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.

 READ MORE: Board meeting agenda and minutes

Next Regular Board Meeting
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Division Office
9:30 a.m.

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New Board Leadership

Pembina Hills School Division is pleased to welcome Trustee Judy Lefebvre as the new Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Trustee David Truckey as the new Vice-Chair.

As Chair, Mrs. Lefebvre will preside over Board meetings, act as the Board’s official spokesperson on matters of governance, Board policy and Board decisions, and serve as the Board’s direct link to the Superintendent. As Vice-Chair, Mr. Truckey will support the Chair in that work, share responsibility for the Superintendent’s annual evaluation, and work with the Chair of the Council of School Councils to prepare agendas for those meetings. Both roles are set out in Board Policy 05 and Policy 06.

The Board also extends its sincere thanks to Trustee Victoria Kane for her service as Board Chair over the past year. Mrs. Kane led the Board through a demanding year of governance work, including a comprehensive review of Board policy to meet new provincial requirements. Her dedication, her steady leadership in the chair, and her generosity with her time have been of real benefit to students, families and staff across the Division.

Board Completes Policy Review to Meet New Provincial Legislation

The Board completed a broad review of its governance policies. An Act to Remove Politics and Ideology from Classrooms and Amend the Education Act (often referenced as “Bill 25”) has introduced several requirements that must be in place as of September 1, 2026.

One change is about language. The familiar phrase “welcoming, caring, respectful and safe” has been replaced throughout the Education Act with “a safe and caring environment that fosters and maintains respectful and responsible behaviours.” That wording now appears in Policies 02, 03, 12 and 19, and Policy 19 has been renamed to match.

Students also have a new responsibility. They must refrain from violence at school and at school activities and, where they can safely do so, help prevent it. The Division’s Student Code of Conduct will be updated to reflect this responsibility clearly.

The new rules set expectations for instruction and programming. Any programming outside of the approved curriculum must be delivered impartially, fairly and free of personal bias. Approved curriculum must encourage a range of perspectives, and the Division is now required to monitor how it is delivered, with attention to academic rigour.

There are also new limits on what the Board says publicly. The Board must not issue statements or take positions that are not relevant to its obligations under the Education Act. Going forward, each of the Board’s advocacy priorities will be tied to a specific duty it holds under the Act.

Staff gain protection. No employee can be required, directly or indirectly, to take part in an exercise or affirm a statement that conflicts with their conscientious, political, social or ideological beliefs.

Most of these changes take effect September 1, 2026, with the compliance date and the effective date the same. The environment language and the student code of conduct changes are due December 1, 2026. Requirements for flags, the national anthem, school naming and surplus property depend on regulations the province has not yet released; therefore, several policy updates are still to come.

 READ MORE: Board meeting agenda and minutes

Next Regular Board Meeting
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Division Office
9:30 a.m.

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Three-Year Education Plan (2026–2029) Approved

Trustees approved the 2026–2029 Three-Year Education Plan, which introduces a restructured set of three Board Priorities that will guide the Division’s work and decision-making over the next three years: Wellness, Thriving Communities, and Engaged Learners.

The Wellness priority recognizes that when students, staff, and systems are well, the foundational conditions for learning are in place. It includes the establishment of a CASA Classroom at École Barrhead Elementary School, a newly branded Wellness Team providing mental-health programming, and continued Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) training. The Thriving Communities priority focuses on strengthening relationships and collaboration — including the Division’s Métis Education Services Agreement with the Rupertsland Institute, a new student-voice initiative during Trustee school visits, and collaborative team structures in every school. The Engaged Learners priority continues the Division’s focus on literacy and numeracy, expanded writing and numeracy supports, new curriculum implementation in grades 7 to 9, and growing opportunities in Work Experience, Green Certificate, Registered Apprenticeship, and Dual Credit programming.

The plan reflects feedback gathered from students, parents, staff, school councils, municipalities, and community partners, and notes high public confidence, with overall satisfaction across the Annual Satisfaction Survey’s four themes sitting near 90%.

2026-2027 Budget Balanced, Supports New Education Plan Priorities

The Board approved a balanced operating budget of $70.48 million for the 2026–2027 school year, an increase of $4.42 million (6.7%) over the prior year. Alberta Education and Childcare grant funding rises by approximately $4.0 million (7%) to $61.23 million, including a new $405,000 Class Size Reduction grant.

