Clearview Candidates Discuss Small Schools, Kindergarten Funding As Advance Voting Begins

With advance voting opening today for the Clearview Public Schools election, residents in Wards 4 and 5 are hearing from trustee candidates about their priorities for rural education.

In Ward 4 (Botha-Byemoor), incumbent John Schofer faces challenger Daram Van Oers, while in Ward 5 (Castor), incumbent Erika Grice is being challenged by Wendy Coppock.

Residents heard from Schofer & Van Oers during a public forum held Oct. 8 at the Stettler Recreation Centre, hosted by the Stettler Public Library & Stettler Regional Board of Trade.

Schofer, who has served on the board for 24 years, told the audience his focus remains on keeping rural schools viable.

“Somebody once asked me what’s the greatest thing about the job,” he said. “To me, it’s to see kids come back into our community and be functioning parts of society.”

Van Oers, a retired Clearview administrator who spent 24 years as a principal & five as deputy superintendent, said his background gives him a strong understanding of how board decisions affect classrooms and families.

“I’ve gained a deep understanding of how school divisions operate. From finance and transportation to curriculum and staffing,” he said. “I believe small schools are the heart of our rural communities.”

Rural School Viability

On the question of school viability, both men agreed closures should be a last resort. Van Oers noted funding drops when enrollment falls below 35 students, but said the division should focus on maintaining strong programs to avoid that point.

“If we do reach that point, I would not be voting to close a school,” he said.

Schofer added that closing rural schools would harm small communities already affected by underfunding. “Our communities are school-based,” he said. “I would never want to close a school.”

Kindergarten Funding & Competition

A significant portion of the discussion focused on full-time kindergarten, currently being offered at Stettler Elementary School.

Van Oers said the program benefits early learners & acknowledged it also helps the public system remain competitive with East Central Catholic Schools.

“Studies show kids who spend a full year in kindergarten tend to come up a little higher,” he said.

Schofer agreed, adding that working parents have expressed strong support for the full-day option.

“When you’ve got two parents working, they want full-time kindergarten,” he said. “It seems to be a need that parents want in the Stettler area.”

While expanding the program division-wide would depend on staffing costs, both candidates said competition & funding realities make it an important consideration.

“If Stettler is strong and healthy, all of our communities and schools will be strong and healthy as well,” Schofer said.

Election Details

Advance polls open Oct. 15 at the Halkirk Community Hall for County of Paintearth residents and continue Oct. 16 & 17 at the County of Stettler administration building from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day.

Election day for Wards 4 & 5 is on Monday, Oct. 20, with polls open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voters in Ward 4 can cast ballots at:

• Botha Seniors’ Centre

• Byemoor Community Hall

• County of Stettler Administration Building

• County of Paintearth Administration Office

Ward 5 voting stations include:

• County of Paintearth Administration Office

• Town of Castor Office

• Byemoor Community Hall

• County of Stettler Administration Building

Several trustees were acclaimed across the division for the 2025-2029 term, including Guy Neitz (Ward 1), Barbara Gano (Ward 2), Rebecca Scott & Greg Hayden (Ward 3) & Shauna-Lee Thomas (Ward 6).

Coverage of the candidates forum can be found over on our YouTube channel.