A variety of reports and presentations greeted the trustees of the South East Cornerstone Public School Division trustees when they met June 20 for a general business session.
A delegation of four from the Town of Ogema provided some updated information regarding civic and educational progress in their community.
Mayor Wayne Myren, school principal Michael Bruins and school community council members Jessica Deringer and Brenda Mazer told the trustees that Ogema's fortunes had taken a definite upward turn over the past year and a half with the arrival of new industry and new tourism concepts that included a passenger train running a route on a short line that attracted 3,500 travellers last year and an expected 7,000 visitors this year since it will be the first full-year of operations for the local tourism group.
Myren pointed out that the population of the small town had risen to above 400 now with a local industry taking root, which has led to a number of immigrant employees who have filled out a roster of 21 people taking English as Another Language (EAL) courses.
Deringer noted the school's enrolment had gone from 58 to 116 with another 25 youngsters registered for day-care facilities in the building.
"It may not sound impressive for cities, but Ogema has had four new houses built last year and four more are being built this year and another four are in the planning stage," said Myren. "We've added a new fertilizer plant, a new welding shop and a pasta wholesale operation along with a catering service and an agricultural supply store."
The mayor said the immigrant population appears to be settling in well within the community with just a few families shuttling out and a few new ones coming in. He noted Chinese interests have purchased some nearby properties, as have some investors from the Philippines.
"We've had a $2 million upgrade on our water system, developed a nine-lot cul de sac and put $1.1 million into our Heritage Hall and $1 million toward a new curling rink along with a five-year plan for a community swimming pool. We've hired a new economic development officer and built a new website," Myren said. "It's been a good year for us with growth and excitement."
Deringer noted that the SCC lost one member last year, but three people joined up and there were no negative issues to address from the school front, and space at the school was being totally utilized and they hoped for an early-education program.
She laughed and said the only thing that became a concern was with a local school newsletter that asked for volunteer parents to bring "loaves, finger food or squares," to a school event. "Some of our immigrant parents were really puzzled with that they weren't sure what we were asking from them," she said.
Bruins added that local educational issues included improvement in math results and student engagement and their recent Math Night exceeded any expectations. He pointed out there are currently 25 people serving on a local community board.
In other school division reports, the First Nations/Metis advisory council noted that the extension of their mandate that began in 2010 has been welcomed. It now goes to 2016. The committee met four times in the past academic year and while there were still challenges in meeting expectations, there was progress being made now that differences in priorities between the school division and the bands have been sorted out. A memorandum of understanding between on-reserve schools and off-reserve schools is pending through the advisory council.
Workplace transition training plans are on hold, but promising, said council member Carol Flynn.
"There is some trust building up here, the relationship is coming along," said trustee Janet Foord.
