Palliser passes four of five policies
Palliser Regional Schools board of trustees passed a number of policies intended to address issues identified in their organizational review.
Four of five policies on the agenda were passed during the board’s regular meeting on Tuesday.
“I think what we are doing here is try to bring some closure to a rather long and detailed process we embarked upon starting first with the organizational review, and then subsequently with the policy review,” said board chair Robert Strauss.
Policy 14 — Trustee Accountability, provides a mechanism for dealing with allegations of inappropriate trustee behaviour, including their responsibility to act “prudently, ethically and legally in keeping with legislation and board policy” — including proper use of authority and appropriate decorum in terms of group or individual behaviour.
The mechanism involves referring cases to a third-party mediator, followed by a closed session board meeting convened specifically for that purpose. The results of the meeting could be made public if the board deemed it necessary.
Policy 15 — Progressive Discipline, provides a process for the board to use “increasing serious measures to all employees to improve performance and/or conduct.”
Policy 20 — The Purchase of Alcohol, solidifies the board’s position of an alcohol prohibition using public funds. This ban does not include social activities or events where alcohol might be purchased by trustees using their own funds.
Policy 21 — Use of Palliser Vehicles, is a policy aimed at limiting or ending the personal use of division-owned vehicles. The policy will also institute the use of logs in keeping track of company vehicles — whether as a traditional paper-bound log, or a digital log using GPS.
A fifth policy regarding off-duty conduct was referred to the incoming board after there was some discussion regarding how the policy might affect nonunionized staff. It was also suggested more information on social media conduct be added. It was made clear that legal consultation resulted in no significant concerns regarding the policy.
“Keeping in mind that these are policies. They aren’t written in stone and they aren’t meant to put on a shelf to collect dust,” said Strauss. “Anything we pass today can be tweaked, changed, amended, overhauled, or whatever by a future decision with a motion from the board.”
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