Serving the Heart of Central Alberta for 106 years
VOLUME ONE-HUNDRED SEVEN
PM40011853 R08546
NUMBER SEVENTEEN
STETTLER, ALBERTA
April 24, 2013
PRICE — $1.09 Plus GST
Stettler schools prime target of Clearview cuts RICHARD FROESE Independent reporter
JOHN MacNEIL/Independent editor
STUDENTS LEAD BY EXAMPLE — Grade 9 students Ally Marshall (left) and Brooklyn Peterson show off the symbolic pink lapel-ribbons commemorating the breast-cancer fundraiser staged this month at Erskine School. The Grade 9 class raised $666.75 through its all-night wake-a-thon. For more coverage, see Page 2.
Former school superintendent, provincial historian mourned LES STULBERG Independent reporter Albertans are mourning the death of historian and Stettler educator Bill Baergen. Baergen died at his Stettler home April 9. He was 77. Baergen had a lifetime career in education — as a teacher, principal, school trustee and board chairman and superintendent — and a passion for history. He came to Stettler in 1970 to fill the position of deputy superintendent of the former Stettler School Board. He later became superintendent of the Clearview School Division, a position he held until his retirement in 1991. “He was very influential to me,” said current Clearview chairman Ken Checkel, who recalls that when he was first elected to the board in 1998, Baergen was the chairman. “He was very good with people. He had a way of easing situations and making things run smooth, often using his sense of humour to lighten things up.” Born in 1935 at Irma, Alta., Baergen was raised on farms at Irma and Vauxhall. After graduating with degrees in education and history at the University of Alberta, Baergen earned a PhD at the University of Oregon.
BILL BAERGEN He taught English and history at the high school and college levels. Baergen also wrote curriculum for Alberta education on Canadian history. His interest in history led him to serve as president of the Central
Alberta Historical Society. He was the author of two books, “The Ku Klux Klan in Central Alberta” and “Pioneering with a Piece of Chalk.” The latter chronicled the history of the one-room schoolhouses in Alberta. His work was recognized with an award from the Historical Society of Alberta for “his outstanding contribution to Alberta history.” Retired Stettler principal and current town councillor Malcolm Fischer knew Baergen as a superintendent and through his involvement in local theatre. Baergen was passionate about music, drama and documenting history, especially history related to Louis Riel, Fischer said. He said Baergen was involved in many events, plays and projects connected to Riel. For years, Baergen had a major role in the local Gilbert and Sullivan troupe and performed in the Heartland Arts Troupe Society, Fischer said. “Bill always had a smile and looked for humour and the lighter side of issues.” Baergen and his wife, Donna, raised their three children, Patricia, Grant and James, in Stettler. His obituary said that a funeral isn’t planned, per Baergen’s request.
Public schools in Stettler are expected to take the biggest hit when the Clearview School Division plans to lay off teachers to help cover the deficit. As part of its community consultations, Clearview trustees updated Stettler town and county councils this month as part of the board’s tour of communities to study ways to make schools more sustainable and cut the division’s $1-million deficit. With the board projected to lay off 7.2 teachers this summer, the board has proposed that 5.85 teachers would come from the Stettler campus of Stettler Elementary School, Stettler Middle School and William E. Hay Composite High School, reported Clearview trustee Peter Simons, also a Stettler town councillor. For an average yearly salary of $96,000 for teachers, trustee Patty Dittrick raised the ire of one councillor when she stated that Byemoor School would have one junior high teacher for just three students. “That’s crazy,” said Coun. Al Campbell, a former school trustee. With 29 students projected at Byemoor this fall from kindergarten to Grade 6, Dittrick also said the division estimates that class sizes in Stettler could rise at William E. Hay by 30 to 35 students and “in the 27-range” for the middle school. “The board wants to minimize the impact of any staff reductions on students,” Simons said of the Clearview commitment. That looming consideration, however, sparked concern with town council. “I have a huge concern that the greatest number of teachers cut will come from Stettler,” said Coun. Leona Thorogood. She and the mayor
