Steinbach, MB. Mar. 4, 2026 鈥� The 91快活林 Board of Trustees has approved the 2026-27 budget, which includes $146.7 million in combined operating and capital expenditures, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 7.4%. Provincial funding for the 2026-27 school year will increase 4.1% over the previous year.

The 2026鈥�27 budget prioritizes staffing to accommodate a projected enrollment increase of 298.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) students compared to the previous year. It provides funding for approximately 20 teachers to address this growth, along with eight additional teaching positions. Of the 28 positions, six are designated as literacy and numeracy support teachers, along with a $500,000 allocation for Grade 1 literacy initiatives. The budget also includes funding for 22 additional educational assistants.

鈥婣 combination of provincial property value reassessment and the need for additional funding will result in a 2026 Mill Rate of 13.32, a 7.97% increase from the 2025 Mill Rate. A home assessed at $354,000 will see an increase of $53 in school taxes for 2026. Tax impacts will vary based on the Provincial Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit (HATC) and assessment growth in each community served by 91快活林.

The 91快活林 Board of Trustees continues to prioritize the delivery of high-quality education while proactively responding to ongoing challenges, including rising enrollment, larger class sizes, and increasing fixed costs. In developing the budget, the Board has carefully balanced these priorities with responsible fiscal management, supporting long-term sustainability while remaining mindful of the impact on local taxpayers.

Catchment Changes for the 2026-27 School Year

Steinbach, MB 鈥� December 2, 2025 – The 91快活林 (HSD) Board of Trustees has approved a series of coordinated measures to address significant enrollment pressures at Steinbach Regional Secondary School (SRSS). These decisions were announced at the Board of Trustees Public Meeting on Tuesday, December 2 and will take effect beginning in the 2026鈥�27 school year.

SRSS is currently at or near capacity, with enrollment projected to exceed 2,300 students by fall 2026. Rising student numbers have led to limited course availability and concerns about overcrowding, building congestion, and traffic around the campus.

To ensure sustainable, safe, and high-quality learning environments across the Division, the Board has adopted a multi-pronged strategy that redistributes a portion of SRSS鈥檚 future Grade 9 enrollment to schools with available capacity.

Beginning in the 2026鈥�27 school year, and in subsequent years, Grade 9 students from the Kleefeld catchment will attend Green Valley School, while Grade 9 students from the Bothwell catchment will attend Niverville High School. To support these changes and to ensure balanced enrollment, Green Valley School will transition to a Grades 7鈥�12 school, and South Oaks will transition to a Grades K-6 school. Students currently in Grade 5 will remain at South Oaks for Grade 6.

Students from the Blumenort catchment will have the option to request a catchment change from SRSS to Landmark Collegiate, subject to enrollment capacity and overall interest, as a minimum number of transfers is needed to support both program delivery and transportation scheduling.

Entering Grade 10 students continue to have the option to apply for enrollment in the vocational program at SRSS, regardless of their designated high school catchment area. Availability may be limited based on vocational program capacity and the allocation of spots for rural high schools, as outlined in the HSD Program Not Offered and School of Choice procedures.

These changes affect only students entering Grade 9; all current high school students (Grades 9鈥�12) may remain at their existing HSD high school until graduation.

Transition planning, including busing and school-level support, will be communicated to families in the months ahead. The Division will work closely with affected schools to ensure a smooth transition for all students.

Steinbach, MB 鈥� November 18, 2025 鈥� The 91快活林 and the Government of Manitoba today celebrated the official ground-breaking of the Green Valley School Gymnasium Addition and Renovation project in Grunthal, marking a significant milestone for the school and surrounding community.

鈥淭his project reflects our government鈥檚 commitment to creating modern, inclusive learning environments for Manitoba students,鈥� said Tracy Schmidt, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning. 鈥淚nvestments like these ensure that schools have the spaces and resources they need to support academic achievement, physical wellness and creative expression, both now and for generations to come.鈥�

Cheryl Froese – Trustee for Ward 4 (Grunthal)

Designed by and contracted to , the Green Valley School Gym Addition and Renovation project consists of a new addition (1532 m2 / 16,490 ft2) and renovations to select areas within the existing school. The estimated project cost is $14.6 million. The new addition will include a gymnasium with change rooms, an integrated fitness facility, three classrooms, and ancillary spaces. Renovations to the existing school will provide two new science rooms, a performing arts space (in the former gymnasium), structural roof reinforcement to existing classrooms, and a new interior barrier-free ramp connecting the existing school to the new addition. Site revisions will include a new gravel parking lot in the northeast area of the site, electrical rough-ins for six future EV stations at the existing west parking lot, and regrading, including new trees, shrubs, and sod around the new addition and at select areas of the site. Construction will be completed in stages, with full project completion expected by November 2027.