Importantly, the Division has eliminated its accumulated operating deficit, and this budget holds that position — though with no surplus cushion to draw on. Much of the growth reflects the recent teacher collective agreement: certificated salaries rise about 11.4%, while provincial Teacher Salary Settlement funding nearly triples to $2.89 million.

The Board’s approval of the budget is fundamentally a commitment to the Education Plan’s three priorities. The single largest investment across all three is the Division’s teaching and support staff, with roughly $31.9 million directed to staffing and operations at the school level. New investments flowing directly from the plan include the CASA Classroom, continued school-based counsellors, Wellness Coaches and Student & Family Advocates (Wellness), and enhanced Inclusive Education Lead Teacher time and a new Numeracy Lead Teacher position dedicated to literacy and numeracy support (Engaged Learners).

New Agreements Strengthen Partnerships with Local Counties

The Board approved new Joint Use and Planning Agreements (JUPAs) with the County of Barrhead No. 11. and Westlock County.  Required under the Municipal Government Act and the Education Act, a JUPA allows a municipality and school division to share facilities and plan cooperatively for future school sites.

These agreements reflect a strong, collaborative relationship between the Division and both counties, built on principles of cooperation, fairness, and transparency. Practically, it means community groups can access gymnasiums, classrooms, sports fields, and playgrounds at Pembina Hills schools, while the Division’s schools can make use of County recreational facilities — reducing duplication and making the best use of public resources for residents across the region. The agreement also sets out a shared framework for planning future school sites as communities grow.

Student Ride Times Continue to Improve Across the Division

The Board received the annual Transportation Assurance Report. Each day, more than 2,600 students ride Division buses, travelling an average of 16.28 kilometres between home and school. Encouragingly, ride times continue to improve: the average one-way ride is now 34 minutes (down from 38), and the share of students riding more than an hour fell to 10.5% (from 15.5%).

The department’s driver-training school trained 14 new drivers this year, with 6 more in progress, and passed its audit with excellence. Student safety programming included the “Meet the Bus” and “Safely on Board” programs and evacuation drills. A continuing concern is motorists illegally passing buses with red lights flashing — 51 such infractions were recorded between August 2025 and April 2026, though this is down from 80 the prior year.

READ MORE: Board meeting agenda and minutes

Next Regular and Organizational School Board Meeting
August 26, 2026
Division Office
9:30 a.m.

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Pembina Hills Schools Score High in Annual Satisfaction Survey

Pembina Hills School Division has released the results of its 2025–2026 annual satisfaction survey, completed in early February by students, staff, and parents across the division. Overall results are strong, with several measures reaching multi-year highs.

More than 1,700 students, 239 staff members, and 546 parents participated. Highlights include:

•       92.3% of students said their school is safe and caring — the highest student result in at least five years.
•       97.4% of staff agreed that teachers challenge students to do their best.
•       97.6% of students said their teachers have taught them about Indigenous points of view, up from 94.5% in 2021-2022.
•       The composite Safe and Welcoming Learning Environment score reached 89.33%, the highest recorded since tracking began in 2018-2019.

Parent participation increased this year to 30.8%, up from 26.7% in 2024-2025. School-level results are shared by principals at each school’s April or May School Council meeting, and are posted on each school’s website under “Assurance Reporting.”

Pembina Hills Celebrates Growth in Indigenous Education Programming

At its April 29, 2026, meeting, the Pembina Hills School Division Board of Trustees received an update on Indigenous Education in the division,  highlighting strong momentum in programming, community partnerships, and student outcomes across the division.

Pembina Hills serves more than 650 self-identified Indigenous students across First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities. Supporting student success and building understanding for all learners remains grounded in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action and Alberta’s Teaching Quality Standard.

Highlights from this year’s report:

• Indigenous Liaisons supporting students and families, strengthening relationships with Elders and Knowledge Holders, and connecting communities to resources.
• “Where’s Wâposh?” —  Early Learning Principal Kelly Ferguson developed a hands-on Métis cultural learning program that brings a Trapper’s Tent experience, Michif language lessons, and traditional activities to Early Learners (Pre-K to Grade 4) across the division.
• 97.6% of students this year reported that their teachers have taught them about Indigenous points of view — up from 94.5% in 2021–22.
• A Land-Based Learning experience for high school credit is planned for May 27–29, 2026, at Lessard Lake (near Cherhill), with 31 students from five schools planning to attend.
• The 2026 Indigenous Graduation Celebration will be held on June 12, 2026, at École Barrhead Elementary School, in partnership with Rupertsland Institute. 

