GYPSD news
Budget 2017-18
Trustees received a detailed report of the proposed 2017-18 Budget prepared by Juha Karén, Assistant Superintendent - Business Services. The budget is one of the most important decisions the board makes each year to ensure that it carefully allocates resources to support their desired outcomes and priorities. Along with summarizing the anticipated revenues and expenses for the upcoming year, Mr. Karén also spent some time in discussing expected financial impacts from the recent passing of Bill 1 by the province. The deficit budget is expected to be addressed through the Board’s approval of $300,000 of unrestricted net assets, and the balance through the utilization of operating reserves. Mr. Karén also stressed the importance of future balanced budgets to ensure that the board will be able to continue meeting their objectives.
News in Brief
• Principal Mark Maris and Teacher Kandel Vick were pleased to bring three students from Parkland Composite High School (PCHS) to discuss their team’s win at the Provincial Envirothon Competition hosted at PCHS this year. The five student team will now be travelling to Maryland in July to represent Alberta at the annual North American Envirothon Competition. Forty four US states and seven provinces, including a student team from PCHS, participated at last year’s North American event. • The Board accepted Superintendent Gray’s official notice of retirement effective September 30, 2017. Trustees shared their sincere appreciation of his dedication to education, and his deliberate efforts in focusing the division on making the best decisions for the success of all students under our care.
• Changes to the annual amount available for teachers to access under Policy 20 - Professional Growth of Teachers were approved based on a recommendation from the current ATA Professional Growth Committee. The addition of short term exchanges to the Policy was also approved.
• The Board actioned a number of motions to align with the bylaws required for the upcoming School Board Election to be held on October 16, 2017 including the acceptance of Juha Karén as the division’s Returning Officer and external consultant Norma Fahl, as the Deputy Returning Officer. • Trustees received a year-end report from the transportation department which included an update on their upcoming plans for the 2017-18 route review process. • Deputy Superintendent Murray highlighted this year’s Leadership Academy events and workshops. A total of nine employees were accepted into the Academy in 2015 for the two year program. • Assistant Superintendent Shipka spoke about the division’s accountability results recently released by the Province as well as an update from the Learning Services department.