Hockey Academy program to expand to Charles Hays Secondary in 2016-17

The success of the Prince Rupert Middle School Hockey Academy program has provided the Board of Education with enough information and feedback to go ahead with a decision to expand the project, with School District 52 making plans to offer a similar program at the City's high school this fall.

As part of their School District Meeting on Tuesday, the Board of Education announced plans to offer the program through Charles Hays Secondary School noted that the Hockey Academy project at CHSS was made possible by the approval of a Board Authorized Course at the Tuesday meeting.

The program at Prince Rupert Middle School has been in existence for over a year now, while the concept of the Charles Hays Program was outlined for students and parents earlier this year at a public information session.

Earlier this year, parents of some of the students that participated in the Hockey Academy program offered up some of the benefits that they have found from the involvement of their children with the PRMS version.

As well, those in support of the PRMS program made note of some of the ways that those participating in the project have contributed back to the School.

In the past, the creation of the program at Prince Rupert Middle School had received a mixed reaction at the School District level, with the President of the Prince Rupert District Teachers' Union having expressed some concerns (see here and here) related to that program last year.

Some background on both the PRMS and CHSS programs can be found below:

Prince Rupert Middle School
Charles Hays Secondary

The Hockey Academy program takes place from September to January.

For more items related to developments with School District 52 see our archive page here.

SD52 adopts 2016-17 Budget with a number of cuts

The Board of Education at School District 52 adopted their financial plan for 2016-17 on Tuesday evening, approving a budget that delivers a number of cost cutting measures to address the Board's deficit issues, while also targeting a reserve to address future operational issues.

Reductions were made in a number of administrative areas, along with cuts to teaching positions and support staff duties. Also included as part of the cost cutting are reductions in the use of speech language assistance and that of an occupational therapist.

As part of the financial reduction plan, operational savings were also found by eliminating both the bus transportation service in the region as well as ferry service to Metlakatla.

Those two areas for cost reduction items provided for much of the focus of the lead up to the Budget process, with the School District conducting a survey earlier this year that for the most part telegraphed that those two services were among the items at the top of their list for elimination.

Board Chair Tina Last noted that School District is not obligated to provide transportation for students as part of their mandate towards delivering education on the North Coast.

Some of the proposed reductions were outlined in a presentation to the Board (a link to the PowerPoint presentation is available on the SD52 website).

A look at some of the key elements of those  notes can be found below:

In a media release following Tuesday's meeting, Board Chair Tina Last noted the difficult decisions that was faced by the Board and offered up a hopeful suggestion that the prospect of increased enrolment in the future could mean that the need for further significant reductions will be reduced.

“The Board appreciates the hard work and input of staff across the district to enable a balanced budget,” .. “The Board has made some very difficult decisions that will impact many district employees. We look forward to increasing enrolment in future years that will minimize the likelihood of making further significant reductions.”

The Board's Total Operating Expenses for 2016-17 are listed at $26,046,000.00, the breakdown on what goes into that Total amount can be reviewed below:

The School District provided a copy of the Approved Budget Worksheet changes to the SD52 website, it provides a snapshot of many of the areas of interest that the Board reviewed as part of their decision.

More background on the budget process and other issues related to School District 52 can be found on our archive page

Old Daily News building may find new life as health and substance use centre

The Old Daily News Building may
soon serve as a one stop mental health
and substance use centre if funding
is approved for a local project

Should their plans come together and the grant funding make its way through the system, a local group looking to develop a collaborative mental health and substance use centre could soon set up shop in the Old Daily News Building downtown at 7th Street and 2nd Avenue West.

As we outlined on the blog on Tuesday, the local group has been working towards their goal of developing the much needed resources for youth in the community, they currently are hosting an online survey that they invited the public to take to help provide further input to their planning.

More background when it comes to the initiative of the Local Action Team working on issues related to Child and Youth Mental health and Substance Use was outlined at a meeting held last evening, with Mayor Lee Brain making note of the proposal as part of a post to his Facebook page related to civic issues.

In his review of the evening's discussion, Mayor Brain notes that the centre would provide integrated mental health and substance use services, including access to on site doctors and health workers.

The BC-IYSI centres are designed as "one stop" storefronts, that offer youth friendly accessible hours directed towards those between 12 and 24 years of age.

Some background on the project and an example of what it looks like when implemented can be found here.

The Prince Rupert application has made it to the second and final stage of the grant process, with final decision to be delivered sometime in May, according to background information on the Integrated Youth Services Initiative website.

One project from each health authority will be selected as part of the final grant allocation process.  In the Northern Health Authority region, the Prince Rupert application is in competition with one from the YMCA of Prince George.

Further information related to the local initiative can be found on the Facebook page for the local group, you can review their previous notes and keep up to date on their progress here.

As well the CYMHSU Collaborative also has this Facebook page with general information on their work in the community

City of Prince Rupert on the hunt for the Iceman

The skating and hockey season may be done for the North Coast for another year, but plans are already in motion for the return of ice to the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre by the time that September rolls.

