INNISFAIL - Chinook’s Edge School Division (CESD) trustees have approved year three of the division’s 2021-2024 education plan, which includes a focus on reducing absenteeism and addressing student anxiety.
The approval came during the recent regularly scheduled council meeting.
The Innisfail-headquartered 11,000-student division includes schools across the district. The 2023-2024 plan is part of the larger three-year plan that is submitted to Alberta Education.
The plan for 2023-2024 includes a focus on academic excellence, social emotional well-being and career connections.
The priorities outlined in the updated plan include addressing student absenteeism, and students anxiety officials believe to be a contributing factor in that absenteeism.
It also focuses on students with complex needs, ensuring schools are welcoming to families, and customizing high leverage strategy for Indigenous students to “ensure appropriate supports are provided.”
The result analysis section of the plan states, in part, “student attendance is a high priority across the division. We are experiencing higher rates of absenteeism due to illness, and our stakeholders are identifying anxiety as a key contributing factor.”
In other news from the recent board meeting, trustees approved the 2023-2024 budget with expenditures expected to be $136.8 million, and includes an operating deficiency of $930,000.
“The division expects overall staffing allocations and class sizes to be similar to the 2022-23 school year,” officials said in a press release.
“The division has budgeted for new school buses and up to 10 additional routes to accommodate the provincial change in eligibility for student being transported to school.”
Officials noted that the division will “continue to devote funding for mental health supports for students and staff.”
There will be an increase in fees for Career and Technology Studies class to cover increased material costs, officials said.
