Regional Office, Barrhead – 

Staff reductions at regional office provide more support for schools
Superintendent Garbutt provided an overview of the new organizational chart for regional services, in which administration will focus on supporting the work of schools and the Alberta Distance Learning Centre.

This reorganization has resulted in the elimination of almost 3 full time positions, representing an annual savings of $394,518; these savings has been transferred to schools.

School buildings get needed repairs and facelifts over the summer
Tracy Tyreman, Director of Facilities Tracy Tyreman provided an overview of various projects that have recently been undertaken across the division. Pictures of these projects are here.

Division doing more business electronically
Assistant Secretary Treasurer Grant Widdup provided an update to the board on the transition to more electronic processes as part of the internal audit accountability report.

• A total of $263,000 was collected in online payments at schools in 2016-17 – a $100,000 increase from the previous year.
• 85% of payments to vendors were submitted electronically.

What parents can expect to pay for student fees in 2017-18
Starting the 2017-18 school year, parents are no longer required to pay instructional materials fees. Schools will however continue to charge fees for enhanced educational services and non-curricular activities; for example – field trips, resale supplies, milk programs, hot lunch programs, sports teams, clubs, etc.

See the fee schedules and other details.

Board reschedules September 27 meeting
Alberta Education has invited school boards to provide input on potential amendments to the School Act — these consultations will take place on September 27 and 28. As a result the board has decided to reschedule the September 27 board meeting to September 26.

The September 26 board meeting will take place at the Westlock Outreach School, starting at 9:30 a.m.

The next regular board meeting is Monday, September 13, 2017 at Regional Office in Barrhead starting at 9:30 a.m. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

This is an overview of the PHPS Board of Trustees’ meeting. See the meeting minutes for a complete record of the board’s decisions. We email Board Highlights to division staff, media, town and county councils, our MLA, our MP and subscribers. Sign up here to receive division news via email. For more information contact Tracy Meunier, Secretary Treasurer at 780.674.8504.