As Clearview School Division continues to make administrative changes for the next school year, the school board has spoken out this week in hopes of easing concern among staff and community members.
Talk of a pilot project to amalgamate administration staff for the Stettler school complex caused a stir in the community and the Clearview board tried to clarify its position.
In a statement released Tuesday, the trustees said, “We failed to communicate the intent of the pilot project clearly, and we collectively apologize for that failure of communication.
“The intent of the pilot was to analyze the potential benefits and implications of various pre-kindergarten to Grade 12 configurations to best meet the educational needs of students in Stettler and surrounding communities.”
In the same release, the board said it doesn’t plan to reconfigure Stettler schools for the coming year.
“The 2013-14 school year will be one of analysis, consultation and planning for educational programming in Stettler,” the news release read.
But there will be at least some changes at the Stettler complex.
Sharon Fischer has been appointed the principal of both Stettler Elementary School and Stettler Middle School for the 2013-14 school year.
She already had the middle school post. She also takes over the elementary school reins, with the departure of Denise Campbell.
Superintendent John Bailey said he doesn’t envision appreciable changes to the schools, as each would continue to operate individually, with their respective vice-principals still in place.
The board said that with the analysis of programming under review for the Stettler complex during the 2013-14 school year, it didn’t want to hire someone as principal for the elementary school when it might only be a one-year appointment.
The board is confident Fischer is a good fit for the dual position.
“She is known to the community and brings a familiar face of consistency in leadership,” Bailey said.
“We are committed to continue to offer excellent support to our staff, parents and students, and will be adjusting administrative time in these two schools to offer that support.”