plan to attend the upcoming school board “community consultation” meetings in Stettler scheduled for May 1 and 13 at the William E. Hay school cafeteria. Simons and Dit-trick urged council members to attend those meetings. “I have four children in Clearview schools and I will definitely attend,” said Stettler Mayor Dick Richards. While the public Clearview division continues to negotiate shared transportation routes with East Central Catholic Schools, Richards said it isn’t “economical or sensible” to have public and Catholic buses running together with many empty seats. Another option the division will consider to help cut administration costs, Simons said, is to reconfigure the Stettler campus from elementary school (kindergarten to Grade 5) middle school (6 to 8) and William E. Hay Composite High School (9 to 12), to either K to 12 or elementary (K-6) and high school (7 to 12). Even with low enrolment numbers, Clearview trustees say they’re committed to keeping all schools open for the coming year under the current grade structures. “Some trustees say that as long as parents are willing to take their children to their school, we will keep schools open,” Dittrick said. At the County of Stettler meeting last week, Clearview superintendent John Bailey said that if the Byemoor School were to close, he feared many of the students would go to school in Hanna and Clearview would lose funding for those students. County of Stettler Coun. Greggory Jackson also urged the Clearview board to take a long-term focus on the future of schools rather than just an annual plan. The Clearview board also continues to draft a budget for 2013-14 to further guide the division for next year.
Small-town Bashaw gears up for big-time country music concert RICHARD FROESE Independent reporter Bashaw takes centre stage this weekend for the provincial Small Town Saturday Night celebrations, with a major concert Saturday evening and food and fun “for the whole family” in the afternoon. “We expect to sell out all 1,000 tickets for the concert,” said chair Jackie Northey. “It’s an opportunity to attract people to our community and promote Bashaw more.” Country music star Chad Brownlee headlines the concert, which also features Clayton Bellamy, Alee, Bobby Wills and Tenille at
the Bashaw Arena. Bashaw won the Small Town contest last month to host a mini-Big Valley Jamboree concert. Tickets for the concert are expected to be available until this Friday, Northey said late last week. People are expected to travel from Red Deer, Edmonton, Camrose, Medicine Hat and Lethbridge. “People in town are getting really excited about the day,” said Yvonne King, a member of the committee. “Lots of people have told me that they plan to come to the events.” For the daytime silent auction, more than 50 items have been donated from businesses and people from Bashaw and area. “Many of the items showcase lots of things to do and see in our community,” King said. Money from ticket sales
and fundraisers has been designated for the Bashaw School for its new arts-infusion program. “It’s going to be great for the school and our community,” King said. “It’s important to have funds in the bank so the program can be sustainable.” Northey said the committee decided to allocate money to one project so it would have a greater impact and support program resources rather than for a staff person. Many Bashaw-area organizations plan to raise money at the Small Town event for the school’s artsinfusion curriculum. More than 120 volunteers will be involved Saturday, Northey said. “We feel Bashaw students are so lucky to have the many people care about their opportunities.” Small Town talk has
raised the profile of Bashaw, with feedback from “all over” Alberta. “Some people say that Bashaw seems to be a community that is close-knit and a community they would like for their children and family,” Northey said. “It’s heart-warming to see this, because we hear of so many small, rural communities that are struggling to survive. “In just the past year, Bashaw and area has experienced so many opportunities to strengthen our community. I feel so lucky to live here.” This Friday night in Bashaw, Majestic Theatre hosts a concert by Augustana Choir of Camrose. For more Small Town Saturday Night information or to volunteer, phone Northey at 780-372-3648 or 780-372-4074, or call other committee members.
LES STULBERG/Independent reporter
Bashaw waved its contest flag prominently on main street en route to winning the Small Town Saturday Night provincial competition. As the champion, Bashaw hosts a country music concert this Saturday night at the Bashaw Arena. The festival is billed as a mini-Big Valley Jamboree.
Readers can also find the Stettler Independent at stettlerindependent.com