Smith, Wright talk rural education with PRPS officials

By Medicine Hat News on March 4, 2026.

The Prairie Rose Public Schools board of trustees met with local MLAs on Tuesday to discuss challenges and opportunities presented for rural education.

Trustees sat down with Premier and Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA Danielle Smith and Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright to cover the division’s continued growth and highlight how provincial decisions are supporting students and communities across Prairie Rose.

“The transition to a division-operated student transportation model has improved service reliability for families, while adjustments to rural operations and maintenance funding grants have helped stabilize the division’s operating budget,” said PRPS in a statement.

Other highlights included the division’s collegiate programming in aviation and agriculture, which allow students to earn industry credentials while still in high school, specialized learning pathways offered in various environments and the division’s recent enrolment growth.

The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives on the future of education in Alberta, including workforce readiness, rural sustainability and how school divisions are adapting to changing student needs.

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