St. John Paul’s zoning determined
After several weeks of discussions and public consultation, Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education trustees unanimously passed a motion to set the boundaries for École St. John Paul II School as originally advised by senior staff at the special meeting at the end of January.
The school’s boundaries will be set east of 13th Avenue SE to south of the TransCanada Highway to north of the city boundary, including Southlands. The school’s new zone will include the Rural 2 component which encompasses all rural areas immediately south and east of Medicine Hat, (excluding Desert Blume), and will include the hamlet of Dunmore.
Transparency motion defeated by majority
Three out of five trustees voted against Trustee David Leahy’s motion to allow the board’s Committee of Whole meetings to be opened up to the public. Trustees Peter Grad, Dick Mastel and Robert Risling outvoted Leahy and Trustee Kathy Glasgo.
Leahy, backed by Glasgo, felt opening these committee meetings would allow for more openness with the public, and an opportunity to publicly debate larger issues facing Catholic education in the city in a dedicated forum outside the current public meeting structure.
Trustees Grad, Mastel and Risling said they felt the board was already very transparent with the public, and the current structure of the Committee of the Whole meetings served the board’s needs well.
St. Louis principal wins award
MHCBE has chosen St. Louis School principal Sandra Richard for its 2017/18 Excellence in Catholic Education Award. Richard is the first administrator to win this award in the district, which has for its criteria that the recipient: “Communicates clearly and convincingly the benefits of Catholic education and its value to society.” Richard will be formally presented with the award at the March 13 board meeting.
Gradual Retirement Plan extended a year
MHCBE trustees voted unanimously to extend the district’s popular Gradual Retirement Plan for one more year at least. The program allows veteran teachers to teach part time for a further school year, slowing down gradually instead of retiring outright.