The Board of Trustees of Rocky View Schools (RVS) unanimously approved moving ahead with a review of all ward boundaries at its April 7 meeting.
In February 2013, Trustees approved the hiring of a consultant to review the boundaries for the City of Airdrie wards one and three only in response to the annexation of Airdrie in 2012. That review was to take place in 2016, however, School Superintendent Don Hoium said changes to population in the school division overall required that review be expanded.
“We’ve had a meeting with the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) consultant already and I think what we’ve learned from that time with him is that this is a very messy, difficult, tricky task or project for him to take on,” Board Trustee Norma Lang said, in making a motion to rescind the previous 2013 motion.
“Before we go too far down any particular path on this front, the most important thing is to put all the variables out and understand them.”
Board Chair Colleen Munro said any changes to ward boundaries would need to be submitted to the Minister of Education by March 1, 2017, prior to the next general election to allow time for the boundaries to be approved.
Edwin Parr Nomination
The nominee from RVS for the ASBA Edwin Parr Award for 2016 is Annette Dobson from Nose Creek Elementary School in Airdrie. The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the nomination April 7.
A committee of trustees composed of Fiona Gilbert, Sylvia Eggerer and Todd Brand chose Dobson, a first-year Grade 1 teacher, as the RVS nominee from applications submitted by schools throughout the division.
“I have been part of this committee for the last couple of years and it’s always great to hear about all the great things happening in our schools,” Gilbert said. “To see a first-year teacher, and the things they are doing in their classroom and the excitement they’re generating in their class, is great.”
Edwin Parr was president of the Alberta School Trustee’s Association from 1956 to 1962 and served on the council of the County of Athabasca from 1959 until his death in 1963. He also served as chair of the board of trustees of the Athabasca School Division and established an annual teaching award within that division, which was adopted and expanded province-wide after his death. All kindergarten to Grade 12 first-year teachers are eligible to be nominated.
“I think the Edwin Parr Award is one of the highlights for trustees across the province because it is an opportunity for us to honour the future,” Trustee Helen Clease said. “The biggest winners of the night are our schools, because when you look at the kind of teachers coming into the system, their dedication, their passion and their compassion, it’s just incredible.”
The Edwin Parr Award will be presented during the ASBA General Meeting on May 11 in Edmonton.
