Regular Board Meeting Highlights - June 15, 2021
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The Board of Trustees is pleased to share with all education stakeholders the highlights of our recent Board meeting held virtually on Tuesday, June 15, 2021. The adopted minutes will be available on our website following the next Regular Board meeting.
Update:
- The Board welcomed a delegation (virtually) from Graminia School. One of their Grade 6 classes presented their 'Outdoor Learning Experience' as well as their Student-led Governance Model. This class has spent the majority of their time, weather permitting of course, learning in an outdoor classroom. Meanwhile, teacher Ms. Janet Grabowsky created an opportunity for the class to participate in an active election, which would affect their school year. Students got to campaign with the people who had nominated them. Elected Ministers with various portfolios would then go on to organize the classroom to the best of their abilities with input from their classmates.
- With mixed emotions, the Board provided an unofficial farewell to Dr. Dianne McConnell who was attending her last regular board meeting prior to her pending retirement. As a registered psychologist and educator, Dr. McConnell dedicated over 30 years as a life-long educational leader with a strong commitment to student success and well-being. She also held senior management positions with Alberta Education and played an instrumental leadership role in effecting systemic education change through both Action on Inclusion and Early Childhood Development strategies on behalf of government. She began her teaching career in PSD and has spent the last 8 years in the role of Association Superintendent.
- The Board approved a new Board Policy 4: Trustee Code of Conduct as well as Revised Board Policy 6: Role of the Vice Chair.
- The Board approved its Third Quarter Financial Report and Forecast for the nine months ending May 31, 2021. As of May 31, 2021, revenues year-to-date were $103.7 million and expenditures year-to-date were $100 million resulting in a surplus of $3.7 million. A surplus of $4.5 million is currently forecast for the year end. as a result of an additional $1.3 million of funding that was expected to be deferred due to a decrease in enrolment from budget, as well as $4 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding that was not included in the budget. In addition, the Division recorded a $445,000 gain on the sale of a Division property and $243,000 for Alberta COVID-19 learning support funding.
- The Board received as information the Instructional Services Report. The continual objective of the Instructional Services department is to assist and collaborate with school administration in instruction, programming, educational technology, exploration and analysis and educational technology throughout the school year. This report highlights the ongoing innovative work that is being conducted in support of PSD staff and ultimately student success.
- The Board received as information a draft version of the Board Legacy Document (2017 - 2021). During the 2020-2021 school year, and the final year of the current Board of Trustees with an election scheduled in October, the process of drafting a legacy document for future PSD Boards began. The document provides the context of events, economics, government agencies, and much more. It also summarizes some of the work initiated by this Board and many of the accomplishments during their term.
- The Board received as information the Draft 2021-2022 Board Meeting Schedule and the Draft 2021-2022 Board Annual Work Plan. Both of these documents will be finalized at the next Board's Organizational Meeting in October after the election.