Wolf Creek Public Schools (WCPS) trustees discussed a number of items during their board meeting on Aug. 19, including the division’s school re-entry plan, international field trips and COVID-19 budget considerations.
School re-entry plan
The board received a report on the release of the WCPS District Re-Entry Plan, sent to parents and staff Aug. 11. In addition to releasing the re-entry plan, a parent survey was sent to all WCPS parents requesting they indicate which education option is preferred for the start of the 2020-2021 school year.
As of Aug. 14, 3,594 responses were received. Of the results, 78.6 per cent were in favour of in-person learning, 5.9 per cent chose virtual learning, 1.7 per cent indicated they planned to home school, and 14.7 per cent responded they were undecided.
International field trips
There will be no international field trips in WCPS for the 2020-2021 school year, as per the the Government of Canada’s advisory to avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice.
New Blackfalds 9-12 school update
Construction of the new Grade 9 to 12 school for Blackfalds could begin as early as summer 2021, with an expected completion date of June, 2024.
That information came from a report the board received from Workun Garrick Partnership Architecture and Interior Design Inc., stating that the initial design phase has been completed.
The overall design schematic is now being reviewed by Alberta Infrastructure.
School re-entry budgetary costs
The Board discussed avenues for provincial advocacy regarding the anticipated costs for school boards due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- With a file from Wolf Creek Public Schools