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Committee struck to deal with low enrolment numbers
By More than 50 parents, teachers and administrators attended a meeting last week to address growing enrolment concerns at two schools in the High Country area.
According to recent predictions for the 2002/2003 school year enrolment numbers, particularly in the ECS and Grade 1 areas, are extremely low at C. Ian McLaren School in Black Diamond and Turner Valley School.
According to preliminary numbers there are only eight students registered for the ECS program at C. Ian McLaren School for the upcoming year.
'We do have some concerns with the drop in enrolment, particularly in the kindergarten and lower primary grades,' said Jan Lloyd, principal of C. Ian McLaren School.
Lloyd, along with Wesley Wescott, principal of Turner Valley School, agreed to host the meeting held last Tuesday at Oilfields High School, in order to gather input from parents and teachers on what steps the schools should take to deal with the low enrolment numbers.
According to Wescott, in order to run a successful kindergarten program there needs to be at least 15 students registered to have a stand alone ECS program.
Turner Valley School currently has 21 students registered for the ECS program.
Wescott explained that there has been a steady decline in enrolment in High Country schools for a number of years.
'It seems that enrolment has shifted back and forth through the two communities over the period of seven or eight years,'said said Lloyd.
The principals said that this shift in enrolment not only affects education this year, but will have long-terms effects if it is not increased.
'Over time, if this trend continues we have some concerns for the long-term quality of education for our children,'adde added Wescott.
It is hoped that with the increasing housing development in both communities, enrolment numbers will stabilize, however, Wescott said high housing costs are not helping to attract families with small children to the area.
Another hurdle the schools face is future modernization.
Wescott explained that planning for modernization of both schools is futile, if the enrolment numbers continue to fluctuate.
During the meeting a number of questions were raised regarding the course of action the schools should take.
It was suggested that split grading is an option as well as transferring those seven ECS students from C. Ian McLaren to Turner Valley School for the year.
'These are some of the dilemmas facing C. Ian McLaren now that could have easily happened to Turner Valley School, ' said Wescott.
However, both options met with some magnitude of concern.
Wescott said that while amalgamating the two schools is an option, it would not benefit Turner Valley due to space restrictions.
'We don't have enough room for the schools to amalgamate,' he said.
Moving ECS students to Turner Valley may be a viable option for this year, but some individuals at the meeting questioned what would happen when those students move into Grade 1.
Another concern for many parents and teachers at the meeting was the possibility of having a separate school in the area.
Christ the Redeemer School Division has discussed moving into the area, but plans have not been confirmed.
If a separate school is built or housed in the High Country area, some are concerned the enrolment numbers in the public system will continue to dwindle.
It was anticipated that about 25 per cent of students currently enrolled in the public system would move to the separate system. Some of that percentage is already being bused into Okotoks to attend separate schools.
'We know that the separate school is a reality in the High Country area of the school division,'said said Jim McLellan, superintendent of Foothills School Division.
In response to questions regarding amalgamation, McLellan said it would be a last resort.
'We believe we have more than enough students in the system to keep the two schools viable,' he said.
Residents also raised questions regarding transportation should C. Ian McLaren's ECS students have to be transferred to Turner Valley. They also questioned why there is a steady decline in enrolment.
While there were no clear answers, one parent said a much more proactive approach should be taken to highlight the educational benefits of both schools.
Following the discussion, those in attendance at the meeting broke into groups of eight to discuss the issues. Their thoughts were then highlighted and it was determined that a committee should be formed to further delve into the issues.
The committee consists of about seven Black Diamond and eight Turner Valley parents, the two principals and the superintendent.
Wescott explained that no changes will take place at either school for the upcoming year with the exception of the ECS program.The committee will look at the issues over the year and determine the best course of action.
A summary of the groups' responses from the meeting will be handed out at the September parent council meetings at each school.
Chair of the Foothills School Division, Jerry Muelaner, said he felt the meeting was a positive step at solving the issues at the schools.
'This was the most positive meeting I've seen between the two towns,' said Muelaner. 'It was a positive first step.'
'It is neat to see the citizens come together and do something proactive for education and it might be a reflection of what is happening between the two towns,' said Muelaner.
Decisions regarding ECS programming for this upcoming year will be made before the end of June.
A meeting with parents of ECS students at C. Ian McLaren is also planned. The date of the meeting was not confirmed by press time.
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Sharp-shooter
A youngster on the Pre-school Treasures from Heaven float tries to eye her target while tossing candy to the spectators who lined Main Street for the Diamond Valley Parade in Black Diamond on Saturday. The float placed third in the Organizational Float category. Watch next week's Western Wheel for full parade results. For more pictures from Diamond Valley Days see page 12 of this week's printed issue.
- photo by John Barlow
FREMS backtracks on cutting services
By Editor
After outcries from residents in the Priddis area the Foothills Regional Emergency Services Commission (FREMS) has backed off on its decision to adjust its services in the region.
It was announced on Thursday that FREMS will continue with its two-responder system at least until September while the commission reviews its service options for Priddis.
'We are listening,' said FREMS chairman Laurie Hodson of the commission's decision. 'We are sensitive to the perceived needs of the Priddis residents and we hope this decision will reflect that.'
'Nothing will be gained if we are stubborn and inflexible,' he added.
On May 15 FREMS restructured its service at the Priddis ambulance station.
Because of the low-call volume at the Priddis facility FREMS changed the delivery model to a one-responder unit meaning one paramedic would man the ambulance instead of two.
FREMS executive director Darren Sandbeck assured residents that the change would not impact service, but that it was simply a more efficient means of providing emergency services.
Sandbeck's explanations did not appease some of the residents in the Priddis area who were concerned the change meant a significant decline in the level of service provided.
Residents who opposed the change said they did not support sacrificing service to save a few dollars.
'FREMS really does need to be thinking about lives instead of their pocketbooks,' said Priddis resident Tina Fairbairn. 'No life is worth a little bit of savings.'
With the overwhelming response from residents in the area, FREMS has elected to facilitate a more extensive review of its service in Priddis and how that service is being provided.
Although FREMS has stepped back from its original position, Hodson said it in no way means FREMS no longer supports a one-person unit for Priddis.
Hodson said he was not surprised with the backlash the decision received, but stated that it was made because the commission felt, and still feels, it is the best and most efficient option.
'The FREMS board is in virtual unanimous support (of the one-person responder),' said Hodson.
'There is no conflict there. The board has not heard from our technical staff that this proposal is flawed.'
Although FREMS remains in support of the change in service, Hodson admitted that the decision to review the proposal was political rather than technical.
'The board made this decision as a business matter,' explained Hodson. 'For political purposes we thought it would be wise to put this on hold until September.'
From June through September the issue will become a sort of tug-of-war between FREMS and residents in the northwest corner of the MD.
FREMS will try and convince those in opposition that their service will not be adversely affected while the residents will try and convince FREMS otherwise.
The first step in trying to reach a consensus is community meeting scheduled for tonight (June 5) at the Priddis Fire Hall.
As of Monday the meeting was not confirmed as Thursday's announcement by FREMS may impact the meeting schedule.
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