SD73 prepares to welcome students back Sept. 8

“We want them to run to school and walk home,” SD73 Superintendent Mike St. John said. “They cant wait to get there in the morning, they don’t want to leave at night. That starts with the care, love and engagement in the classroom by their classroom teacher. But also the extra supports that are offered to kids that need it, and also the extra opportunities.”

St. John, assumed the superintendent’s role in February, and joked he’s no longer running beside the bus playing catchup, instead ready at the start line for the fresh school year.

“We get to sort of revision a little bit. This is a year for our strategic direction to be updated and refined,” added St. John. “A big part of that, what we value is the public input and all our partner group input and involvement including parent and student voice as well.”

Enrollment figures aren’t set until late September but the district expects to be around the same numbers as a year ago, with overall finances back to balanced books.

“We will be monitoring enrollment closely to make sure we are in alignment with our budget and make adjustments accordingly,” said Secretary-Treasurer Kim Morris. “Depending on increased enrollment, increased service or a decrease in enrollment where we can adjust. but i would say we are very financially stable right now.”

The biggest change for the district this year will be bringing Snine Elementary online.

“We are very excited to see the opening of that, it was a lot of engagement with the McGowan community when McGowan was very heavily over capacity,” SD73 Board Chair Heather Grieve said. “And also with community partners and groups to have that come to fruition. A lot of gratitude to our staff and facilities in the work.”

The impacts of Snine will be felt across the southwest portion of the district with over capacity challenges eased.

by Michael Reeve

SD73 prepares to welcome students back Sept. 8

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