Trustee Report - January 8, 2014

Calendar development - A draft calendar for 2014/15 school year has been prepared and will be sent to schools and school councils for feedback. In the first draft, the school year starts after the September long weekend and some Teacher PD days have been added to allow more time for teachers and schools to collaborate - a request indicated by the C2 (teacher workload) study. Some schools may need to add a few minutes per school day to accommodate the changes. Feedback from stakeholders is required before the February 12 board meeting.

Bus route change proposal - In order to accommodate the increased demand for bussing in the Town of St. Paul and rural bussing in the south and southwest of St. Paul, administration proposed adding another bus route. Current pick-up times were as early as 6:57 a.m. The change, which would add $20,000 to division transportation costs, improves pick-up times and ride times for those routes affected. The Board approved the recommendation and the new route will be advertised as per policy.

Accountability Pillar Surveys - The Board is hoping parents will take the time to answer mailed surveys regarding our education system. Alberta Education conducts the annual survey and provides each school division with a report card on its initiatives. In January and February, students and staff complete the surveys at school, and the parent surveys are mailed from the department. Parents of students in Grades 4, 7 and 10 complete the survey, unless the school has fewer that 120 students in Grades 4-10. Starting this year, all parents with children in Grades 4-10 in smaller schools will be asked to complete the surveys. All surveys are anonymous.

Policy review - Policies 18 and 19 regarding Community Engagement and School Councils were reviewed with no changes. There is an ASBA Community Engagement conference coming up later in January, which may provide further information for the board’s policy.

ASBA awards - Trustees received information on the entry deadlines for the annual awards that recognize excellent first-year teachers, long serving trustees, outstanding school boards and citizens who contribute to public education in Alberta.

Superintendent Report:

• Synrevoice/School Connects - A letter will be sent out to parents to summarize the use of the automated call-out system, specifically dealing with bus cancellations and emergencies.
• Alberta Traffic Safety Act - A new admin procedure has been developed for bus drivers (division owned or school owned buses only) regarding logging hours when more than 160 km traveled, any overnight trip or 15 hours or more on duty. The procedure was developed to coincide with new provincial regulations. 
• Kindergarten entry age - Administration is leaning towards changing the Kindergarten entry age to the age of 5 by Dec. 31, 2015. Administration wants to determine the direct impact on children. A final decision will likely be made by this spring, which would be 17 months in advance of the change.
• Grade 3 government exams will now take place at the beginning of the year based on Grade 2 curriculum. Letters are being sent home with Grade 2 and 3 students informing parents of the changes from Grade 3 Provincial Achievement Tests to the new Student Learner Assessments.
• C2 committee - The initial C2 report (teacher workload study) has been completed and shared with staff.  Principals and assistant principals will meet for two days in February to review the report in-depth and make decisions moving forward.
• Traveling abroad - Admin procedure changes were made to address the importance of families purchasing travel insurance for their children on school trips and assuming all cancellation risks. Principals must also ensure students and families are aware of all board policies and procedures with respect to traveling abroad.
• Junior High CTS/Arts showcase/Math and Science Olympics – will be held on a three-year rotation. This year will be Math Olympics at FG Miller. Last year was Science Olympics, so next year will be an evening Fine/Performing Arts and CTS showcase.

Financial Report - In December, Central Office and schools transitioned to a new payroll accounting system. Kudos to all of our staff during this transitory time. FSLW requests - Town of St. Paul said they would contribute $10,000 towards the program. The Board is very grateful for the contribution and is waiting for feedback from its other municipal partners.

Capital Projects - TH Mennonite - still waiting for final approval on the revised slab plans. Hoping to see approvals complete within the next two weeks.

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.

New Board of Trustees

SPERD Board of Trustees 2013-2017

L-R back: Lorne Young, Christopher Cook, Deb Pederson, Rhonda Lafrance, Ruven Rajoo

Front: Heather Starosielski and Rhea Looy

Trustee Report – November 13, 2013

FSLW program needs support - the cost of administering the family school liaison worker program is $820,000 annually for the school division - $245,000 comes from a regional collaborative provincial program and about $40,000 from municipalities (the program used to be solely operated by the municipalities’ FCSS programs). The division covers the remainder of the costs to run the program. The FSLW workers provide counseling services to students in crisis (1149 cases last year) as well as preventative and proactive programs for all students, such as anti-bullying programs. Last year the division received $10,000 each from the Town and County of St. Paul; $10,000 from Town of Elk Point and $10,000 from Town and County of Two Hills. Trustees agreed to send letters to the municipalities and First Nation communities again this year and ask for presentations by trustees and school staff.

