A Summer Full of Refurbishments, Building and Planning
After a busy couple of months of preparation, a new and exciting year has begun at Avon Maitland.
The Board marked their first gathering of the academic year with an official meeting to discuss what has recently been accomplished ‘on the ground’ at schools and to set course for the bustling year ahead.
To help in setting your own course for the year at home, please see our School Year Calendar 2016-17.
Good News
An Increase in Enrolment
Associate Superintendent Cheri Carter brought news that enrolment across the District is up 170 students with the increase found within the Junior/Intermediate and JK/SK Grades. As a result Avon Maitland will be able to add additional teachers to the system
Newest School Opens
Superintendent Janet Baird-Jackson celebrated the opening of Avon Maitland’s newest school – North Perth Westfield Elementary (Listowel). Over 3500 visitors came through the facility during an Open House held on August 31 and the first day of school went very well. An official opening will be announced shortly.
Tenders Over the Summer – Facilities Projects
At the June 28, 2016 Board meeting, authority was delegated for Administration to proceed with tenders over the summer period for Facilities projects and to report back to the Board at its next regular meeting.
Drainage and Asphalt at Sprucedale Public School
This project is the second phase of drainage upgrades including connection to the municipal storm sewer and asphalt replacement in the playground, driveways and teacher parking lot, following the smaller phase one project undertaken in the summer of 2015. R. Russell Construction (lowest bidder), was awarded the contract in the amount of $317,902.34. The Municipality of Perth East has agreed to share the construction and engineering costs, with the Municipality covering approximately $78,912.50 plus HST and the Board covering approximately $202,417.00 plus HST. This project will be funded through the School Renewal grant.
Sportsfield, Track and Path Upgrades at F. E Madill SS/Maitland River ES
This project involves grading and reseeding the sportsfield within the running track to be funded by the Bridges Fundraising Campaign, drainage and grading of the track and surrounding areas, plus drainage and modification of the access path to ensure compliance with the current AODA standards, triggered by the major retrofit of the sportsfields, to be funded by Avon Maitland. Roubos Farm Service Ltd. (lowest bidder), was awarded the contract in the amount of $114,718.73. Avon Maitland has agreed to cover all engineering fees plus the construction work associated with the drainage and pathways, with the Bridges Campaign (fundraising committee) funding the sportsfield and track upgrades, according to their fundraising initiative. Any contingency required will be apportioned according to area of work. This project will be funded through the School Renewal grant.
Masonry Repair and Window replacement at St. Marys DCVI
The initial project approved by the Board at its regular meeting of June 14, 2016 was for window replacement and masonry repairs to the south elevation, first and second storey at DCVI, consistent with previous phases of this work. An expansion of the original project by approximately 50% was included in the summer projects, in response to Ministry direction that boards wherever possible, release more projects for summer work using the additional infrastructure funding capital released at that time. Direction was therefore provided to the successful contractor, K & L Construction Ltd., for an expansion of the project scope by approximately 50% of the original contract amount of $329,395.00. Subsequent to this direction, on-site conditions were discovered which have added to the scope and price of the contract. This increase to the original project will be funded through the School Condition Improvement grant.
Roof at Mitchell District High School
This project involved reroofing the area over the large gym and mezzanine housing the gym fitness centre over the change rooms. Smith Peat Roofing & Sheet Metal Limited (lowest bidder), be awarded the contract in the amount of $400,469.74 confirming at the same time that the work would be complete prior to the start of school. This project will be funded through the School Condition Improvement grant.
Roof at South Huron District High School
This project involved reroofing the area over the large gym. Smith Peat Roofing & Sheet Metal Limited (lowest bidder), be awarded the contract in the amount of $224,535.52 confirming at the same time that the work would be complete prior to the start of school. This project will be funded through the School Condition Improvement grant
Future Board Meetings
(at Education Centre unless otherwise noted)
- Tuesday, September 13, 2016 – 8:00 p.m. Regular Board Session
- Tuesday, September 27, 2016 – 5:00 p.m. Audit Committee, 6:30 p.m, 7:30 p.m. Student Senate Committee, 8:00 p.m. Regular Board Session
- Tuesday, October 11, 2016 – 6:00 p.m. Committee of the Whole – Open Session, 8:00 p.m. Regular Board Session
Future Meetings/Events with Trustee Representation
(at Education Centre unless otherwise noted)
- SAL: Tuesday, September 27, 2016 – 9:00 a.m.
- Audit Committee: Tuesday, September 27, 2015 – 5:00 p.m.
- AODA: Wednesday, September 28, 2016 – 4:00 p.m.
- SEAC: Wednesday, October 5, 2016 – 4:00 p.m.