A look to the future highlighted the Okotoks public school system’s 2016.
The division continues to go full speed ahead with its new K-9 school on 32 Street as well as the $20-million modernization of the Foothills Composite High School/Alberta High School of Fine Arts.
“One of the highlights for us was the confirmation of new lands on 32 Street — we are in a much better place now in terms of school lands than we were two years ago,” said John Bailey, Foothills superintendent of schools.
The division signed an agreement with the town of Okotoks in July to work together on the new school, which is scheduled to open in September of 2018.
The division also continued its partnership with Okotoks, the MD of Foothills, Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools and the Southern Francophone Education Region to look at future school sites.
“It’s been very positive,” said Christine Pretty, Foothills schools chairwoman. “We are looking to ensure there are school sites in and around Okotoks.
“There have been some discussions that some of the new subdivisions will have shared school sites between school divisions.”
In the future D’Arcy Ranch development, a proposal would see the Foothills and CTR Catholic divisions having their own schools but sharing playgrounds, fields, roads and other crucial amenities in the future.
Having work get started on the modernization of the Foothills Comp was a long time in coming. Although a large portion of the modernization of the high school won’t be visible to the eye, it is necessary.
“The vast majority of the money is being spent on mechanical — electrical, heating — it’s not things you see, but it will make improvements for the building.” Bailey said.
The modernization will include a new fine arts wing, in which students taking drama, cosmetology will be in the same area.
“The idea of a having a new arts wing, a new theatre space — when things are finished there are things that are going to be excellent for kids,” Pretty said.
Even with the construction of future classrooms, things within present classrooms were impressive over the past year.
“We were pretty pleased with improvements we have seen in students’ results — especially the provincial accountability pillar,” Bailey said. “We are seeing improved results in several areas.”
He said a highlight in the pillar report was the division’s high school completion rate is 10 per cent higher than the provincial rate. The division’s drop-rate is about half the provincial average.
However, there is still room for improvement.
“We still have to work at our excellence levels at both the Grade 9 and Grade 12 levels,” Bailey said. “We are working on that, but we are still happy with the improvement we are seeing.”
He said for 2017, Alberta Education’s provincial curriculum review over the next six years will be on the agenda for all school divisions.
“It is a pretty ambitious schedule for the next six years and we are looking forward to positive changes to in the curriculum,” Bailey said.
He said the division will continue to work on its numeracy and literacy programs.
Pretty said a large highlight was the increased use of the division’s blended programs, such as the Hub program and summer school, by students.
The division is hoping to have its new office building in High River, to be shared with the Province, open early in the new year.
A potential major change in the future for the division is trustee elections in October.
The division had one change at the trustees’ table in 2016. Okotoks trustee Laurie Copland took a leave of absence in November due to personal reasons in October.
