South East Cornerstone Public School Division facilities manager Andy Dobson shared with the board a progress report on existing renovations, and an update on the status of projects that have yet to begin, during the South East Cornerstone board's monthly meeting on January 16.
Some projects undertaken by the division are awaiting submissions, Ministry of Education approval or have been substantially completed. Major renovations such as roof replacements and repairs are also underway or awaiting ministry approval.
The six phase process for the Weyburn Comprehensive School, for example, is on schedule, with an expected completion date of August 2013 for Contract 1.
Heating and ventilation at other schools are two areas which the ministry hopes to address at the division and school level, with system upgrades to occur within the school year.
Dobson also alluded to a new maintenance system, to be fully transitional by September 1. The preventative maintenance and renewal (PMR) funding model will see the division focusing on operations and maintenance of schools across the division. The system provides a more efficient way of monitoring systems, and will change the process for service requests.
Initially, service requests drove maintenance operations. With the PMR system, maintenance personnel will spend two or three days in schools and assess areas crucial to functionality by using a preventative checklist.
In this way, the department hopes to reduce the number of service requests by providing constant monitoring. Additionally, by utilizing the PMR funding model starting in April 2013, annual projects will not require ministry approval. Higher project prioritization will occur at the division level and the formula is expected to provide consistency.
The department is also utilizing the priority management system (PMS), which drives the fame service request, long-term planning and the facilities department budget. PMS addresses a number of areas for strategic planning such as emergency, health and safety, structural and preventative maintenance, approved department projects, regular maintenance requests, equipment, the site and the budget.
Other highlights from the meeting were:
*The board adopted the budget planning guide for the 2013-14 budget. The budget will focus on principles such as student achievement, human resources, smooth transitions, board engagement with stakeholders, facility infrastructures and others. These priorities not only align with provincial priorities, but also promote, educate and support the community through clearly outlined procedures and practices.
*The board adopted a revised policy handbook. Revisions focus on term length, clearly established board decorum and the board chair's responsibilities.
*A recommendation from the director of education was approved to maintain a student-teacher ratio of 14.74 for the 2013-2014 school year. There will also be continued support for the full implementation of Cyberstone, which is the division's virtual school.
*The next regular meeting will be February 14. The annual meeting of electors will also take place on that date.
