Progress Continues Towards Public Charter School in Andrew

Progress Continues Towards Public Charter School in Andrew

 Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

The Andrew Rural Academy Foundation continues to focus on the future and the opening of the local charter school next September.

Board members met on Oct. 22 in the Village of Andrew multipurpose room to discuss several aspects of the proposed school including its charter application, curriculum, website, daycare, public meetings and fundraising events. They also approved the hiring of human resources and business management consultant Stan Zabrick.

Zabrick was previously involved with the Andrew School Committee that was formed to keep and grow the elementary school in the community following Elk Island Public School’s (EIPS) decision to close the junior high school.  On June 30, 2023, EIPS closed Andrew School. Following that, the Village of Andrew agreed to purchase the facility, which includes the school and administration building for $1. The Village subsequently, committed $50,000 to the foundation.

Speaking to his hiring, Zabrick said, “I believe that some of my past work with that committee (which included Kylie who is now the Village CAO) showcased my technical writing and leadership skills so she reached out to ask if I would help them with getting the charter application across the finish line.”

Zabrick is an alumni of Andrew School, and told the News Advertiser that he not only sees this as an intriguing career and growth opportunity, but a way of leveraging what he has learned throughout his 22 years of experience in progressive human resources and shared services.

Additionally, Zabrick stated that, “At the same time, I am deeply committed to the concept of a flourishing school in Andrew, as part of a flourishing community. But you can't boil the ocean so start where impact can be generated. I graduated from this school, they set me up for my adult success...and I have a personal belief that everyone should give back.”  

He explained that, “The original scope of the engagement was the submission of a completed charter. That has largely been accomplished, however, there are back and forth discussions that come from the submission; clarifications, amendments based on ministry input, etc. So, it will likely be the end of the month before I can say "truly” done.

But doing this stage of work you cannot help but be exposed and enlightened to everything else that needs to be done if the doors are going to open on time and we successfully deliver on our charter intent. And there is a lot- essentially you need to create a proxy for all of the things a school division provides to a school- procurement and contract management, vendor relationships, building services, curriculum selection and design, information technology, policy and procedures, human resources and recruitments, and on and on.

The role now transitions toward something more of an overall project management kind of role- getting us to the point where it is the right time to bring a superintendent and principal on board, and then effectively handing off.” 

Zabrick said the timeline that Alberta Education communicated to him “was up to 90 days” before a decision would be made on the charter application.

An area of the building has been designated and floor plan drafted for a daycare. Details regarding access, inside and outside play area and lease agreement options were presented by board member Barry Goertz. He pointed out that a daycare operator previously approached village council about offering their services.

Chair Jason Tkachuk only requested that any Program Unit Funding (PUF) be retained by the foundation. Alberta Education provides PUF for children with developmental disabilities who require learning support and funding is focused for students registered in an Early Childhood Services program.

The need to identify courses, develop learning labs, foster partnerships with educational institutions and businesses as well as sponsorship were also discussed during the meeting.

Tkachuk touched on the desire to “re-engage with the community” and members had a discussion regarding a possible open house or community dinner in the near future.