Board Approves Budget Framework — $3.6 Million More for Students

The Pembina Hills School Division Board of Trustees approved the framework for distributing the division’s financial resources for the 2026/27 school year at its April 29, 2026, meeting.

PHSD’s projected operational funding for 2026-2027 is $60,857,649 — an increase of approximately $3.6 million, or 6.3%, compared to estimated actuals in 2025-2026. The largest driver of this increase is additional grant funding to support a negotiated teacher salary increase of slightly over 9%.

The division projects nearly 3,700 students in 2026-2027, including 325 full-time students through Vista Virtual School. Overall enrolment is relatively stable, with slight declines in some community schools offset by continued growth at Vista Virtual School.

A notable change for 2026-2027: PHSD is moving toward a site-based decision-making model for school budgets. Principals and school leadership teams will build their own school budgets within their overall funding envelope, rather than receiving a prescribed staffing allocation and needing central approval to move funds between categories. This change responds directly to feedback from school leaders and is grounded in Administrative Procedure 20-50 School-Based Decision Making.

Individual school budgets will be submitted to the Division office for consolidation. The Board will consider the final divisional budget for approval at its May 27, 2026, regular meeting.

READ MORE: Board meeting agenda and minutes

Next Regular School Board Meeting
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Division Office
9:00 a.m.

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CASA Mental Health Classroom Coming to Pembina Hills

The Pembina Hills Board of Trustees has approved a new mental health program that will bring specialized support directly into one of our schools. Starting in September 2026, a CASA Mental Health Classroom will open within the division as part of a partnership between CASA Mental Health, the Government of Alberta, and Pembina Hills School Division.

CASA Mental Health is a provincially funded, non-profit organization that works with children and youth across Alberta. The CASA Classroom program places mental health professionals — including therapists and division-employed staff — directly in a school setting. Students in the program receive individual therapy, group therapy, and social-emotional learning, while still being part of an educational environment. Each classroom supports up to 12 students at a time. Students attend the program for one semester, followed by a semester of transition support as they return to their home school.

The results from other CASA Classroom sites across the province are encouraging. In 2024–2025, 90 per cent of students and all participating caregivers reported improved mental health outcomes after completing the program. Families who feel their child may benefit from the program can ask their child’s school for more information about the referral process.

The division’s contribution to the program is the provision of one certificated teacher, consistent with how the partnership works at other CASA sites in Alberta. Administration will confirm the host school and grade range of the classroom in the coming months. This program reflects the division’s ongoing commitment to student well-being and to making sure every student has the support they need to succeed. 

New Courses Support Land-Based Learning and Leadership

The Board of Trustees has approved a suite of locally developed courses focused on Leadership, Character, and Social Responsibility, available at the 15, 25, and 35 levels for both three and five credits. These courses will be offered beginning in the 2026–2027 school year through to 2028–2029.

These courses are connected to an exciting hands-on opportunity for students. Pembina Hills will be hosting a Land-Based Learning Camp at Lessard Lake from May 27 to 29, 2026. Indigenous students who participated in the camp last year will take on leadership roles this spring, guiding and mentoring students who are attending for the first time. This kind of peer leadership is at the heart of what these courses are designed to support.

Locally developed courses are created by school divisions to offer students experiences that go beyond what is available through the standard provincial curriculum. They allow divisions to respond to the unique needs, interests, and strengths of their student communities. The Leadership, Character, and Social Responsibility courses recognize that developing strong values, a sense of responsibility, and meaningful relationships are just as important as academic achievement.

These courses reflect the division’s commitment to honouring Indigenous knowledge and fostering student leadership across our schools and communities.

Board Approves Three-Year Capital Plan

Pembina Hills School Division has submitted its 2026–2029 Three-Year Capital Plan to Alberta Education, identifying three school facilities in need of significant upgrades. Each year, school divisions across Alberta are required to submit this plan by March 31. Funding for the projects depends on provincial approval.

