Unique
Characteristics and District Strengths
The District
continues to face the challenges associated with declining enrolment
due to a weak primary industry based economy. The fiscal reality
facing the District has been how to keep small rural schools
open with a full range of programs and services. During the
2002-2003 school year, the District moved to an altered calendar
as well as the four-day school week to save costs. The adoption
of the Four Day Week has permitted the District to move from
a deficit to a surplus situation and this has allowed the District
to fund programs targeted to early literacy and student achievement.
The 1% funding protection provided by the Ministry for 2006-2007
year provided needed financial stability.
The School
District has also partnered with other community agencies; Ministry
for Children and Family Development, Public Health, and Boundary
Family and Individual Services Society to create an integrated
service model (Boundary Integrated Services Model or BISM) for
each of its community catchments areas. As a result of this
model every elementary school in the District has a Family Center
located in the school or on the school property. Family Centers
provide a variety of community services for families and children
including parenting programs, pre-school literacy programs,
health and nutrition counseling, etc.
During the
2002 - 2003 school year, and the subsequent two years, the Board
of School Trustees committed funds to create a Trustee Initiative
Grant to schools. The grants were targeted initially to elementary
schools to develop programs to improve literacy. They are evolving
to support School Growth Plans. In 2006 – 2007 budget
cycle the Board has re-committed to the Trustee Initiative Grant
for another 3 years with a focus on teacher development and
best teaching practices in literacy.
In June
2005 the District expanded and re-organized its alternate school
program. There are now three locations across the District providing
services to students in grades 3 to 12.