News | DrumhellerMail - Page #4
06122025Thu
Last updateThu, 12 Jun 2025 12pm

Teacherages help school divisions retain staff

PLSD

With housing being a critical barrier to school divisions hiring and retaining teachers, Prairie Land Public School Division (PLSD) has been using teacherages to help fill that gap.
Teacherages are residential properties owned or operated by the school division to provide a place for teachers to live while they are employed with the school division. These were very common in rural areas years ago. Today, they are reemerging as a way to attract and retain talent, especially when the housing market makes it difficult to bring professionals to new communities
Superintendent of PLSD Cam McKeage tells the Mail that the division has teacherages all across the division.
“Housing is absolutely a critical factor in securing and retaining teachers in smaller rural communities, and it's an issue that many jurisdictions like ours are navigating more frequently,” said McKeage. “In Prairie Land, we currently have 22 housing units (teacherages) across our division, all of which are occupied. These units are located in every one of our communities except Morrin, Hanna, and Calgary.”
He says while they are not concerned with housing in Calgary, they have explored the idea of teacherages in Morrin and Hanna.
“Over the years, we have looked for solutions and partnerships to support staff in both Morrin and Hanna, where the lack of available housing has proven to be a challenge,” said McKeage.
Mayor of Hanna Danny Povaschuk told the Mail they have they have explored the idea with the school division.
“We are having problems recruiting teachers into Hanna,” said Povaschuk. He adds they are also struggling to attract professionals in other fields, such as medicine.
“We’re all in the same boat. We are all competing for that one doctor, and it is hard,” said Povaschuk.
McKeage says they are open to solutions.
“Although the Division is not presently in the position to purchase additional properties, we are certainly open to innovative solutions that might support our recruitment and retention efforts,” he said.


Boogie-ing down the aisle

image0

There was lots of fun and excitement at this year’s Boogie in the Badlands, but would anyone expect an engagement?
On Saturday, May 24, Downtown Drumheller was packed with gearheads taking in a successful Boogie in the Badlands. One of the premier events during the show and shine was the annual Queen of the Badlands Pin Up Girl Contest.
This year, the event raised $770 for Colton's Place, Drumheller’s emergency shelter for individuals escaping domestic violence.
As the show wound down, the winners were crowned. Lady Luv Lee was crowned Queen of the Badlands, and Miss Mighty Mix was the first runner-up. Rockin’ Rhonnie of Didsbury was named Miss Gracious, a title recognizing the community that pin-up is about “purpose, not just pose.” She raised $220 for the donation to Colton’s Place.
The best Theme winner was Kitty Von Frou Frou.
“With rhinestones, retro flair, and a full-blown tribute to Elvis, Kitty stole the spotlight—and everyone’s hearts,” said organizer Keri Looijen, organizer and publisher of True North Pin Up Magazine.
While Kitty Von Frou Frou stole the hearts of the crowd, her heart was stolen by her now fiancé.
“After the awards were presented, the energy hit an emotional peak when Shane Anderson dropped to one knee and proposed to Kitty Von Frou Frou right on stage. The crowd erupted in cheers as Kitty said yes, sealing the day with a sparkling ring and an even brighter future,” said Looijen.
It only goes to show that love can blossom at the most unexpected times, even surrounded by pin-up girls and hot rods.

Local high school students explore potential futures at Special Areas

SAB PLRD Career Day April 2025 Roads Session

Over 170 high-school students from across the region explored potential careers at Special Areas this past April.
Prairie Land School Division partnered with Special Areas Board staff to highlight different opportunities students could pursue right here in the Special Areas. Grade 10 and 11 students learned more about potential careers from equipment operators to agricultural fieldmen – and everything in between.
“Special Areas has always been a big supporter of Prairie Land – and its students. It was important that we help our students understand how many different careers are found right here in our rural communities. PLRD is all about preparing our students for big futures; we wanted to make sure students knew they could pursue those big futures in the Special Areas,” said Kelly Lewis, Coordinator of Teacher Recruitment, Trades & Outdoor Learning.
Over the two-day event, students participated in sessions highlighting different trades Special Areas employs. Special Areas employs over 120 permanent and 140 seasonal staff, and students learned more about potential jobs – and career paths – offered here at home. Sessions focused on agricultural services, equipment operating, road maintenance and construction, and protective services.
“We appreciated the chance to meet high-school students from across the region and show them some of the different jobs they could have at Special Areas. There are so many different careers possible and helping students see how they could get a good job right here at home is very important to us. We want local students to see ways they can build a future here at home if they want,” Brent Fecho, Superintendent of Roads & Equipment.
Students enjoyed hands-on learning opportunities during the sessions. Staff from Special Areas roads and construction departments spoke about the type of work they do and toured students through various equipment.
Agricultural Fieldmen talked about their role, including key tasks like weed control to pest surveys to working in the Red Deer River valley. During interactive games, students had a chance to try out different tools like backpack sprayers, sweep nets, and pest controls.
Lunch was served at the Youngstown Community Hall, and students could visit booths to learn more about careers in the trades and future training paths. Representatives from Medicine Hat College helped students have hands-on practice with a house wiring simulator, along with information on post-secondary training programs. CAREERS shared information about the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP), including how students could pursue different trade career paths while still working. Dual-credit programs were featured at the Altario Agricultural Academy booth, including new opportunities with Lakeland College.


Subcategories

The Drumheller Mail encourages commenting on our stories but due to our harassment policy we must remove any comments that are offensive, or don’t meet the guidelines of our commenting policy.