The division’s top priority is a partial modernization of École Barrhead Elementary School, estimated at $12,318,015. About 65 per cent of the building’s components need to be upgraded or replaced, including the heating system, roofing, electrical panels, fire alarm, and classrooms. The school serves 631 students and is the top priority because many of its original building systems have exceeded their useful lifespan.

The second priority is a partial modernization of École Westlock Elementary School, estimated at $7,652,469. About half of this building’s components need upgrading. While some improvements have already been completed in recent years, work is still needed on classrooms, corridors, electrical systems, and accessibility features.

The third priority is Swan Hills School, estimated at $7,534,948. This K–12 school serves a small, remote community and is the only school in Swan Hills. The plan includes significant upgrades to the building as well as right-sizing — reducing the school’s physical footprint to better match its current enrolment of 220 students. Combined, the three projects represent a total request of $27,505,432 in provincial funding.

The 2026-2029 Capital Plan will be posted to the division website Assurance Reporting webpage soon.

RF Staples Students Heading to California

The Board of Trustees has approved in principle for 12 students from R.F. Staples Secondary School in Westlock to travel to California from December 26, 2026, to January 2, 2027.

The trip is being organized through Encore Sport Tours, a company based in London, Ontario, that specializes in sports travel for student groups. Students have been invited to compete in the So Cal Holiday Classic, a basketball tournament held in Southern California. In addition to the tournament, students will have the opportunity to watch a live NBA basketball game, visit the USS Midway Museum, and tour the San Diego Zoo and Sea World.

International tours at Pembina Hills must be approved in principle by the Board before detailed planning can begin. This initial approval allows the lead teacher to start sharing information with students and families and to move forward with organizing the trip. Safety and educational value are key factors the division considers when reviewing any international tour proposal.

READ MORE: Board meeting agenda and minutes

Next Regular School Board Meeting
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Division Office
9:00 a.m.

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Transportation Fees Updated for 2026–2027

At their February 25, 2026, meeting, the Board of Trustees approved updated transportation fees for the 2026–2027 school year. 

In-Town Transportation

The in-town transportation fee for students who are not eligible for provincial funding will increase from $200.00 to $280.00. This fee applies to students who live close enough to school that they are not funded for transportation by the province but who still wish to ride the bus.

An important change from the province starting in the 2026-2027 year: ECS to Grade 6 students will only be funded for transportation if they live 1.6 kilometres or more from the school; a change from the current 1.0 kilometre distance criteria.  This means some families who previously accessed in-town busing at no cost will now need to pay the in-town fee if they wish their children to continue riding the bus.

Other Transportation Fees

The fee for students who request transportation to a school other than their designated school remains at $460.00, and the alternate site request fee stays at $50.00. ECS students are charged half the applicable rate. 

The updated fees are intended to keep the transportation system operating on a cost-recovery basis, while keeping costs as affordable as possible for families.  

Busing applications for 2026-2027 will open soon. 

Board Approves Budget Framework for 2026–2027

The Board of Trustees approved a set of guiding principles and assumptions that will shape the division’s 2026-2027 operating budget. The framework provides direction for administration to begin building the detailed budget, which must be submitted to Alberta Education and Childcare by May 31.

The board confirmed that the budget will be balanced, meaning spending will not exceed expected revenue; the division is not in a position to allow deficit spending. Enrolment projections have been developed carefully by each school, and staffing levels are expected to remain similar to 2025-2026. No schools will be opened or closed. The budget will also reflect a new CASA Mental Health classroom and the continuation of the provincially funded K–6 classroom complexity team.

The provincial budget was released on February 26, 2026, and the division’s detailed funding allocation should arrive in mid-March. Administration will adjust the budget as needed once the division’s funding profile is known. 

Alternate School Calendars Approved for 2026–2027

The Board of Trustees has approved alternate school-year calendars for several community schools and Vista Virtual School for the 2026–2027 school year.

An alternate calendar differs from the traditional September–June school year, which typically operates five days per week with breaks at Christmas and Easter. Alternate calendars may include schedules such as four days out of five or nine days out of ten.

Many Pembina Hills schools operate on alternate calendars due to the interconnected nature of the division’s transportation system and the distances between schools. Vista Virtual School follows an alternate calendar as it operates year-round, including during the summer months.

