Clearview’s board of trustees heard about some positive results coming out of the division during their Dec. 14 meeting.
According to highlights released on Dec. 15 by Clearview, of 19 areas the province measures in its Education Assurance survey, the Stettler-based division is exceeding the provincial average in 14 of them of them.
Noted measures include 90 per cent of Clearview students and families feeling satisfied that the division’s schools are safe and caring, 89.5 per cent indicating satisfaction with the quality of education provided, and just over 90 per cent of students completing high schools within five years of the start of grade 10.
“These are excellent results,” said Clearview superintendent Scot Leys.
“We are very pleased how our team is working together to make a positive difference for students.”
The highlights note that on the Provincial Achievement Tests taken in 2022 Clearview students were on par, or better, with other students across the province. As the June 2022 exams were the first ones taken since the pandemic started, Clearview is currently looking at the results and considering changes to strengthen student learning.
Infrastructure and buses
The Clearview board of trustees reviewed a report on infrastructure spending across the division for the 2021-2022 school year and a look at projects for the 2022-2023 school year.
In total, a little over $400,000 was spent over the 2021-2022 school year, an amount which looks to be eclipsed in 2022-2023.
Total spending for 2022-2023 will be around $1.65 million, with projects including flooring upgrades, playground repairs, cooling and heating repairs and replacement and sidewalk and parking lot upgrades.
In addition to the infrastructure spending, Clearview has approved the purchase of five new school buses for delivery in 2023.
Two 70-passenger and three 52-passenger buses have been ordered to go into service for the 2023-2024 school year.
The estimated cost of the buses is just under $691,000.
School Resource Officer
RCMP Cst. Ben Witmer attended the Dec. 14 trustee meeting.
Witmer is the new Clearview School Resource Officer (SRO), a position funded jointly with Clearview, the Town of Stettler, and Stettler County.
The role of the SRO in Clearview is to develop positive police relationships with students, as well as give presentations.
As the SRO, Witmer works in all the Stettler-area schools but does not travel into the Paintearth County schools.
While the board is supportive of the role, it has asked the superintendent to work with the community committee overseeing the position to gather information and feedback on how the role is impacting students.
Bridges
Clearview recently received a letter from the County of Stettler regarding some bridges that are not available for crossing by larger vehicles, such as loaded school buses.
The bridges being unavailable directly impacts the school division, forcing longer school bus routes and longer travel time for students.
In their role as community advocates, the board of trustees will send a letter to the Alberta Minister of Transportation asking for consideration in funding for the county bridges.