Swan Valley
School Division

Executive Summary of the
April 13, 2020

Submitted by:
Jon Zilkey,
Superintendent/CEO




1. The Superintendent reported that the staffing process continues for next year with internal, and some external postings coming shortly.

2. The Board reviewed Policy 12 – Learning Environment Programs and Services.

3. The Board discussed the Pension Committee Meeting in which Human Relations attended, and the MSBA Webinar on Governance.

4. The Secretary-Treasurer updated the Board on the disposal of the Minitonas Early Years School.

5. The majority of the meeting was spent discussing the impacts of Covid-19 on SVSD and continued steps in the future:

a. School classes have been suspended indefinitely, and SVSD schools are transitioning to online learning, paper and pen packages or a hybrid. An information package was sent to parents and students on Wednesday, April 8.

b. The Division is working with both union and non union groups to transition to different roles given the change in learning.

c. The Board talked about and wanted to reiterate that anyone who needs a technology device can get one. Please contact your local school to ask. The Board also had a conversation about food, and again wanted to make sure that parents know that supports are at your local school. Please reach out to the principal if you need help in this or any area.

d. The Board passed a motion for a trial period for edwin, an online and offline learning platform that will have the curriculum in a device for our Grade 6-8 students. This device will be provided to all our Grade 6-8 students. An essential part about edwin is that information can be stored on the laptop and you can use it without having internet access. More information will be shared by your schools when this is available.

e. The Superintendent reported that he did Zoom Information Sessions with both students and parents last week. Over 50 students attended and over 60 parents.

f. Information is being updated on our Facebook page and on the bottom right of our website with new information constantly in regards to Covid-19.

g. The Board talked a great deal about making sure our students were still being educated, communicated with by staff, and learning continued. The discussion included balancing that with mental wellness for all students, parents and staff, and understanding the strains everyone is feeling. There was a good discussion on being supportive for all. Again, the Board thanked everyone for their efforts in this challenging time.

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Minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees held in the Division Office Board Room on April 13, 2020 commencing at 7:00 p.m. (unapproved)

The following were present:
Chair: L. Evans
Vice-Chair: G. Wowchuk – electronic
Trustees: D. Burghart – electronic
K. Highmoor – electronic
K. Riehl – electronic
V. Rooks – electronic
W. Schaffer – electronic
Superintendent: J. Zilkey
Secretary-Treasurer: B. Rausch

Additions to Agenda
By Board consensus the following addition to the Agenda was approved:

13.3 Notice of Motion for the April 27, 2020 Board Meeting to amend the SVSD Procedural By-Law 3/81

Resolutions:

R1 G. Wowchuk, V. Rooks:
THAT the Minutes of the regular meeting of March 23, 2020, be adopted.
CARRIED

R2 K. Riehl, W. Schaffer:
THAT as per Item 9.2, the Report on Capital Disbursements, be received and the payment outlined, approved.
CARRIED

R3 D. Burghart, V. Rooks:
THAT as per Transportation Report 11.1, the additional cost to the 2020 school bus order (March 23, 2020 Board Meeting), as outlined, be ratified.
CARRIED

R4 V. Rooks, K. Riehl:
THAT as per Item 13.3, the Notice of Motion for the April 27, 2020 Board Meeting to amend the Procedural By-Law 3/81, Item Number 84, Trustee Attendance at Regular Meetings of the Board by Electronic Means, be received.
CARRIED

R5 W. Schaffer, V, Rooks:
THAT the Board move to In-Camera.
CARRIED

R6 D. Burghart, K. Riehl:
THAT the Board move out of In-Camera.
CARRIED

R7 W. Schaffer, G. Wowchuk:
THAT the Staffing Reports of the Superintendent/CEO, 8.2 and 19.1.1, be ratified.
CARRIED

R8 K. Riehl, D. Burghart:
THAT the Superintendent’s Report on edwin (Nelson Education Ltd.), 19.4.3, be received, and the recommendation to proceed with the pilot project as outlined in the edwin Pilot Terms and Conditions document, be approved.
CARRIED

R9 K. Riehl, W. Schaffer:
THAT we do now adjourn at 8:45 p.m.
CARRIED