February 13, 2019 Board Meeting News

February 15th, 2019

Regional Office – 

Ongoing need to provide mental health supports
Director Rob McGarva provided a Student Services Assurance Report to the board, highlighting ways in which Student Services provides support to schools and students in the division.

In his report, McGarva highlighted data and examples of students who, as a result of receiving higher levels of support in their early years, require decreased levels of support in junior and senior high school.

Addressing youth mental health before it becomes mental illness is an ongoing challenge. Although PHPS continues to work with local AHS mental health offices, McGarva highlighted the need to access more specialized medical services, particularly in rural areas.

Board sets transportation fees for 2019-20
For the fourth consecutive year, transportation fees will not be increasing.

  • In-town transportation fees will remain at $350 per year
  • Rural transportation fees for students leaving their attendance area will be $450 per year
  • The fee for alternate bus stops will remain at $50 per student per year

Geographic area expanded to join Swan Hills Ward
Recent approval from Alberta Education has allowed PHPS to expand our geographic area to include 278 km² between the division’s west boundary and Swan Hills, joining Swan Hills with the rest of the division. This area was formerly part of Northland School Division, and will be added to the Swan Hills Ward.

The addition of this land brings the division’s geographic area to 8,288 km² in size—that’s 32% larger than Prince Edward Island! Check out the attendance area map on our website.

Check out the board meeting agenda and minutes on our website for more information.

The next school board meeting is on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Alberta Distance Learning Centre in Barrhead. Members of the public are welcome to attend.