Division Office ~
Division joins provincial advisory group on disability supports
Pembina Hills School Division is helping to shape how children with disabilities and their families get support in Alberta.
Since the spring, the Division has taken part in a provincial advisory group on child development and disability supports. The group brings together families, doctors, service providers, educators and others. It looks for ways to improve programs such as Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) and Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD).
The work began in May 2026, when the Alberta Medical Association’s Section of Pediatrics asked for a school trustee to join its advocacy work. In June, the Board approved its participation and created a short-term committee for this work.
Pembina Hills brings a rural public education view to the group, including the growing needs of students, how hard it can be to reach services in rural areas, and the value of early help.
At its September 23 meeting, the Board approved the appointment of Trustees Kane and Truckey to the advisory group, with Trustee Kane as the Board’s official representative. Any formal letters or statements made on behalf of the Board will first come to the full Board for approval.
2026-2027 Early Enrolment Update
Each year, Pembina Hills compares first-day enrolment with the projections used to develop the budget. Early enrolment numbers at some of our community schools are currently below projections.
September is a period of considerable movement in student enrolment as families move into and out of the division, students change schools, and registrations continue to be processed. The official provincial enrolment count takes place on September 29, so the numbers we have today are not yet the final count that is used for funding purposes.
Vista Virtual School is also continuing to process applications, with additional primary students expected to enrol. These enrolments may offset some of the lower-than-projected numbers at our community schools.
Several schools also began the year with enrolment above projections, including R.F. Staples Secondary School, Pembina North Community School and Barrhead Composite High School.
Administration will provide the Board with an updated enrolment picture at its next meeting. We will share that information with our communities once it is available.
Internal audit report gives assurance on Division operations
At its September 23 meeting, the Board received the Internal Audit Assurance Report for 2025–2026. Each year, Division staff review how schools and departments manage finances, insurance, safety and records. The report gives trustees confidence that operations are well run and follow the rules.
The report showed a clear shift in how families pay school fees. Online payments have more than doubled since 2022–2023 and are now the most common way families pay.
Safety was another key focus. The report reviewed fire and lockdown drills, defibrillators (AEDs), first aid kits and training, safety meetings and building inspections. Alberta Education and Childcare also checked samples of student records from several schools to confirm that students were properly registered and attending.
Finally, the report explained Alberta’s new privacy laws, the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA) and Access to Information Act (ATIA), which have replaced the former FOIP Act. The new laws require a formal privacy management program, staff training, reporting of privacy breaches, and advance notice when artificial intelligence (AI) tools are used with personal information.
Superintendent’s report: a strong start to the school year
The 2026–2027 school year is off to a strong start, according to the Superintendent’s Report presented at the September 23 Board meeting.
The Superintendent has visited all 16 Pembina Hills schools, attending school council meetings and visiting classrooms.
The report shared progress on the Division’s three priorities:
- Wellness: School wellness teams received training, and schools reported positive start-ups to the year.
- Thriving communities: A plan for the year has been created under the Division’s Métis Education Services Agreement.
- Engaged learners: Students in Grades 1 to 10 are completing reading and math screeners and assessments. The Division also signed a three-year agreement with CAREERS: The Next Generation.
On September 18, staff gathered for a professional learning day featuring keynote speaker Katie White, who spoke about how assessment can build hope for students.
Coming up this fall: student and staff surveys, the Terry Fox Run, Truth and Reconciliation activities, and a review of last year’s provincial test and diploma exam results.