Skip to content

Clearview School Board opposes Stettler County proposed school zone hours

‘Doesn’t make sense’ says school board Vice-Chair Nietz
13688681_web1_180911-sfe-schoolsafety_1

By Kevin J Sabo For the independent

The Clearview School Board opposed Stettler County Bylaw 1660, a bylaw that would increase the speed in the community of Botha from 40 km/h to 50 km/h to bring it in line with the other rural communities in the county, as well as adjust school zones countywide to a set period of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., instead of the three separate times listed in the current bylaw. The county had referred the new bylaw to the school board to get their support on it before it the bylaw passes second and third readings.

The speed limit in Botha increasing concerned the board due to the low volume of traffic typically seen in these areas, however, the change to the school zones did generate some discussion.

“I’m opposed to this on a lot of grounds,” said Vice-Chair Guy Nietz during their regular meeting Sept. 19. “It doesn’t make any sense to me.”

One of the issues the school board has with the proposed bylaw is it would cause a discrepancy with the County of Paintearth, Stettler’s Eastern neighbour, which is also part of the Clearview Public Schools and uses the provincially suggested 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., 1130 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. school zone hours.

After the discussion ended, it was determined by a unanimous decision that the board would not support the bylaw change.

Off to a good school year start

“I think we’re off to a really good start,” said Superintendent Peter Barron, while giving his report to the board, highlighting the all-day new staff orientations, as well as noting some bugs that have been discovered in the Enhanced Learning Model that is going to require some additional training for staff.

After Barron concluded his report, the topic of international field trips was brought forward as a point of discussion.

“Historically, we have a policy to approve field trips abroad,” said Barron. “The previous board curtailed trips to Western Europe. It would help schools if there was some idea of your stance.”

After some discussion back and forth, the board decided that the current policy would stand, where the board would consider each application for a trip abroad on a case by case basis, also noting that travel to any locations listed on the Canadian Government website showing safety concerns would not be allowed.