Regional Office ~  Public Education Advocacy The Board discussed Public Education advocacy plans for the upcoming provincial election. Parents, the public and staff will soon begin to see content on the division and school websites, newsletters etc. promoting Public Education, including sample education-themed questions that the public can use to ask their local party candidate. […]

Regional Office ~  2023-2024 Alternate School Year Calendars Approved Alberta Education mandates a minimum number of instructional hours for all students – 950 for elementary and junior high school students and 1,000 hours for high school students.   This requirement, along with bus schedules, means that some schools have longer days than others and therefore more […]

Regional Office ~  Student Services presents assurance report Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, Dr. Rob McGarva, presented the Board with a comprehensive report on the support services that the division provides to its students. Dr. McGarva indicated that from the pandemic, we are still seeing high levels of absences this year and that the new respiratory illnesses […]

Regional Office ~  2021-2022 Annual Education Results Report (AERR) approved One of the key ways that school divisions demonstrate accountability and provide assurance is through the development and publication of Education Plans and Annual Education Results Reports (AERRs). Education Plans identify priorities, outcomes, measures and strategies to improve in key areas, while the AERR provides […]

Regional Office ~  Audited financial statements approved All publicly funded organizations in Alberta are required to publish annual financial statements that are audited by a professional accountant. After meeting with the external auditor for Pembina Hills, the Board approved the 2021-2022 financial statements for Pembina Hills School Division. Mental health grant funding application approved Alberta […]

Regional Office ~  International trips for BCHS & R.F. Staples Students Approved The Board approved, in principle, two international trips for Barrhead Composite High School and R.F. Staples Secondary School students.  Due to a scheduling issue, the previously approved Barrhead Composite High School trip planned for spring break 2023 will now include Paris, Riviera and […]

Regional Office ~  Membership in the PSBAA to be decided at October 26 meeting The Board met with executives from the Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta (PSBAA) and received a presentation and opportunity to ask questions. The Board agreed to have the issue of membership in the PSBAA be placed on the agenda for […]

Regional Office –  2023 International Trips Approved The Board approved, in principle, the international trips for Barrhead Composite High School senior students to travel to Italy/Greece during the 2023 spring break and photography students to London in May 2023.  Internal division school processes running smoothly Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Veronica Lindquist presented the Internal Audit Accountability Report […]

Regional Office  Board elects 2022-23 Chair and Vice Chair At the first Board meeting of the 2022-2023 school year, elections were held for the positions of Board Chair and Vice Chair. Judy Lefebvre was re-elected as the Board Chair and Sherry Allen was elected as Vice Chair. Congratulations to both trustees! L-R: Board Chair, Trustee […]

Regional Office – Board Ratifies Collective Agreement with CUPE 1661 Following several months of negotiations, the board ratified a four-year agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local No. 1661. The agreement ends August 31, 2024 and covers 33 bus drivers and shop staff in the Westlock Ward. Budget Amendment, capital spending plan […]