School District 57's rural education committee will organize community consultations in September and October to address rural education models and funding.
The committee is expected to report its findings to the board in December 2015 after broad consultation to discuss successful practices, challenges, centralized services, revenue and programming.
The local plan will lead into a provincial conversation about rural education.
Prince George will host a northern rural education forum on October 17, 2015.
The plan is to have local MLA's attend as well as education Minister Peter Fassbender and boards and teachers other districts.
"We're just in the process of forming what that will look like," said trustee Brenda Hooker.
"We're hoping for a big forum."
"Mark your calendars," said chairperson Tony Cable.
But before that big event, the committee will meet in McBride, Valemount, Mackenzie and Prince George for local input.
"A main focus of the committee will be rural secondary schools," said Hooker, and the need to offer "an equitable model of core graduation requirements."
The committee was formed after the March meeting, and at Tuesday's board meeting trustees put forth a plan.
The ad-hoc group will be a small committee of eight members to make it more manageable, but it will have broad consultation, Hooker said.
The hope is to get a vision together for a local approach to rural education, said Trish Bella before the meeting.
"The unique challenges on delivering rural education is huge," said Bella.
"How do you provide the subjects for all those kids for their future?"
Referencing last week's innovation forum in Prince George, Bella said it's also important to celebrate the good work in rural education too
She said discussion last week with Fassbender around rural issues and the plan to have a rural-focused forum are positive developments.
"We're hopeful that there's a bit of momentum."
The unique challenges on delivering rural education is huge," said Bella. "How do you provide the subjects for all those kids for their future?"
Referencing last week's innovation forum in Prince George, Bella said it's also important to celebrate the good work in rural education too
She said discussion last week with Fassbender around rural issues and the plan to have a rural-focused forum are positive developments.
"We're hopeful that there's a bit of momentum."