Local teacher negotiations - After several months of negotiations, a Memorandum of Agreement was reached between the Board and ATA Local. However, it was subsequently rejected by the local ATA at a recent vote. Although negotiations have been challenging, St. Paul Education has great respect for its teachers and will resume negotiations later this month.

Days in lieu for principals (AP 431) - even though the Provincial Framework Agreement between the Province, boards and teachers stipulates principals will only receive two paid days off per year in lieu of their duties, Superintendent Brodziak stated our division would be staying with current practice of 3 days off for principals and 1.5 days off for assistant principals. The admin procedure allows for superintendent discretion and the leaves will take place at mutually agreeable times.

SPERD three year plan - the board and superintendent want to review our past goals and see if they match with our current direction and also incorporate the data we are seeing from the C2 committee (teacher workload study) and direct feedback from teachers - looking at revisions to goals over the 2013/2014 school year.

Uniform sponsorship request - F.G. Miller sent in a request for a company to sponsor a sports team's uniforms. Trustees asked for further information about the sponsoring company and the company's logo.

Policy review - the policy review schedule was amended to allow for the new board to review the policies from last month. All policies have been moved back a month from the previous schedule. Two new policies (20 re: naming of school facilities and 21 re: whistleblower legislation) will be added to the schedule.

Policy 3 and 5 - Role of the Trustee and Role of the Chair reviewed - no changes.

SEVEC (Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada) exchange for Ashmont Secondary - trustees were given the full details for the school exchange trip to Quebec for their information.

SPAEC is holding an open house on Nov. 21

Superintendent Report:

• Grade 3 provincial tests - All Grade 3 teachers were consulted on the three options for moving forward on changes to Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs). Teachers agreed not to write the traditional May/June PATs, choosing instead to take part in the fall pilot exam in 2014, which is replacing provincial achievement tests. The exam is meant to act as one measure on how the students are doing. By having it in the fall, teachers can work on the teaching and learning required for each student.
• Head and Clerical secretary titles – the division currently has class 2 (head), class 4 (clerical) now adding a third category: class 3 (inbetween the two) - more sharing of duties. Administration wants to hear back from each secretarial office by Nov. 29 on what category they would prefer.
• Lockdown procedures – a question came up at the administrator’s meeting as to what happens if a class is out on a field trip returning to school that is on lockdown. There is no guarantee of communication between the school and supervisor, but administration asks supervising teachers to be alert and use common sense when returning to a lockdown situation.
• International travel – administration is exploring changes to policies regarding international travel.
• Kindergarten entry age - Kindergarten entry age varies across the province of Alberta. SPERD will be exploring data/evidence from studies to determine if the current entry age merits change in our division. Any change would not be in effect until September, 2015.
• Community coaches – some schools are having difficulty finding coaches for school sport teams. SPERD’s current policy states that each school sports team needs to have a teacher supervisor. It is becoming more difficult to find teachers even in a supervisory role. The local athletic association and provincial associations are conducting further research and discussion.
• AP on student suspension – an automatic 5-day suspension for violence or threats of violence may need some discretion. For example, a child was out cutting twine with his/her pocket knife with mother/father and forgot to take knife out of jacket pocket. The threat/risk protocol is still in place, but the automatic suspension may not be warranted in some cases.
• Grade 4-6 outcome based report card meetings - many teachers at the Grade 4-6 level like outcome based report cards, but there was mixed reaction for using this format in higher grades. Current use of "Exemplary" and "Proficient" may need more definition.
• Bus drivers sent reminders after student in another division was left on a bus all day - mandatory requirement that all bus drivers check their buses after each run.
• Rock the Diploma – the division will look at organizing these teacher prep courses for kids preparing for Grade 12 diploma exams as required.
• St. Paul and Area Anti-Bullying committee has dissolved - $840 sent to the division to empty their accounts.
• Succession planning for future administrators - admin council identifies characteristics of an exemplary leader. The next group of meetings to determine successors will occur in the near future.
• Racette - Nov. 9 appreciation concert for Pink Heart volunteers
• Dec. 6 - Glen attending meeting on Inspiring Education for superintendents
• Satisfaction survey -  the Board has decided to wait for at least a year to undertake another division satisfaction survey. This time frame will allow for more information to come forth from the C2 (teacher workload) study and for the direction of possible new division goals to be established.

Financial report - the switch in accounting/payroll systems is proving a challenge. Nov. 27 - the board will be meeting with the auditor for its annual review.

Capital Projects - TH Mennonite School - came up with a plan to deal with ground water - hoping remainder of the approvals move quickly.

ASBA Zone 2/3 Report - Trustee Deb Pederson presented her report as the new board rep.

