Submitted by Black Gold Regional Division
Following are highlights of the Nov. 23 Black Gold School Division board of trustees meeting.
Leduc Composite High School
Congratulations to the LCHS Welding Team who finished 3rd in the CLAC Regional Wicked Welding Competition on October 22nd. Eight schools from Edmonton and surrounding area participated in the competition organized by the Canadian Welding Association and CLAC with judging followed by an awards ceremony. The objective of the competition was to design and construct, within a specific time limit and physical constraints, a Halloween themed metal sculpture. Congratulations to the students and their coaches.
Division office Long Service Awards
Trustees welcomed staff from division office to be acknowledged for their long service. Recognized staff were: Five years Chelsey Volkman, Janet Yakimishyn, Kelly Tremblay. Ten years Sue Timmermans. Fifteen years Donna Kumpula, Bill Romanchuk, Norman Yanitski. Twenty years Laurel Kvarnberg, Terri Reid, Ann Hansen. Twenty-five years Norm Dargis. Thirty-five years Cindy Villeneuve. Staff who were unable to attend: Mohammed Ali (five years), Elaine Burkholder (five Years), Scott Wright (five Years), Bruce Buss (10 Years), Craig McLeod (10 Years) and Sheldon Ganske (15 Years).
2015-16 audited financial statements
MNP partner Scott Walker, MNP audit senior Madisyn Achtymichuk, director of Finance Laurel Kvarnberg, and accounting coordinators Marty McCrea and Chelsey Volkman of Black Gold Regional Division No. 18, attended the meeting to present the audited financial statements for the period of September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2016.
In the Statement of Operations, the operating revenues totaled $121,183,680 and expenses totaled $121,790,164. Mr. Walker reviewed the management letter which confirmed that the accounting system is operating as intended and that the accounting staff have maintained the files and accounting records very well, with consistent attention to detail and to overall accounting issues. The board accepted the Black Gold Regional Division No. 18 audited financial statements and the auditors’ management letter for the year ending August 31, 2016 for submission to Alberta Education, and acknowledged receipt of the audit findings report and the letter of auditors’ independence for the year ended August 31, 2016. The board supported the transfers to and from reserves as outlined on the Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Surplus. http://www.blackgold.ca/about-bgrs/results-plans-results/
2016-17 revised budget
Associate Superintendent Andres presented the Fall 2016 update to the 2016-2017 budget, with the details of additional resources and assigned staffing. The fall budget projects a deficit of $975,748 for 2016-2017. The board accepted the Fall 2016 update to the 2016-2017 budget for Black Gold Regional Division No. 18.
Modular classroom requests
Associate Superintendent Andres presented recommendations for the 2017-2018 new modular classroom requests as required by Alberta Education. The board approved the new modular requests for 2017-2018 as listed: four modulars for West Haven Public School (enrolment pressures due to residential growth in Leduc), one modular for Robina Baker Elementary School (enrolment pressures due to residential growth in Devon), three modulars for Robina Baker Elementary School (life-cycle replacement), one modular for East Elementary School (enrolment growth expected), three modulars for École Beau Meadow School (life-cycle replacement) and one modular for Covenant Christian School (enrolment growth expected).
Solar panel school projects
Superintendent Yanitski provided information from the Alberta government on solar panels to be featured in Alberta’s new schools. As part of its Climate Leadership Plan, the Alberta Government is making funding available for the installation of solar panels for 36 school projects now in the planning or design phase that have not gone to tender.
School resource officer
Superintendent Yanitski commented that at the last board meeting, Leduc County made a presentation requesting financial support from BGRD for a school resource officer for the West area. A letter was written stating BGRD would provide support “in kind”. Superintendent Yanitski stated that the RCMP are our heroes, and BGRD appreciates the support of the SROs. The board will provide support “in kind” to help out with the SRO position within Leduc County.