The schools renewing their alternate calendars include Barrhead Composite High School (Jr. High), Busby School, Dunstable School, Eleanor Hall School, Fort Assiniboine School, Neerlandia Public Christian School, Barrhead and Westlock Outreach Schools, Pibroch and Sunny Bend Colony Schools, Pembina North Community School, RF Staples Secondary School (Jr. High), and Swan Hills School.  Schools develop their proposed calendars in accordance with PHSD Administrative Procedure 60-05 and the requirements of the Education Act.

2026-2027 Alternate calendars are available on the division and school websites.

BCHS Students to Travel to Europe in 2027

The Board of Trustees gave approval in principle for an international tour for students from Barrhead Composite High School. Approximately 15 students will be invited to travel to Switzerland, Italy, France, and Spain from March 23 to April 4, 2027. The trip is being organized through EF Tours, a prequalified travel vendor that meets the division’s safety and quality standards.

The tour will give students the chance to experience European history, art, and culture firsthand. Students will travel by plane, train, and boat between destinations. The trip is designed to support the curriculum by turning classroom learning into real-world experiences, helping students develop global awareness, independence, and language skills.

Approval in principle means the lead teacher can now begin sharing information with students and families and continue planning the trip details. All international tours must follow PHSD Administrative Procedure 60-03, which sets out requirements for student safety, supervision, and travel planning. Final trip details, including exact dates, will be confirmed as planning progresses.

READ MORE: Board meeting agenda and minutes

Next School Board Meeting
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Division Office
9:00 a.m.

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Board Approves 2026-2027 School Year Calendar

The Board of Trustees has approved the 2026-2027 School Year Calendar following extensive consultation with parents, staff, and school councils. The calendar includes 183 instructional days for elementary and junior high students and 184 days for high school students, with 195 operational days for staff.

Based on feedback from the parent survey conducted in November, the calendar reflects three key priorities: following a format similar to 2025-2026, starting school as close to Labour Day as possible, and providing an extended long weekend in November rather than a full fall break.

Due to Labour Day occurring as late as possible in September 2026, school will begin on Monday, August 31, 2026.  School opening days for staff are scheduled for August 27-28, also occurring later than in previous years.

The calendar also features a shortened fall break around Remembrance Day, allowing students to participate in community ceremonies close to November 11. This adjustment reflects parent preferences expressed in the survey while still providing a mid-semester break for students and families.

Spring break and Easter holidays align in one continuous period, maximizing time for family activities and travel. Professional learning days are strategically placed throughout the year, including a staff opening day on September 18 and collaboration days on January 29, April 30, and June 7.

The school year concludes on June 25 for elementary and junior high students and June 28 for high school students, to accommodate provincial diploma examination schedules. Two operational days at year-end provide teachers with time to complete final reporting and classroom organization.

The detailed calendar is available on the division website. Schools with alternate operational calendars will use this approved calendar to determine their respective operating calendars in the new year.

Annual Education Results Report (AERR) Approved for 2024-2025

The Pembina Hills School Division Board of Trustees approved the Annual Education Results Report (AERR) for the 2024-2025 school year. This comprehensive report demonstrates how the division has collected, analyzed, and evaluated key performance data to measure student success and progress.

The AERR examines results across four main domains: Student Growth & Achievement, Teaching & Leading, Learning Supports, and Governance. The report includes data from Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs), diploma exams, high school completion rates, and various other measures of student engagement and citizenship. Results show that Pembina Hills students achieved intermediate to high levels in most areas, with particular strengths in citizenship and education quality.

Areas of continued focus include literacy and numeracy support in early grades, where the division implemented new screening tools like the Assessment of Foundational Reading Skills (AFRS). The division is piloting the Self-Regulated Strategy Development program for Grade 5 students to further strengthen writing instruction.

The report also documents important initiatives in Indigenous education, including the first division-wide Land-based Learning Camp at Métis Crossing, and the signing of a Métis Education Services Agreement with Rupertsland Institute. These partnerships strengthen the division’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.

While the division faces challenges with high school completion rates and the achievement gap for some student groups, targeted interventions including enhanced credit recovery programs and improved student tracking systems are being implemented. The complete AERR is available on the division website.

Board approves pay grid adjustments for support staff

At the December 17, 2025, Board meeting, trustees approved a 6% increase to most support staff pay grids, effective September 1, 2025. The adjustment does not apply to job classifications that received a pay increase in June 2025 (bus drivers and transportation shop staff).

