Sept 2024 BM NEWS

September 2024 PRPS Board Meeting Highlights

event Published 2024-09-10 22:10:35.562 +0000 UTC

The agenda packages for the September 10, 2024, Organizational and Public meetings can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10lbhex5FY3emaZ7qo0Djeh4hy5Mm-qk7?usp=drive_link

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Organizational Meeting
Every fall the board of trustees elects a new or returning board chair, vice-chair and other key board representative positions. In addition to their regular duties, the following trustees will represent and attend events on behalf of Prairie Rose Public Schools during the 2024-2025 year:

✔️ Lois Bedwell, Board Chair
✔️ Patty Rooks, Vice-Chair
✔️ Representative for the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) - Shauna VanderSpruit
✔️ ASBA Alternate - Nancy Haraga
✔️ Representative for the Public School Boards Association (PSBA) - Cathy Hogg
✔️ PSBAA Alternate - Pam Cursons
✔️ Teachers Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) - Pam Cursons
✔️ Representative on the Rural Caucus of Alberta - Patty Rooks

Strategic Engagement Plan
Superintendent Reagan Weeks shared that PRPS is in the final year of the three-year education plan. During the 2024-2025 school year, engagement sessions will be held with all stakeholder groups to gather feedback for the development of the next three-year plan. This engagement will include meetings with school leaders and trustees, roundtable discussions with staff and student groups, discussions at school council meetings, and conversations with school stakeholder groups (partners, municipalities, etc.).The new plan will be presented at the division-wide PD day in May. The current three-year education plan can be found on the PRPS website: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TOMm9M_enbWCdsqoCLvXygsTlZoOIaAy/view

Cell Phone Policy Update
At the start of the 2024-2025 school year, PRPS initiated the first step of Alberta Education’s mandated restrictions for cell phone and social media use in schools. The Ministerial Order was announced to school divisions this past spring following a province-wide survey and engagement. It was noted that in PRPS things are going reasonably well and most parents have indicated to trustees they are in support of the change. Trustees were asked to review the administrative procedure provided in the agenda package and bring back any suggestions to the next meeting. The school division has until January 1, 2025, to have the Ministerial Order fully implemented.

Other Items:

  • The PRPS Board of Trustees approved an ATB borrowing resolution for $750,000 for 2024-2025.
  • Trustees expressed that there continues to be some confusion from motorists about the rules regarding stopping for school buses when the arm is out in front of the bus and lights are flashing. It was noted that all drivers are required to stop when students are getting on or off the bus, except within the City of Medicine Hat limits where there is a bylaw in-place that does not require vehicles to stop for school buses. 
  • No reports from the PSBA or ASBA representatives.