Declining enrolment yet to impact AVRSB teacher numbers

BY KIRK STARRATT

The Advertiser

NovaNewsNow.com

It’s a trend right across the country, but decreasing enrollments have yet to impact the number of teachers employed in schools under the jurisdiction of the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board (AVRSB).

Superintendent Dr. Norm Dray, who presented an update on behalf of the school board to Kings County councillors at the September committee of the whole (COTW) session, said enrollment across the board is down by about 450 students over September 2006. There were a total of 15,417 students on opening day. He said, because enrollment is dropping, they must review constantly the operation of schools and other facilities to ensure they’re getting the best value for students and the greater community.

Enrollment numbers are declining across the country in relation to dropping birth rates, and Dray said this trend would accelerate.

“We anticipate that enrollment is going to decline, both across the province and across Canada,” he said. “We’ve never had shrinking high schools before.”

Dray said the board has done some scaling back, but it’s trying to keep teachers in place because smaller class sizes are good for the education system.

Councillor Chris Parker said shrinking enrollment would actually help to correct a teacher shortage over time and Councillor Jim Taylor said he’s encouraged to hear the board would try to retain as many teachers as possible.

“It’s nice to know fewer students doesn’t always mean fewer teachers,” Taylor said.

Dray said there are currently 85 to 88 per cent of students staying in school until the time of high school graduation.

“It’s certainly dramatically improved from where we were 30 years ago,” he said.

New initiatives

The AVRSB began the 2006-2007 school year with 19 changes in position among school-based administrators and the 2007-2008 year began with 13 changes.

For about a year-and-a-half, the AVRSB has had an emergency management committee in place to develop protocols to respond to emergency incidents. All schools have run a lockdown drill over the past year and a new handbook for emergencies has been developed.

Dray said the most common emergency incident in schools is visitation by non-custodial parents, but others he has experienced over the years include bomb threats, pit bulls and threats posed by wild animals.

Parker, who sometimes works as a substitute teacher at Horton High in Greenwich, said there should be a way for subs to be made aware of lockdown and other emergency protocols. Dray said he would look into the matter.

Dray said the board is doing well identifying students with special needs and is working to put the necessary supports in place, such as hiring more educational assistants.

The site selection process for the new school to replace Kings County Academy in Kentville has been completed and Dray said a recommendation has been sent to the Department of Education for approval.

Despite the fact there has been little increase in provincial funding this year, Dray said it has been a successful budget year and he credits the board and financial staff.

The board has a new vision statement, “Working Together For Students.” Dray said this was arrived at after reviewing some 300 pieces of input. He said he believes this describes succinctly the approach of the board in keeping students first and its direction to staff to partner with other organizations and the community at large.

Board chair Lavina Parrish-Zwicker said they encourage their staff to undertake professional development and Dray has led by example, recently completing his doctorate.