At the June 3 regular meeting of the Board of Education, we heard from teachers and Grade 7/8 students from
James L. Alexander School about their recent participation in Mission Explorium, a national sustainability project hosted by
Agriculture in the Classroom Canada.
Students were invited to apply their interdisciplinary learning (science, mathematics, language arts, visual arts and career education) in meaningful, creative ways with the goal of building agriculture and food literacy. The JLA team was proud to place first place nationally from a total of 225 entries. You can watch their award-winning video by clicking here.
Teachers Kelli Fredlund and Chrisa Farrell - longtime teaching partners recognized as "exceptional" - said they attribute the students' success to the culture that everyone worked together to create.
2025-26 SPS budget
The June 3 meeting also included reviewing the operating and capital budget for the 2025-26 school year. The board approved the budget, with Board Chair Kim Stranden calling it "a step in the right direction."
The funding allocated to our school division in 2025-26 has allowed for significant investments in student supports including teaching professionals, educational assistants, special education programs, professional development and other operating costs.
Some of the notable new investments include:
- 41 additional teachers to support enrolment growth.
- 65 additional educational assistants.
- 55 new intervention teachers (targeted support for students).
- Eight additional specialized support classrooms, for a total of nine. Specialized classrooms address the needs of students with diverse learning needs.
The budget also includes capital investments, including funding for:
- Preplanning for new elementary schools in Aspen Ridge and Kensington.
- Continued funding to support construction of new elementary schools in Brighton and the city centre, and a new high school in Holmwood (adjacent to Brighton).
- Strategic Plan Accountability Report: Information Services
- Reports of Trustees
View the full meeting agenda by clicking here.
