Sylvan Lake elementary schools will see more direct help for students with complex learning needs as the Chinook’s Edge School Division approved a $151 million budget for the 2026-2027 school year. Trustees gave the green light on May 26, 2026, launching two new Integrated Student Support Teams that will spend most of their time working right inside schools across the division, including the three local elementary schools.
Each team includes a Learning Needs Specialist and a Behaviour Specialist, with added access to Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, and a Nurse. The Chinook’s Edge School Division says 85 per cent of these teams’ hours will be in schools, responding to student needs and helping teachers and support staff build skills for learners who need adapted programming.
Superintendent Dr. Ryan Sawula said the budget keeps classroom supports strong even as enrollment dips slightly. The division expects about 10,919 full-time students next year, a small drop from last year, but funding is being spread out to keep class sizes below the provincial average and maintain key learning resources.
The budget does come with a projected shortfall of $364,300, which will be covered using reserves. By the end of the school year, reserves are expected to sit around $5.2 million. This approach lets the division maintain services without immediate cuts, though officials will watch enrollment trends closely.
For families in Sylvan Lake, the new teams add another layer of help. The three elementary schools—Beacon Hill, C. P. Blakely, and École Steffie Woima—are all part of the division, along with École Fox Run Middle School and École H. J. Cody High School. École Steffie Woima already benefits from a separate provincial Complexity Team, bringing even more focused support to local students with challenging needs.