With four months or so to go before the ice goes in, the City of Prince Rupert is on the search for an Icemaker posting a job opportunity notice on the City Website this week.

The Part Time Seasonal position offers a minimum of 20 hours per week and is part of the CUPE 105 bargaining unit with the City. Two years experience in arena ice maintenance, as well as operating ice resurfacing and skate sharpening equipment make up part of the qualifications for the position.

You can learn more about the opportunity from the notice below (click to expand):

The deadline for applications is April 29th at 4PM, the Start date for the job will be in August.

You can review some of the past employment opportunities and other notes on labour relations at the City of Prince Rupert from our archive page here.

A mulling Mr. Cullen

NDP MP Nathan Cullen is weighing
his options when it comes to any
NDP Leadership quest 

When we last checked in on the plans of Skeena-Bulkley Valley NDP MP Nathan Cullen, he was heading off to last weekend's NDP convention in Edmonton.  A policy convention that has shaken up the third place party on the federal scene and an event which invited NDP Leader Tom Mulcair to exit the leadership, stage left we assume.

As we noted in our preview of the Edmonton convention, Mr. Cullen was supporting the desire to see Mr. Mulcair continue on as leader, having stated earlier this year that he wasn't inclined to pursue leadership ambitions at the time.

However, with the rather startling dispatch of Mr. Mulcair who could not even garner fifty percent support to continue on with this job, the NDP will now turn its attention towards who will take the reins of and what direction the party will go during the next three and a half years of this Liberal government's mandate.

One name that has quickly returned to the top of the prognostication list is that of the Skeena-Bullkey Valley MP, with Mr. Cullen frequently noted as someone that the party membership may be inclined to support. The MP who represents Northwestern British Columbia was shocked at the final result of Sunday's vote count on Mulcair's leadership, leaving him to reconsider his thinking on whether he will seek out the now open race.

Though one question for the NDP MP to weigh as he works towards his decision is one of where the NDP is going from here. With Mr Cullen to decide if the party's recent lurch to the hard left in Edmonton will provide the room for his political philosophy and whether he can bring the now very different factions of the NDP together in the middle.

Mr. Cullen has noted that he will take some time to consult with family, friends and fellow members of the NDP before coming to a decision on whether to take the leap in the NDP leadership fray.

So, while he mulls over his options, we'll track the trial balloons and background notes that pop up along the way to his eventual decision.

Our compilation of items related to his personal leadership review can be found on our House of Commons archive.

June

June 4 -- Nathan Cullen decides against NDP leadership run  NCR
June 4 -- NDP stalwarts line up to avoid worst job in Canadian politics - the party's leadership
June 3 -- B.C. MP Nathan Cullen won't seek to replace Tom Mulcair as NDP Leader
June 3 -- 'Why pretend?' Nathan Cullen rules out NDP leadership run
June 3 -- MP Nathan Cullen rules out bid for NDP leadership
June 3 -- Few lining up for chance to lead the NDP
June 3 -- MP Nathan Cullen won't seek NDP leadership
June 3 -- B.C. MP Nathan Cullen won't run for NDP leadership
June 3 -- Nathan Cullen opts out of running to replace Mulcair as NDP leader
June 3 -- BC MP Nathan Cullen won't seek NDP leadership
June 3 -- Cullen won't run for federal NDP Leadership
June 3 -- Cullen confirms he won't seek NDP party leadership
June 3 -- Nathan Cullen says he won't run for NDP leadership
June 3 -- Cullen not running for NDP leadership
June 3 -- Nathan Cullen formally declines Federal NDP leadership bid
June 3 -- Nathan Cullen won't seek to replace Mulcair as NDP leader

May


May 26 -- Nathan Cullen's NDP Leadership Decision coming sooner Rather than Later
May 16 -- Nathan Cullen leery of running for NDP leadership

