By Andrea Arnold
McBride Secondary and Elementary School Vice Principal Lisa Franke was happy to receive news this week that School District 57 had reinstated her position for the upcoming school year. Following a decision made at the end of May, she was uncertain what the next year would look like for her.
“I am excited and grateful to be able to continue my career in education in McBride as Vice Principal and am looking forward to the upcoming 2024-2025 school year,” she said.
School District 57 Superintendent Jameel Aziz said that earlier this week the board took another look at the budget and found ways to restore the position.
“Beyond this next year, the position is not guaranteed long term,” said Aziz. “Each year we have to take a look at the enrollment numbers of the schools.”
He has recently spent time visiting the McBride schools and witnessed the high level of commitment shown by both VP Franke and Principal Jason Schwartz.
Aziz has experience as a solo principal serving two schools at the same time and knows first hand that the ideal is to have a minimum of two people sharing some of the responsibilities. However, if the numbers dip below what the board considers critical, he said difficult decisions will need to be made.
Following the initial announcement, local MLA Shirley Bond, a long time supporter of rural schools, expressed her concerns directly to both SD57 and the Minister of Education Rachma Singh. Bond said that she appreciated the correspondence she had received from locals expressing thoughts and concerns. She was able to use some of the information in these letters as she presented her case.
Bond said she was pleased to hear the McBride Schools will continue to have two administrators for the next year.
“While it is a relief to see there has been some recognition that the proposed cuts would have a significant impact on our schools, students and staff, we need to continue to speak up about the need to fund rural schools in a way that allows students, wherever they live, to receive the educational opportunities they deserve,” she said.
Aziz is concerned that factors, like the Scotiabank branch closing, may affect numbers in upcoming years.
“I hope enrollment stays stable,” he said.
