Red Deer Public Schools is launching a Division-wide community engagement project focused on classroom complexity, recognizing the growing range of academic, behavioural, social-emotional and language-related needs present in today's classrooms.
Over the past several years, the Division has expanded services and supports available to students and families. As these needs continue to evolve, Red Deer Public is seeking input to ensure resources are being allocated in ways that best support both students, staff and families.
To better understand these pressures locally and to identify which wrap-around supports will make the greatest difference, the Division has developed a comprehensive Classroom Complexity Engagement Plan. The engagement will gather perspectives from students, parents, staff and community partners.
"This engagement is not only about listening carefully to those who experience classroom complexity every day," said Board Chair Nicole Buchanan. "Our Board of Trustees has a responsibility to make informed decisions, and this input will help guide how we prioritize services and allocate resources moving forward."
The purpose of the engagement is to identify the supports that matter most across the school community. Feedback will be used by the Board of Trustees to inform future resource allocation, service prioritization and budget decisions.
"Our staff are working in increasingly complex environments, and their insights are essential," said Superintendent Chad Erickson. "By engaging broadly with our community, we can better understand where supports are making an impact and where changes are needed to strengthen student success and staff well-being."
The formal engagement process will begin this month, with the final report being shared in June. All staff will have opportunities to participate and share their experiences and perspectives. Additional opportunities will be available for students, families and community partners.
