus drivers.
• At this month’s principal’s meeting, Debbie Thorne and Chris Ostapiw were celebrated for their dedication to education with a collected 70 years of teaching and administrative experience. The two principals are retiring at the end of June. 

Financial Report:

• The board-approved division budget was submitted to the Province at the end of May.
• The division received a WCB redistribution cheque of $47,000.
• School allocation of reserves is being well spent. Schools have until the end of next school year to complete their expenditures.
• Auditors completed their interim audit.

Capital Projects – TH Mennonite School – Trustees Starosielski and Rajoo as well as administration attended a meeting with Alberta Infrastructure and Education regarding concerns over the existing building site. Several experts provided sufficient answers, however, the board remains cautious until the artesian well conditions are fully capped and a written guarantee of safety is provided.

ASBA SGM – Trustees reported on the business meeting and PD sessions from the Spring General Meeting in Red Deer, June 1-3.