Andrew Parent Attempts to Create a Catholic School District
Michelle Pinon
News Advertiser
Andrew area resident Janell Yaremie is attempting to establish a Catholic School District.
On February 16 a community information meeting was held via Zoom with Yaremie and officials with Alberta Education. Notifications were posted at several locations in the community, but no members of the public were in attendance during the meeting.
On March 3 members of the Roman Catholic Faith who have been identified via census within the boundaries of the Historical Sachava School District No. 1469 are eligible to vote.
The vote will be held at the Andrew Rainbow Club. Yaremie explained that for the vote to be binding, 25 percent need to attend the vote, and in this case, four people. If less than the minimum vote, the establishment does not proceed.
Yaremie said the purpose of the vote is not to create a new school, it would be to create a Catholic School District within the boundaries. “It is creating a Separate School District within the boundaries.” That would allow parents to attend a school outlined by Elk Island Catholic Schools to be within their boundaries. This would be creating an addition to the already created EICS boundary map which would be St. Martin’s for elementary and St. Mary’s for junior and senior high. Both schools are located in Vegreville.
She went on to say, “Currently, Catholic students residing in the area that attend a Catholic school are required to pay a $500 school of choice fee, (per child). In addition, busing outside of their designated school ($455 per child).
This creation would remove both of the fees, as it would no longer be a school of choice. It would allow the option for parents to choose which education path suits their family and children needs, not being forced into public education due to financial implications of other choices.”
Yaremie said that when Andrew School closed its offering of senior high education, she and her husband felt if their son could not attend Andrew they would like him to attend a Catholic school in Vegreville. She said, “St. Mary’s offers smaller class sizes and is suitable for the education we desire for our child to obtain.”
Back in the summer of 2020 Yaremie went through the process of establishing a separate school district but was not successful because 25 percent of the eligible voters did not show up to cast a ballot. This time she is hoping for a positive result this time around.
