PRAIRIE SPIRIT SCHOOL DIVISION

BOARD GOVERNANCE POLICY MANUAL 

Policy# 21 - Hutterian Colony School Support

The Prairie Spirit School Division continues to support Hutterian Colony schools.  Due to the absence of provincial guidelines, it is incumbent on the Division to establish policy in this area.

The Division and the Hutterian Colonies are responsible for providing a quality education to their students.

The Division recognizes Hutterite Brethren practices regarding the education of their children and will support Hutterian Colony Schools in a manner consistent with Division policy and in a fair and equitable manner.  The following principles will guide support for Colony schools.

• The Division is responsible for providing education services.  Programs and curricula are to be consistent with Manitoba education guidelines and be responsive to Hutterite culture.

• The Colony is to provide suitable facilities for instruction, which comply with provincial and federal legislation and Division Workplace Safety and Health rules. All construction, operating and maintenance costs are the responsibility of the Colony.

• The Division will assign staff to each Hutterian Colony School and provide equipment, textbooks, and instructional materials consistent with allocations similar to all schools in the Division.

• The Division will cover the full cost of a teacher if the student enrolment is fifteen (15) pupils or more.

• If the student count is less than 15 students, the Hutterian Colony and the Division will enter into a cost sharing agreement for the salary of staff on a pro-rated basis.  If enrolment drops below 15 students, the Hutterian Colony may be expected to pay 1/15 of the average divisional Teacher salary for every student below 15 students.

• The Hutterian Colony and the Division collaborate on a mutually acceptable agreement for alternative program delivery.

• Hutterian Colonies wishing to establish new public schools are required to enter into discussion with the Division at least one full school year prior to the intended opening of a new school.

Rental of Facilities

The Division will annually provide rents to the Hutterian Colonies within its borders, for the use of school facilities.  Such rents will be determined by the Board and allocated to Hutterian Colonies equally, following consultation with members of the Hutterian community.