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Palliser Schools efficiency report leads to job cuts

Sep 21, 2017 | 3:34 PM

LETHBRIDGE –  With just over a week before a new Superintendent takes the reigns of Palliser Regional Schools, there is word of other staffing changes at the School Board office.
 
However, the exact nature of those changes won’t be disclosed.
 
A news release from Palliser schools, indicates the Board of Trustees met on Friday, Sept 17 and moved to “instruct and authorize the Superintendent, or designate, to commence implementation of the ‘Immediate Implementation’ Recommendations in the September 15, 2017 Organizational Structure Review Report, as soon as possible.”
 
On July 27, the Board of Trustees commissioned a review of central office administrative structure, to determine its alignment with the Board’s new policy direction and look for the means to increase efficiencies. 
 
A report was originally due on Sept. 5, but the deadline was pushed ahead to Sept. 15 to handle a “high response rate to an interview process.” That report took shape by way of interviews, a study of internal documentation and information gathered from other school jurisdictions
 
The report established a series of both short and long-term recommendations, which included “better communications and coordination within the organization, increased empowerment at the school level, measures to increase effectiveness and efficiency, and the elimination of several positions.”
 
Lethbridge News Now has learned at least three positions have been eliminated at the school board, however, Palliser declined to confirm the number or the specific positions.
 
Not all of the effeciency report recommendations have been implemented, as the remainder will be handled by new Superintendent, Dave Driscoll, after he takes office.
 
Palliser Regional Schools passed a motion on February 28, 2017 to terminate the employment of former Superintendent Kevin Gietz. That action stemmed from an organizational review conducted in the fall of 2016, and originally requested by Gietz, after allegations of bullying and unwelcome physical contact toward female employees were made against him online more than a year previous. Before being relieved of his position, Gietz had been placed on paid leave.