It has taken over a year of planning and consultation but the South East Cornerstone Public School Division now has a school attendance boundaries policy, which will go into effect for the 2014-15 school year.
Three public consultations were held in Carievale, Radville and Wapella, and written submissions were also made to the school division from parents, community groups and school community councils.
The board of education has now approved the motion that sets the parameters for those seeking relief from having their children attend specific schools within each attendance area.
"The most difficult decisions were around the question of how arbitrary the board should be in its administrative procedure regarding the desirability to maintain program viability of existing schools in their respective communities, while also respecting the wishes of parents who want their children to attend a school of choice. In the end, the board decided to grandfather families who currently have children attending school outside of their attendance boundary and has implemented a courtesy rider program to facilitate parental requests for school choice," said Harold Laich, chairman of the board of trustees.
Laich noted there had been a wide range of opinions received before the board made its final decision.
In terms of transportation for the students, the board noted they will grandfather the transportation of only those students currently approved within an attendance area to an area outside of their attendance area until the students and their siblings have completed the K-12 education system with the SECPSD.
The courtesy rider program will accommodate students wishing to attend a school outside their attendance area, at an existing pick up zone, based on criteria established in Administrative Procedure 306. These existing pick up zones are within the new attendance area that the student wishes to attend.
With regard to new families, they will be required to adhere to Administrative Procedure 305 and 306 and will be afforded the courtesy rider program.
The board members said they now feel they have a clear procedure in place that will serve the needs of students, parents and the school communities, and will provide direction for senior administrators who handle such requests.
To view the finalized attendance boundaries for the public school division, visit their website at www.cornerstonesd.ca/Board
