INNISFAIL - Chinook’s Edge School Division (CESD) will allocate $350,000 out of $1.1 million in newly announced provincial funding towards the purchase of Chromebook laptops for students, officials said.
During the Sept. 10 board meeting, trustees approved a plan for allocation of the new money, which is the division’s share of $125 million distributed province-wide to address enrolment pressures.
“With the province asking for school divisions to focus on removing distractions in schools by eliminating student use of cell phones or other smart devises in class, the additional Chromebooks will ensure students continue to have access to the learning tools they need,” CESD said in a release.
The 11,273-student CESD is headquartered in Innisfail and has schools across the region.
Starting in 2025-26 students will require access to Chromebooks for provincial achievement tests and diploma exams.
“The purchase of the additional Chromebooks will assist schools in supporting provincial testing.”
The computers will be used in all grades, says associate superintendent Jason Drent, noting the number of laptops being purchased will be determined following discussion with schools.
Trustees also approved spending $600,000 to address pressure points in school, adding approximately 3.5 full-time equivalent teacher positions and five full-time equivalent education assistant positions.
Up to $140,000 will be spent to support kindergarten to Grade 3 teachers to allow them to complete testing that Alberta Education recently asked divisions to undertake.
As well, $15,000 will be spent to increase the time of the safety coordinator to support the implementation of the new division-wide Hour Zero emergency management plan, which has been adopted for the new school year.
