Enrolment numbers fluctuate every year in Aspen View Schools, and they are difficult to anticipate.
“For the first month, we keep close tabs on enrolments, because as of September 30, whatever the count is at that particular time, that’s how we’re funded,” said Aspen View Schools associate superintendent Derm Madden.
Some parents raised concerns on social media last week regarding class sizes — one cited a possible class of 35 students. But Madden said at the end of the day, more students attending school is a good thing. He said resources would not be spread thin because staffing will fluctuate according to enrolment.
“We have a month at the beginning of the year to manoeuvre our staff,” he said, adding that higher-than-anticipated enrolment is better than lower-than-expected enrolment.
“If we have a significant increase in numbers, we may have to hire additional teachers, and if we have a significant drop in numbers, we have to let people go,” said Madden. “Student numbers are the single most important factor in educational funding, because the bottom line is: this is about kids,” he said.
The last number of years have seen a slight decline in funding due to lower enrolment. Eventually, said Madden, enrolment will level off and rebound, but he said this will not happen overnight.
“At this time of year, we try to staff based on our projected enrolments, but we do try to project very conservatively, because it’s much easier to add a teacher than it is to let one go, and if we’re projecting to the point where we’re overstaffed in September and we have to lay off people, it’s really tough,” said Madden.
“It’s hard on (teachers) and their families; it’s also hard on the kids because suddenly their class sizes are changing,” he said.
Madden could not say what specific staffing changes have taken place in Aspen View Schools leading into the new school year, but he did acknowledge changes in administration happen every year.
He said Rochester, Thorhild, Smoky Lake and Grassland schools have new administrators.
“In the case of Athabasca, the admin team in all three schools are the same. But the admin teams in Athabasca are relatively new as well,” he said.
