March 2024 Board of Trustees Meeting Highlights
Posted: March 20, 2024
Trustee Tom Henihan Resigns
It is with regret that the HFCRD Board of Trustees has accepted the resignation of Ward 2 – McLennan Trustee Tom Henihan. The Board would like to thank Mr. Henihan for his service.
The decision of when a By-election is to be held will be made at the next meeting on Wednesday, April 17th.
3-Year Facility Capital Plan & The New St. Andrew’s School
The Board has approved the new 3-year Facility Capital Plan.
The top priority will be building a replacement school for St. Andrew’s in High Prairie.
Delegation of Parents from St. Thomas More School in Fairview
Chair of the St. Thomas More School Parent Council Amber Moskalyk, with support from Jill Irvine (parent), submitted a formal request for St. Thomas More School in Fairview to move from the Grande Prairie and District Catholic School Division into the Holy Family Catholic Regional Division, beginning in the 2024/2025 school year.
“Having a Catholic education option for K – 12 students in Fairview is extremely important to the parents of STM, but also to both the Saint Thomas More Catholic parish and local community. As a remote rural community, having choice of education is critical in both the retention and attraction of professionals. There are many instances across the province where a school or portion of a school is shut down, and the local rural community is negatively impacted.”
The HFCRD Board of Trustees had questions for the presenters and intends to explore the details of the request.
HFCRD Board of Trustees 2022/23 Evaluation
March 11th & 12th the HFCRD Board of Trustees brought in a representative from the Alberta School Boards Association to facilitate an Evaluation of the HFCRD Board for the 2022/23 school year. Areas of focus included Faith Leadership, Student Learning & Wellness, Community Assurance, and Fiscal Accountability. All the quality indicators in each category were exceeded by The Board of Trustees.
HFCRD Board of Trustees updated Areas of Emphasis for the 2023-24 School Year
- Develop authentic ways to fully honor Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, and continue to nurture relationships and engage with Indigenous communities.
- Continue on the path of political advocacy for our number one capital priority; a new school for St. Andrew’s in High Prairie.
- Continue in all aspects of stakeholder engagement.
- Engage and participate in provincial and local faith initiatives for trustees, staff, students and families.
- Seek opportunities to ensure safe and caring environments are provided for students and staff.
Alberta Rural Education Symposium
Board Chair Kelly Whalen, Superintendent Betty Turpin, and Assistant Superintendent Cora Ostermeier attended this year’s Alberta Rural Education Symposium March 3-5. They met with Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides. The main focus was the challenges that face rural education school boards, and students, in Alberta.
Other sessions included Reconciliation – A Message of Hope, and a Student Panel.
Friends of Education Nomination
The HFCRD Board of Trustees have nominated Peace River Broadcasting for the Friends of Education Award.
“The Friends of Education Award recognizes individuals or organizations who are demonstrably committed to improving education for Alberta students and who have made a significant contribution to education in Alberta.” (Alberta School Boards Association)
HFCRD have chosen to nominate Peace River Broadcasting, for their support in relaying important school related messages in a timely manner, supporting students through work experience and career opportunities, being a platform for a weekly student generated radio program, promoting school events, airing public service announcements on educational support services, and helping to educate students on the radio and media industry.
(Pictured L-R: Trustee and Vice Chair John Kuran, Peace River Broadcasting Co-owner Lindsay Parenteau, Peace River Broadcasting GM Chris Black, Peace River Broadcasting Co-owner Jon Babiy)
