ST. PAUL - After floating around the possibility of exploring a name-change, earlier this spring, the notion has been postponed indefinitely, following feedback from the public and also due to financial constraints.
St. Paul Education Board chair Sylvie Smyl confirmed that trustees had received some feedback in regards to the motion that had been made in June for a potential name change.
The topic came up during the Oct. 11 board of trustees meeting. Trustee Darcy Younghans clarified that the motion he made in June was to simply explore a name change in order to better reflect the region and be more inclusive.
Younghans said there was no intention of it being "a secret motion," and there was "no ill will" meant. He pointed to other similar regions where there is one larger community, but the school division encompasses several other smaller communities, such as in Stettler region where the school division is called Clearview Public Schools.
Younghans said he would be willing to set the topic aside for now, but believes it still should be considered at a later date. Given current financial restraints due to lower than anticipated enrolment numbers for the current school year, Youghans was in agreement to postpone exploring a name change.
Trustees around the table expressed similar sentiments, with Trustee Lorette Andersen pointing to current finances as the main reason to step away from exploring the name change. She also noted that if discussions on the topic resume, she would like school councils to be approached.
Trustee Melvin Abraham noted that if the topic comes back to the table, he would like to see a survey, or some type of community engagement, take place.
Trustee Dwight Wiebe also spoke on the topic, further affirming that when the original motion was made, it was to look at the idea of a name change and learn what the process would entail. The board had simply agreed that the topic was open for discussion, which is something he still supports.
"I'm always open to discussion and new ideas," said Wiebe. But, he agreed that right now was not the ideal time to be focusing on those discussions with other concerns arising.
Trustee Jan Rajoo agreed with her fellow trustees, saying a lot has changed since the original discussion took place in June. She also noted that input from the public would have been sought on the topic, if the matter had moved forward.
Rather than rescinding the motion that was made in June, Younghans agreed to postpone the motion, indefinitely.
Speaking after the meeting Smyl said, "There has not been any dollars allocated or attached to this motion since there was no movement forward on the motion."
She added, "Given the circumstances of lower than projected [enrolment] numbers, we will not be moving forward on the review at this time."
St. Paul Education has recently reported that there are about 90 fewer students enroled in St. Paul Education schools, compared to projections that were used to create the school division's budget.
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