Five-Year Education Plan, Year 2

The Peace River School Division Board of Trustees approved the second year of their five-year education plan, with amendments. The second year plan includes updates to the Division’s performance measures and strategies and will be made available in June, once the required amendments are completed.

Dixonville School, Library and Playschool

As a result of the Board of Trustees’ motion on April 28 to close Dixonville School permanently, effective June 30, 2025, they were required by Alberta Education to send a formal letter notifying the Minister of Education and Childcare of their decision. The Board reviewed and finalized this letter on May 29.

The Board of Trustees also discussed the current joint-use agreement between the school division and the Dixonville Community Library and the lease agreement between the Division and the Dixonville Playschool Society. Both the library and playschool currently exist within the Dixonville School building. In accordance with the agreement and lease, the Board of Trustees agreed to send formal notice of termination effective December 31, 2025.

Advocating for Student Transportation

As part of the Board of Trustees discussion on the closure of Dixonville School, and then later the closure of Manning Elementary School and Paul Rowe Jr./Sr. High School as both schools amalgamate to become Manning Aurora Composite School, the Trustees identified a need to further advocate for increased transportation funding in rural, remote communities. For the community of Dixonville, the Trustees are advocating for increased funding to reduce ride times and in the community of Manning they are advocating for increased funding to properly address concerns regarding student safety. The Board will advocate for these communities by sending a letter to the Minister of Education.

Locally Developed Courses

The Board of Trustees provided approval for six new locally developed courses to be used within the Division. These courses include: Tabletop Game Design 15, Introduction to Artificial Intelligence 15, Artificial Intelligence 25 and 35, and Surviving Financially as an Adult 25 and 35. The Board also reapproved a three-credit Forensic Studies 25 and 35 course, as well as a five-credit Forensic Studies 35 course.

Peace Learning Connection

The Board of Trustees have approved a new name for the Division’s Alternative Education offerings. The new name is Peace Learning Connection and proudly encompasses the Peace Regional Outreach Campus, the Fairview & Area Learning Store, the Virtual Education Program, and the Division's Homeschool authority, the Peace Home Learning Connection. 

Formerly, the Division used the name Peace Home Learning Connection to encompass both the homeschool and virtual education program. However, the word “home” did not accurately reflect the purpose of the Virtual Education Program. Renaming the Division's alternative education program as Peace Learning Connection broadens its focus and more accurately reflects the variable pathways being offered to students to meet high school graduation requirements.

Fairview Value Scoping

Earlier this school year, the Peace River School Division received $50,000 in pre-planning funding for a value scoping session in Fairview and Peace River. The Board of Trustees will begin planning for a value scoping session in Fairview to take place sometime in the Fall of 2025. 

Budget Extension

Secretary-Treasurer Rhonda Freeman shared with the Board that the Alberta Government recently announced a province-wide extension to the completion of school division budgets. While the deadline was previously May 30, it has been extended to June 20, 2025. As a result, Freeman will present the budget to the Board for their approval at their June 19 meeting. 

“The budget that I will bring to the next meeting in June will not be significantly different from what you have already seen,” explained Freeman to the Board of Trustees. “But, I will be able to say I am very confident that we are putting ourselves in a good position going forward, and that no rash decisions were made.”

Policy 17: School Transportation Services

The Board of Trustees gave first reading to an updated draft of Policy 17: School Transportation Services. The Policy will soon be made available for public review and feedback. The Board of Trustees will consider second and third reading at their June 19 meeting.