PRPS Board Meeting Highlights for February 13, 2024

The February 13, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda Package can be found here: February 13, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda

Irvine School Presentation
Irvine School Principal Trent Rayner was joined by teacher Logyn Jacksteit and students Senya Hietamaa, Katelyn Sheppard and Odin Jordet to share information about two new programs being offered at the school aimed to provide junior high students with job-ready skills. 

• Skills Certification Courses: Grade 8 student Senya gave a short presentation to the board about the new Skills Certification Courses each junior high student would participate in this spring. Students can choose from various certification options, including Red Cross, first aid, babysitting, nutrition, resume building, animal care, mechanics, referee courses, driver's education, computer programming, boating license and more. Principal Rayner explained that this is something the school has wanted to offer for some time now and was able to get organized this spring under the direction of teacher Linda Kraft. The goal is to ensure each student can get certified in something they can add to their resume as they start building a job application. 
   
• AgPro Western Tractor: Grade 9 students Katelyn and Odin and teacher Logyn Jacksteit talked about the AgPro program, which has three different course options for students to learn about. Last fall, students participated in the Western Tractor option, which included learning about farm equipment operations and sales. This spring, the program has added AgPro Crops and AgPro Beef courses. Students are currently taking the AgPro Beef course, where they are learning about the cattle business, feedlot operations, cattle auctioning, butchering, land management, and animal stress and welfare. In AgPro Crops, Jacksteit says they will shift to learning about food growing with several field trips planned, including Nutrien Ag Solutions and Big Marble, to name a few. The students will also learn about aquatic systems, fish fertilization and plants. Both Odin and Katelyn shared what they have learned so far from the AgPro program and why they think all students should know about where their food comes from in school.

A full length story of the Irvine presentation can be found here: https://www.myprps.com/news/irvine-jr-high-students-learn-about-agriculture-and-gain-advanced-skills-1708104559850

Executive Report
Superintendent Reagan Weeks shared that the announcement of the new Mavericks School of Baseball and the South Alberta School of Softball had been very well received by students and families. Currently, 89 students are registered across the division in both programs. It was also shared that PRPS successfully launched the new online registration program on February 1, Eagle Butte was set to host a SEAVC volleyball camp on March 15, and new STEM and Vex Robotics options were being added at Eagle Butte and Ralston schools.

Quarterly Financial Report
Finance Controller Candice Hintz shared the quarterly financial update as of November 30, 2023. Overall, PRPS expects a $571,000 funding increase for the year due to increased enrollment over initial projections. It was also noted that increased revenues are expected due to the launch of new academy programs and BATUS funding. Revenues are forecasted to come in $813,750 higher than budgeted. On the expense side, certificated salaries and benefits have been adjusted to reflect an increase in teacher time (due to increased enrollment and increased staffing purchased by schools). Additional costs will also be incurred due to other expenses related to academy programs (including additional transportation costs), modular demolition costs (New Brigden), and additional grants. The school division is now expecting a decrease in the projected deficit for the year of $2,987, with a new expected overall deficit of $1,365,445.

Transportation Accountability Report
Director of Transportation Derek Beck presented the Transportation Accountability Report for information. 

Highlights of the report include:

• An increase in total bus routes from 83 to 87
• Route contractors include Southland (68), First Student (8), Old West Transportation (5), Independent (6)
• An increase in the number of student bus riders from 1,884 to 2,025
• An increase in kilometres travelled each day by school buses from 17,274 to 17,644
• Continued cooperative bussing agreements with Chinook and Sun West school divisions in Saskatchewan, Cherry Coulee and Holy Spirit school divisions in Bow Island, Christ the Redeemer in Oyen and Grasslands School Division to Duchess.
• The longest bus ride in the school division is 115 minutes per day.
• The overall average cost of a bus route in 2022-2023 was $63,863

It was noted that all PRPS bus routes were coming up for tender this spring. An RFP package will be posted online, in community papers and emailed to current and former bus contractors. The full presentation can be found in the February 13, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda package.

Communications Accountability Report
Director of Communications Angela Baron presented the Communications Accountability Report for information. 

Highlights of the report included:

• An overview of communication channels and tools for parents and staff.
• A summary of social media and website account activity.
• A summary of communications initiatives completed during the 2022-2023 year and upcoming planned projects.

It was shared that two of the larger projects this past fall included implementing the new online school registration software, School Engage, managed through Communications, and completing/launching the new PRPS brand. The full presentation can be found in the February 13, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda package.

Other Items:

1. Trustees approved the following policy changes as presented:
   • Ends #1 Guiding Principles (combined numerous policies into one)
   • GP#15 Trustee Development
2. The board approved the extension of MNP for auditing services for two years.
3. The board approved the spending of $250,000 from Capital Reserves towards purchasing a new teacherage in Oyen to accommodate new staff moving to the area.
4. ASBA Report - No report. The next meeting is on February 14, 2024.
5. PSBA Report - No report.
6. Rural Caucus - The next meeting is on March 3, 2024, before the Rural Education Symposium.