April 

April  20 -- Cullen early favourite in NDP leadership race
April 20 -- Avi Lewis, Jagmeet Singh and Nathan Cullen are favourites to take party helm
April 20 -- Is Nathan Cullen joining the NDP leadership race?
April 18 -- NDP already working to bridge the Leap, Says MP Nathan Cullen
April 17 -- MP Cullen ponders a run at federal NDP leadership
April 16 -- What's the NDP all about anyway?
April 13 -- The NDP's hard left turn into an existential crisis
April 13 -- Tom Mulcair says NDP wants him to stay on as leader until the party finds his successor — so he will
April 13 -- Mulcair says he has caucus support to remain leader until successor named
April 13 -- Megan Leslie not jumping into NDP leadership race
April 13 -- B.C. MP Nathan Cullen hints at possible bid for NDP leadership
April 13 -- The NDP has a dream leader. One problem: She's not running
April 12 -- Nathan Cullen hints he may enter race to be new NDP leader
April 12 -- MP Nathan Cullen weighs in on Port Authority Letter to Lelu Island and Leadership Bid (audio)
April 12 -- Cullen considers Leadership (video)
April 12 -- Cullen now says he's considering the Federal NDP's Top Job
April 12 -- Cullen "Not Strongly in Favour of Running" for NDP Leadership
April 12 -- Nathan Cullen mulls possible bid to succeed Mulcair as NDP leader
April 12 -- For the NDP, the only place now is at the far left of political spectrum
April 12 -- B.C. MP Nathan Cullen mulling run for NDP leadership
April 12 -- Cullen the next NDP leader?
April 12 -- NDP MP Nathan Cullen talks possible leadership run and why parts of the Leap Manifesto makes him "uncomfortable" (audio)
April 11 -- NDP MP Nathan Cullen talks about running for NDP leadership (audio)
April 11 -- NDP MP Nathan Cullen on running for NDP leadership (audio)
April 11 -- With Mulcair out as NDP leader, here's what's next for the party
April 11 -- Divisive leadership vote fuels anger in NDP's Alberta wing
April 10 -- Who will replace Tom Mulcair as NDP leader? It could be a crowded field (video)
April 10 -- With its Jack Layton-esque centrism in tatters, radical Leap Manifesto will doom the NDP
April 10 -- Eight possible candidates for the NDP leadership, from an ex-deputy leader to a documentary filmmaker
April 10 -- Federal NDP left with no clear successor to Mulcair
April 10 -- After Mulcair's defeat, here are five potential NDP leadership candidates
April 10 -- NDP aftermath: An early look at potential candidates to replace Tom Mulcair

For those with an interest in Federal and Provincial politics, we have a number of other notes, links and articles to be found on our Political Portal D'Arcy McGee.

SD52 reverses position, approves Two week Spring Break for 2017

After a  process that included a public consultation session with the public and discussion with stakeholders, some online background for consideration and two votes on the issue, Tuesday night found School District 52 trustees finally delivering their verdict on a two week Spring Break for 2017.

A decision that following some significant input from the public now reverses their original indication of a preference for just one week in March.

At their Tuesday School District meeting, the trustees voted 5-1 to approve the two week model that will see students and teachers away from the classroom in Mid March, the vote bringing to an end a controversial and at times emotional discussion on the issue.

“There has been considerable discussion in the community following the Board’s decision on March 15, 2016" ...“Trustees have responded to those comments and the district will have its first 2 week Spring Break next year. Trustees will evaluate the impact of next year’s calendar in order to inform their decisions for future years.” -- SD52 Board Chair Tina Last on the decision to shift to a two week Spring Break for 2016-17

In an interview with TV7, some of the tension that the Board faced was revealed with Board Chair Tina Last noting that they had received a large number of emails from parents and guardians expressing disappointment and at times anger at the original plan from the School District.

School trustee Teri Lynne Huddlestone observed that some of the commentary that trustees received was hurtful in nature, while other members of the board also took note of the response from the public when it came to their original preference.

The backlash against the School District's original plan to stay with the one week break model began to grow after the March 15h School District 52 meeting, with a number of parents taking issue with a number of observations from Board members, many of them taking to social media to express their frustration and at times anger.

What was supposed to be a decision day of March 30th, provided no resolution to the issue, with trustee Huddlestone giving notice that she would be asking the Board to reconsider the March 15th decision.

The trustees acted on that notice on Tuesday and then moved forward to their vote which provided for the 5-1 approval for 2016-17, with only trustee Sanchez holding to the 1 week preference.

In a media release issued later in the week, the Board of Education confirmed that the 2016-17 Spring Break will run from March 13 to 24.

SD52 has adopted a two break as part of the
School Calendar for 2016-17

For the moment, the two week break is only in place for the next school year, the information statement also notes that the Board will evaluate the two week break next year and that calendars for future years will be presented and discussed by the Board next year.

You can review more notes on Education on the North Coast from our Archive page here.

Small Business Advisory Council plans move forward

After a couple of false starts and a workshop to clear up some outstanding issues on composition, Councillor Blair Mirau finally had the chance to introduce the Terms of Reference for the Small Business Advisory Committee he had been championing since the fall of 2015.

At Monday's Council session, Mr. Mirau outlined the frame of reference for the project with a purpose statement:

That the committee provide City Council with research and recommendations on policies that integrate business development into municipal planning, while balancing social and environmental impacts and promoting sustainable and smart growth.

Membership for the Committee will consist of City Council members, as well as other participants to be appointed by the Mayor and Council utilizing the same process as for other community boards.

The goal of the Committee is to deliver a number of initiatives, which include the following:

Development of a new business welcome and information package

Creation of a Mayor and Council "business walk" program

Create options regarding downtown renewal such as a business improvement area

Introduction or reduction of policies to simplify business operations with the municipality such as lifetime business licensing fees, extending business façade improvement program or other similar programs 


Council voted to accept the motion with no discussion, which now moves the project forward.

The full terms of reference for the Committee can be reviewed below (click to expand):

The introduction of the Terms of Reference can be viewed from the City's Video Archive starting at the one hour seven minute mark.



For more items related to Monday's Council session see our Council Timeline archive here.

Further background on City Council issues can be found on our Council Discussion page.