Pembina Hills Public Schools’ trustees will consult the public in April on potentially extending Pembina North Community School’s (PNCS) attendance area to claim 29 students attending Westlock Elementary School and Eleanor Hall School.
During their March 23 meeting in Barrhead, trustees reviewed a list of potential changes to the division’s eight attendance areas, which determine what school students attend.
The proposed changes arose from the attendance area review conducted last November, which consisted of eight public sessions and an online survey. Notably, this was the first time a comprehensive review of the division’s attendance areas had been done in 20 years.
One of the major proposed changes is extending Pembina North’s attendance area to the south and southeast.
As of March 14, there are 59 students residing in the areas that PNCS may absorb. However, only 29 students would have PNCS as their new designated school. There are 30 students who would not be affected because they’re already at PNCS, in Grades 9 to 12, enroled in French Immersion, attend the Covenant Canadian Reformed School, or the Neerlandia Public Christian School.
Another proposed change is to extend Neerlandia’s attendance area to the south and east, capturing some of the attendance areas of Barrhead, Westlock and PNCS.
There are 81 students in the area that may be absorbed by Neerlandia, but the majority already attend Neerlandia Public Christian School and Covenant Canadian Reformed School.
Excluding Grade 9-12 and French Immersion students, a total of 25 students would have a new designated school.
Board chair Jennifer Tuininga noted that affected students who do not wish to take the alternate program in Neerlandia are get transported to Barrhead free of charge.
Trustees will also consult with the public on extending Busby School’s attendance area to capture the region north of George Lake along its western boundary, which is currently in the Dunstable attendance area.
They are also looking at extending Busby’s eastern boundary to Highway 2, which would capture some of Eleanor Hall’s attendance area.
As of March 14, there are 12 students in the areas that may be absorbed by Busby. However, excluding current Grade 6-12 and French Immersion students, only four students would be affected.
Finally, trustees will look at some small additional changes to Westlock’s attendance area — in addition to the other changes already mentioned — to create transportation efficiencies.
For instance, they are looking to extend Westlock’s attendance area to capture NE27, SE 34-58-1-W5, which is in Dunstable’s attendance area. This change would affect one student.
As well, the board is considering moving the Pickardville Coal Mine trailer park, which is in Busby’s attendance area, to Westlock. There are two students currently living in this area.
They are also looking at letting Westlock absorb SW35-58-1-W5 and the boundary line between Barrhead and Westlock, though these changes would impact no students.
Trustee Judy Lefebvre asked if there was any information on extra ride times for students who are moved from one attendance area to the next.
Tuininga said none of that information is available yet, and their purpose of the March 23 meeting was merely to decide what proposals they will consult the public on. Bus routes will be worked out after they make a final decision on any changes.
“Don’t you think that’s important information?” asked Lefebvre.
“How can you predict that when you don’t know which attendance areas will change and which won’t?” Tuininga responded.
Supt. Colleen Symyrozum-Watt said they will be sending letters to all parents affected by the proposed changes and encourage them to take part in the consultation.
The public consultation will involve two meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 19-20, at Westlock Elementary School and Barrhead Elementary School respectively. Both meetings are at 7 p.m.
There will also be an online survey available at the Pembina Hills website from April 4-20.
After hearing input, a final decision is slated for April 27.
