Parkland School Division No. 70

The board conducted an organizational meeting to elect a new chairperson and vice chairperson for the 2026-2027 school year, during which each candidate provided a rationale for their leadership goals. Additionally, the board appointed members to various committees and agencies for the upcoming school year and reviewed committee representation policies.

The board meeting covered several key topics, including a land acknowledgement, trustee announcements regarding community engagement, and reports on student achievement and awards. Discussion topics included an update on the collegiate program application, the approval of the Brookwood School addition and modernization, and the impact of provincial legislation including Bill 25. The board also reviewed advocacy efforts regarding long-term sustainable funding and community traffic safety initiatives.

The board meeting centered on discussions regarding student mental health services and counseling. The session included trustee announcements covering student achievements such as a bikeathon, state of the region address, and a tiny home building competition. The primary presentation focused on the division's model for counseling services, including universal, targeted, and individual support, as well as crisis intervention. Additionally, an overview was provided regarding community-based mental health resources, including the opening of a new integrated youth services facility in Spruce Grove, and the challenges families face with service accessibility and private practice costs.

The board meeting included a land acknowledgement and recognition of Louis Riel Day and Black History Month, featuring a poem presentation. The board held a moment of reflection regarding community tragedy and received trustee announcements concerning school events, concert attendance, and student awards, including nominations for the Honoring Spirit Indigenous Student Award. The agenda was amended to remove a policy review item. Finally, the board received a specialized program overview on the REL (Relating Everyday Academic and Life Skills) and LAWS (Life Academic and Work Skills) programs, highlighting the expansion of the REL program to additional sites.

The board meeting focused on several key topics, including a land acknowledgment, the national anthem, and a personal reflection on the board's decision-making process. Trustees provided updates on school events, such as career expos, winter celebrations, and partnerships with local municipalities. A presentation was delivered regarding the success of the Engagement Hub, which serves as a proactive, restorative alternative to traditional out-of-school suspensions by focusing on student regulation and academic continuity. Additionally, the agenda was amended to include a discussion on the impact of programs of choice on rural school enrollment.