The Chinook's Edge School Division's board of education presented information about its recent public survey during a town hall presentation at the division office in Innisfail on May 8.
The public survey was developed as a way to gather feedback from parents. In the past, the school division has addressed a particular topic through public events and last year, trustees attended area trade shows, but this is the first time the division has used a public survey to gather feedback.
“Every year we try to do something to engage our public and hear what they have to say so that we can plan around their concerns or suggestions,” said school board chair Colleen Butler.
This year's survey asked the public what the school division was doing right and also what it could improve upon.
The survey results praised the division for keeping parents involved, having good student-to-staff ratios, having good student resources, and for meeting individual learning needs, specifically with special assistance and special testing, and for keeping schools clean and safe, she said.
She said it was also praised for having highly-qualified teaching staff, for managing business affairs well and for good communication overall.
She also listed good student opportunities, a positive atmosphere, high standards for learning, anti-bullying and character-building initiatives and a focus on work experience and apprenticeship opportunities and the visibility of board members as positives.
“Our superintendent has placed high importance on these things and that's why we are receiving some of these comments,” she said.
Superintendent Kurt Sacher summarized what could be improved upon, according to the feedback.
In regards to homework, he said comments were received on both ends of the spectrum.
“We had some of the parents saying there is a little too much and some saying there is not enough,” said Sacher.
He said the responses came from opposite ends of the spectrum with regards to the school calendar as well. Some felt changes were needed while others were OK with it.
But Sacher added that that is the desired feedback when it comes to the school calendar.
“When you survey and you try and hit the target that is really the best you can do. Some people don't want a fall break. They want a Friday off every once in a while. Others are the exact opposite,” he said.
Some feedback asked for more school supplies to be provided for students and some expressed concern about the bell schedules.
When it comes to curriculum, Sacher said some felt that there wasn't enough focus on the fundamentals.
“Some of them were perceiving that there was more much focus on the calculator than what they are expected to learn,” he said.
Some want more opportunities in younger grades for participation in sports. Some wanted more focus on career pathways. Some felt that more educational assistance is needed and others felt that teachers are too often asked to go beyond the call of duty and expressed concern that that takes away from the quality of learning.
Concerns about bus ride lengths and concerns how the budget is handled were also expressed.
Moving forward, board chair Butler said that people could expect the formation of a Parents Matter Committee.
“Since Kurt (Sacher) has become our superintendent we have formed a Teachers Matter Committee, a Support Staff Matters Committee, a Students Matter Committee,” said Butler.
“Now we are looking to launch a Parents Matter Committee and the purpose of that will be to ensure that Chinook's Edge is engaging every student in meaningful learning. There will be more details coming about that later.”
The survey was launched in February. Responses were accepted up until May 15. The school division received 130 responses.
Chinook's Edge has schools across West Central Alberta, including in Innisfail and Olds.