Support staff play an essential role in the daily life of our schools and worksites. From educational assistants who support students in classrooms, to school office and library support staff who assist families and help keep schools running smoothly, to maintenance teams who ensure facilities are safe and welcoming, and information technology staff who support the systems that enable teaching, learning, and communication across the division — and every essential role in between — this adjustment recognizes the collective impact of this work and reflects the Board’s commitment to regularly reviewing compensation to ensure it remains fair and competitive.

Support staff pay grids continue to be reviewed regularly as part of the division’s ongoing compensation and budget planning processes.

READ MORE: Board meeting agenda and minutes

Next School Board Meeting
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Division Office
9:00 a.m.

The post December 17, 2025 Board Meeting News appeared first on Pembina Hills School Division.

Board Approves 2025-2026 School Calendar Adjustment

At their November 26, 2025, meeting, the Pembina Hills Board of Trustees approved an amendment to the 2025–2026 school calendar. The non-instructional day originally scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2026, has been removed for all community school students and will now be a regular school day.

To support high school semester timelines, the Board has moved the May 1 non-instructional day to Wednesday, January 28, 2026, for Grades 10–12 only. Senior high students will not attend school on this day.

This change provides high school teachers with dedicated time to complete assessments and finalize marks ahead of the January 30 deadline set by Alberta Education and Childcare. On the revised calendars, January 28 is now identified as “Semester Turnaround Day (no SH students)”.

Changing May 1 to an instructional day for all students also helps maximize learning time for students following the disruption caused by the October strike/lockout.

The division and alternate school calendars have been updated and are available at pembinahills.ca/calendars and on each school website.

Barrhead Rotary Music Festival Returns March 2026

The Barrhead Rotary Music Festival Committee has submitted its annual request for financial support and venue access for the 46th Annual Barrhead Rotary Music Festival, scheduled for March 11-19, 2026. The festival offers performance categories in piano, speech, voice, and instrumental music.

The board approved a donation of $2,000 to cover entry fees for all Pembina Hills School Division student entries.  Pembina Hills also provides the use of space at Barrhead Elementary School (BES) and Barrhead Composite High School (BCHS) for performances.  

“This festival continues to play an important part in fine arts education and community engagement. This donation directly benefits PHSD students by ensuring each student can participate and benefit from this enriching experience.” ~ Victoria Kane, Board Chair

Board reviews 2024-2025 Provincial Test Results

The board reviewed a preliminary report on the 2024-2025 Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs) and Diploma Exams. These standardized tests help measure how well students are meeting Alberta’s learning expectations.

Grade 6 Results

Grade 6 students showed participation rates similar to or slightly higher than provincial averages. Results were generally in line with the province across English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Social Studies. Science results were particularly strong, with the division scoring above provincial averages.

Grade 9 Results

Grade 9 participation was lower than provincial rates in most subjects. However, students who wrote the tests performed well. Mathematics 9 results showed notable improvement, with 76.7% of writers meeting the acceptable standard—significantly higher than previous years.

Knowledge and Employability (K&E) students showed strong results, often exceeding provincial rates in several subjects.

Diploma Exam Results

High school diploma results showed mixed outcomes. English Language Arts 30-2 and Social Studies 30-2 exceeded provincial averages. Physics 30 results improved significantly, nearly matching provincial rates.

Mathematics and some science courses showed results below provincial averages. The division continues working to improve outcomes in these areas.

Note: Vista Virtual School students are part of the division’s numbers but often do not write PATs due to distance and scheduling challenges. Non-writers are scored as zero, which affects overall results.

Audited Financial Statements for 2024-2025 Approved

The board approved the annual financial statements for the division for the year ended August 31, 2025.  The auditors provided a “clean” audit opinion, which means that the financial statements are presented fairly and correctly, in all the ways that would support decision-making.

Grants from the Government of Alberta continue to be the largest source of revenue (making up 95% of all revenue for the division), while salaries and benefits continue to be the largest driver of spending, at 76% of all expenses.

The year’s operating activities resulted in an operating deficit (similar to a net loss) of $664,000.  Lower-than-expected funding of $1.4 million was partially offset by lower-than-expected spending, but the result of another deficit year is that the division’s financial position weakened slightly.  

READ MORE: Board meeting agenda and minutes

Next School Board Meeting
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Division Office
9:00 a.m.

