The Summer Games, originally scheduled for 2020 but postponed due to the pandemic, have come and gone with great success. Mountain View School Division (MVSD) was honored to support many aspects of the event, particularly the facility upgrades—especially the new rubberized running track at DRCSS. These improvements will benefit both our students and the community for years to come.
Our division serves approximately 3200 students, supported by 507 dedicated staff members, operating within a $50 million budget. To better understand our strengths and areas for improvement, we launched an annual staff survey. The feedback has already led to meaningful changes, including staff recognition programs designed to boost morale and appreciation for the team’s hard work. These initiatives are vital in supporting staff retention and recruitment.
This fall, MVSD will hold a by-election following the resignation of four trustees. We encourage community members to step forward and submit nominations for the October election. Nomination packages will be available at the division office. It’s important to reflect on the values championed by campaigns like "Local Voices, Local Choices" and "Your Voice Matters," which played a key role in defeating Bill 64, a proposed law that would have abolished local school boards in favor of government control. As Wab Kinew emphasized, “After taking some time and looking at the situation, we think it's an important step to return that power to locally elected, democratic officials instead of trying to centralize everything like the previous PC government” (Bartley Kives, CBC News, August 20, 2024). Local elections allow the community to be heard and shape the future of education. In the last provincial election, 47% of trustees were newly elected, bringing fresh perspectives that benefit students and communities alike.
In recent months, we have been encouraged by the support for our board’s efforts. Recently, one of our trustees raised concerns about the ineffectiveness of past government-led initiatives in improving educational outcomes. Supported by data from the Community Well-Being Index, Manitoba Education’s graduation rates website, and MVSD’s own statistics (showing a 44% graduation rate for Indigenous students and over 90% for non-Indigenous students*), these concerns underscore the importance of careful scrutiny when implementing new policies. Trustees have a duty to raise such discussions, even when they involve difficult or sensitive topics. This commitment to openness fosters inclusivity, ensuring that all voices are heard and reinforcing our division’s dedication to transparency. *MB Grad Calculation – Total graduates/by Total number Gr. 9 students 4 years earlier
This new school year also marks significant changes in MVSD. The government of Manitoba has invested $30 million into a universal nutrition program, which MVSD began implementing last fall. This program ensures that all students have access to nutritious meals, supporting their health and academic success.
In addition, the Manitoba government has recommended a new policy banning cell phones for K to 8 students and restricting their use for grades 9 through 12. MVSD has implemented a procedure in accordance with this policy, which represents a significant step in creating a focused and distraction-free learning environment.
Aligned with the province’s goals of inclusion and decolonization in education, the Minister of Education recently conducted an independent governance review of our division. Although the Minister stated that the review recommended dissolving MVSD, he chose to appoint four government-chosen members to join our board: Frances Chartrand from the Manitoba Metis Federation, Jim Murray from the Brandon School Division, Andrea Zaroda from Winnipeg at MB Teachers’ Society, and Cindy Mckay council for Minegoziibe Anishinabe (Pine Creek). This decision marks a shift from our previous local governance model. Despite this change, we are committed to collaborating with these members to demonstrate our dedication to inclusive and responsible governance, integrating their perspectives as we continue to serve our community effectively.
Community engagement remains fundamental to our success. We encourage participation through Parent Auxiliary Committees (PAC), communication with teachers and administrators, attendance at budget and strategic planning meetings, and of course, participation in school board meetings. The opportunity to present as a delegation at board meetings is open to anyone wishing to share views or propose alternatives. This is your chance to ensure your voice is heard.
Ultimately, the strength of our school division lies in the involvement of our community members. By stepping forward as a delegate, or even as a trustee, you play a vital role in shaping the future of education in Mountain View School Division.
For comments and suggestions, please contact [email protected].