Work conducted to develop the school division’s three-year plan has paid some dividends.
Wolf Creek Public Schools (WCPS) superintendent Jayson Lovell spoke to trustees at a regular board meeting on Feb. 16, noting in his report that a team from Alberta Education had some positive things to say about WCPS’ efforts in reaching the ministry’s goals.
The three-member field services team from Alberta Education held a three hour meeting recently with senior WCPS administrators and Lovell to go over the goals set out in the division’s three-year plan along with a variety of statistical measures.
Lovell stated area’s of discussion included literacy, the pre-kindergarten program, First Nations Metis Inuit programming and the collaborative response education model.
“Each of these areas were discussed in relation to how they contributed to both student growth and staff development,” Lovell stated.
“Field services also asked about the challenges WCPS has had around investing in educational resources, implementing inclusion policies and funding plus class size and staff wellness.”
The field services team was positive with how WCPS has worked on many of the plan’s goals, plus the work done on continuing efforts on growth of students and how the plan is aligned with Alberta Education’s business plan.
Future remains Bright
Registrations continue to stream in for the division’s Bright Futures Play Academy, with around 200 now received for next September. Lovell told trustees that possible expansion of the program to other schools in the division also continues to take place, which would mean more room and enhanced educational opportunities for pre-kindergarten children.
Bus driver, bus driver
WCPS continues to face several challenges in recruiting bus drivers, not the least of which is the demographic that typically perform the job.
Lovell stated a meeting was held earlier this month with WCPS transportation manager John Blood and a number of items came out that may lead to changes in order to attract more applications.
Among the challenges being worked on, and strategies being looked at, include finding younger drivers, finding a good balance for those that want to use driving bus as a second income and letting people know how attractive and competitive the wages and benefits are for drivers, plus that parents with pre-school children can take them along during their bus runs.
Summer School
WCPS is in the process of planning to host summer classes through its Outreach programs. Lovell explained he and the learning services department have met with staff and hope to have further details and information available for trustees next month.
Funding reduction
Trustees were also provided with an update on the regional collaborative services delivery model that WCPS helped form four years ago with several other central Alberta school divisions.
The model sees the divisions come together to deliver services such as mental health, speech language and occupational therapy to students. Over the past three years, Lovell stated the need for services has continued to increase though the $1.3 million in annual funding from four years ago has not changed, leaving a growing deficit.
Communication has been sent to the government demonstrating the impact the lack of adequate funding is having, though a response has yet to be received.