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New gymnasium floor for Big Valley on its way

Clearview Division gets subscription gift worth $35K
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By Stu Salkeld The Stettler Independent

Clearview Public Schools trustees heard a detailed update from their superintendent during the regular board meeting Aug. 31. All trustees were present for the meeting.

Superintendent Peter Barron gave an update on what the school district was up to over the summer, which is much busier than some might think. “Lots happens over the summer,” said Barron.

New teachers

Barron said the division welcomes six new teachers for the 2017-18 year. As it turns out, three of them are actually former Clearview students. “I think that is a very positive sign,” said Barron, noting it’s good to see young residents returning to the community.

Barron said he also recently attended an ATA seminar for aspiring leaders that was launched this year. The course would be of interest for those teachers who would like to work in administration some day.

Improvement fund

The superintendent stated that resources from the Classroom Improvement Fund have been arriving at certain schools. He noted some schools may be getting their own resources, while some other schools may have to share resources.

Barron noted that Scholastic also had some good news for Clearview. The schoolbook company told the division it was gifting a five-year subscription to its e-resources, which is a $35,000 value.

Summer work

The superintendent stated plenty of work was done around the division this past summer, plus some upcoming. He sated work will begin soon on the Big Valley gymnasium.

Assistant superintendent Peter Neale noted the gym will be an Olympic-style standard floor, which is very low maintenance compared with waxed hardwood. “A wet mop is all it needs,” said Neale.

Neale noted the new floor will last as long as a hardwood one and is similar to the floor in the Botha gymnasium.

Barron said technology upgrades were completed at central office, Wm. E. Hay and Botha, while other sites will be completed during the school year.

Waive fees

During Barron’s report deputy chair Dave Goodwin noted a refugee family which has been living in Ethiopia will be arriving in Stettler soon, and asked if it’s possible that transportation fees for the family’s kids can be waived.

Neale noted those fees can’t be waived out of hand. He stated a letter of request should be sent to the division, and that request will go before the trustees for a decision.

Work plan

Following Barron’s report trustees examined the governance work plan. Neale noted last year’s plan, the first, was used a base with changes to reflect the current year. “There shouldn’t be any surprises on this,” said Neale.

Board chair Cheri Neitz said the plan is a great way to keep tabs on projects. “Peter’s been really good at tracking what we’re doing…and what we’re not doing anymore,” she said.

After the plan was approved by vote, trustee Karen Holloway noted work plans in different forms have been used by the division for years, just not regularly updated.

Neitz noted the plan will shine after the next municipal election. “This will be real easy for the new board coming in,” she added.

Upcoming events

Barron noted Reading Week will be marked in Clearview the second week of October which “a focus on literacy that week.”

He noted the week will feature a variety of events including trustees, staff, students and families that may include things like book report presentations and kids talking about their favourite books among many other activities.

Stu.Salkeld@pipestoneflyer.ca