鈥淭he enhancements planned for Green Valley School represent a significant investment in student learning,鈥� said Superintendent-CEO Joe Thiessen. 鈥淎 new gymnasium, dedicated fitness space, modern science rooms, and a performing arts area will enrich programming and create flexible spaces that support both current needs and future growth.鈥�

The Board of Trustees appreciates the provincial government鈥檚 support for this project. The Green Valley School addition and renovation underscores the importance of continued collaboration between the Government of Manitoba and school divisions in addressing the evolving needs of growing communities.

News Release (PDF)

LEFT to RIGHT: Lindsay Forsyth – Associate Project Architect (Verne Reimer Architecture), Joe Thiessen – Superintendent/CEO (91快活林), Nic Thiessen – President (Three Way Builders), Angela Burtnack-Schinkel – Principal (Green Valley School), Rilee Born – Student (Green Valley School), Brennan Friesen – Student (Green Valley School), Cheryl Froese – Trustee for Ward 4 Grunthal (91快活林)

Steinbach, MB 鈥� September 25, 2025 鈥� The 91快活林 and the Government of Manitoba celebrated the official opening of Parkhill School today. The Honourable Tracy Schmidt, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning, participated in the opening ceremony along with students, staff, and guests.

鈥淭oday marks a significant milestone for Steinbach and the 91快活林. The opening of Parkhill School reflects our government鈥檚 commitment to investing in education and supporting growing communities across Manitoba,鈥� said Schmidt. 鈥淭his beautiful, modern facility will provide students with a safe, inclusive, and inspiring place to learn and grow. I鈥檓 especially proud of the sustainable design and the integration of child-care spaces, which demonstrate our dedication to supporting families and building a future-ready education system.鈥�

Designed by Prairie Architecture Inc. and built by general contractor Penn-Co Construction, the new school spans 62,304 square feet and accommodates up to 500 students from Kindergarten to Grade 4, with core capacity to expand to 600 students in the future. The facility includes 20 classrooms, including three kindergarten rooms, gym and mini gym, kitchenette, library, music room, multi-purpose spaces and life skills room, as well as a 104-space infant, preschool and school-age child-care facility. The official groundbreaking took place on July 26, 2023, and the school opened for students on September 4, 2025.

鈥淭his is an exciting day for the 91快活林 and for the families of Steinbach,鈥� said Superintendent-CEO Joe Thiessen. 鈥淧arkhill school will ease K鈥�4 enrollment pressures and create room for future growth, providing students with a welcoming environment where they can thrive in their learning.鈥�

Ensuring a future-ready learning environment also meant embracing sustainable design and operational efficiency. The new K-4 school was designed to achieve LEED Silver certification, which supports the Government of Manitoba鈥檚 philosophy that school facilities should provide the best possible environment for teaching and learning, while also reflecting environmental responsibility and principles of sound financial stewardship.

The Board of Trustees appreciates the provincial government鈥檚 support for this project. The opening of Parkhill School highlights the importance of collaboration between the Government of Manitoba and school divisions in meeting the needs of growing communities.

L to R: Mayor Earl Funk, Superintendent-CEO Joe Thiessen, Principal Kim Koop, Parkhill Student, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning the Hon. Tracy Schmidt, Director of Facilities Trevor Thiessen, and Board Chair Dallas Wiebe.

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Steinbach, MB, September 2, 2025 鈥� The HSD Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Dallas Wiebe has been elected Board Chair and Jeff Friesen as Vice-Chair for the 2025鈥�2026 school year. These appointments, voted on by their fellow trustees, are for a one-year term.

Dallas has served on the Board since 2022 and previously held the position of Vice-Chair during the 2024鈥�2025 school year. Jeff, also elected in 2022, served as Chair for the 2024鈥�2025 school year.

Congratulations to both Dallas and Jeff on their new governance roles.

