Clearview Public Schools is calling on regional municipalities to help expand a newly launched bursary program for local teachers who return to the area for employment.
Board Chair Guy Neitz updated the Town of Stettler council at their June 16 meeting regarding the division’s new return to service bursary, which offers up to $10,000 to post-secondary students who commit to working locally upon graduation.
Neitz told council the division is facing empty positions across its schools, highlighting a persistent struggle to recruit a junior high science teacher in Donalda, as well as a lack of applicants for principal positions.
“We are seeing regular retirements but are not seeing enough graduate candidates to replace them,” Neitz said, adding he hopes the financial incentive will help draw new teachers out to smaller communities like Byemoor, Erskine, and Donalda.
While three teacher candidates applied before the June 8 deadline for this year’s initial rollout, Clearview hopes to be able to expand the bursary to other short-staffed occupations, such as speech therapists.
Beyond staffing, Neitz detailed urgent infrastructure needs at the Stettler school complex, with the division updating a cost analysis for an HVAC replacement at the facility.
The Clearview board has also listed a new K-6 school as its number one capital priority, alongside modernizing the former middle school campus.
Local officials are lobbying the province for funding. Stettler town council recently toured the facility and designated the school complex upgrade as the top item on their strategic plan.
Author: Landin Chambers
Landin Chambers is a news reporter for Hometown Media Stettler. He has a background in broadcast news, with previous roles in Prince George, Red Deer and Calgary. You may also see him as a cameraman for the Stettler Wildcats and Stettler Imperials. Have a story idea? Email: lchambers@htproductionsmedia.ca
