I would like to express my deep concerns regarding an ongoing situation within the High Prairie School Division, particularly the troubling actions taken by the administration.
As an active member in the community and our local school councils, I believe it is crucial that we address these issues openly and make parents and community members aware.
At the beginning of the school year, many teachers were told that there was no budget for additional cleaning supplies for their classrooms. These items do not include the janitorial materials used by the custodial staff, but may include wipes, Kleenex, and disinfectant sprays – essentials for maintaining a clean environment after students eat lunch or during viral outbreaks.
Previously, some of these supplies were included on class supply lists, but were understandably removed to alleviate pressure on families who were already stretched financially.
Teachers were also informed that they are not allowed to ask families for these items, and therefore these items are purchased and supplied by the classroom teacher. It is truly unfortunate that teachers have been continuously asked to do more while given less.
On Oct. 5, I posted a video to social media with a message to make parents aware of the situation and to encourage them to advocate for their teachers by reaching out and asking them how they can help. This video was initially posted on a parent-hosted page and a community page and has since been shared and circulated through social media.
In response, the superintendent and CEO, Murray Marran, circulated an email with a statement to all parents in the division. Rather than addressing the matter constructively, the letter was reactive, dismissive, and lacked accountability. The information provided was misleading and wrongly implied that I did not communicate with other members to verify the facts. It further used language to belittle my concerns, suggesting that my actions were intended to “subvert the established lines of communication.”
Additionally, a private letter was sent through email stating “be advised that we are considering all available options to mitigate this and future incidents, up to and including cease and desist orders and progressive legal action, should counsel deem this course of action necessary” and “please govern yourself accordingly.”
Over the past few days, the video has garnered significant support from parents, teachers, school administrators, and past employees of HPSD, all of whom have communicated their dissatisfaction with the superintendent’s harsh response and intimidating tactics.
Further to this, HPSD has attempted to shut down the parent-organized social media page in a deliberate effort to censor parental voices and stifle meaningful discussions.
This approach only deepens the divide between the division and the people it is meant to serve.
As a parent advocating for teachers within our division, I am appalled by this intimidation, which is entirely unacceptable. Such behaviour, particularly from someone in such a position of power, has no place in our province.
Kathryn Adams,
Slave Lake