The Chinook's Edge School Division has launched a survey of parents and community members to gather feedback on how the board and division are performing.
The survey asks participants to indicate what the division is doing well and what are some areas that need improvement.
“It's a process to reach out to our communities and find out what they're thinking. It's a way to engage communities,” said Colleen Butler, chair of the board.
Butler said in the past, the board has invited the public out to a meeting in Innisfail or Olds, but this time trustees felt an online survey was a good way to get feedback.
“We feel that that would reach a wide range of people, not only parents but community members as well, and give us a really good feel of what the community is thinking,” she said.
The division is holding an open house at the board office on May 8 from 3:30 to 7 p.m. to share survey findings, with a presentation from 5:30 to 6:30. The survey will remain open until May 15, after which time a report will be drafted to guide trustees for the following year.
Through the survey, division staff members hope to identify parents that might be interested in participating in a Parents Matter committee that would discuss issues and provide regular feedback to the central office leadership team and the board.
The committee is based on similar teachers matter, support staff matter and students matter committees that have been set up to provide feedback.
The Students Matter committee, which is composed of students from Grade 7 to 12, will meet for the first time on Thursday.
It hasn't yet been determined how often the Parents Matter committee would meet with the central office leadership team or the board of trustees.
“We've been very pleased with (other committees) so again, it's a way for us to talk to our various stakeholders face to face and hear exactly what they're thinking, what ideas they have for us, what they feel we should continue doing, what we should stop doing,” she said.
The survey is available at all schools and offices throughout the division. People can also call the division office in Innisfail at 1-800-561-9229.
"We feel that that would reach a wide range of people ... not only parents but community members as well, and give us a really good feel of what the community is thinking."Colleen Butler, chair, board of trustees, CESD
