April 27, 2022 Board Meeting News

April 29th, 2022

Regional Office –

Satisfaction rates maintain same levels as last year

Director of Education Services Raime Drake presented the 2021-2022 Pembina Hills Satisfaction Survey Summary to the Board of Trustees. Each year, the school division surveys parents, staff and students in Grades 4-12 on their satisfaction level in a variety of areas. The results are used by schools and the division to develop their annual education plans and find ways to improve the educational experience of students.

The data is collected and organized into four themes. The overall satisfaction rate for each theme is unchanged from prior years:

  1. Safe and Welcoming Learning Environment – 89%
    Even though COVID-19 threatened our health and safety, the survey questions in this theme have maintained relatively the same level.
  2. Satisfaction with Leadership – 86%
    After several years of slight decline, satisfaction has improved significantly over the last three years with a balanced percentage rate this year.
  3. Instruction, Assessment and Inclusion – 91%
    Despite the downward pull of this year’s reduced satisfaction with extracurricular opportunities, this theme continues to progress in a positive direction mostly on the strength of increased student satisfaction with other related elements.
  4. Overall Quality of Education – 94%
    All groups surveyed continue to convey very high levels of satisfaction with the overall quality of education in Pembina Hills.

Board allocates additional $1.1 Million to Co-op Pool

In support of the Education Plan, the school board approved the recommendation to allocate a total of $5.7M to the Co-op Pool in 2022-2023. This funding will be used to support a variety of initiatives including: 

  • The addition of two full time Social Worker positions and one additional Psychologist position for the 2022-2023 school year. These positions will be used to fill critical gaps in service that were left by the collapse of other provincially-funded services.
  • The addition of targeted contract funds to support students with high needs.
  • System administration will utilize $757,000 to cover expenses related to instruction.

Board approves 2022-2023 Allocation Formula

The Board allocates financial resources to schools and service areas so they can prepare individual budgets which are then consolidated into the annual budget. The Board approved the 2022-2023 Allocation Formula in which Pembina Hills will receive an estimated $57.3M in operational funding for 2022-2023. This is equal to projected revenues for the current budget year and includes:

  • A $1.6M increase in base instruction funding, which is driven by increased enrolment projections for Vista Virtual School.
  • A $485K decrease in funding for services and supports, which is driven by lower enrolment trends for the Early Learning program.
  • $1.8M in bridge funding and other adjustments which are not guaranteed from year to year.

Reduction of Operating Reserves

As of August 2021, Pembina Hills reported a combined surplus and operating reserves of almost $8.7M (15.1% of operating expenses). These levels are monitored by the province, and are targeted to be between 1 and 5% of operating expenses. As a result the division will allocate approximately $2.2M in reserves to schools and support functions, allowing them to maintain staffing levels or complete key initiatives and projects.

Check out the board meeting agenda and minutes for more information. 

View a recording of the meeting here.

The next school board meeting will be held at Regional Office on May 11, 2022 starting at 9:00 a.m.