INNISFAIL - Recently elected Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) chairperson Anne Marie Watson says the next few months should be a busy time for trustees and for the division.
In her 12th year as trustee, Watson was elected chair at the recent organizational meeting. It is her second time as chair of the 10,480-student division, which includes schools in Innisfail and Olds.
The election of a new UCP leader and premier will be of interest to the division, she said.
“In terms of the work of the board, much of our work is working with the provincial government and advocacy to the provincial government,” Watson told the Albertan. “Looking ahead at the year there were be a lot of changes provincially.
“We will have a new premier shortly as the UCP selects a new leader so what does that look like? What does that mean for education? Will that new premier perhaps shuffle cabinet and will we have a new education minister?
“So, we are wondering how that will all play out and we will know shortly. With the new premier what does that look like and what is that person’s vision for education?”
The 2023 provincial election campaign will also be of interest to the division, said Watson.
“There will be lots of opportunities there to engage with candidates and hear their thoughts on education and share out thoughts and so on,” she said. “We will be focused on the provincial scene over the next year.”
In particular the division will want to know what impact, if any, the election may have on the new Grade K-6 curriculum.
“We are really interested in the curriculum,” said Watson. “Phase one of the new curriculum is now being implemented, and now they are moving on with Phase two and then there are additional phases planned for the future.
“So where do candidates and parties sit on that? Are they planning on moving ahead on the same timeline? Are they planning on pulling back? We are really interested in the curriculum process because we are in the midst of it.”
What impact will the outcome of the 2023 provincial election have on the division remains to be seen, she said.
“Over the last year I know that NDP opposition were saying that they were going to scrap the new curriculum,” she said. “Now that Phase one has been implemented, are they still talking that way? By the time the election comes we will be a year into this new curriculum, so are they still planning on scrapping it and what would that look like? Would that throw us into some upheaval?”
Both the Innisfail and Olds schools are in good shape in terms of classroom space, said Watson.
“They are looking pretty good with pretty even growth. We have space and room there,” she said.
In terms of a strategic direction, the board is currently undertaking work to develop a new strategic plan.
“We will be working to flesh out our draft priorities, which are centred around inspiration, innovation, inclusivity, and community. We’ll share more about that work as it progresses,” she said.
With the 2022-2023 school year now underway, Watson says bringing the board of trustees together for the benefit of students across the division remains a top priority.
“I am looking forward to continuing to build our team and tackle these issues together,” she said.
Watson is a librarian at Red Deer Polytechnic, formerly Red Deer College.
