Boardroom Newsbrief - January 29, 2019

Boardroom Newsbrief - January 29, 2019

(The Newsbrief is meant to provide the highlights of the decisions made at the Board meeting for the benefit of our community. The notes do not serve as the official record of the meeting. Please refer to Board or Committee minutes).

Facilities Renewal and School Condition Improvement Project 2018-2019

Approved

Trustees approved the Facilities Renewal Program (FRP) budget in the amount of $99,366,836. Staff reported an increase in infrastructure dollars to support FRP. Projects are prioritized based on inspections of school facilities. Approximately $40 million is required for annual school maintenance. Capital renewal projects and upgrades to facilities are considered targeted projects. Staff was directed to proceed with individual project tenders within the Facilities Renewal Program and School Condition Improvement Project plans. Some examples of multi-year investments include LED lighting improvements throughout schools; auditorium upgrades; conversion from steam plants to hydraulic plants; and noise control improvements in some schools.

As projects are tendered (based on bid results or changing priorities) additional projects may be added or removed as long as it is in keeping with the overall budget. Contingency projects may proceed without further approvals providing the total overall FRP/SCIbudgets are not exceeded. In addition, Chair of the Board and Director of Education were given authorization to award contracts above $500,000 that are within this approved budget.

Extended Day Program (EDP) Daily Fee Rate 2019-2020

Approved

The Extended Day Program will see no fee increases in school year 2019-2020. The fee will remain unchanged at the basic rate of $22.50 per day for students who attend the program full-time. The full day fees for optional days of care will also remain unchanged at $35.00 per day. Trustees were advised there is a high satisfaction rate among district EDP parents.

New Fernbank Elementary School Study Consultation Plan and Timeline

Approved

Trustees approved the New Fernbank Elementary School Study Consultation Plan and Timeline. The consultation process and timeline is designed to establish the opening grade structure, program offering, and an attendance boundary for a future elementary school to be built in the Fernbank area of Stittsville.

Ministry funding has not yet been received for the proposed new elementary school. However, in May 2018, the Board approved this proposed new elementary school as its number one capital priority. It is hoped a decision on this project will be received by the end of the 2018-2019 school year.

The consultation process is designed to have a minimum of three meetings relating to timing, phasing, and programming. John Young Elementary School, Bridlewood Community Elementary School and  Westwind Public School, School Councils will be consulted as will members of the community.  Public input will be sought following Ministry funding approval.

Additional Expenditures 2018-2019

Approved

Trustees approved additional expenditures beyond the amounts identified in the 2018-2019 Budget including:

  • $500,000 for classroom furniture 
  • $500,000 for additional emergency educational assistant 
  • $4,000,000 to accelerate improvements to the WiFi infrastructure and
  • $1,600,000 to increase the Districts’ fleet of Chromebooks

These increases were necessitated by higher than expected growth in student enrollment.  The additional funding for furniture will support schools modernizing learning spaces within their facilities. The additional spending can be achieved while still meeting a projected surplus of $3 million.

The Board Meeting ended at 8:19 p.m. 

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