Regular Board Meeting Highlights - April 20, 2023
T.A Norris Middle School Window Tender
The Board reviewed the one bid for the window tender at T.A Norris Middle School. The Facilities Department reviewed the tender beforehand and were satisfied with the submitted bid. It was recommended to go ahead with the sole bid from Lavergne Construction, rather than re-tender, and the Board approved this decision.
Edwin Parr Nominee
Deputy Superintendent, Jeff Thompson, presented the Edwin Parr nominees to the Board. The Edwin Parr award is for exceptional first year teachers. Kaitlin Saunderson from E.E Oliver Elementary School and Mylee Halvorson from Manning Elementary School were both nominated for their incredible teaching skills within their grade 2 classrooms. Kaitlin Saunderson was chosen as PRSD’s Edwin Parr Nominee. The Board approved this submission to advance to the ASBA Zone 1 selection committee.
School Bus Tender
Secretary Treasurer, Rhonda Freeman, provided information to the Board about the recent school bus tender. Following a review of the Division’s current bus fleet, it was determined that three, 81 passenger and three, 70 passenger buses are required this year. Interested vendors were asked to supply pricing on both in stock and factory order buses as per the bus specification documents developed by the PRSD Transportation Department. Vendors were also asked to provide a separate price for gasoline, diesel, and electric options if available. The PRSD Transportation Department recommended accepting the pricing submitted by The Bus Center for two, 81 passenger buses with diesel engines and by Western Canada Bus Sales for four, 70 passenger buses with diesel engines. The Board approved this recommendation to purchase the six buses.
Horizons Student Leadership
Safety and Wellness Coordinator, David Smith, discussed the Horizons Student Leadership event happening May 24 at Grimshaw Public School. The event is being hosted by both Grimshaw Public School, and Holy Family School, and students from both the Peace River School Division and Holy Family Regional Catholic Division will be attending. The day will consist of leadership opportunities for students, student led activities and keynote speakers. The Trustees requested that students provide the Board with feedback on how the event went after it’s completed.
Departmental Presentations – Facilities
Jon Ruether, and Derek Hayden, Facilities Managers, provided a presentation on the Facilities Department within PRSD. They gave an overview of staffing, the cleaning contract development, teacher housing, and the Joint Use Agreements and Lease Agreements across the Division. Jon Ruether also introduced Derek Hayden to the Board, as he will be taking over the Facilities Manager position when Ruether retires on April 30, 2023.
Student Engagement Sessions Debrief
The Board discussed how the recent Student Engagement Sessions went at the beginning of April. Trustees were happy with how the event was organized and the results that came from it. Students provided excellent advocacy items for the Board to consider. The Student Engagement Sessions are an opportunity for the Board to hear feedback for reporting on the Three-Year Education Plan results.
Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta (PSBAA)
Trustee Robertson gave an update to the Board about the most recent PSBAA meeting and the Professional Development sessions they had available for attendees.
Class 1 Driving School Town Hall Debrief
Superintendent Adam Murray provided a review of the town hall meeting that was held with Northwestern Polytechnic and local industry sectors to gather information about who may see value in the potential Driver Training School for Class 1, Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT), and Air Brakes Q Endorsement program. The meeting served as an opportunity for invited attendees to hear the business plan, ask questions, gauge the level of interest from local companies and businesses, discuss the benefits this program will provide to our area, and the possible outcomes it may have. Many attendees were in favour and excited about the value this program would bring to the region. Information gathered from the meeting was used in completing the Business Case that was submitted to Alberta Education on March 31, 2023.
Policy Development and Review – Policy 20 – Site Based Decision Making
The Board passed the third and final reading for Policy 20 – Site Based Decision Making.