As part of a bid to grow local communities, Pembina Hills Public Schools (PHPS) is offering a $2,500 incentive to all new and existing staff if they move into the division’s geographic area.
During their May 23 meeting, Pembina Hills trustees reviewed a draft version of Administrative Procedure (AP) 40-06, which outlines the requirements for the relocation incentive and how it will be awarded.
Because this was an administrative procedure, trustees did not have to pass a motion approving the incentive.
The AP first outlines the reasons for offering the incentive. Chief among them is that the growth of PHPS communities will help sustain the viability of its schools.
“Without growth, it’s very hard for our schools to maintain viability,” said secretary-treasurer Tracy Meunier.
Pembina Hills also believes there are many benefits to having employees reside in the communities they work, including reduced travel time and costs. As well, employees who permanently reside in area communities not only contribute to the local economy but volunteer.
The one exception to this AP is Vista Virtual School, which mostly serves students in Edmonton and Calgary.
The $2,500 incentive for new and existing staff that relocate their primary residence to within Pembina Hills’ boundaries can be accessed in one of two ways.
The first is to provide the division with receipts for moving expenses that would be deemed eligible by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to claim as a deduction.
“If the CRA does not recognize it as an eligible moving expense, the division will not reimburse it,” Meunier noted.
The second is to sign a declaration indicating they have moved their primary residence to within Pembina Hills’ geographic boundaries.
In keeping with the CRA’s moving allowance rules, $1,850 of the $2,500 will be reported to the CRA as a taxable benefit for that staff member.
Trustee Jackie Comeau asked how many positions are currently opening up at the Alberta Distance Learning Centre (ADLC). Meunier said there are 36 positions currently posted for the ADLC in Barrhead.
“Really, you could have 36 new families moving (to Barrhead),” said Comeau.
In addition, Supt. David Garbutt said there are 17 staffing positions opening up throughout the division at community schools.
Comeau indicated that would be a huge benefit for new teachers who just finished their schooling and are struggling to make ends meet.
This incentive will pay for their first month’s rent, their damage deposit and give them money to survive the first month, she noted.
“And it’s not just for new employees either … it’s also for any existing employees,” Comeau added.
Board chair Jennifer Tuininga said Pembina Hills has been working more with local municipalities about ways of encouraging staff to reside locally.
“We’ve asked our municipalities also to think creatively on how we can entice our staff to come and live within our geographic boundaries,” she said.
“So this is a joint effort in terms of Pembina Hills, and also with our partners around us.”
Tuininga said Pembina Hills has created a new webpage under the Careers section that contains information on local communities, as well as links to local realtors’ websites.
The Westlock and Barrhead municipalities are also passing along information to Pembina Hills’ communications officer that will help advertise both communities.
During meetings with the town and county of Barrhead, as well as the chamber of commerce, she said she had heard they were planning to do something for new residents during the Barrhead Street Festival on Saturday, June 9.
Tuininga said she would get in contact with the mayors and reeves of the local municipalities once again to let them know about the new AP.
“I think this is very exciting. This is a positive step for us. We hope it brings in some new people,” she said.
