The uncertain nature of the upcoming provincial budget was a focus of the March 5 Rocky View Schools (RVS) board of trustees meeting, moving board members to identify budget priorities for 2015/16.
As reported in the Feb. 10 edition of the Rocky View Weekly, RVS previously had unanimously approved a 2015-19 Four Year Plan at the Feb. 5 regular meeting.
“Without having details on the upcoming fiscal environment, the work of the board is to say, these are the big picture items to figure out,” said RVS board chair Colleen Munro. “How (do we) spend the money we are going to get in this next budget.”
Priorities identified by the board at the RVS Feb. 5 planning committee meeting included services for inclusive learning environments, specialized services for students with complex and emotional needs, practices that balance literacy and numeracy, and a continued focus on direct classroom instruction.
“(The question is), how can we get the biggest bang for the buck,” said Trustee Bev LaPeare, “knowing that there won’t be that many bucks to go around?”
The board of trustees moved to carry the motion, approving the budget priorities as part of Rocky View Schools’ Four Year Plan.
The Four Year Plan is available at rockyview.ab.ca.
The board moved to approve new course options for use in Rocky View Schools until Aug. 31, 2019.
The courses, which were locally developed or acquired, include dance, musical theatre and yoga. The courses were approved pending authorization from Alberta Education.
RVS trustee Todd Brand introduced a motion to send a letter from the board to Premier Jim Prentice discouraging budget cuts to education in the province.
“I think it’s really important to be on record,” said Brand. “I don’t see why this downturn in the economy should be shouldered by the children of Alberta.”
The motioned was tabled and will be discussed at the next board of trustees meeting, March 19.
