The Northern Lights School Division (NLSD) will be flying under a new flag. Last week, the board of trustees voted in favour of adopting a new logo after receiving tremendous support from staff, students and the public for the change.
The Northern Lights School Division (NLSD) will be flying under a new flag.
Last week, the board of trustees voted in favour of adopting a new logo after receiving tremendous support from staff, students and the public for the change.
"We were really pleased to hear the feedback. I think it's always important to hear that we got feedback. Specifically with the logo change, they really connected it to who we are as a division," said Arlene Hrynyk, NLSD board chair. "We're student-centred, children first. Each and every one of our decisions, right on down to our logo, represents that which we believe."
At the end of February, trustees decided to put the new logo out for consultation. The public was given a survey that included two options for NLSD's logo - whether to keep the old logo, which featured a depiction of the northern lights, or to change to an altered version of their 20th anniversary logo. Different colour options for the logo were also added in the consultation.
"I think by the surveys we looked at and the percentages, there are quite a number of students and staff that want a new logo," said trustee Garry Kissel.
From the survey results, 73.5 per cent of NLSD staff expressed their approval at the division moving forward with a revised version of the 20th anniversary logo. Students in the division also were on board with the change, with around the same percentage of responding students in favour. The public's approval rate was slightly less, however, the board was told that there isn't a way to ensure those from the community who filled out the survey are part of the division.
"There was overwhelming support from the public, staff and students for a new logo, but also concerns coming across on the cost," said trustee Mandi Skogen. "As long as the public knows that this is within the regular life cycle of the items, and we're not using instructional dollars."
The cost for a logo change was priced out at $22,000, with the money come from the division's communications and/or maintenance budget. The new logo will be phased in over time as items are ordered, for example when the nameplates in the boardroom get updated following an election.
"On an $80 million budget, $22,000 phased in is not irresponsible. We still have to do our business and promote our division," said Hrynyk.
In addition to a new logo, trustees decided to include "public schools" into their name. While a legal name change would come with a cost of $300,000, trustees agreed it was best to keep their legal name of Northern Lights School Division, and instead using Northern Lights Public Schools as a promotional tool.
"Number one it's an identifier. We're classed as a public board within the province and it really helps your public, particularly those new to the community who are looking for a specific learning centre, to identify the difference in the systems," explained Hrynyk.
