Interlake School Division’s superintendent shared some food for thought at a recent school board meeting.
Superintendent and CEO Margaret Ward shared an overview about the school nutrition program in the division’s public schools. The program is entirely funded by the provincial government.
For the 2025-26 school year, Interlake School Division received $195,000. A minimum of 60 per cent of the funds must be spent on food and beverages, while up to 40 per cent of the funds may be spent on staffing and equipment. Funding for the 2026-27 school year is unchanged at $195,000.
Interlake School Division currently has two separate school nutrition models.
The delivery-based model is in place at eight public schools: Balmoral, Brant-Argyle, Stony Mountain, Rosser, Grosse Isle, Warren Elementary, Warren Collegiate and Woodlands. The program operates in community partnership with Community Living Interlake with a weekly delivery of groceries to schools.
In addition, a school-based purchase model operates at five schools: Teulon Collegiate, Teulon Elementary, École RW Bobby Bend, École Stonewall Centennial and Collège Stonewall Collegiate. This model allocates one hour of educational assistant support per day, and each school manages their own grocery orders and deliveries with Teulon Collegiate engaging in community partnership with Inclusion Teulon.
“Fruit, yogurt, oatmeal and toast are some examples of foods available to students,” Ward said.
“One benefit of the program include universal access for students, without questions. If students are hungry during the day, there is something available for them.”
Another benefit stems from community partnerships with Community Living Interlake and Inclusion Teulon.
The 2025-26 school year marked the second year of the school nutrition program. Interlake School Division schools report a positive impact since all students can access snacks and beverages without question.
“The feedback from students and staff has all been positive,” Ward said. “They’re appreciative of the access for all.”
In other ISD news:
• Margaret Ward is retiring at the end of the 2025-26 school year, following nine years in the role of superintendent/CEO and a total of 36 years with the Interlake School Division. Tyler Moran will be appointed to the position of superintendent/CEO of the Interlake School Division effective July 1. For nearly a decade, Moran has been part of the school division’s senior administration team. He currently serves as the assistant superintendent, and the school division will be hiring to fill that role.
• For the current school year, a total of 448 students are enrolled in French immersion in the Interlake School Division, which includes 118 students from out of catchment. Numbers are up from last school year, when there were 436 French immersion students, including 92 from out of catchment.
