Board Meeting Highlights - November 26, 2024
The agenda package for the November 26, 2024, public meeting can be found here: https://www.myprps.com/news/november-26-2024-public-board-meeting-20241125154420
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1. Seven Persons School Presentation
Seven Persons School Principal Catherine Usher provided an overview of a project the school has been piloting alongside the PRPS Student Experiences team. The project focuses on developing social and emotional skills in children to help students build self-awareness, empathy, resilience and strong interpersonal relationships. The Second Step Program addresses growth mindset and goal setting, emotional management, empathy and kindness, problem-solving, and bullying and harassment. Using Dessa assessments, students complete a check-in three times a year. For those students who score below 40, the team follows up with a secondary assessment to determine where the student needs more support. Additional details can be found in the board agenda package.
2. Dual Credit Programs
Sherry Craven with South Alberta High School shared a presentation about dual credit programs offered in PRPS and students earning graduation credits and work experience through this option. Dual credit also means the credits students receive can often be allocated toward a college, university or apprenticeship program. The option to take dual credit is available for high school students and can consist of a single course, certificate program or part of a larger PRPS program. Currently, PRPS has 50 students enrolled in the School of Trades, 18 in Health Care Aide, two in the Veterinary Technician’s Assistant Certificate program, 18 in Aircraft Systems I, and six in a single online course. Taking dual credit in high schools has several advantages, including earning post-secondary credits early, cost savings, exposure to career paths, hands-on experience, increased engagement and motivation, scholarship opportunities and customized learning options. Learn more about dual credit in PRPS online: https://www.myprps.com/dual-credit-programs
3. Audited Financial Statements
Finance Controller Candice Hintz presented the 2023-2024 Audited Financial Statements for approval. Total revenues for the 2023-2024 year totalled $60,502,963, up from $55,697,369 in the 2022-2023 year. Expenses for 2023-2024 totalled $60,158,855, resulting in a surplus of $344,108. Overall, PRPS was presented with a clean audit from MNP with no recommendations.
Key financial factors impacting the 2023-2024 budget:
- Enrolment was 3,049.5 FTE, an increase of 74 FTE from estimated.
- The transportation grant is now a targeted grant and can only be spent on transportation. Therefore, any unused funds are to be recorded as deferred revenue.
- With Bus Route RFP’s coming in significantly higher than expected, the decision was made to provide our own bussing transportation for a portion of our routes starting in 2024/25.
- An increase in enrolment resulting in increased revenue
- South Alberta Flight Academy was granted collegiate school status for the 2024/25 school year. In the 2023/24 year, costs related to the startup were incurred.
The Board approved the Audited Financial Statements as presented. A second motion was also passed to approve the net transfer of $180,514 from Unrestricted Operating Reserves to Restricted Operating Reserves. The complete audit report can be found in the board agenda package.
4. PAT and Diploma Results
Assistant Superintendent Boyd Craven presented the spring 2024 results for information. At the provincial assessment testing (PAT) level, the division is trending above the provincial average in all subjects at the Acceptable Standard and upward compared to the 2023 results at the Standard of Excellence. The results could have been stronger at the diploma exam level, coming closer to the provincial average or slightly below. The division will be doing a deeper review of the diploma results. Some possible reasons for the lower diploma results include loss of learning continues to be noticeable in students who were in junior high during pandemic and online learning, PRPS encourages more students to participate in the testing compared to the provincial average, and PRPS tends to encourage students to take 30-1 level courses who may have previously been advised to stream down to 30-2 classes. The division will continue to support and work with the schools to provide time and support to close student gaps in learning. The complete results can be found in the board agenda package.
5. Annual Education Results Report
Superintendent Reagan Weeks presented the 2023-2024 Annual Education Results Report for approval. The report highlights the results from the accountability survey, the PAT and diploma results, and commentary on the results. Overall, it was noted that PRPS has a very positive ‘report card,’ with 8 of the 12 measures listed as high or very high. The full report is required to be posted on the PRPS website and can be found in the board agenda package.
6. Redcliff Capital Plan
At the public board meeting on November 26, 2024, the Prairie Rose Public Schools Board of Trustees passed a motion changing the Capital Plan request from a modernization of the current Parkside Jr High School to a new school facility located in the new Eastside Subdivision development of Redcliff. Having received construction funding for the Parkside Jr High School modernization project in early October as part of the School Construction Accelerator Program, the Board voted to adjust the project after consultation with Alberta Education and based on input from the Town of Redcliff. The town has until August 31, 2025, to have all the required servicing and subdivision complete. Additional information about the project change can be found in the release on the PRPS website: https://www.myprps.com/news/school-accelerator-program-results-in-changes-to-the-parkside-jr-high-school-construction-project-20241127154815
7. Cell Phones and Social Media
The Board approved A313—Use of Personal Mobile Devices and Social Media in Schools, which must be in place by January 1, 2025, as per the Ministerial Order on cell phone use in schools. The procedure outlines how PRPS schools will be required to manage the use of personal student cell phones in their buildings, including how non-compliance will be handled for those students who do not comply. The approved policy can be found in the board agenda package.
8. Other:
- Trustee Candidate Criminal Record Checks that are no older than 60 days old will be required for any trustees running for office. The bylaw passed all three readings.
- ASBA/ PSBAA/ Rural Caucus - No reports.