Posted on 2025-10-28 03:45:39.407 +0000 UTC
This page will provide updates to families on the current status of the ongoing labour negotiations between the Government of Alberta and the Alberta Teachers' Association. Details on school operations and messages to families and staff will be posted here.
Labour Action Questions and Answers Document
Messages to Families and Staff
October 27, 2025
Good Evening, Families:
We are sending you this email to inform you that all school programming has been legislated to start again. For this reason, we can confirm that schools and their associated programs (PUF, Play School, Municipal Libraries) will resume as usual on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. This includes the running of our regularly scheduled bus routes.
As teacher recall was quick, we have to make sure our workforce is in place. Consequently, there may be supplementary or extracurricular programs that need to be cancelled for the first week back to school.
Also, the School Division must reconfirm its employees' dedication to supplementary activities due to their instructional and assignable time. We know our staff are committed to the students they teach; however, we feel it is best to consult with them post strike.
This includes activities such as extracurricular activities, team sports, and other activities, such as community consultations and parent councils, for the first week of back-to-school.
Once supervision has been reaffirmed, we will clearly communicate this with families at the School Level. You can look forward to communications from your child(ren) 's school in the upcoming days.
The Board of Trustees is meeting this week at its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, which can be viewed live at https://www.youtube.com/hpsd48 to discuss calendar implications and other related topics to your student's educational needs.
Senior Administration is awaiting instruction from Alberta Education regarding Diplomas and PAT dates. We will pass on information as soon as we have it.
Finally, if your child is enrolled in Dual Credit, RAP, or Pre-Employment, please have them reach out to their Career Coach directly, as recovery plans are well underway.
In closing, please see the letter from the Premier (link below) regarding the Back to School Act.
Sincerely,
The High Prairie School Division Board of Trustees
Premier Letter to Alberta Parents and Guardians
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October 22, 2025
Please see the following message on behalf of the Board of Trustees:
Good Afternoon,
At a Special Board Meeting on October 21, 2025, the High Prairie School Division Board of Trustees decided to recall all employees who were issued Temporary Lay Off notices on October 03, 2025.
This means School Support Staff will be returning to work on October 29th, 2025, at regular school hours for their individual schools. Please note that the Job Disruption is not over.
When employees return to work, they will develop work plans to assist students in the best way possible once the Teachers return to work. We hope that this Job Disruption will end quickly, and we can return to what we do best - educating students.
The High Prairie School Division Board of Trustees will continue to monitor this job action closely. As things progress or change, the Board will always respond by keeping Student, Family and Employee well-being in mind while balancing that with current and future financial needs.
Sincerely,
The High Prairie School Division Board of Trustees
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October 15, 2025
Please see the following message on behalf of the Board of Trustees:
Strikes are challenging for family, staff and students. They disrupt our normal routines and create a lot of uncertainty.
At a Special Meeting on October 14th, 2025, the Board of Trustees made the decision to extend School Support Staff pay by one additional week. HPSD made this decision because we do not expect the current labour situation to be resolved by the end of this week (Friday, October 17th).
When temporary layoffs began:
- Bus Drivers received three weeks’ notice, as outlined in their Collective Agreement.
- School Support Staff received two weeks’ notice, following previous practice in HPSD
By adding one more week of pay for School Support Staff, both groups — Bus Drivers and School Support Staff — will now receive the same number of paid weeks, ensuring consistency during this challenging time.
Please note: Records of employment will be issued by October 31st.
The Board recognizes the importance of family. With schools currently not providing programming, we understand that parents and guardians may need to focus on being home with their families.
The Board of Trustees has also confirmed that benefits for all School Support Staff and Bus Drivers will continue through November 2025.
HPSD will continue to monitor the situation and share updates with you as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
The High Prairie School Division Board of Trustees
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October 6, 2025
Labour Action Update
Please see the following message on behalf of the Superintendent:
Hello:
The Government of Alberta has announced that the Teachers' Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) will be locking teachers out effective Thursday, October 9, 2025 at noon.
What does this mean? It means that the Government of Alberta has prevented the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) from taking other job actions (rolling strikes, withdrawal of extracurricular or non-assignable time activities). The ATA and TEBA will have to either go back to the negotiating table or agree to mediation or arbitration. This will be determined in their upcoming talks.
This lockout is response to job disruption started by the ATA.
TEBA and the School Divisions did not want this lockout. The provincial nature of the strike and the potential for the ATA to shift its labour disruption approach without notice means a lockout is the only prudent approach for the education system.
TEBA is committed to continue negotiations throughout the labour action to ensure students can return to school as soon as possible.
