Boundary Review

Hatzic/Dewdney and Albert McMahon/Stave Falls Elementary Boundary Changes

In 2019 and 2020, the school district reviewed the catchment boundaries for elementary schools. The review identified a few challenges with excessive enrolment at Hatzic Elementary and the Albert McMahon Elementary. The school district conducted a preliminary survey of parents of these schools, and targeted surveys of parents in the Durieu and Steelhead areas. Targeted public engagement will be conducted before a decision regarding realignment of catchment boundaries is made.

Earlier this year, staff began the process of analyzing enrolment data for Durieu and Steelhead, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the project was delayed. Staff updated the enrolment projections for the elementary schools in November and recommend a comprehensive consultation with parents to consider a boundary realignment. We have exceeded our enrolment projections from 5 years ago, and are currently getting even more students. Staff are working on the premise that any boundary realignments recommendations would be for September 2022.

On November 30, 2021, at the Committee of the Whole meeting, Staff recommended realigning the school catchment boundaries to move the Steelhead area from the Albert McMahon Elementary School catchment to the Stave Falls Elementary School catchment, and to move the Durieu area from the Hatzic Elementary School catchment to the Dewdney Elementary School catchment. 

The Board approved these recommendations in principle on December 14, 2021 and initiated public consultation and engagement on this site with the Durieu / Dewdney, and Stave Falls / Steelhead school communities regarding the school catchment boundary change. 

Public Participation:

A comprehensive public engagement process is utilized with any consideration for realigning boundaries. Based on previous surveys, there was some support for realigning the boundaries. A public process explores more options, dependent on public input. 

Additional meetings have been scheduled in January 2022 to consult with the school community regarding the catchment boundary changes (see Key Dates). 

To assist with capacity issues, parents of incoming Kindergarten students that live in the area of Durieu/Dewdney are being asked to register at Dewdney instead of Hatzic Elementary.

Parents of incoming Kindergarten students that live in the areas of Steelhead/Stave Falls and currently still showing as in catchment for Albert McMahon are being asked to register at Stave Falls Elementary. 

Dewdney including Durieu *************************Stave Falls including Steelhead

The Board of Education considered the Boundary Adjustments for final approval in the public meeting via ZOOM Videoconference on February 15, 2022 at 6:30 pm.

Board of Education Meeting Highlights | February 15, 2022

Dewdney Catchment Boundary Adjustment to include Durieu Area

The Board of Education approved the school catchment boundary change to move the Durieu Area from Hatzic Elementary to Dewdney Elementary;

AND THAT Durieu area students that are currently attending Hatzic Elementary school be allowed to be cross-boundary students until they complete their elementary schooling, without priority over other Hatzic Catchment area students and without busing.

Stave Falls Catchment Boundary Adjustment to include Steelhead Area

The Board of Education approved the school boundary catchment change to move the Steelhead Area north of King Avenue from Albert McMahon Elementary to Stave Falls Elementary;

AND THAT Steelhead area students that are currently attending Albert McMahon Elementary school be allowed to be cross-boundary students until they complete their elementary schooling, without priority over other Albert McMahon Catchment area students and without busing.

All to-date Boundary Review information can be accessed here.

A list of documents has been uploaded for your review, sorted by date, in the document section.