Release. At the Inaugural meeting of the Board of Education on Tuesday evening, seven trustees were sworn-in including two new trustees: Phil Anderson and Freddy Latham, who joined incumbents Rhonda Pauls, Stan Petersen, Preet Rai, Cindy Schafer and Shirley Wilson.
Cindy Schafer was reelected Chair, and Shirley Wilson as Vice-Chair, both by acclamation.
In her remarks, Chair Schafer noted that while 2014 was a year of challenge for the district and the education system as a whole, the Board remained focused on the district’s strategic direction and student achievement. Highlights for the Board include:
- a revised and refocused Strategic Plan through 2018;
- a balanced budget that provides support for key district initiatives and priorities to enhance school and student success;
- results from a broad strategic plan consultation with participation by over 2,700 people on what the district and schools do well, and what can be done to improve learning in our schools;
- the Community in Schools Review.
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Turning to student and school achievement over the past year, Chair Schafer pointed to:
- reading, writing and numeracy performances well above the provincial average;
- a graduation rate that for the first time hit the 90% threshold – one of the highest rates in the province;
- graduating students from district high schools attaining 317 awards via the Abbotsford Community Foundation;
- trades and career program students winning medals at the Provincial and National Skills competitions;
- ASIA Sumas Mountain’s being designated as an Exemplary School and receiving the Community Partnership Award from the Arts Schools Network;
- outstanding efforts by student athletes at all levels on fields, courts, ice, and tracks; brilliant student performances and works of art, and numerous examples of leadership and citizenship by students at every school.
- Numerous examples of leadership, citizenship and character growth by students at every school.
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“We occasionally hear concerns about public education and yet it is our experience that there is so much to celebrate within the Abbotsford School District,” noted Chair Schafer. “We remain so proud of the many achievements of our students, our teachers, our support staff, and administrative leaders, who make our schools the learning centres we are so proud of. We will continue to do our best to provide the finest educational opportunities we can – for every student!”