The post November 26, 2025 Board Meeting News appeared first on Pembina Hills School Division.

The new Pembina Hills School Division Board of Trustees were sworn in at their first board meeting of the new term on October 29, 2025.

The board conducted its first order of business as part of their Organizational Meeting for 2025-2026, electing Trustee Victoria Kane to serve as Board Chair, and Judy Lefebvre as Vice-Chair.

As Board Chair, Kane will preside over all board meetings, work with the superintendent to set the agenda for board meetings and be the spokesperson for the school board. As Vice-Chair, Lefebvre will fill in when Kane is not available. The school board elects a Chair and Vice-chair each year. Read more about the responsibilities of the Board Chair and role of the Vice-Chair.

“I’m honoured to serve as Board Chair and to work alongside our new Board of Trustees. Each Trustee brings unique strengths and a shared commitment to our students, our schools, and our communities. Together, we’ll continue to focus on supporting students and strengthening education across our division. Congratulations to Trustee Judy Lefebvre on her election as Vice Chair — we are looking forward to the year ahead!” ~ Board Chair Victoria Kane

We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our outgoing trustees, Sherry Allen and Maureen Schnirer, for their dedication, leadership, and service to the students, staff, and communities of Pembina Hills. They devoted countless hours to thoughtful decision-making, community engagement, and advocacy for public education. Their commitment has helped shape our schools and strengthen the foundation for student success. We wish them all the best in their next chapters!

Resumption of Classes, Fall Break Proceeding

The board welcomed all teachers and students back into classrooms on October 29.  At their meeting, trustees gave thoughtful consideration to the decision of amending operational calendars, given three weeks of missed instructional time.  In particular, many students, families and staff questioned whether the upcoming fall break from November 10 through 14 would be cancelled, and students brought into class to make up some of that missed time.

Why is the Fall Break still happening?

A survey of school support staff indicated that approximately 80% would not be available to work if the Board were to remove the Fall Break. After carefully reviewing operational and staffing considerations, the Board determined that it would not be feasible or safe to hold classes during that week. 

Support staff are essential to the daily operation of schools. For example, Educational Assistants play a critical role in supporting students with learning or behavioural challenges. Without these staff members, schools would be placed in a difficult position trying to meet students’ needs while maintaining safety and supervision for all students. 

We confirm that no adjustments have been made to the current division or alternate school calendars for November-December. The scheduled Fall Break from November 10-14 will proceed as planned. Families will be notified if any adjustments to school calendars are required for January-June 2026. 

What is being done to support students after the recent disruption to learning? 

The division is focused on supporting students as they resume their learning. All curricular outcomes are expected to be taught. While we can never fully make up for the time lost, teachers may consolidate learning and assessments, or consider projects that can cover large portions of the curriculum or learning that make cross-curricular connections.

January Diploma Exams & PATs Cancelled

Alberta Education and Childcare has recently announced that January diploma exams and Grade 9 Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs) have been cancelled. Having no diploma exams will provide greater flexibility with instructional hours in January. 

Communication Success Stories

The board received a report from Assistant Coordinator of Communications, Jan Carswell, whose department is working hard to keep families and staff connected. This year, the division published 134 stories on its website, which received over 164,000 visits from 36,000 users. The division’s Facebook page has grown to 2,571 followers, and posts have reached nearly 580,000 people.

Division Communications supports schools in many ways, from managing websites and social media accounts to helping with digital tools that make life easier for families. Parents can register students, report absences, pay fees, and sign permission forms all online through digital platforms. Tools like SchoolMessenger help schools send important updates to families through text, email, and phone calls.

The division has also been busy promoting important events and programs throughout the year. This includes campaigns for kindergarten registration, back-to-school information, student awards, and special programs like Career Camp and Land-Based Learning Camp and with the recent 2025 School Board Trustee Election. By continuing to improve how information is shared, Pembina Hills aims to keep everyone informed and connected.

Understanding School Funding in Pembina Hills

How much money does Pembina Hills School Division receive for each student? The answer is more complicated than it might seem. During recent teacher contract talks, a common statement is that Alberta has the lowest per-student funding in Canada. Premier Danielle Smith stated that Alberta pays between $12,000 and $14,000 per student, and research reports support this figure.

