October 25, 2017 Board Meeting

October 26th, 2017

Regional Office, Barrhead – 

New PHPS board takes oath of office
Following the retirement of the 2013-17 school board, MLA Glenn van Dijken administered the oath of office to the trustees who will form the 2017-21 school board:

  • Nancy Keough, Town of Swan Hills
  • Jennifer Tuininga, Barrhead North
  • Judy Lefebvre, Town of Barrhead
  • Kerry McElroy, Barrhead South
  • Jackie Comeau, Westlock North
  • Wendy Scinski, Town of Westlock
  • Jackie Carson, Westlock South

School board chooses Chair and Vice Chair
At their organizational meeting, the board elected Trustee Jennifer Tuininga to serve as Board chair and Jackie Comeau as Vice chair. A number of board committee appointments were also made.

PAT and PDE results will inform and focus instruction
Assistant Superintendent of Education Services Mark Thiesen presented the 2016-17 Provincial Achievement Test and Diploma Examination Results.

While individual school and classroom results vary, the division’s Provincial Achievement Test results indicate that Grade 6 Math, Science and Social Studies require attention in general. Grade 9 Knowledge and Employability test results have generally improved and are notably better than provincial averages.  The report also shows that more of our students are writing Grade 12 Diploma Exams with English Language Arts 30-1 and 30-2, Social Studies 30-2 and Math 30-1 exam results exceeding the provincial average.

Teachers and principals use the information from these assessments to make decisions about instruction and to support student progress. The division will work with schools to make plans where improvement is needed. These results reinforce our Education Plan focus on enhancing Literacy and Numeracy for all students, in all subject areas and all grades.

Student Enrolment in Town of Westlock Schools down significantly
Secretary Treasurer Tracy Meunier provided the division’s annual Student Enrolment Report. Compared to last year, total enrolment has declined by 54 students:

  • Town of Westlock schools are down 69 students
    • Westlock Elementary School has 41 fewer students
    • R.F. Staples School has 28 fewer students
  • Town of Barrhead schools are down 19 students
  • Swan Hills School is down 7 students
  • All remaining schools combined increased by 41 students

The student population at Westlock Elementary School has decreased by 109 students over the past 4 years. This will affect R.F. Staples Secondary School in future years.

The next school board meeting is on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at the PHPS Regional Office in Barrhead starting at 9:30 am. The public is welcome to attend.