Regulatory Review - Trustee Rhonda Lafrance reported on the Province's review of the regulations associated with the new Education Act. The regulations will be given to boards in summer, 2014 so that boards can make changes to their policies in time for the Education Act and regulations to come into force in fall, 2015.

IMR report - Trustees reviewed the annual report on where infrastructure money provided by the province was used for school repairs and upgrades.

School Board Elections Review - Trustee Ruven Rajoo provided feedback on lack of polling stations during the elections. Traditionally, polling stations are shared with municipalities, but if a councillor is acclaimed, it makes polling stations limited for trustee candidates.

Municipal Government Act Review - A comprehensive review of the MGA Act has begun. Of interest to school boards will be any discussion on annexation, reserve lands, levies, etc.

Trustee Report - October 9, 2013

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.

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.

Trustee Report - June 12, 2013

County of St. Paul FCSS Wellness Funding - the Board of Trustees is grateful for the funding received by the County of St. Paul FCSS and Council in supporting Wellness Days at schools throughout the division this year.

SPUR Radio – graciously donated $6,000 to be used towards division music programs.

Columbus House of Hope School Program - the division received a grant to start an education program at the St. Paul women's shelter. The grant covers the cost of hiring a 0.4 certificated teacher. The Board approved the application of a school code for the program.

Community Spirit Grant - SPERD received $9,124.52 for the 2011/12 school year application. All funds will be dispersed according to how donations were made to each school. The Province discontinued this grant in its 2013 budget.

Provincial Competition Support - Principals were asked about activities that students might reach at a provincial competition level, other than just sports. The Board accepted a recommendation that the division support travel costs for any students who reach the provincial competition level through a school-based program. (Example: Skills Canada)

Returning Officer – the Board approved Don Zarowny as returning officers for the October, 2013 Trustee elections.

Modified Voting Procedure - the Board passed Bylaw No. 2-13 which allows for more than one voting station in a voting subdivision.

School Trips - the Board approved recommendations to allow four different school trips in the 2013/14 school year pending further required information and the requirement to follow division policies and procedures - Dominican Experience St. Paul Trip, Ashmont Secondary Canadian exchange trip, Two Hills School to Dominican Republic and Ashmont Secondary to China.

ASBA Spring General Meeting - Five trustees attended the conference in Red Deer, June 3-4. The conference focused on the arts in education and included a day of regular business meetings with school boards across the province.

Zone 2/3 - Kayla Fluker, a teacher from Mallaig, was one of the nominees honoured at a banquet last month for the Edwin Parr Awards.

Windpower Project - after two years of planning and evaluation of options, the Board took another step forward by passing a motion to join the Alberta Schools Wind Power Project subject to the provision of becoming an equity partner.

Policy Review - the Board deferred changes to the Division Foundational Statements to the 2013/14 school year. Policy 2 Appendix A (Board was altered during the Board Evaluation and approved for changes.

Admin Procedures - Trustees received information on two admin procedures regarding exempting students from awards if they have been academically dishonest. The admin procedure on school fundraising was also reviewed to coincide with a new procedure on advertising, canvassing and commercial solicitation.

SPAN Cafeteria Lease – Central Office admin met with the leaseholders to discuss a number of issues – the Board accepted recommendation to renew the contract for two years with a 2% increase in the first year to adjust for inflation.

Superintendent Report:

• PARTY program – the full day program gives students the opportunity to experience a mock accident and the subsequent results. The program coordinators have requested all Grade 9 students from the division participate at the same time during one full day of activities at the Recreation Centre. 
• Risk Threat Protocol - reviewed and updated – a folder will be placed in every classroom this fall.
• "Hold and Secure" - a new terminology for schools which involves an altered lockdown procedure. It includes keeping all school doors locked and all students inside. It could be used during a lightening storm or where there is a potentially threatening person in the community. 
• Field Trip Bus - administration is investigation the possibility of having a division-owned bus available for field trips. Results so far are inconclusive.
• Synrevoice - plans for the Board-approved automated call-out system moving forward.

Financial Report - the Board approved the 2013/14 Budget at a May 28 special meeting. Because of the prudent actions of our admin and financial teams, our division was able to maintain the same level of staffing with a 1% deficit, which will be offset with reserves.

Capital Report:

• FG Miller - scheduled for completion July 31, 2013 - gymnasium finishing taking place as well as completion of change rooms, classrooms and common hallway; paving of west parking.
• Racette - scheduled for completion mid July, 2013 - interior work to be completed by end of June with outside paving to start June 24.
• Two Hills Mennonite – work is ongoing in solving how the ground water under the building slab will be diverted. Geotechnical is confident it can find a solution.