Good News Items
- Trustee Garry Kissel commended Glendon School for a memorable graduation celebration and highlighted the community spirit showcased during the annual car parade.
- Vice-Chair Cheryl Edwards congratulated the graduating class of Bonnyville Centralized High School. She also recognized the celebration of student achievements through awards presentations in several Bonnyville and Cold Lake area schools.
- Trustee Roy Ripkens praised the Bonnyville Outreach School graduation ceremony, noting that the valedictorian was a second-generation gradate of the school.
- Trustee Lois Phillips participate in the joint graduation ceremony in Lac La Biche, celebrating graduates from J.A. Williams High School, Lac La Biche Outreach School, and Journeys Learning Academy.
- Trustee Debra Lozinski expressed appreciation to Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement for including students from throughout the Lac La Biche region in their Indigenous Peoples' Day celebration, which saw participation from approximately 400 students.
- Dallin Schmidt, Communications Assistant, presented Good News highlights from schools throughout the division. The full presentation is available on our website: Good News - June 25, 2025
Technology Accountability Report
Bob Barrett, Director of IT/ET, updated the Board on a variety of technology initiatives throughout the division:
- NLPS continues to maintain a 1:1 student-to-Chromebook ratio, ensuring equitable access to technology across all schools. Additional devices, including desktops, laptop, and iPads, support specialized programming and assistive technology.
- A pilot project to transition staff from Windows computers to Chromeboxes was completed in 19 classrooms, with positive feedback. Four schools will have their computers replaced over the summer as part of a phased in approach over the next few years. Chromeboxes offer longer lifespans and eliminate annual licensing costs, resulting in significant savings.
- Cost savings are also being realized through printing, including a decrease in the number of photocopiers from 90 to 66 and a change in contractor for the machines.
Facilities Update and Summer Plans
Leah Rout, Director of Facilities, shared progress on current and planned summer maintenance projects:
- Contracted projects underway or completed include:
- Replacing heat exchangers, furnaces, hot water heaters and roofing
- Fire pump control upgrades
- Topographic surveys at two sites
- In-house facilities work includes:
- Intercom/speaker upgrades, secure entrance improvements, and door glazing
- interior lock replacements and lighting enhancements
- Additional summer projects will include:
- Fencing, flooring, sidewalk repairs, gym equipment, and sprinkler inspections
- Interior keying and installation of outdoor basketball nets
2024 Friends of Education Award - Military Families Support Society
The Board presented its final 2024 Friends of Education Award to the Military Families Support Society. Since the establishment of Art Smith Aviation Academy, MFSS has played a pivotal role in ensuring students have access to enriched academic and extracurricular opportunities. This includes securing space for the school on 4 Wing Cold Lake, covering maintenance costs, and seeking out grants and donations to enhance programming — from transportation services to flight simulation technology.
More information is available on our website: 2024 Friends of Education Award: Military Families Support Society
Policy 20 - Transportation
The Board approved in principle updates to the policy that are required due to the new ridership fee that was approved by the Board earlier this spring. Additional recommendations will be reviewed by the Policy Committee for further revisions.
2025-2026 Budget Measures
Superintendent Rick Cusson outlined measures being implemented to reduce division-wide spending by $6.8 million in the upcoming school year. This is due to not receiving anticipated Jordan's Principle funding, a planned deficit for 2024-2025 to bring the division under the province's reserve cap, and increased costs that the division did not receive adequate funding for.
Cusson reiterated that one of the primary goals in developing the 2025-2026 budget was to protect classrooms as much as possible. The budget also commits to continuing to offer full-time kindergarten programming despite provincial funding covering only half-time, and maintaining meal programs in schools, with an additional $150,000 invested beyond the specific funding allocated by the government.
A total of $1.9 million in spending reductions were identified in areas such as professional development, technology, daytime cleaning, transportation, and putting several initiatives on hold such as learning consultants, the division's EA coaching program and the mobile trades lab.
Since the budget was approved by the Board, administration has moved forward with reducing staffing levels throughout the division. This includes:
- a decrease of three school administrators and 23 teaching positions, done through attrition (retirements and resignations)
- a reduction of 18 educational assistant positions, done through attrition and adjustments to school allocations
- A redesign of the division’s mental health supports to a regional multi-tiered model, resulting in a reduction of 10+ student advocacy counsellors, offset by the addition of three mental health therapists and a clinical psychologist
- An adjustment to library service delivery, resulting in an overall reduction in full-time equivalents to librarians
- division office staffing reductions, reducing expenditures in centralized services by $450,000.