Living Sky School Division board trustees and staff shown at Wednesday's board meeting. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Watching the numbers

Living Sky School Division sees enrolment decline in several North Battleford schools

Oct 24, 2019 | 5:19 PM

Student enrolment has declined in many of Living Sky School Division’s schools, particularly in North Battleford.

As of Sept. 30, figures show enrolment at 5,392, a drop of 71 students compared to the same time last year. However, it is above the projected enrolment figure of 5,327.

Board trustee Garth Link questioned why so many North Battleford schools seemed to take a hit during Wednesday’s board meeting.

North Battleford Comprehensive High School currently has 1,026 students, compared to 1,086 at the end of September 2018. The amount projected was 1,074.

Similarly, Connaught School saw 172 students enrolled at the end of September 2019 compared to 205. The school’s projected enrolment was 200.

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Cando Community School currently has 70 students, compared to 102. Cando’s projected enrolment was 108.

Some possibilities raised during the meeting for the lower enrolment was whether there are enough jobs in the community to attract families.

The board heard how many rural communities across Saskatchewan face declining populations as more people are drawn to opportunities in urban centres.

It was mentioned how fluctuations in the oil and gas industry affect the area as well. Families will often relocate to find work elsewhere when there are layoffs in a community and a slump in the economy.

The board was concerned how a decline in enrolment affects the per-student funding the school division receives from the province.

Director of Education Brenda Vickers said when reduced enrolment impacts staffing, the division can re-adjust staff members internally, like by not filling a position when a staff member takes maternity leave.

Some schools that saw an increase in enrolment include Unity Composite High School, Unity Public School, St. Vital Catholic School and McLurg High School.

The school board plans to meet with area MLAs in January and will have an opportunity to discuss the issue of the impact of declining of enrolment.

—

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow