Education Council

General presentations

• 1103214 – Collaboration between the Hafnarfjörður Music School (TH) and primary schools

  A report from the working group is presented. The Headteacher of TH, the Headteacher of Víðistaðaskóli and a parent representative from the working group attend the meeting to follow up on the report.

  The guests were thanked for the well-prepared report.

• Budget for Educational Services 2012

  A proposal for a subsidy for children in day care, together with the rules, was presented.

  The Education Committee approves the proposal, together with the regulations, by three votes from the representatives of the Social Democratic Alliance and the Left-Green Party, and refers it to the Town Council for final disposal.$line$$line$Representatives of the Independence Party abstain and request that the following be recorded:The fee changes proposed here are part of the budget drawn up by the majority in the town council, which the representatives of the Independence Party do not support. We therefore abstain from the vote on this matter.$line$$line$Representatives of the Social Democratic Alliance and the Left-wing Greens wish to make a statement for the record:$line$Representatives of the Independence Party have had every opportunity to participate in decisions on day-care provider fee changes at the education board.

• 1104074 – Independent nurseries, contracts for management

  Final draft of the service agreement with the Bjarma infant nursery was presented.

  The Education Committee unanimously approves the agreement.

• 0909258 – Education Department, course delivery

  Course booklets for nursery and primary schools for the spring term 2012 were presented.

• 1112011 – From the Association of Gun School Teachers in the Hf.

  A letter dated 25 November 2011 from the representatives of the primary school teachers' association was presented.

• 1112080 – Bjarkavellir 3, amendment to the local plan

  The following motion was put forward: “The Education Committee requests that the Planning and Building Committee change the detailed plan for Bjarkavellir 3 from a nursery and primary school to a four-department nursery school.“$line$ Rationale: $line$ The planned construction of a nursery and primary school was intended for the Hjallastefnan, which has now erected permanent premises for the primary school on Hjallabraut. The site at Bjarkavellir is small and parking is limited. It is therefore sensible to make this change now so that the site is ready for the nursery school when it is decided to build it.

  Representatives of the Independence Party would like to point out that the buildings in question are not provided for in the 2012 budget, and that a decision on the works will not be taken unless funds are allocated to them on that basis. Therefore, no position is being taken here on the construction of a nursery school at this stage. Regarding the change of use from a primary and nursery school to a four-form-entry nursery school, we would highlight the importance of ensuring that the local community, whose interests are to be protected, receives a thorough presentation of the proposed change to the area's school provision, should the development proceed.

• 0811240 – Education Council, grant awards

  A proposal for the Education Council's 2011 grants was presented.

  The Education Committee agrees to grant the 2011 Fire Prevention Campaign a grant of kr. 80,000. The Education Committee cannot accommodate Sjavarbarrinn's application for a grant to produce a film.

• External assessment of primary schools

  A letter from the Association of Icelandic Municipalities was presented, stating that the project board for education- and the Ministry of Education and Culture, and the Association of Icelandic Municipalities, concerning the implementation and introduction of provisions of the Act on assessment and supervision, invite Hafnarfjörður Municipality and Víðistaðaskóli to participate in a pilot project on external assessment of primary school operations.

  The Education Committee approves participation in the project.

• Inspections of nursery and primary schools

  Announcement from the Ministry of Education and Culture that institutional inspections are planned for three primary schools and three nursery schools in the spring term of 2012. Councils interested in having an evaluation of the work of a nursery and/or primary school within their area are invited to apply. The application deadline is 12 December. The Director of the Department presented his proposal for the application.

  The Education Committee approves the director's proposal to apply for an inspection of the Hvammi and Stekkjarás nurseries.

• 1008213 – Education Committee, agenda

  The first meeting of the education committee after the New Year will be on 9 January, and then every two weeks.

  The chairman wishes the councillors and their families a Merry Christmas and thanks them for their cooperation in 2011.