The Southeast Cornerstone School Division reviewed 12 schools that were in the school viability program with Don Rempel, Director of Education, reporting that seven of those schools are now found to be classed as viable while five remain on the list of non-viable schools. Those five schools are Lyndale School in Oungre, Macoun School, Ogema School, Pangman School and Frobisher School.

Schools that cannot sustain the minimal requirements set by the board are considered to be non-viable. Those minimal requirements include that there are at least three consecutive grades with enrolment of at least seven students, that there are at least 30 students in Kindergarten to Grade 5, that there are at least 30 students in Grade 6 to 9, and that there are at least 30 students in Grades 10 to 12.

"The board stated that teachers should not be expected to teach more than triple grades or four instruction groups," said Rempel. "As well, for economic reasons, the board can't provide a teacher to instruct a classroom with less than 12 students."

Based on failing to met the minimal requirements, Frobisher School, Lyndale School, Macoun School, Ogema School and Pangman School continue to be seen as non-viable. All five were low on the scale in initial estimates for facility utilization rates, and in regards to enrolment to utilization, while they were on the high end of the scale in regards to cost per student for school-based staff and in regards to per-pupil facility operating costs.

Based on 2007 enrolment numbers for these schools, Frobisher serves a total of 20 students and is a K-6 school; Lyndale School serves 54 students and is a K-12 school; Macoun School serves 96 students and is a K-8 school, Ogema School serves 62 students and is a K-12 school; and Pangman serves 58 students and is a K-12 school.

At this time, the board has taken no action except for adopting the monitoring report on the non-viable schools. To assist the board in making their decisions, an estimated alternate busing schedule was prepared for each of the schools that are considered non-viable.

The nearest alternate viable school was considered when making these estimates. Several of the schools that are non-viable could see an increase of average time on the bus for their students if the board decides to close the schools.

Rempel said that the board has set aside "two months of planning time to review each report made by the School Viability Committees before they will make any decision on what will action will be taken."

Included in the viability reports are busing schedules, facility maintenance and operation costs, educational programming and location relative to the next nearest school. At best estimates, Audrey Trombley, board chairperson, said "our decision should come by early spring."

The seven schools that were on the list that are now found to be viable include "33" Central School in Fillmore, Carievale School, Gladmar Regional School, Manor School, Maryfield School, Wapella School and Yellow Grass School. Rempel stated that they will continue to be monitored to ensure that they maintain the requirements of being a viable school.

Through the School Viability Committees, these schools were able to develop alternative actions with respect to school viability. "From this I believe in the value of the School Viability Committees and their ability to get the community involved to make their school viable," said Rempel. "The committees were able to make realistic decisions on their school programs and develop their full potential."

With a review of all schools over the school year, there were an additional two schools that are now considered non-viable by the Director of Education. Under review are Midale Central School and Wawota Parkland School, which will be assigned School Viability Committees so that school activities can be monitored and the schools may develop alternative actions with respect to school viability.

Based on division-wide enrolment, there has been an overall drop of 44 students for Cornerstone from last year, with a total of 7,886 students in the schools. Including in this are 82 home-based students, which had seen a significant rise of 57 students since last year. Not included in this total are the 169 tuition students which are registered under Holy Family, Southeast Regional College in Weyburn and Estevan, or the Family Place.

Lionel Diederichs, Superintendent of Finance and Administration, said despite the decrease in enrolment that it could be a good thing for Cornerstone. "If our decrease is less than the provincial average, it would mean more money from the Foundation Operation Grant for the school district."

For the Weyburn and area schools, the biggest decrease was at the Weyburn Comp with a drop of 22 students and the biggest increase was at Assiniboia Park Elementary with an increase of 26 students.

Cornerstone also approved a total of 37 requests for students to attend a school outside of established attendance areas and placements within the school division. The school board has not made an official decision in their review of school attendance areas for this school year yet, but are expected to make a decision in the next month.

During this board meeting, the board also met with Walter Wood, President of the Southeast Cornerstone Teachers' Association. Wood addressed the "challenges that teachers and the teachers association are facing as they learn a new school structure, especially regarding issues of communication and relationships with the school board."

Wood has seen positive steps in moving forward in facing those challenges since last year, referring to it as "making baby steps to a broader understanding and relationship with the board."

"When you look at the triangle of roles that are important to the school board, you see that relationships play a key role. That is why it is so important for the Teachers' Association to develop those relationships and understand who we communicate our problems to at the board level," said Wood.

Rempel said that "there is a good working relationship between myself and Warren Wood, that allows the Teachers' Association to address their issues through him."

The board also had a chance to meet with two school principals, Maurice Saltel (GFK) and Lynn Little (Pleasantdale) to discuss school improvement process and goal setting.

Board members also made it a priority to attend the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth. Rempel said it was "a testament of providing education to rural areas and the advantages of having a reliable busing system to provide equitable for education for every student."

The next meeting for Cornerstone will be held in Carlyle on Thursday, Nov. 15. After their regular board meeting, there will be the annual meeting of electors, at 7 p.m. in the Carlyle Elementary School.