Highlights from the Special Board Meeting held September 15, 2026

Special Board Meeting - AM

The PRSD Board of Trustees met for a Special Meeting on Tuesday, September 15 at 11 a.m. to discuss a legal matter and receive the information package for expulsion hearing 26/27-001. Both matters required discussions protected by the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA), and were held in camera. The Board adjourned this meeting at 1:45 p.m.

Special Board Meeting - PM

The Board convened for a second Special Meeting on Tuesday, September 15 at 2 p.m. for the purpose of conducting an expulsion hearing. The hearing was held in camera and concluded at 4:30 p.m., when the Board made two motions. The first motion, by Trustee Marie Dyck, upheld the Principal’s expulsion recommendation for the 2026-2027 school year. This motion carried, 4-1. The second motion, also made by Trustee Dyck, authorized Board Chair David Rushton to issue the written decision on behalf of the Board of Trustees. This motion carried, 5-0.

As these matters are protected by POPA, no further details will be released.

Highlights from the Regular Board Meeting held September 17, 2026

Capital Plan and Peace River Value Scoping Update

Superintendent Jeff Thompson and Secretary-Treasurer Rhonda Freeman verbally reported on the status of the Peace River value scoping report and its impact on the Board’s current Capital Plan. The timeline for delivery of the report to the Board has extended beyond the original August Board meeting target. The extension allows for the inclusion of information from additional geotechnical studies on the hill slide on 102 Street in Peace River, which affects Peace River High School. Both Thompson and Freeman confirmed that all reports indicate the building remains structurally sound and safe to occupy. Freeman advised that the preliminary slope study report is expected by September 21, and these findings will be incorporated into the value scoping report for the Board’s review.

Preliminary Enrollment Numbers

Superintendent Thompson provided the Board with preliminary enrollment information, ahead of the Alberta Education and Childcare September 29 enrollment count deadline. As of September 14, the report indicates a 6% decline in student enrollment across the PRSD between June and September, 2026 .

"There's a real financial impact here," said Superintendent Thompson before asking Secretary-Treasurer Freeman to provide further details.

Once the end-of-September enrollment count is finalized (as of September 29 this year), Superintendent Thompson will prepare a report for the Board's October meeting that will include any considerations regarding the potential implementation of Policy 15: School and Program Viability.

During the discussion, the Board noted the importance of having families complete their registration forms before September 29. Registrations completed after that date are not included in the allocation of funding for the current school year.

Quarterly Financial Reports

The Board of Trustees reviewed the quarterly financial variance analysis report as presented by Superintendent Thompson and Secretary-Treasurer Freeman. The numbers presented in this report represent preliminary year-end figures and are expected to change as staff complete year-end procedures and prepare for the annual audit.

Watch the full meeting on the Peace River School Division's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PeaceRiverSchoolDivision