This week I was surprised that the initiative to create a separate Catholic school district is still being proposed with a public meeting hosted by the proponents on June 9.
In early March I expressed my concerns as a parent regarding this initiative and the negative implications it would have on all children’s education in the Athabasca community. Fracturing public funds to support a separate school district, impacts the quality of education in the Athabasca area including: transportation; curriculum programming; school sports; supporting services; and accessibility to equipment and resources. This impact will be intensified particularly in a community that is the size of the Athabasca area where student enrollment is already declining.
Since early March, a lot has changed in the world and our community and these changes may persist well into the future. In a current time of upheaval and uncertainty, we as individuals, communities, and organizations, have a responsibility to find ways to work together to create stability and resiliency. We need to consider how our own interests impact others and demonstrate leadership by altering our course to consider the benefit of the community.
This proposal creates greater uncertainty, divisiveness, and anxiety regarding the future allocation of resources for education. Aspen View School Division recently noted that it is preparing for three different scenarios for the coming school year to manage the uncertainty of the COVID situation. This is in addition to the school division already needing to address prior reductions in budget and support services. This is a particularly challenging time for school leaders, educators, school administrators and families with children currently in the school system.
The Establishment of Separate School Districts Regulation and associated provincial process should be reviewed for amendment to better reflect the needs, social and cultural diversity, and economic constraints of modern society. The process enables a small minority (e.g. <40) of self-identified individuals (Catholics in this situation), in the census boundary area to vote in favour of establishing a separate school district. It does not enable a broader democratic approach or encourage collaborative discussion and working relationships to identify practical options.
It fails to consider public benefit and factors such as economic feasibility, and long term social impacts.
I would anticipate the public meeting hosted by the proponents will provide information including other options explored prior to proposing a school district; mitigation strategies to the concerns raised by community members to date; and an opportunity to engage in a productive dialogue that could explore a different solution that considers the community as a whole.
This process could be driven towards a vote by June 30, 2020; participation in a thoughtful discussion needs to occur now.
The public meeting is scheduled for June 9, 6-7 p.m. at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church and via Zoom at http://onlinefaith.ca
Sarah Froese
Athabasca
