â–º Listen Live

LCSD looking to expand technology program with CIF

The Lloydminster Catholic School Division is looking forward to putting the funds provided by the Government of Alberta to good use in each of their classrooms.

The Classroom Improvement Fund (CIF) has given the division $284,000 to put towards hiring more school staff and bettering their students programming. The grant funding was initially suppose to be a one time grant for the previous school year, however because of its success it has been renewed for the 2018-2019 school year.

Director of Education Nigel McCarthy says they will use the money towards expanding their technology center.

“One of our objectives is to expand upon our Computers for Every Child program or One to One program. This opens up windows to the world and hopefully even opens up communications between different grade levels within a school or between a single grade across schools.”

McCarthy says due to the funding they’re looking to move forward with expanding the program as early as next year, whereas previously it was expected to take two to five years.

The main objective of the fund is to hire more staff in schools, that McCarthy says will be one of their main priorities. Currently the school division has 278 school staff with 74 educational assistants and 179 teachers. The Alberta Government is expecting 400 teaching and support staff to be hired across the province for this year.

McCarthy says the funding provided will be given to the schools based on their level of need.

“All decisions are driven by what the schools require and what students require in any particular school, so we’re hopeful to be able to serve those needs as they arise and we have a sense of that every year in September. It gives us the flexibility to respond perhaps a little better to some of those needs next year.”

McCarthy says they are in the process of budgeting the funds for the following school year, as well as looking for additional opportunities to help their students. Schools will have until September 30 to outline how they will use the funds.

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Town of Wainwright has lowest cost of living in Alberta

Overall for 2024, on all items, Wainwright comes in at 92.5 meaning its about eight per cent cheaper to buy something in Wainwright compared to Edmonton. Lloydminster comes in at 94.6, meaning prices on average are about two per cent more expensive than Wainwright.

Road expansion for Cenovus Energy Hub begins July 15

If your regular commute takes you along 40 Avenue, from July 15 you will have to adjust that as Lloydminster road crews will lead road upgrades near the soon to be completed Cenovus Energy Hub.

Grace United cancels Sunday service following small fire

In the aftermath of the minor fire at Grace United Church, Lloydminster on Thursday July 3, Sunday service has been cancelled as the church deals with cleanup.

Lloydminster fire crews put out minor fire at Grace United Church

A minor fire at Grace United Church in downtown Lloydminster engaged the efforts of Lloydminster fire crews on Thursday, July 3.

Parade Marshals announced for Lloyd Ex

With the Lloyd Ex Fair celebrating 120 years, the prestigious role of the Parade Marshals to herald the start of the summer festival are Terence Bexson of Marshall and Lyle & Alison Lee of Lloydminster.
- Advertisement -