Issues covered at Tuesday’s meeting of the Flin Flon School Division Board of Trustees included:
Though final numbers won’t be known until the end of the month, Superintendent Blaine Veitch said overall enrollment across the four schools appears to be down about 30 students from last year.
Enrollment is key to division finances since much of its funding is awarded on a per-student basis.
Last year, enrollment dropped to 989 students, the first time in decades it failed to surpass the 1,000 mark. Only one school, Ruth Betts Community School, gained students last year.
Veitch announced that the division has again hired Margaret Head-Steppan, an Aboriginal Elder, as a part-time Elder and cultural advisor.
Head-Steppan will work in all four schools, supporting cultural programming and the retention of Aboriginal culture. She is also available for student and individual staff counselling, as well as classroom teachings.
Veitch estimates that nearly 40 per cent of students in the division are of Aboriginal descent, compared to 10-15 per cent a decade ago.
Veitch also announced that shop teacher Natashia Herring will pilot a new program with French Immersion students in the École McIsaac School shop.
This will help expand instruction time offered to immersion students in grades 7 and 8, Veitch said.
Parents had sought more French language instruction time for immersion students.
Trustees voted to sign contracts with a number of teachers and substitute teachers.
Shari Anderson was hired as a part-time teacher, while Linda Lowe joins the staff as a youth mentor and essential skills coordinator.
Teachers placed on substitute teacher agreements for 2014-15 were: Elaine Angelski; Arlene Collins; Cynthia Davey; Doug Gawiak; Krysta Hammond; Carmen Johnson; Cindi Lee; Susan Lindsay; Caroline Loat; Glenna McKay; Cynthia Minter; Darlene Myden; Susan Power; and Leslie Ruben.
Seven additional substitutes will be place on agreements provided they successfully obtain a limited teaching permit: Cynthia Bjornson; Flo Day; Stefanie Didychuk; Brenda Gira; Paula LeClair; Kyla Reierson; and Katrina Windjack.
Hapnot Collegiate students have the opportunity to join a photography club, but so far interest has been insufficient.
Teacher Daniel Dillon has put out word that he will run the club if at least five students take part. As of this week, he only had three.
Interested students are invited to contact Dillon for more information.
Trustees confirmed that they will not elect a new board chair or vice-chair prior to the Oct. 22 election.
That means trustees Murray Skeavington and Karen Yeo will remain chair and vice-chair until the new board comes into office.
