2026-04-15 19:28:29.601 +0000 UTC
Board Meeting Highlights - April 14, 2026
<p><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(62, 62, 62);display:inline !important;float:none;font-family:articulat-cf, sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">Additional information can be found in the April 14, 2026, Board Meeting Agenda package: </span><a href="https://www.myprps.com/news/april-14-2026-public-board-meeting-20260413151629"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(62, 62, 62);display:inline !important;float:none;font-family:articulat-cf, sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">https://www.myprps.com/news/april-14-2026-public-board-meeting-20260413151629</span></a></p><p>------</p><p><meta charset="utf-8"></p><p><strong>Eagle Butte High School Presentation</strong></p><p>Trustees received a presentation from Eagle Butte High School, with school administration and three students from the South Alberta Flight Academy in attendance.</p><p>The presentation highlighted a growing and dynamic school community, with increasing enrollment and a strong number of out of district students choosing Eagle Butte for both its academy programs and regular programming. The school is also seeing students return to Prairie Rose after previously leaving the division.</p><p>A key focus of the presentation was the launch of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program next fall. Students Emmit Openo, Mathew Young, and Brynmore Stanton shared their experiences and provided insight into programming at the school, including how the IB will support their learning by connecting academic coursework with their training in the Flight Academy and other future career pathways.</p><p>Highlights included:</p><ul><li data-list-item-id="e288596a8ae0384a008cb199f9495bc04">Expansion of programming, including IB, Space Exploration, Biochemistry, and Code Blue (paramedic)</li><li data-list-item-id="ef69f2a83230918f5b3b2438f6c99f839">Strong focus on student belonging, with an environment where every student has a group and feels comfortable being themselves</li><li data-list-item-id="e448c87f0d6dad1c60a8f64d54b64dd91">Continued growth in both academy and regular programming enrollment</li><li data-list-item-id="ee3eefc85110baae51fc55a558f320035">Community initiatives supported through grants, with students giving back through events such as paint nights and service based projects</li><li data-list-item-id="e8c7f0cf8f80e064c4243fbb7c1c0e378">Ongoing focus on staff wellness and school pride</li></ul><p>The presentation reflected a strong balance between academic programming, student well being, and future readiness.</p><p><strong>Year to Date Financial Report</strong></p><p>The year to date financial update as of February 28, 2026, was presented noting the division is approximately halfway through both the fiscal year.</p><p>Revenues are projected at $84,029,331, which is $801,232 higher than budgeted. Expenses are projected at $83,139,427, or $88,672 over budget. Overall, the division has moved from a balanced budget to a projected surplus of $889,904.</p><p>The current position reflects higher than anticipated revenues in areas such as sales and services and investment income, along with adjustments to provincial funding. On the expenditure side, variances are largely related to staffing and operational costs across the division.</p><p><strong>Executive Report</strong></p><ul><li data-list-item-id="e76f60a9e1370a410f0aae7f4fcd58187">All Prairie Rose school leaders recently had the opportunity to present to the Executive Team, sharing what has been working well and identifying opportunities to further enhance programming and support for students. The process generated a number of thoughtful and practical ideas, reflecting a strong understanding at the school level of both current successes and future needs. It also provided valuable insight to help inform divisional planning moving forward.</li><li data-list-item-id="e12ff73e74d8ce6fada5c14d1c9ed88a2">A staffing update was also shared, including additional support being added to the complexity team at Irvine School through recently received provincial funding.</li></ul><p><strong>Support Staff Compensation</strong></p><p>Trustees approved a 3% increase to support staff compensation, effective for the 2026–2027 school year. This increase will apply to all support staff including education assistants, administrative assistants, therapy assistants, librarians, maintenance, non-union custodial, technology, student wellness councillors, communications, human resources, payroll, finance, and transportation. </p><p>The decision reflects the important role support staff play across the division and recognizes the increasing scope and complexity of this work. Over the past year, support staff have supported students with diverse and complex needs, adapted to new systems and programs, and played a key role in integrating new schools.