After months of debate and discussion about the 2013-14 budget, Clearview trustees approved the second draft of the spring projection budget.
At its board meeting last Tuesday, trustees voted 4-3 in favour of the second of two options presented by administration for consideration.
The proposed budget will be discussed with the principals before being posted on the website for public feedback from April 30 to May 15.
Because staffi ng is a site-based decision, principals would determine what staff reductions might be necessary, said Clearview chairman Ken Checkel.
He said some schools have made staff reductions in the past few years to make adjustment to declining enrolments, while other schools still need to do so.
The budget talks go back before the board for fi nal approval before being sent to the provincial government May 31.
Busing agreement
The Clearview board met with their East Central Catholic Schools counterparts in a closed-session discussion on an agreement to amalgamate the two transportation systems.
Checkel said the meeting was “positive.”
He said his board had a few more questions that needed answers and the senior administration of the two boards would work on those.
“There is a commitment on both sides to fi gure out something — it doesn’t make sense to run two bus systems in the same area,” Checkel said.
He said the goal was to have an agreement in place before September.
School recognition
Clearview recognized the Byemoor School’s Heritage Fair as part of its “celebration presentation” program that showcases “good things happening” in Clearview schools.
Byemoor principal Corey van Zandbergen showed a slide presentation to the board of the projects of the April 11 fair.
Students researched and made displays showcasing Canadian heritage. Some topics included Sir Frederick Banting’s discovery of insulin, women’s hockey, the Halifax explosion, Canadian involvement in the Korean war, cattle breeds in Canada and Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump.
Van Zandbergen said the fair is sanctioned by the Canadian Historical Society and Heritage Canada.
The Byemoor students will take their projects to the Central Alberta Heritage Fair at the Red Deer Museum on Saturday.
Education Week
The board discussed Education Week, which is this coming week, as an opportunity to endorse public education, highlight education partnerships and recognize contributions made by students, staff and volunteers.
Community meetings
The board continues its Clearview tour tonight with a “community consultation meeting” in the Stettler Elementary School drama/music classroom.
An Erskine meeting is scheduled for this Thursday night.
Last night, the board gathered with Big Valley residents.
The series wraps up in Stettler on May 13.