We would like to share some important information we received from the Minister of Education and Childcare about the labour action that began today, October 6. Each day of labour action may affect how classroom instruction is timetabled. The Minister has provided the following guidance to help schools and families understand what to expect during this time.
Learning and Assessments
The Minister has explained that the province will take a step-by-step approach to provincial achievement tests (PATs) and diploma exams, depending on how long the labour action continues.
- If labour action lasts up to five days:
- Schools are still expected to help students meet their learning goals.
- No extra school days will be added.
- No extra funding will be provided.
- All provincial tests (PATs and diploma exams) will continue as planned.
- If labour action lasts longer than five days:
- The Minister will share more information and direction at that time.
Supporting Student Learning at Home
The Minister has also shared a Parent Toolkit to help families support students with independent learning during this time.
Next Steps and Updates
As labour action continues, the Minister noted that school boards may need to make decisions about staffing and other plans.
Your Partner in Education,
Murray J. Marran M.Ed., MBA
Superintendent of Schools & CEO
High Prairie School Division
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October 6, 2025
Please see the following message on behalf of the Superintendent:
Good Morning:
Labour Disruption is difficult, messy and inexact. Today is no exception. Last Friday, an extremely difficult decision of shutting schools was made, and I would like to update families on HPSD’s planning for Labour Disruption:
Part of this planning was School Support Layoffs. I would like to clarify two (2) points:
1. This action ensures resources are in place for when students return. Schools are funded for 200 days. The longer School Support Staff work, but not in front of students, the longer students may not have School Support Staff when the students return. This could mean extended school day hours without School Support Staff, or additional days to the calendar with no School Support Staff.
As per Alberta Education direction (Education Act), if the strike lasts longer than six (6) days, we would have to modify our calendar in order to meet the required hours of instruction as outlined in the Education Act.
If School Support Staff work while students are not in school, this would count against the total hours of work as written in their contracts. Therefore, if we have to add to the length of our day or to the number of days in order to accommodate a lengthy strike, the School Support Staff will have worked days during the strike, and any additional days/hours added to the calendar would not be funded.
2. Shut-downs are tricky and have to be conducted with many people. I will fully acknowledge that there were inconsistencies regarding the finishing/attending of planned extra-curricular field trips. For that, I am sorry. Communication can be difficult, and when giving a large amount of information at once with many people enacting it, there are many occasions for error. We acknowledge that disappointment and are sorry for that. We are learning to improve our internal communication better so that we can improve.
On our website is a Question & Answer Sheet that should help you with any questions that you may have during this Job Action. Please remember that Central Services is still operating and we will gladly answer any questions you or your family may have.
Please look to the HPSD website for information.
Your Partner in Education,
Murray J. Marran M.Ed., MBA
Superintendent of Schools & CEO
High Prairie School Division
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Oct 3, 2025
Letter to Dual Credit Students
Dear Students,
As of the end of the day on Friday, October 3, all High Prairie School Division students participating in Dual Credit will have their programming placed on hold due to the upcoming labour action scheduled to begin Monday, October 6.
The Alberta Dual Credit Framework requires a high school certificated teacher to support dual credit offerings ,and with the labour action, this is not possible.
These programs will remain suspended until the labour action has concluded and a solution has been reached. We will communicate further information as soon as it becomes available.
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Letter to RAP and Work Experience Students
Dear Students,
As of the end of the day on Friday, October 3, all High Prairie School Division students participating in the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP), and Work Experience will have their programming placed on hold due to the upcoming labour action scheduled to begin Monday, October 6. The Off-Campus Program Agreement between the High Prairie School Division, students, parents and employers will be temporarily suspended.
During this suspension:
- You may be able to maintain employment, if agreed upon by your employer.
- You will not receive school credit for hours worked during this suspension, and
- HPSD teachers will not be providing supervision during this time.
These programs will remain suspended until the labour action has concluded and a solution has been reached. We will communicate further information as soon as it becomes available.
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Oct 2, 2025
Please see the following message on behalf of the Superintendent:
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) announced that teachers voted to reject the recent memorandum of agreement. As a result, the ATA has declared a province-wide strike beginning Monday, October 6.
The Board would like to emphasize that many factors were considered in making the following decision, and until yesterday, they had a contingency plan that they believed was the best solution. However, due to recent government announcements, the school division reassessed its action plan and response to this new circumstance.
If labour action does proceed, all HPSD schools will be closed, effective Monday, October 6, for the duration of the labour action, including all extra-curricular activities, student transportation, and trips. There will be no public access to the school after Friday, October 3, for the duration of the labour action.
