ValleyBiz Story | The Swan Valley School Division (SVSD) is facing some difficult challenges. Citing declining divisional enrollment, schools operating under capacity and a reduction in provincial funding, the school board has indicated significant changes will be necessary to improve the “possibility of long term viability of the SVSD”.

“We feel as a board that we have cut all the little things enough that we can’t cut any more.” said SVSD Board of Trustees Chairperson Kelli Riehl.

Over the past 10 years, enrollment has dropped by over 300 students. With only 1419 students currently enrolled, the occupancy is 54% below the design capacity of 3100 while the cost of wages, heating, maintenance etc. continues to go up each year.

For the last 4 years the SVSD has received funding under the provincial formula guarantee which guaranteed schools 100% of the previous year’s funding, regardless of decline in enrollment.

“We are the recipients of close to $1 million of that formula guarantee” Mendel explained “If the province decided to say, ‘We are actually just going to give you what you are entitled to.’, we would be coming to the taxpayer for that.” he said. Last year the government reduced the formula guarantee to 98%.

“Clearly we are on a path that is not sustainable.” said Mendel “So we have got to make some corrections here.”

Restructuring / Closing Schools
In order to reduce operational and staffing costs, the SVSD is considering restructuring, consolidating and/or closing some of the underutilized schools. Birch River, Bowsman, Minitonas Early Years and Taylor/Heyes have been identified as schools being considered for possible closure. Another idea being considered is consolidating all Grade 7 and 8 students into one school in Swan River.

Regarding the Swan River Schools, the following 4 options were presented:

Option 1
Taylor School: K – 3 School
ESRSS: 4 – 8 School
Heyes: K – 8 French Immersion School

Option 2
Taylor: K – 3
ESRSS: 4 – 6 dual track
SVRSS: 7 – 12
Heyes: closed

Option 3
ESRSS: K – 6
SVRSS: 7 – 12
Heyes: K – 8 French Immersion
Taylor: Off Campus and Adult Ed/closed

Option 4
Taylor: K – 2 dual
ESRSS: 3 – 6 dual
SVRSS: 7 – 12 dual
Heyes: closed

Community Consultations have already been held at Birch River, Bowsman and Minitonas schools with sessions still to take place at 7 pm on November 7, 2017 at Benito School and on November 9, 2017 at the Swan Valley Regional Secondary School in Swan River.

Click here for copy of the presentation.
Includes all background enrollment and financial information.

Click here to complete the online Community Consultations Feedback Survey.