The future of Stettler’s public schools was the topic of discussion at an open house held last week in the Performing Arts Centre.
Close to 100 people attended the event, intended as an opportunity for administrators and staff to explain some of the changes planned for next year, and for parents and other members of the public to voice their concerns and have their questions answered.
The open house, held on the evening of Wednesday, March 18, included presentations by Clearview Public Schools superintendent Peter Barron, elementary school principal Sharon Fischer and high school principal Norbert Baharally.
In addition to parents, staff, students and community members, among the audience members were the entire Clearview Public Schools board, including chairperson Cheri Neitz, who welcomed everyone at the start.
Neitz explained that the proposed changes to Stettler’s public schools are the result of several years’ worth of research, discussions, surveys and consultations.
“This process has taken years, and now we know it is the best time to move forward,” she told the audience, adding that public input is still welcome as many of the plans for the 2015-2016 school year are not finalized.
Barron also said he hoped to alleviate some uncertainty amongst parents through Wednesday’s open house and allow a forum to receive their input. An online survey, open until Wednesday, March 25, was also announced for those unable to attend the event.
Last fall, Clearview trustees tasked the superintendent with determining the best course for resolving the issues with the schools. He returned to the board in January with a recommendation to reconfigure the Stettler school complex, effectively turning three schools into two.
Stettler Elementary School (SES) will expand to include Kindergarten through Grade 6, while the middle and high schools will be replaced with a “secondary learning centre” that will cover grades 7 through 12.
Further motions in February called for the expansion of Botha School to include Grade 6, bringing it into alignment with the Stettler schools, and for the Outreach School to be brought under the leadership of the secondary learning centre.
Barron said the new reconfiguration would provide a wealth of opportunities for Stettler and area students, from improving the transition between schools to allowing cost savings and a better use of staff and resources.
“We don’t have an abundance of money,” Barron said. “We have to be smart about what we have.”
In her presentation, Fischer said the elementary school anticipates the need for three Grade 5 classrooms and three Grade 6 classrooms next year.
She explained how changes to several rooms — including renovations to the science room and the removal of the Stettler Middle School (SMS) library — would make room to accommodate those students.
The expansion of Career and Technology Foundations training to Grade 5 classes will allow some new options for those students, including an expanded band program.
Fischer noted her own prior apprehension about the changes to the schools and how they would impact “our identity,” but added that she is now “excited about the opportunities those students will have.”
Staffing levels will depend on funding provided in the provincial budget, expected on March 26, but Fischer is expected to remain as elementary school principal.
Current SMS vice-principal Jeff Lee will stay on, while SES vice-principal Kate Syson, currently on maternity leave, will return to her position in January.
Baharally will continue as secondary school principal next year. Two vice-principals, Dianne Enyedy and Warren Aspenes, are expected to stay on, along with a third, yet to be officially determined.
In his presentation, Baharally explained how the Character in Action and Teacher Advisor programs would allow the school to maintain a homeroom model across all grades.
He also explained how students in grades 7 through 9 would see gradual changes in programming as they move up through the years, with students in grades 10 through 12 having all courses split by semester.
While the outreach school will no longer have its own principal, Baharally said the school’s programming will be maintained with no educational program cuts. He also said the reconfiguration will improve transitions and expand opportunities for outreach students.
Baharally also spoke to concerns about possible bullying of younger students, explaining that most of the classes and activities for grades 7 through 9 would be housed in the complex’s central wing.
“You need to be assured that it’s going to be a supervised place,” he told parents, also noting that lunch times for different grades would be staggered, while noon-hour activities will be offered for younger students.
As of next year, Baharally said, athletics will be divided into two age groups, and Grade 9 students will no longer be able to participate in high school athletics.
He detailed other changes in the works for the coming year, such as expansion of the learning commons, the use of one school entrance and the possibility of late starting times on Fridays.
Associate superintendent Peter Neale spoke briefly about proposed changes to the facilities themselves, after which Barron returned to the podium to speak about the concerns expressed so far — some of which were taken verbatim from the survey conducted in January.
Following a brief question-and-answer session, the attendees were invited to break up into discussion groups to express their concerns and offer their input and suggestions.
While the evening mostly proceeded without incident, Barron was loudly interrupted at one point — apparently by a former student, who quickly quieted down at the superintendent’s behest and did not interject again.
During the Q&A, one parent, Michael Coenen of Stettler, raised the question of the January survey, asking why the results had not been made public and pressing Barron to reveal how many respondents had voted for the school configuration to remain the same.
Barron acknowledged that the majority had selected that option on the survey, but Neitz explained that the survey was just one piece of information considered by the board in making its decision.
Trustee Yvette Cassidy spoke further on the subject, explaining that the board felt that this was the time to act, and that delaying a decision by another two or three years would be detrimental to students.
“A lot of the groundwork is already there to make this transition as smooth as possible, and seamless,” she said, adding that if the board dragged its feet any longer, “we’re going to be broke, and we’re not going to be able to deal with the things that pop up, and it’s going to be the kids that suffer.”
“Nothing we’re saying today is etched in stone, or ‘forever and ever’,” added Neale, explaining that the division and its schools must constantly adapt, and be willing to change when current methods aren’t working.
During the Clearview board meeting on Thursday, March 19, trustees voiced their pleasure with both Wednesday’s event and a similar forum held the previous Monday for staff.
Trustee Staci Gerlitz said she understood many in attendance were impressed and inspired by what they learned, while Neitz said many of the discussions that followed were helpful and productive.
Similarly, trustee Ken Checkel said it was a good opportunity to speak directly to concerned parents, adding, “I think they’re starting to recognize that there are solutions to the obstacles.”
“We’ll continue to act in the best interests of students, and be responsive to community input as we move forward,” said Barron.
For more information, including the complete presentation from Wednesday’s open house, visit www.clearview.ab.ca.