It's essential for families to have childcare arrangements in place for Monday, October 6, 2025, as schools will be closed.
Friday, October 3, 2025, will be the last day of school for students, teachers, and school-based staff. Central Service Employees will report to work as usual on Monday, October 6, 2025.
Please ensure your child removes all perishable items from their locker and brings home any personal belongings they may need. All Division-owned devices must remain at the school.
The Government of Alberta announced it will be offering support and educational resources for families. For more information, please see the Government of Alberta's announcement at https://www.alberta.ca/parent-supports-during-school-closure.
Updates will be shared on our Labour Action Information page as new details emerge. While the Board developed a series of options to respond to potential labour action, the details above are, ultimately, the only remaining option at this time.
We understand the considerable effect this situation will have on our families, staff, and communities. We truly appreciate each of you and are thankful for your patience and support as events continue to develop.
Stay close, stay connected, and stay informed.
Murray J. Marran M.Ed., MBA
Superintendent of Schools & CEO
High Prairie School Division
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Please see the following message on behalf of the Superintendent:
Hello,
The Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) announced that teachers voted to reject the recent memorandum of agreement. As a result, the ATA has declared a province-wide strike beginning Monday, October 6.
The Board would like to emphasize that many factors were considered in making the following decision, and until yesterday, they had a contingency plan that they believed was the best solution. However, due to recent government announcements, the school division reassessed its action plan and response to this new circumstance.
I say sincerely that this Board has advocated for the best possible scenario. After a lengthy special Board meeting, the decision was made to close all schools upon the start of labour action. All school staff (excluding teachers) and school bus drivers will be receiving layoff notices on Friday, October 3, prior to 4:00 p.m.
If labour action does proceed, all HPSD schools will be closed, effective Monday, October 6, for the duration of the labour action, including all extra-curricular activities, student transportation, and trips. There will be no public access to the school after Friday, October 3, for the duration of the labour action.
It's essential for families to have childcare arrangements in place for Monday, October 6, 2025, as schools will be closed.
Friday, October 3, 2025, will be the last day of school for all School-Based Support Staff (Secretaries, Financial Secretaries, Educational Assistants, Cooks, EA Instructors, Wellness Coaches, Grad Coaches, Indigenous Education Coaches).
Central Service Employees will report to work as usual on Monday, October 6, 2025.
Please know that your benefits will be maintained for the month of October 2025, and you are entitled to two weeks' salary. After November 1, 2025, your benefit coverage will stop. The Division may reclaim pro-rated absence premiums at a later date.
Updates will be shared on our Labour Action Information page as new details emerge. While the Board developed a series of options to respond to potential labour action, the details above are, ultimately, the only remaining option at this time.
We understand the considerable effect this situation will have on our families, staff, and communities. We truly appreciate each of you and the contributions you make on a daily basis. We are thankful for your patience and support as events continue to develop.
Stay close, stay connected, and stay informed.
Murray J. Marran M.Ed., MBA
Superintendent of Schools & CEO
High Prairie School Division
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Sept 30, 2025
Please see the following message on behalf of the Superintendent:
Hello,
The Government of Alberta has announced supports for families in the event that a solution to the situation is not found before the strike deadline of October 6. Those supports are:
- Payment Program - to ease extra costs for families. This program would be available to parents and guardians of students aged 12 and under who attend a public, separate or francophone school and are affected by teacher strikes. To get ready, parents can set up an Alberta.ca verified account at alberta.ca/alberta-ca-account.
- Learning Supports - Alberta Education and Childcare created a free toolkit for parents to support their child’s learning in the event that schools are closed. The toolkit provides resources that follow the grades K-12 curriculum. The resources are available in English, French and French immersion and focus on the core subjects of language arts, social studies, math and sciences.
There is no teacher strike happening as of today. Classes are scheduled as normal for Wednesday, October 1 (tomorrow).
Murray J. Marran M.Ed., MBA
Superintendent of Schools & CEO
High Prairie School Division
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Sept 29, 2025
Please see the following message on behalf of the Superintendent:
Hello,
Alberta teachers have voted against the recent tentative agreement with the Province of Alberta. There are two key points to take from this announcement:
- There is no teacher strike happening as of now. Classes are scheduled to resume on Wednesday, October 1.
- HPSD will provide regular updates until a solution to this situation is found.
HPSD will continue to operate as normal until directed otherwise. We will post updates on our website and message families. We encourage families to watch our website and their emails for updates.
Murray J. Marran M.Ed., MBA
Superintendent of Schools & CEO
High Prairie School Division