Trustee Report – September 10, 2014

Organizational meeting – the Board held its annual organizational meeting with Chair Heather Starosielski and Vice Chair Rhonda Lafrance being acclaimed. Trustees also chose their positions on various committees.

Enrolment update – 4,020 students – up 76 from projected (+24 from last Sept. 30) – final count is Sept. 30. Ads for 0.5 FTE positions in Elk Point and Two Hills Mennonite and one full-time teacher in Heinsburg. Mallaig also hired 0.5 teaching position, but used TA time to fill the position. Quite often student enrolment declines until Sept. 30 and levels off. Schools did a good job at projecting for this year.

NewCap donation – the division received another donation of $8,000 from NewCap  (who operates SPUR radio station). The money will go towards music/band programs across the division. The board also discussed a request from SPUR for an anti-bullying partnership with radio advertising. The Board referred the matter back to administration for further review.

Two Hills Mennonite School update – the artesian well capping process was successful over the summer. Design and schedule changes required additional negotiations with the contractor, which has been causing further delay. The Two Hills Mennonite community held a Town Hall meeting in late August to discuss concerns over the site conditions with the Board and reps from Alberta Infrastructure. AB Infrastructure and Education were meeting today to discuss future plans for the school. The Board eagerly awaits the next steps. Since the government provides the funding for new schools and is the project manager for this project, the Board will continue to act as an advocate for the community, as it does, equally, for all students, staff and parents across the division.

Locally Developed Course – Global Discovery Jr. High Option for Mallaig. A new semester option for Grade 7and 8 students. Principal Whitfield designed this course – based on using field work and geographical systems. Heavily based on inquiry. Board approved the course.

Ashmont intersection update – County of St. Paul has been involved in lobbying for reduced speed zone being moved further west. The school and its parent council are in the process of writing letters to the government as well. The Board will follow up with these partners on further lobbying efforts

Policy Review – Policy 8 Board Committees the changed Calendar Committee to Board as a whole. Policy 9 – NE Cross Ministry Governance has been disbanded, so this Board Representative commitment will be removed from policy.

Regional High School sponsorship request – Regional is requesting approval for sponsorship of girls’ volleyball team jerseys. Board approved the request. The Board also requested administration investigate a method of approval when an official school council is not in place and/or a quick turnaround decision is required.

ATA Board Meeting participation – New Local president Connie Landsiedel and VP Ron Wiebe will be taking turns attending board meetings and the Board and ATA Local will be sharing sub costs. A Teacher Board Advisory meeting has been set for October 15.

School Tours  - the Board is tentatively planning its next school tour on October 28   to Two Hills School and Two Hills Mennonite School with a tentative meeting with the Mennonite School Council.

Board Strategic Planning – the Board is dedicating resources to reviewing its strategic plan this year, including the division’s vision and mission statements.

Post Secondary Night – to be held Sept. 17, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Regional High School gymnasium with reps from universities and colleges across the province.

Glen Avon parking lot sale – Board approved the highest bid for public tenders on the former parking lot across from old GA.

Staff Recognition (AP 415) – a new admin procedure is in place to replace the pins that used to be handed out for 10 and 20+ years of service. Much of the groundwork and research for this initiative took place in the C2 teacher workload study and principal meetings. Service awards will now be handed out as $100 for 10 years and $200 for 20 years of service. Those who work 25+ years will receive $10 per year of service.

Superintendent’s report:

A positive start to the year - The administration team has already completed quick visits to half of the schools in the division. Been hearing positive things. Settling into routine. Want to continue the positive trend.

The Ashmont SEVEC trip that was previously approved has been formally documented and the students are going to Quebec this year.

Division Satisfaction Survey – Consistent with policy of having a survey once per election term, the Board has decided to complete a division satisfaction survey in the 2014/15 school year.

Success Coach program – a grant-based government initiative that started in 2007 – was in GA, Racette and two Ashmont Schools. New project has transformed into all schools with a focus on proactive interventions. Half-time success coaches will be in place in all schools. Ads are currently in place to recruit the appropriate personnel.

Dr. David Townsend, an educational leadership expert, is scheduled to facilitate eight meetings with local administrators and central office admin. Good opportunity for growth with our younger admin teams.

Financial Report – biggest unknowns this time of year is enrolment and since it is on track, the budget should be on track. Continued implementation of new SRB software for school and central office reporting.

Infrastructure Maintenance Renewal (IMR) Report – the majority of projects earmarked for this year were completed over the summer, including the extra $500,000 from reserves in a one-time allocation towards infrastructure projects. A few parking lot upgrades were not completed during the summer, but are still to be completed.