</p><p>The Board expressed appreciation for the dedication and professionalism demonstrated across all support staff roles.</p><p><strong>School Calendars</strong></p><p>Trustees approved an update to the main PRPS schools calendar and approved the Colony and Calgary Islamic school calendars for the 2026–2027 school year.</p><ul><li data-list-item-id="e76ca46bb103f880fcde717196604cbe1">The PRPS calendar includes a change to a professional development day, which has been moved from December 4, 2026, to October 8, 2026.</li><li data-list-item-id="e25b755247c07455b03efb22a4e83ec94">Colony and Calgary Islamic school calendars continue to reflect religious and community considerations, while maintaining some consistency with the Public calendar where possible.</li></ul><p>All approved calendars are available on the Prairie Rose Public Schools website: <a href="https://www.myprps.com/calendar">https://www.myprps.com/calendar</a></p><p><strong>South Central High School Field Trip</strong></p><p>Trustees approved in principle an international field trip for South Central High School, which includes travel to Greece and several historical sites.</p><p>The itinerary outlines a multi-stop educational experience, including time in Athens, Argolia, Olympia, and Delphi, along with a Greek Islands component. The trip is planned for Easter break 2027 and is designed to provide students with opportunities to connect classroom learning to real world historical and cultural experiences.</p><p><strong>Communications Accountability Report</strong></p><p>The Board received the annual Communications and Access and Privacy update, highlighting the increasing complexity and demand of this work across Prairie Rose Public Schools. Over the past year, efforts have focused on integrating new school communities, enhancing communication practices, and supporting the transition to updated provincial privacy legislation.</p><p>This work continues to evolve at the intersection of communications, technology, and privacy, requiring more coordinated systems and processes to support schools and departments.</p><p>Highlights included:</p><ul><li data-list-item-id="ef9acb7bd312fc66d16867028f371b27f">Over 5.22 million social media views across school accounts</li><li data-list-item-id="e21622c5fa857fc7179faacb9713f3e19">Expansion of communication tools and processes to support Calgary schools and diverse programs</li><li data-list-item-id="efbb04a798c9906fa025bbe2136feb77d">Increased demand for communication and system support</li><li data-list-item-id="e92379abbf58580bd64b5cf90263db3d2">Growth in access to information and personal information requests</li><li data-list-item-id="e3cfa510755f53d67c74c7bf6fd4eea33">Ongoing implementation of the Protection of Privacy Act and Access to Information Act</li></ul><p>This work continues to strengthen communication practices and support a more coordinated approach across Prairie Rose Public Schools.</p><p><strong>Accolades</strong></p><p>Trustees recognized the efforts and contributions of staff, students, and partners across Prairie Rose Public Schools.</p><ul><li data-list-item-id="e468411ac3d8bac5b8334c6e375bf95e4">Foremost School for successfully hosting provincials, with staff and community members stepping up to support the event</li><li data-list-item-id="ed30226327d8278d3455656d02e5fd10e">Staff across the division for their engagement and participation during Education Week</li><li data-list-item-id="efcc745aac39ddb3eea339e2c752c33f7">Executive Assistant Tannis for her ongoing work to support to the Board of Trustees</li><li data-list-item-id="efc9c3f318bddfa767e1ef64d7b7f7b2f">Trustees Graeme, Patty and Nancy, for their work in preparing and presenting at a recent meeting with the County of Forty Mile on behalf of Prairie Rose</li></ul><p><strong>Trustee Reports</strong></p><p>Trustees provided updates from their respective committees and associations.</p><ul><li data-list-item-id="ef1c9d5a518489f0baaecbf80b9b2c32c">Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) Zone 6 meeting scheduled for April 29</li><li data-list-item-id="ebd01769a578dd66320493ecb572568e6">Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta (PSBAA) meeting held April 9, with discussions focused on professional development, moral decision making, superintendent evaluations, and Indigenous relations</li><li data-list-item-id="e03bb861a6617d5b5fcb2b62ca66462b3">Rural Caucus of Alberta School Boards has begun holding monthly meetings, with a focus on strengthening rural voice and increasing input into provincial decision making</li></ul>
