2024-2025 School Calendar

The Peace River School Division Board of Trustees have approved the 2024-2025 School Calendar as presented. Superintendent Adam Murray shared with the Trustees that the Division received only 10 comments, with just five of those comments suggesting changes on the draft calendar.

“These are relatively low numbers, which suggested that this calendar was broadly supported by the community,” said Murray.

Click HERE to view the 2024-2025 calendar.

Approval of a Temporary Modular School for STM

The Board of Trustees gave approval to a request from the Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools (GPCSD) to place a temporary modular school building on the grounds of E.E. Oliver Elementary School in Fairview, subject to two conditions: that as the landowner, PRSD administration must approve the physical location of the temporary facility and any related matters; and a joint-use committee be formed to oversee the development of the project and the creation and implementation of a joint-use agreement between the two school boards.

Click HERE to read the full news release.

Department Presentation: Learning Services

Members of the Learning Services team, including Literacy Program Coordinator Jessica Whelan, Numeracy Program Coordinator Sandra Scott-Wilkes, and K-6 Curriculum Implementation Coordinator Claudette Stalker, spoke to the Board of Trustees regarding the implementation of the new K-6 Alberta Education curriculum. During the 2022-2023 school year, the PRSD implemented K-Grade 3 English Language Arts and Literature curriculum, as well as the Mathematics curriculum, and the K-Grade 6 Physical Education and Wellness curriculum. During the current school year, the Grade 4-6 ELA and Literature, as well as Mathematics curriculum was implemented, along with K-Grade 3 French Language Arts and Literature, as well as Science curriculums. All three team members spoke about the vast resources available to PRSD teachers to assist them with implementing the new curriculum and their efforts to ensure teachers knew where to access these resources. 

Regarding how the Board could help the Learning Services team, Stalker requested that all the board members carefully review and provide feedback on the new Social Studies curriculum, which the Alberta Government is soon expected to release.

2025-2028 Capital Plan

A new capital plan for 2025-2028 was approved by the Board of Trustees. In the top two spots of the plan are new schools for both Fairview’s K-Grade 6 and Grades 7-12 students, inclusive of a note that stipulates the Board’s desire to have these projects move forward together, or to have the Grade 7-12 Collegiate School be constructed ahead of the elementary school to ensure the best outcome for all students in Fairview.

Listed as the third priority on the capital plan is a value scoping session for schools located within the town of Peace River. The value scoping session is required in order to explore the best options for grade configuration, educational programs, community needs, and possible partnerships that may be formed. 

Finally, the board has also listed as priority four, an estimated $5.789 million modernization of Worsley Central School. The capital plan will be available on the PRSD website, under Board Public Documents, after March 25.

Bus Purchase

The Board approved the purchase of six, 70-passenger, diesel buses for the Transportation department at a cost of $959,850+GST. This purchase is part of the Division’s annual bus-replacement program, ensuring the reliability of the overall fleet. 

Mileage and Meal Reimbursement Rates

Effective April 1, the Board has approved an increase to the mileage and meal reimbursement rates for all Divisional staff. The Board has approved an increase to the mileage reimbursement rate of seven cents per kilometer from $0.54 to $0.61, and meal reimbursement rates of $15 for breakfast, $20 for lunch, and $30 for supper. These rates are comparable to other school divisions in northwestern Alberta.

Board Advocacy: Carbon Tax

In response to a letter from Wolf Creek Public Schools to the Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, which was cc’d to all Alberta School Divisions, the PRSD Board of Trustees have decided to also have a letter drafted to the Federal Minister addressing the impact the carbon tax has had on rural school divisions.

The motion approved by the Board requested that the letter include a request for a tailored policy approach accounting for the unique challenges and circumstances faced by rural school boards, inclusive of special grants for energy efficiency improvements, exemptions or lower rates for carbon tax based on geographical and logistical challenges, as well as targeted funding and resources supporting the adoption of green technologies such as electric buses for shorter distances.