The Lakeland Catholic Board of Trustees met for their regular meeting on May 29, where they discussed the spring budget, Three Year Education Plan, and transportation fees, among other topics.
Grade 7-12 Curriculum Update
The Board of Trustees learned what the future holds for students in Grades 7 through 12 at Lakeland Catholic Schools, during a presentation by Chantel Axani, Deputy Superintendent.
In her presentation, Axani highlighted Schollie Survey data in relation to assessments, literacy, numeracy, CTF/CTS/Careers, and Professional Development.
“This data is what drives the decision making that we do, and I am really pleased to say that the data in all areas is quite high and strong,” she said.
For example, parents are very pleased with the work the division is doing and believe their children are being challenged by their teachers, and their teacher’s are using methods that help their child learn, and the needs of their child are met in their school.
Axani said this shows teachers are working with students to discover the best way of learning for each individual student and are adjusting their teaching practices to support student learning.
First and second year teachers have indicated they require further resources in their classrooms in order to provide and demonstrate excellent assessment practices and learning opportunities for students.
Another area currently under review is grading.
“In November 2022, I met with the high school principals and began having conversations in regards to grading, weighting, reporting, and assessment, knowing we are seeing discrepancies between and within buildings and what are the different areas they might need support,” said Axani, adding since then, professional development has taken place and was described by teachers as beneficial.
This included professional learning held for teachers on the basics of grading and assessment, a topic the division will continue to expand on in the coming school year.
“Now that the division has a reminder of the common language surrounding grading, weighting, and assessment, we need to dig deeper into what that looks like,” Axani said.
Lakeland Catholic has also started offering collaborative team meetings and collaborative time for teachers to come together in groups to discuss issues and areas of most concern.
Looking ahead, LCSD will focus on ensuring planning reflects the best assessment practices, summative assessments, and collaboration on grading between schools.
During her presentation, Axani discussed the successes and potential areas for growth when it comes to literacy.
Overall, parents are highly satisfied with the quality of writing programs available to students and teachers are also satisfied with school-level supports and resources.
Ninety-three per cent of parents expressed satisfaction with their school’s efforts to improve literacy, teachers are satisfied with professional learning activities offered are high quality, and teachers are pleased and agree professional learning activities meet their needs.
Literacy screeners, provided to the division by Alberta Education, have been implemented throughout grade levels. A working group was formed to review other options after teachers provided feedback surrounding the current literacy screeners used at the division.
When it comes to numeracy, there is an upward trend in parent satisfaction.
Areas that should be addressed include supporting Grade 7 and 8 teachers who are educating students that have experienced the new mathematics curriculum.
One of the ways the division is addressing this area is through professional learning opportunities including an hour-long meeting with Jackie Ratkovic, Designer of Professional Learning with Learning Network Educational Services.
During what Axani described as a “fireside chat,” teachers will have the chance to discuss some of their most pressing numeracy-related questions.
The three key areas of focus when it comes to numeracy are creating relationships through math, ensuring teachers have a thorough understanding of the curriculum, and differentiating the learning for students.
Students are satisfied they understand and know they have career counselling services in their school, and parents are pleased their child has information and support regarding their career options.
The division is going to continue to expose students to various careers and trades through the annual Lakeland Student Trades Fair, as well as expanding career pathway options to students in Grades 5 and 6, and building on the already existing partnership with Portage College.
Lakeland Student Trades Fair Success
Communications Officer Meagan MacEachern provided an overview of the success of the 2024 Lakeland Student Trades Fair.
The event was organized in partnership with Northern Lights Public Schools and saw over 2,200 students from LCSD, NLPS, and Consiel scolaire Centre-Est transported to the Bonnyville Centennial Centre for a two-day trades fair.
The event was well received by vendors, students, and staff based on responses provided through an online survey.
Vendors described the students as excited and engaged, and the event featured a great mix of professions, was held in a great location, and thought it was a fantastic event.
Lakeland Catholic students said they really enjoyed the event overall. From the variety of booths, the hands-on opportunities, to the passion of the vendors when talking about their careers, those who attended were happy to have the chance to learn about thir options after high school.
The variety of vendors, the bingo cards, and transportation being covered were highlights for staff.
Across all three groups, the common consideration for next year was assigning schools a specific time to attend the fair - it would result in less crowding, more time at vendors, and a consistent flow throughout the day.
Three Year Education Plan
The Board approved the division’s Three Year Education Plan. The six priorities included are:
Priority One: Catholic Christian Identity
Priority Two: Student Growth and Achievement
Priority Three: First Nation, Métis, and Inuit
Priority Four: Learning Supports
Priority Five: Teaching and Learning
Priority Six: Governance
Spring Budget
Secretary Treasurer Tessa Hetu presented a draft of the spring budget for approval.
Student enrolments are forecasted at 2,700 for the 2024-25 school year, which is on par with this year’s number. Enrolment projections are estimated by rolling current students to the next grade level and using a three-year average for Kindergarten.
Annual revenues are projected to be over $45.7 million, with sources including Alberta Education grants ($34.06 million), the Alberta Teacher Retirement Fund (1.75 million), Municipal taxes ($3.33 million), tuition for students funded through the Educational Service Agreement ($821,000), school generated funds ($1.05 million), Jordan’s Principle ($1.49 million), supported amortization ($1.77 million), and other ($1.43 million).
A surplus is estimated, with expenditures at approximately $45.5 million. This includes a forecasted $27.9 million in staff salaries and benefits, $13.5 million on services, contracts, and supplies, and $2.1 million in amortization expenses.
This results in a net 0.45 per cent surplus of $206,000 for the year.
Hetu noted, the division is projecting capital reserves at approximately $692,000 at the end of the 2025 year. This includes purchasing an administration vehicle ($39,000), maintenance equipment ($41,000), and technology evergreening ($250,000).
Lakeland Catholic is also projecting accumulated operating reserves of approximately $1.78 million by the end of 2025, representing a percentage of 4.10 per cent.
This, Hetu said, is in keeping with the operating reserve limits noted in the Funding Manual for School Authorities.
The board unanimously approved the spring budget.
Transportation Fees
Thanks to an increase in transportation funding, the board will continue to offer free busing for all Lakeland Catholic School Division students for the 2024-25 school year.
Board Chair Mary Anne Penner was pleased to be able to continue to offer transportation at no cost to families who may already be struggling.