Good News Items
- Board Chair Karen Packard acknowledged that this was the final meeting of the current board and presented Long Service Awards from the Alberta School Boards' Association to Trustee Garry Kissel (5 terms), Trustee Debra Lozinski (3 terms), Trustee Mandi Skogen (3 terms), Trustee Ron Young (2 terms). Combined, the current trustees have over 74 years of service. She also thanked Superintendent Rick Cusson, Deputy Superintendent Jimmi Lou Irvine, and Secretary-Treasurer Paula Elock for their service, guidance and support over the last four years.
- Trustee Lois Phillips celebrated the erection of fencing around the site where the replacement school for Vera M. Welsh Elementary will be constructed.
- Trustee Garry Kissel commended Glendon School on an excellent meet the teacher night and community awareness night event.
- Nicole Garner, Communications and Public Relations Manager, presented Good News highlights from schools throughout the division. The full presentation is available on the NLPS website: Good News - October 1, 2025.
TEBA-ATA Memorandum of Agreement
Superintendent Rick Cusson provided the Board with an update on negotiations between the Teacher Employers' Bargaining Association (TEBA) and the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA). ATA members voted 89.5% against accepting the latest proposal. The strike notice for October 6 is still in effect.
The government rolled out two parent supports that will be in place during a teachers' strike. One is a hub of instructional resources that parents and students can access. The other is financial compensation for families with children 12 and under of $30 per day or $150 per week to help cover childcare costs.
Cusson said the division had already begun implementing its labour action contingency plan and would be preparing students, families, and staff for the upcoming strike. During the strike, schools will be closed and schools will not be offering any educational programming.
Board Operations Summary
Secretary-Treasurer Paula Elock noted that the division was sitting at a lower deficit than what had been projected. More adjustments were anticipated as the division closes its fiscal year-end, and Elock said the final actuals should end up close to the deficit projected in the spring.
Elock also reported that discussions with Indigenous Services Canada in regards to Jordan's Principle funding for 2024-2025 are ongoing and the division has been asked to provide additional information. The initial application for funding was submitted in July 2024.
Save-the-Date: Retirement Recognition
The Board's Communications and Recognition Committee recommended setting Friday, May 1st as the date for this year's New Teacher Induction and Retirement Recognition celebration. This is an annual event hosted jointly with the Alberta Teachers' Association Local #15.
IGNITE 2025
Due to the anticipated labour action, the Board decided to postpone IGNITE 2025, which was originally scheduled for Friday, October 10th. IGNITE is the division's annual professional development day that brings together all staff for a day of learning and collaboration.
Election 2025 Update
Following Nomination Day on September 22, five candidates were acclaimed as trustees for the 2025-2029 term. Incumbents Karen Packard, Mandi Skogen, and Ron Young were acclaimed in Ward 2 - Cold Lake area. Incumbent Lois Phillips was acclaimed in Ward 3 - Lac La Biche, James White in Ward 5 - Lac La Biche South, and Sandy Makokis in Ward 4 - Lac La Biche - Plamondon North.
There will be an election held in Ward 1 - Bonnyville. There are five candidates for three open positions: Cheryl Edwards, Lorena Hagen, Mark Hunt, Garry Kissel and Roy Ripkens.