Swan Valley
School Division

Executive Summary of the
May 11, 2020

Submitted by:
Jon Zilkey,
Superintendent/CEO




1. The Superintendent reported on many positives in the Division, the parade that SVTA is organizing, the work the Town of Swan River is doing with SVRSS for our graduates, and Taylor’s video of support for their parents and children.

2. The Board reviewed Policy 14 – Audits.

3. The Vocational/Technology Director, Cam Mateika, gave his annual report to the Board. He talked about the many partnerships SVSD has within our vocational field including the Home Builder’s Program, and the Heavy Duty Program, which has been halted due to Covid-19. An overview of each vocational technical area, and the work of the instructors regarding the programing changes in their respective area was given. The Technology Department has been very busy with the change to distance learning at SVSD. The Board talked about the platforms the Division is using with Cam right now, and how that might look in the fall.

4. The Secretary-Treasurer updated the Board on the Disposal of the former Birch River School and Property.

5. The Board discussed the recent Louis Riel Arbitration decision.

6. In regards to Covid-19:
a. The Board discussed the technology and student engagement at SVSD. The Technology Director talked about the challenges with technology that exist right now, particularly in our rural areas.
b. The Board discussed the challenges that exist for Graduation at SVRSS given the restrictions on gatherings. Similar to other school divisions, SVRSS is going to look at alternative ways to recognize their students.
c. The Board discussed that the province may be loosening student access guidelines to allow a few students into the school to get extra support and technology in the future. The document will be released on Friday, May 15. We will primarily focus right now at the high school level.
d. The Board discussed edwin and the release this week and next to our grade 6-8 classes.
e. The Board discussed the potential changes to access SVSD playgrounds.
f. The Board discussed the draft plans for Recovery Learning for SVSD. The Superintendent has met and continues to meet with K-8 and 9-12 admin groups to go over plans in this area. They also discussed common themes among other divisions. The Superintendent reported on different potential options that we need to consider for September.
g. The Board talked about the realization of how difficult it is for parents, students and staff right now in sustaining the distance learning, how we must all work to support each other, check on each other, and make connections with our students and parents.
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Minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees held in the Division Office Board Room on May 11, 2020 commencing at 7:00 p.m. (unapproved)
The following were present:
Chair: L. Evans – electronic
Vice-Chair: G. Wowchuk
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 additions to the Agenda were approved:
14.2 May 01, 2020 – Meeting with MLA Wowchuk
14.3 Trustee Wowchuk – Verbal Report – attended the Swan Valley District Recreation Commission Meeting

Resolutions:
R1 V. Rooks, K. Riehl:
THAT the Minutes of the regular meeting of April 27, 2020, be adopted.
CARRIED

R2 D. Burghart, K. Highmoor:
THAT as per the Report of the Secretary-Treasurer, 9.2, a by-law to provide for the borrowing of up to $203,400.00, by issue of Promissory Note #LTPS0384, to meet the costs for the various projects authorized on Schedule “B” attached, be read a first time long and numbered 1/2020 and the seal of the School Division affixed thereto.
CARRIED

R3 W. Schaffer, V. Rooks:
THAT the Verbal Report of the Board Chair regarding the May 01, 2020 meeting with MLA Rick Wowchuk, 14.2, be received.
CARRIED

R4 V. Rooks, K. Riehl:
THAT the Board move to In-Camera.
CARRIED

R5 W. Schaffer, D. Burghart:
THAT the Board move out of In-Camera.
CARRIED

R6 K. Riehl, W. Schaffer:
THAT the Staffing Reports of the Superintendent/CEO, 8.2, 19.2.1, 19.2.3 (unpaid leave), and 19.2.4 (unpaid leave), be ratified.
CARRIED

R7 K. Highmoor, D. Burghart:
THAT the Report on the Progress of the Disposal of the former Birch River School and Property, 19.3.1, be received.
CARRIED

R8 V. Rooks, K. Riehl:
THAT we do now adjourn at 10:00 p.m.
CARRIED