Swan Valley
School Division

Executive Summary of the
April 27, 2020

Submitted by:
Jon Zilkey,
Superintendent/CEO




1. The Superintendent reported that the staffing process continues for next year, with some interviews taking place this week.

2. The Board reviewed Policy 13 – Finances.

3. The Acting Transportation Supervisor gave his annual report to the Board. Thank you to Brad for his first report.

4. The Secretary-Treasurer gave an update on the pending sale of the buildings(s) and property, formally known as the Minitonas Early Years School, to the Municipality of Minitonas-Bowsman. An update on the disposal process of the building, formally known as the Birch River School, also was presented.

5. The Board discussed the impact of the 15% decrease in management costs Provincial School Divisions have to submit to the Province by the end of May.

6. In regards to Covid-19:

a. The Board discussed the requests to submit potential savings and possible targets by the Provincial Government Treasury Board for all public bodies, and the impact it has on SVSD and its employees. The Secretary-Treasurer went over the budget and the challenges of estimating things given Covid-19.

b. The Board reviewed the delivery of curriculum to students at this point. It was discussed how that looked at each school, including the number of students the Division has reached. While the Board would like all students engaged, it was impressed with the efforts of both schools and families, as the number of students not contacted was low.

c. The Board reviewed the continuity plan for all administration positions within SVSD.

d. The Board discussed the technology options for students who did not have internet and the challenges we face with connectivity in the Valley, particularly rurally. The Division’s IT Supervisor has been looking at many options and will continue to do so.

e. The Board discussed the systems schools have in place for package pick up, and discussed the positive things the schools are doing right now. They also discussed some of the challenges schools and parents are facing with multiple platforms. The School Division is working on a tutorial for some of these platforms to help our parents and students.

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

g. The Superintendent reported the next step is to get information from the Province on Recovery Learning by Friday, May 1, potentially, and start working on what that looks like in our schools for the fall and the possible impacts this will have.

h. While challenges exist and will continue to, the Board once again thanks all staff, students and parents for their exceptional work in this difficult time.
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Minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees held in the Division Office Board Room on April 27, 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

Resolutions:

R1 K. Riehl, G. Wowchuk:
THAT the Minutes of the regular meeting of April 13, 2020, be adopted.
CARRIED

R2 V. Rooks, K. Highmoor:
THAT the Board move to In-Camera.
CARRIED

R3 D. Burghart, W. Schaffer:
THAT the Board move out of In-Camera.
CARRIED

R4 K. Riehl, K. Highmoor:
THAT as per Item 9.2, the offer from the Municipality of Minitonas-Bowsman to purchase the former Minitonas Early Years School and Property, be accepted and approved.
CARRIED

R5 V. Rooks, G. Wowchuk:
THAT the Board move to In-Camera.
CARRIED

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

R7 D. Burghart, K. Highmoor:
THAT the Staffing Reports of the Superintendent/CEO, 8.2, 19.2.1 and 19.2.5, be ratified.
CARRIED

R8 G. Wowchuk, K. Riehl:
THAT the 2019/20 Budget Update Report, 19.3.4, be received and the Technology Items, as outlined, be approved.
CARRIED

R9 K. Highmoor, W. Schaffer:
THAT the Report on the disposal of the Birch River School, 19.3.5, be received and the recommendation, as outlined, be approved.
CARRIED

R10 K. Riehl, K. Highmoor:
THAT we do now adjourn at 9:33 p.m.
CARRIED