The Peace River School Division (PRSD) is projecting a slight decline in student enrollment for the 2026–2027 school year, a trend that could significantly impact funding for several of the Division’s smallest schools.
At its most recent Board Meeting on January 16, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jeff Thompson presented updated enrollment projections to the Board of Trustees, following earlier discussions held in December. While overall enrollment has remained relatively stable over the past two school years, early projections suggest a return to declining numbers, with an estimated decrease of 1.5% to 2% division-wide.
Dr. Thompson noted that projected enrollment figures at Hines Creek Composite School, Lloyd Garrison School, and Nampa Public School indicate potential reductions in per-site funding, which is directly tied to student numbers.
Alongside the enrollment discussion, Trustees also approved a new approach to addressing educational needs in the Cleardale area. During the January 15 meeting, the Board established a formal committee to focus on community engagement related to Menno Simons Community School. The committee includes Board Chair Lacey Buchinski, Vice Chair David Rushton, and Ward 7 Trustee Edith Giesbrecht.
The initiative follows a review of enrollment data showing Menno Simons Community School’s student population has declined from 122 students in September 2019 to 75 students currently.
Despite the drop, local data indicates there are enough school-aged children in the area to sustain the school, many of whom are not enrolled in the publicly funded system.
As a result, the Board is prioritizing direct dialogue with families and potential community partners to better understand local educational priorities and explore alternative service models or partnerships that may better meet community needs.
“With the current funding model, the reality is that for small rural schools to remain viable, they rely on resources that would have otherwise been destined for bigger schools,” said Thompson. “The board may be in a position in the not-too-distant future where it must make difficult decisions regarding the viability of these small schools. It’s a sombre reality, but one that will likely require the Board’s focused attention unless funding and enrolments increase.”
Trustees say the newly formed committee will play a key role in shaping future discussions and recommendations related to Cleardale and other rural communities facing similar challenges.
Keith Hopper, Trending 55
