12-12-2017 GPPSD Board Highlights

Grande Prairie Public School District

December 12, 2017

BOARD HIGHLIGHTS Central Office, 10127 120 Avenue, Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 8H8

The Grande Prairie Public School District is a learning community in which every student succeeds BOARD OF TRUSTEES BOARD CHAIR John Lehners BOARD VICE-CHAIR Joan Nellis TRUSTEES Andre Ouellette Lesley Craig Lynn Driedger Paulette Kurylo Rob Martin SUPERINTENDENT Alexander McDonald ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT, SECRETARY-TREASURER Norm Guindon ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES Nick Radujko ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF PROGRAMS & PLANNING James Robinson ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, STUDENT SERVICES Christina Farquharson

UPCOMING DISTRICT DATES REGULAR BOARD MEETING Tuesday, January 16, 2018 06:00 p.m., Central Office

Roy Bickell Public School Grand Opening on Thursday, November 30, 2017. This year, we were honoured to have the Honourable David Eggen, Minister of Alberta Education, in attendance.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES District Smoking Policy and Procedure

Assistant Superintendent Nick Radujko provided an overview of the services available through the Employee and Family Assistance Program to support staff seeking to end the use of tobacco products. As well, a summary of the work being done by Grande Prairie Composite and Charles Spencer to target student smokers and e-cigarette users with services/supports to make the choice to quit was provided for the Board.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Principal’s meeting

Superintendent McDonald highlighted for the Board the operational topics covered at the meeting. The District leadership team also worked through an extended activity to assess the effectiveness of the current meeting structure for the purpose of identifying possible opportunities to improve meeting effectiveness to

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support operations of our schools and the professional learning of our leaders.

2018-2019 draft calendar A draft calendar based on a structure similar to the current year’s calendar and created collaboratively with our neighbouring jurisdictions was provided for the Board’s review. Particular note was made of Good Friday falling later in the year, which based on an agreement with our neighbouring Boards, would result in a spring break occurring earlier in the year rather than an Easter break.

The process for seeking feedback from principals, school staff, the ATA Local executive, and other staff was reviewed. Board feedback was provided and a proposed final draft will be presented for Trustee approval at a January Board meeting.

Community Opioid discussion with Mayor Given Superintendent McDonald reported on a meeting of community organizations, called by Mayor Given on December 4, 2017 to discuss the issue of opioid use. Mayor Given shared information about a new

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December 12, 2017

grant program offered by the Government of Alberta.

Discussion on this grant opportunity resulted in participants agreeing to work together to submit a grant proposal to help build awareness and support prevention and treatment related to this issue within Grande Prairie.

BUSINESS SERVICES

Comprehensive facility review

Associate Superintendent/Secretary-Treasurer Norm Guindon reported on the work being done on the design phase of the replacement Grande Prairie Composite High School. He provided the Board an update on the continued evolution of the design of the school. As the design phase progresses, community stakeholder meetings to review ideas and collect feedback will be organized for the new year.

Superintendent McDonald presented that planning to support the development of the District’s revised capital plan (due Spring 2018) is underway. This process includes a comprehensive review of all GPPSD facilities.

It will gather information about our schools, their catchment areas, programming and all other relevant information into one document for use by administration and the Board when reviewing/establishing the Board’s capital priorities. This project is expected to be completed by the end of January 2018.

CULTURE AND ENGAGEMENT

Roy Bickell Public School grand opening

NEWS & EVENTS

Composite High School replacement meeting update

School fees update

GPPSD CHRISTMAS EVENTS: Watch for Christmas events coming to your local school.

Associate Superintendent/Secretary-Treasurer Guindon provided an update noting the changes to selected School Fees being proposed by some sites. Additions to the fee list were reviewed by Trustees, and the revised Board Policy 16 has been posted to the District website.

ATA negotiations update Trustees Craig and Lehners, and Assistant Superintendent James Robinson provided the Board an update on Board negotiations with the Alberta Teachers’ Association. The most recent round of collective bargaining resulted in the Board reaching a Memorandum of Agreement with ATA Local. The ATA local membership previously ratified the agreement in a meeting of their bargaining unit, and the Board ratified the agreement unanimously. A shared communication by both parties, which will provide additional information about the agreement, will be distributed shortly.

École Montrose/Montrose School 100 year anniversary

Trustee Kurylo reported to the Board on the 100th Anniversary celebration of the opening of Montrose School held recently at École Montrose. She was impressed with the work done to make the event a special one for staff, students, and families.

CONTACT INFORMATION Trustees Craig and Martin celebrate the winner of the latest “Battle of Alberta”

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