Capital Plan under development: The Board considered projections and priorities that will guide the development of its Three Year Capital Plan that must be submitted to the province by March 31. A number of schools are expected to exceed capacity within the next few years. In June, the province announced a new elementary school for Timberlands which will welcome 500 students in September 2014. Even with the new school, projections by Alberta Education and the district, as well as a number of other local factors, indicate continued growth for the district and a real need for additional school space, particularly at the elementary level, within the next five years.
With the 2014 opening of Timberlands, the district will be undertaking a review of attendance boundaries to optimize school facilities.
In addition to new school space, existing schools will be prioritized for modernization.
The Board provided direction to administration who will present an updated Capital Plan to the Board in March.
"Si" to Spanish Bilingual: As part of the district's International Strategy, GH Dawe has launched a Spanish Bilingual Program. The program would provide students the opportunity to acquire the basic skills for speaking, reading, writing, listening and communicating in both English and Spanish. Initial registrations for kindergarten demonstrate sufficient interest for the program to begin this September. While numbers are limited in grade one, registration will remain open in hopes this program can proceed as well. Contact GH Dawe School at 403-342-3288 if you are interested in registering for either the kindergarten or grade one programs.
Board considers wind power: Wind could power Red Deer Public Schools in the future. The board considered a proposal for school jurisdictions to participate in a wind farm project that would provide environmentally friendly power along with potential costs savings. The district is a member of the Commodity Purchasing Consortium which uses the volume and buying power of 38 school jurisdictions to purchase electricity under contract. In looking to the future, the consortium is considering a wind power project. It is expected that a guaranteed cost for power would provide predictable pricing and also anticipates savings as power costs are expected to rise in the future. The board agreed to provide a non-binding letter of intent to be a partner in the project.
Aussies arrive: With three of our teachers "down under", logic might have it that their counterparts are "up and over" as they experience teaching in Red Deer Public Schools. Grandview, Fairview and Lindsay Thurber have welcomed teachers who are part of a year-long teacher exchange program. The teachers shared their initial impressions of Canada with the Board and look forward to an exciting year of teaching and adventure in Canada.
Financial update: The Board reviewed and approved the quarterly financial report that indicates revenues and expenses on the district's $107 million budget are on target.
Political Advocacy: Needing to be responsive to changing political issues, the board supported the Alberta School Boards' Association establishing a Political Advocacy Task Force that will monitor and respond to issues facing schools and education.
Funding needs shared with government: In advance of the upcoming provincial budget, the Board shared the importance of adequate, sustainable and predictable funding for school jurisdictions with the provincial government.
For media inquiries, please contact Bruce Buruma, Director of Community Relations at 403-342-3708 or at bburuma@rdpsd.ab.ca
