The Abbotsford School District presented its 2024-25 school startup report to the Board of Education on Tuesday (Sept. 24) and shared several noteworthy numbers and details related to schools opening for the fall.
Preliminary student enrolment (as of Sept. 19) sees an increase of 26 elementary students compared to the initial budget and an increase of 14 at the middle school level. The secondary numbers appear to be aligned with the budget. There are a total of 398 divisions in elementary and 160 in middle school.
The presentation explained that labour shortages continue to be a challenge for teacher recruitment.
They announced that 310 temporary and continuing enrolling and non-enrolling teacher positions were filled for the fall with 175 of those being continuing. Teachers teaching on-call (TTOC) hires have increased from 109 last year to 195 for this year. There are 29 uncertified employees teaching on-call (UETOC) also on staff.
The district began using UETOC's last year and they are placed in classrooms when TTOC's are unavialable. UETOC's have university degrees and have an interest in entering the teaching profession.
Last year saw 69 teachers resign, with 21 of those being retirements.
Support staff numbers include 175 internal support positions, 71 casual employee and 84 education assistants. Last year saw 34 support staff members resign, including 21 retirements. A new grass cutter and custodian position was also implemented in spring 2024. This allows flexibility for facilities to schedule grass cutters in the spring and summer.
The Information Technology team revealed that security upgrades were completed on several district sites this summer, with the secondary sites and admin sites being finished by the end of October. The team also shared that they dealt with 8,000 helpdesk requests last year.
Capital projects will see work on an eight classroom addition at Abbotsford Middle School begin, HVAC work at Rick Hansen Secondary School, plumbing at Margaret Stenersen Elementary and carbon neutral capital program electrical projects in progress at Auguston Elementary and Stenersen. The Abbotsford Traditional School seismic upgrades are ongoing and some deficiencies at Irene Kelleher Totí:ltawtxw will be completed by November.
Other notes include: a portable has been moved from Colleen and Gordie Howe to Eugene Reimer, new swing set installations at Stenersen and Reimer, gym hardwood recoats at Abbotsford Senior, Chief Dan George, Bakerview, W.J. Mouat, and Alexander and new elevators at Stenersen and W.A. Fraser.
From June 1 to Aug. 31, 2024 there were 2,956 work orders received, of which 2,235 were completed.
The district also stated that the sixth edition of the Back to School Program, which occurred on Aug. 28 saw the distribution of 530 backpacks filled with school essentials to elementary-aged children. Two hampers containing dry food supplies, as well as milk, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and bread were also distributed. The event is put on in partnership with the Salvation Army and Archway Community Services.
For more on the meeting, visit abbyschools.ca/about/board/meetings.
