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By rdnewsNOW staff

division-wide engagement

Red Deer Public Schools inviting students and families for feedback on addressing classroom complexity

Jan 5, 2026 | 1:53 PM

Red Deer Public Schools have launched a division-wide community engagement project aimed at addressing classroom complexity.

The division says the engagement, which begins this month, will gather perspectives from students, parents, staff, and community partners to better understand the growing needs in classrooms.

The division has expanded its services and supports for students over the past few years. However, as the needs of students continue to evolve, the division is looking for input to make sure resources are being used in the ways that best support students, staff and families.

As a result, the division has developed a Classroom Complexity Engagement Plan to help better understand the local needs.

“This engagement is not only about listening carefully to those who experience classroom complexity every day,” said Board Chair Nicole Buchanan in a media release. “Our Board of Trustees has a responsibility to make informed decisions, and this input will help guide how we prioritize services and allocate resources moving forward.”

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The division explains that the purpose of the engagement is to identify the supports that matter most across the school community.

The feedback gathered will then be used by the Board of Trustees to inform future resource allocation, service prioritization and budget decisions.

“Our staff are working in increasingly complex environments, and their insights are essential,” said Superintendent Chad Erickson. “By engaging broadly with our community, we can better understand where supports are making an impact and where changes are needed to strengthen student success and staff well-being.”

The engagement process will begin in January, and the final report will be shared in June.

Red Deer Public Schools says all staff will have opportunities to participate and share their experiences and perspectives. Additional opportunities will be available for students, families and community partners.