The Saskatoon Public Schools Board of Education held its second-to-last meeting of the 2025-26 school year on June 2, celebrating student achievement and staff excellence while approving key reports and decisions that will help guide the division into the 2026-27 school year.

International Baccalaureate students share their experiences

The meeting began with a presentation highlighting the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme offered at Aden Bowman Collegiate and Bedford Road Collegiate. The program provides academically motivated students in Grades 11 and 12 with a rigorous, inquiry-based learning experience that prepares them for post-secondary education while developing skills in critical thinking, communication, collaboration, research, and problem-solving.

IB coordinators Kim Buglass (Bedford Road) and Jeff Spier (Aden Bowman) were joined by students who shared their personal experiences in the program and the impact it has had on their learning and future goals.

Board recognizes Sean Hayes for extraordinary courage

The Board of Education also recognized Sean Hayes, a former teacher at Evan Hardy Collegiate and current vice principal at Tommy Douglas Collegiate.

In September 2024, Hayes responded to a devastating emergency at Evan Hardy Collegiate, placing himself at significant personal risk while helping a student during a critical situation. His actions demonstrated exceptional courage, compassion, and selflessness.

Earlier this year, Hayes was awarded the Carnegie Medal for Heroism by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, one of North America's highest civilian honours for bravery. The recognition celebrates individuals who risk their own lives while attempting to save others. The board acknowledged Hayes' actions and the broader circle of care and support shown by staff and first responders during a profoundly difficult time for the school community.

Information Services report highlights technology investments

Trustees approved the Strategic Plan Accountability Report: Information Services, which outlined major technology initiatives completed during the past year. These included enhanced cybersecurity measures with 24/7 monitoring, upgrades to school network infrastructure, migration of legacy systems to cloud-based platforms, and the launch of a division-wide CCTV replacement project.

The report also highlighted the division's continued commitment to maintaining equitable access to technology. Future priorities include expanded cybersecurity protections, enhanced school lockdown alerting systems, cloud storage modernization, and responsible exploration of artificial intelligence tools.

Board approves 2026-27 budget

Trustees approved the division's annual operating and capital budget for the 2026-27 school year. The budget is based on projected enrollment of 29,103 students, an increase of approximately 250 students over the previous year.

The budget includes investments in educational assistants, classroom complexity teachers, counsellors, restorative action workers, specialized support programs, and a new secondary functional life skills program. It also supports major capital projects including misiwe-kisik | One Sky School, the future east-side collegiate in Holmwood, and new elementary schools in Aspen Ridge and Brighton.

Board approves policy updates

Trustees approved revisions to three board policies: Policy 4 (Role of the Board Chair), Policy 5 (Role of the Vice Chair), and Policy 21 (Student Awards). The updates reflect governance refinements and enhancements to the division's student recognition framework.

The Board of Education will hold its final regular meeting of the 2025-26 school year on June 16.

PHOTO (from left): Paul Janzen (Superintendent), Tammy Chief (Tommy Douglas VP), Kevin McNarland (Tommy Douglas Principal), Sean Hayes, Karen Peterson (Evan Hardy Principal), Kim Stranden (Board Chair), Shane Skjerven (Director of Education).