Division News Article

No schools will be considered for closure next year

November 14th, 2019

At the November 13th board meeting, the school board accepted administration’s recommendation that no schools be considered for closure next year.  Each year administration reviews each school against the following criteria from Policy 15:

  • Are there health and safety threats?
  • Is the school hitting a critical minimum enrolment?
  • How many students are we expecting to attend in the future?
  • Are fewer than 60 percent of the students in the school’s attendance area attending the school?
  • Does operating the school create excessive costs for the division?

This year none of our schools met the criteria for closure.

2020-2021 school year calendar approved

The Board approved the 2020-2021 school year calendar. The first day of school for students will be September 4, 2020. There will continue to be 184 days of instruction for schools in the towns of Barrhead and Westlock. Schools with alternate calendars will have fewer days of instruction. These calendars will be considered in February 2020. The approved school year calendar will be posted on the division’s website. 

Board approves an International Field Trip

The school board approved an international field trip, in principle, for the Barrhead Composite High School portrait photography students to London, England in May 2021. On the itinerary are photographing sights such as Tower Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles. Students will experience the history and beauty of one of the greatest cities in the world.

See the full agenda and minutes on our website.

New start time for Board Meetings!

The next board meeting will take place on November 27 at Pembina Hills Regional Office starting at 9:00 a.m. Members of the public are welcome to attend.