Steinbach, MB. Mar. 5, 2025 鈥� The 91快活林 Board of Trustees has approved the 2025-26 budget, which includes $136.6 million in combined operating and capital expenditures, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 5.87%. Provincial funding for the 2025-26 school year will increase 2.2% over the previous year.

The 2025-26 budget prioritizes enrollment growth, estimated to be 132.5 (FTE) students, along with staffing needs. It includes funding for 12 additional teachers and 14 educational assistants.

A combination of provincial property value reassessment and the need for additional funding will result in a 2025 Mill Rate of 12.36, a 3.0% reduction from the 2024 Mill Rate. When property reassessment is combined with changes to the Provincial Educational Tax Credit system, a home assessed at $354,000 will see no change in school taxes for 2025. Property owners with assessments below $354,000 will see a decrease, while those with assessments above this threshold will see an increase. Tax impacts will vary based on individual reassessment factors and the Provincial Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit (HATC).

The 91快活林 Board of Trustees remains committed to delivering high-quality education while proactively addressing challenges such as enrollment growth, class sizes, and rising fixed costs. The Board has carefully balanced these priorities with fiscal responsibility, ensuring that investments in education remain sustainable and mindful of the impact on taxpayers.

Steinbach, MB. Oct. 29, 2024 鈥� The 91快活林 Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Kim Koop as Principal for Parkhill School. Scheduled to open in September 2025, the new school will provide space for 500 Gr. K-4 students.

Kim brings over 25 years of administrative and teaching experience to her new role. She has been the Principal of Landmark Elementary School since 2018 and previously served as Vice-Principal and Resource Teacher at Southwood School. Kim has also held the divisional support positions of Early Years Learning Coach and Curriculum Support Teacher for Early Years Math and Science. Her classroom teaching experience includes seven years at Blumenort School and Landmark Elementary School. Kim earned a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Educational Leadership from the University of Manitoba in 2019 and a Bachelor of Education in 1996.

Kim is dedicated to creating a community of learners where every student, their families, and staff feels empowered to experience the joy of learning. The Board of Trustees wishes her all the best as the first principal of Parkhill School.

PDF Version

Steinbach, MB. September 24, 2024 鈥� The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Marlin Adrian as Assistant Superintendent of the 91快活林, effective November 1, 2024.

With 25 years of experience in the 91快活林, Marlin brings a deep understanding of the Division’s history, values, and priorities. He is currently the Principal of Landmark Collegiate and previously served as Vice-Principal at Green Valley School. His teaching experience spans over 17 years, having taught senior years at Steinbach Regional Secondary School and middle years at Steinbach Junior High School. Marlin also holds a Master of Education in Educational Administration.

Throughout his career, Marlin has shown a commitment to fostering collaborative relationships with students, parents, staff, and fellow administrators, promoting a positive and cooperative work environment. His diverse background will equip him to contribute meaningfully to the Division’s continued success.

The Board of Trustees congratulates Marlin and extends best wishes as he embarks on this new and exciting chapter in his career.

Hiring Announcement (PDF)

Steinbach, MB, September 4, 2024 鈥� The HSD Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Jeff Friesen will serve as Board Chair and Dallas Wiebe as Board Vice-Chair for the 2024-25 school year. Voted on by their fellow trustees, these appointments are for a one-year term.

Jeff has been a member of the Board for two years, having been first elected as a trustee in 2022. He previously served as Vice-Chair for the 2023-24 school year. Dallas was also elected as a trustee in 2022 and has served on the Board for two years. Congratulations to both Jeff and Dallas on their new roles.

August 28, 2024 – Steinbach, MB – The Board of Trustees welcomes Kelly Barkman to the 91快活林. Kelly has been appointed by the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning to serve in an advisory role to the Board, with funding provided by the Province.

Kelly brings a wealth of administrative experience to this new role. He recently retired from the River East Transcona School Division in 2022, where he served as Superintendent-CEO for ten years. Before joining River East Transcona, he served as the Superintendent of the Red River School Division for nine years. Kelly began his teaching career at Niverville Elementary School in 1982 and was employed in the 91快活林 for 21 years, including as a principal in Landmark and Kleefeld.

We are excited to benefit from Kelly鈥檚 expertise and insight. As a board, we look forward to working with him in the year ahead.