St. Paul Education is reaching out to parents and stakeholders for input on various important matters, including cell phone policies, transportation challenges, and academic calendar planning.
In response to the province-wide cell phone ban that took effect on September 1, the division is reviewing its existing policy on mobile device use in schools. The current policy limits personal device use during instructional time unless explicitly permitted by a teacher or administrator and bans the use of social media during class. Parents have been invited to provide their thoughts on the policy and any necessary changes will be considered by the board in January.
Transportation eligibility is also set to expand for the 2025-2026 school year, following changes to the provincial distance criteria. This adjustment is expected to make an additional 166 students eligible for busing, with most of the increase coming from the Town of St. Paul. Currently, the division transports 1,693 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12, with 1,515 meeting the current standard of living at least 2.4 kilometers from their school.
The board is also addressing escalating transportation costs. Over the past few years, the price of new buses has risen significantly, averaging $170,000 per bus a 40 percent increase since 2020. Fuel costs have climbed by 57 percent, and parts have increased by 40 percent. These rising expenses are putting pressure on the division’s budget, even as the provincial fuel modifier provides some relief. Plans are underway to replace older buses and upgrade the division’s aging two-way radio system, though this will require a considerable financial investment.
Feedback is being gathered on this year’s fall break as part of preparations for the 2025-2026 school year. Opinions on the break have been mixed, with some families enjoying time off while others experienced disruptions due to ongoing high school sports. To guide future decisions, the division will conduct a formal survey and is working on implementing a two-year calendar to improve planning efficiency.
