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Board Meeting Highlights for September 2015

MEDIA RELEASE
September 30, 2015

GUELPH, Ontario – The September meeting of the Upper Grand District School Board was held on September 29, 2015. The following provides highlights from the meeting.

Tender awarded for new East Guelph elementary school

Trustees voted to award the contract for a new JK-8 French Immersion (FI) elementary school in East Guelph to low bidder Devlan Construction Ltd., at $6,987,430. Nine general contractors submitted very competitive bids, with the lowest five within $300,000 of each other. The total budgeted cost of the project, including architect fees, furniture and equipment, is $8,650,000. The new school will be constructed on a parcel of land at Couling Crescent and Watson Parkway North. Two additional classrooms have been added to the original concept design, bringing the on-the-ground (OTG) capacity to 541 pupil places. The project is funded in part by savings from previous projects and the proceeds of disposition. The Ministry of Education allocated approximately $1.425 million to fund the portion of the project that accommodates Full Day Kindergarten (FDK).

Interim financial report

Superintendent of Finance Janice Wright presented a snapshot of the board’s finances as of August 31, 2015, the last day of the fiscal year for 2014-2015. Staff are now working on year-end adjustments, in preparation for a final report. The budget for 2014-2015 was $351,129,761. Classroom instruction, including teaching staff, textbooks, supplies, library and guidance, was budgeted at $255,720,686, with funds 99.5% spent as of August 31. The non-classroom budget of $94,561,474 was 94.9% spent as of August 31. Examples of non-classroom expenses include costs related to principals and vice-principals, school offices, board administration, operations and maintenance of schools, continuing education and transportation. Some expenses incurred during 2014-2015 cannot be accounted for on August 31, as there are invoices and claims yet to be received.

Environmental achievements for 2014-2015 highlighted

Karen Acton, Environmental Sustainability Lead, presented an overview of the progress and accomplishments made on environmental initiatives during the 2014-2015 school year. Upper Grand is an environmental leader among school boards across the province. An Environmental Management Committee coordinates activities guided by an action plan with four pillars: learning and teaching, staff and student engagement, environmental leadership, and community connections and partnerships. Successful initiatives in the previous year were numerous, including a slogan contest, guest speakers, environmental conferences, workshops, a record number of EcoSchool certifications, the “Less Paper Campaign,” school greening projects, and the opening of a fifth Environmental Learning Centre. Trustees congratulated staff and students on the passion, dedication and commitment to the board’s vision of environmental sustainability.

Staff recognition days

Trustees voted to recognize the 15th annual Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Day on October 8, 2015. The board will also recognize World Teacher Day on October 5, 2015.

The next regular monthly meeting will be held by on Tuesday Oct. 27, 2015, at the Guelph Board Office, 500 Victoria Road North. Everyone is welcome to attend. The meeting begins at 7:00. p.m. 

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For more information:
Heather Loney, Communications & Community Engagement Officer
519-822-4420 ext. 725
[email protected]

Categories: News