Vol. 104 No. 05
Box 40, 102 3rd Ave West, Biggar, Saskatchewan S0K 0M0
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013
email: tip@sasktel.net
Phone: 306-948-3344
20 pages
$1.25
www.biggarindependent.ca
New Superintendent of Education hired for Sun West A familiar figure is the new Superintendent of Education for the Sun West School Division. D a r r e n G a s p e r wa s principal at Kenaston
Applied Knowledge . . . Biggar Central School student, Garrett McCrea looks over his exam during finals this week. Students across the district are putting all they’ve
School and played a key role in the development and growth of the Distance Learning Centre (DLC). Gasper’s new role as Superintendent will
encompass the development and implementation of new partnerships and program developments involving the use of technology, oversee the development and
learned to use. Here’s hoping they were all successful and, more importantly, they’ve retained all that hard-won knowledge. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
Property values increase dramatically in Saskatchewan Government committed to maintaining property tax fairness The overall value of property in Saskatchewan has increased by 67 per cent over the past four years as Saskatchewan’s population and economy continue to grow. Overall, the assessment of property in Saskatchewan has grown from $58 billion in 2009 to $97 billion in the 2013 revaluation year. “This huge increase shows the strength of Saskatchewan’s economy,” Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter said, January 24. “If you own property in Saskatchewan, chances are it is worth a lot more than it was just four years ago and you will see that reflected in your property assessment notice.” Properties are revalued every four years in Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan’s property tax system levies taxes based on taxable property assessment. Both municipalities and the
provincial government set property tax rates, with the education portion being used to pay for K-12 education. In 2009, the provincial government delivered the largest education property tax cut in Saskatchewan history, reducing education property taxes by more than 80 per cent on
farmland and nearly 30 per cent on residential properties. Reiter said that since the education property tax is levied on the assessment of property, the province will need to take a close look at the potential impact of the dramatic increase in property assessments on taxpayers.
“It is up to our government, along with strong leadership from municipal governments, to take a thoughtful approach in order to mitigate property tax increases as a result of revaluation,” Reiter said. “We will be doing that as part of the current budget process.”
implementation of the Sun West Initiative for School Improvement (SWISI) three-year project, the operational Superintendent for Kenaston School, the Distance Learning School and Davidson School. He will supervise home schooling, as well as provide general supervision and guidance to all aspects of the use of technology within the Sun West School Division. “We are very fortunate to have someone with Darren’s skill set step f o r wa r d a n d a s s u m e more of a division wide leadership focus, Director of Education, Dr. Guy Tétrault, said. “Darren’s expertise in the use of technology combined with his background experience and knowledge in the Practical and Applied Arts educational programming will provide the Sun West S ch o o l D i v i s i o n w i t h the ability to establish partnerships with industry and post-secondary educational institutions to develop and implement dual credit trades and health science related programming. The use of online delivery systems will enable our students, no matter what community or school they attend, to access state of the art training programs preparing them for the world of work or providing them with postsecondary earned credits while completing their high school education. We are very excited at the educational prospects a leader such as Darren Gasper will bring to our students!” Gasper grew up in Rosetown and became a t e a ch e r b e c a u s e o f the influence of former teachers, George Bessey, Barry Formanek and Gary Robertson. He coached basketball with Gary in 1989-90 and chose the Industrial Arts teacher program because he enjoyed his high school classes with George and Barry. Darren completed his Bachelor of
Education at the University of Saskatchewan in 1995 and his first teaching job was in Grande Prairie, teaching Mechanics, Electronics and Welding. After four years there, he returned to Saskatchewan and accepted a Phys. Ed and PAA position at Kenaston School where he has taught since. He became principal of Kenaston School in 2007 and also received his Master’s degree in Educational Communications a n d Te ch n o l o g y f r o m the University of Saskatchewan, that same year. Darren has been instrumental in the development of the Distance Learning Centre housed at Kenaston School. He and his staff have developed and implemented a host of online courses that are delivered across the Sun West School Division and province. “In my role with technology I am interested in finding ways to incorporate technology into the classroom to increase student literacy and achievement levels,” Gasper explained. “I am looking forward to working with schools that have innovative ideas about professional development to improve student learning with the new SWISI program. I am also looking forward to establishing additional partnerships for our online and PAA programs so that we can provide more opportunities for students in Sun West, and help prepare them for their future careers!” He and his wife Lori, are actively involved in various community organizations in Kenaston. Lori works for Ducks Unlimited, as the Marketing and Communications Manager and they have two girls, Ava (6) and Ella (2). Gasper was nominated by his staff for his work and educational commitment to Kenaston School, and received the Queens Diamond Jubilee Award last year as well.
The puck stops here . . . Biggar Atom Nat netminder, Kade Coyle, keeps an eye on the puck during Biggar Minor Hockey Days, January 26. The Jubilee Stadium was a busy day with Initiation, Novice, Atom, Pee Wee, Bantam and Midget players hitting the ice for a day of hockey celebration. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)