Quinte News had the chance to speak with the Katherine MacIver, the Director of Education for the Hastings Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB), ahead of the return of students to the classroom.
Like the Catholic school board, HPEDSB is launching a new multi-year strategic plan beginning this upcoming school year.
MacIver says the new plan outlines four priorities:
- Strengthening foundational and real-world skills
- Focusing on critical thinking, adaptability, and innovation
- Advancing Indigenous education and reconciliation
- Promoting citizenship, well-being, and safe environments
When asked about expansion and the creation of other schools, MacIver says it is something that she thinks is “far out” but that the school board is keeping a close look at it.
“We’re keeping a close look at what are the type of dwellings. How many students might those produce? And yes, eventually we do feel like we will need a new build in that area of the of the board, but it also means that we need to look at other areas where we have declining enrolment. Good fiduciary responsibility is top of mind for both our board of trustees and and the Ministry of Education, so we’re working hard to make sure that we’re making the best decisions in the interests of students and families and also taxpayers.”
As the new strategic plan comes into effect, MacIver says that a lot of success came from the last plan.
“We’ve increased our graduation rate by 6%, we’ve increased student success on the literacy test by over 7%, and as we move into this new plan and start thinking about the opportunities that lie ahead for our students, we think we’re really well positioned to make a meaningful difference and really support our students and families. So excited for this start of school on Wednesday.”
