Students from Marion M. Graham Collegiate took centre stage at the May 14 Board of Education meeting as the school's brand-new Emergency Services classes were featured during the meeting’s Celebrating Excellence presentation. 

Principal Jay Harvey, teacher Drew Fitzgerald, and students shared learning experiences taking place within the specialized program, which gives students the opportunity to explore careers in firefighting, paramedicine, policing, and search and rescue. 

The hands-on program allows Grades 11 and 12 students to participate in practical skills labs, scenario-based learning, physical fitness training, and certification opportunities including First Aid/CPR, WHMIS, and Incident Command training. 

The division also recognized the many community organizations supporting the program, including the Saskatoon Fire Department, Saskatoon Police Service, Saskatoon Search and Rescue, Medavie Health Services West, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, STARS Ambulance, and the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency. 

Other agenda items

Board members received several reports connected to the division’s strategic plan and operational priorities.

Strategic Plan Accountability Report 

This report focuses on relationships highlighted ongoing work to foster safe, caring, and accepting schools where students feel connected, supported, and valued. 

The report shared results from the 2025–26 OurSCHOOL survey, showing positive student-teacher relationships increased slightly division-wide from 6.7 to 6.8, meeting the division’s target for improvement. Students in Grades 6, 8, 10, and 11 all reported increased positive student-teacher relationship scores compared to the previous year. 

The report also highlighted several initiatives supporting student well-being and belonging, including partnerships with the Saskatoon Industry Education Council, the Restorative Action Program, Navera Community Connections, and the Saskatoon Tribal Council. 

Student Transportation Accountability Report

This report outlines efforts to provide safe, on-time, and cost-efficient transportation service for students across Saskatoon. 

As of March 31, 2026, Saskatoon Public Schools was transporting more than 6,400 students on 173 transportation routes, including students requiring intensive supports and those enrolled in specialized programs. 

The report noted transportation services continue to perform well overall, while also identifying ongoing challenges related to driver recruitment and retention, increasing operational costs, and anticipated federal school bus regulation changes coming into effect in 2027. 

The division also shared future transportation initiatives, including expanded use of bus tracking technology and the addition of interior video surveillance systems on new buses through an upcoming transportation contract. 

During this meeting, trustees also approved the division’s updated three-year Preventative Maintenance and Renewal Plan, which outlines priority facility maintenance projects for 2027–2029 and is required annually by the Ministry of Education.

PHOTO: Students from Marion M. Graham Collegiate demonstrate some of their emergency response learning