However, calculating the exact amount that Pembina Hills receives per student is tricky. The division has a large number of part-time students through Vista Virtual School, which affects the numbers. The funding system is also complex, with different amounts provided for different types of students and programs. For example, students in small rural schools, students with special needs, students learning English, and students who identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit all bring different funding amounts to the division.

When looking at total funding divided by total students, Pembina Hills received approximately $10,581 per student in 2024/25 based on official population numbers. However, when counting students in a way that at least partially accounts for full-time versus part-time enrollment, the figure rises to about $11,762 per student. 

Note: Going forward, regular board meetings will start at 9:00 a.m.

READ MORE: Board meeting agenda and minutes

Next School Board Meeting
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Division Office
9:00 a.m.

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Key Policies Updated

Trustee Code of Conduct Updates

The Board has updated its Trustee Code of Conduct to align with new provincial legislation. These changes were required following the passage of Bill 51 (Education Amendment Act 2025) last spring.

What’s Changed:

• Trustees can no longer be disqualified from the Board for breaching the code of conduct. This change must be in place by October 21, 2025.
• The updated policy now includes references to Alberta’s Recall Act, which means trustees can be subject to valid recall petitions started by voters in their area.

These updates ensure the Board follows current Alberta legislation while maintaining high standards for trustee behaviour.

Committee Structure Improvements

The Board also approved a comprehensive update to its committee structure based on feedback from trustees and school division administration.

Key Changes Include

External Committees:

• ASBA Zone 2/3: A new process will help trustees learn about all available subcommittees before choosing which ones to join.
• Public School Boards’ Council: Clarified that all trustees are welcome at spring and fall meetings, but only designated representatives attend the four annual council meetings.

Community Committees:

• Removed committees: Joint Use Facilities/Admin Building Committee and Swan Hills Economic Development Group were removed because their work is now handled through other processes or doesn’t require regular trustee involvement.
• Clearer membership rules: For committees like Barrhead CARES, Swan Hills FCSS, and Westlock CONEX, only trustees whose areas overlap with the organization’s service area will be appointed.

Internal Committees:

• Streamlined structure: Removed the Union Grievance Committee since grievance procedures are already built into staff agreements.
• Updated membership: Several committees, including the Transportation Liaison and Indigenous Education Advisory, were adjusted to have one trustee instead of two, making them more efficient.
• Expanded scope: The Suspension/Expulsion Committee will now handle both student expulsion hearings and teacher suspension appeals.

Exciting Student Opportunity Approved

The Board approved in principle an international photography tour to London, England, for Barrhead Composite High School students from May 15-23, 2026.

This educational trip will give photography students hands-on learning opportunities as they capture images of historic landmarks, including the residence of Canada’s Monarch, Tower Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and world-famous museum artifacts like the Rosetta Stone.

The trip supports several photography course learning goals, including capturing images in different lighting conditions and developing professional image editing skills. Lead teacher Mr. Tyrrell has successfully organized previous student trips to London, New York, and Vancouver, and works hard to keep these experiences affordable for students while meeting all safety requirements.

Students and parents will now be informed about the trip, and detailed planning will continue.

A Partnership Worth Celebrating

The Pembina Hills School Division is proud to announce a new naming rights agreement that recognizes the outstanding community partnership with Peter Kiewit Sons ULC. The football field at École Westlock Elementary School will officially be known as “Kiewit Field” starting October 1, 2025.

This 10-year naming agreement celebrates Kiewit Equipment’s significant contributions to student athletics and educational programming in the Pembina Hills region.

Recent Kiewit Contributions Include:

• Donation of stadium lighting for the football field, dramatically improving safety and usability for student-athletes
• Sponsorship discussions for new football jerseys
• Support for the development of change rooms at the facility
• Partnership in the division’s Career Camp program, which helps Grade 10 students explore future career opportunities

“Kiewit has been a fantastic donor and community partner,” said Secretary Treasurer Heather Nanninga. “Their investments benefit current and future students, both on the field and in the classroom.“

The Board will review the agreement one year before its expiration.

Beyond Athletics: Career Camp Partnership

Kiewit’s support extends beyond the football field. The company has been an active partner in Pembina Hills’ Career Camp program, which gives Grade 10 students hands-on exposure to various career pathways. This program helps students make informed decisions about their futures by connecting classroom learning with real-world career exploration.

READ MORE: Board meeting agenda and minutes

Next School Board Meeting
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Division Office
9:30 a.m.

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