St. Mary's River School Division was established in 1936
by a ministerial order. All rural schools in an area surrounding
Cardston were included, but the towns of Cardston and Magrath
weren't. The division was divided into five subdivisions with
a trustee appointed for each. These trustees were appointed
at a meeting of delegates from the rural school districts.
Delegates representing the following schools were: Twin River,
E. E. Bussian; Rinard, Mrs. C. Barnett; Del Bonita, B. Powlesland;
Valleyfield, George Ady; Lens, G. H. Lightfoot; Shanks Lake, R.
Hately; Ross Lake, S. L. West; and Hillmer, Herman Hillmer.
Mr. Fred Luth was appointed as the divisional trustee for
subdivision No. 3, which included these districts.

Some years later the name was changed to Cardston
School Division No. 2.

Each rural school district turned over what money was in the
treasury to be used as a trust fund for that district. The
divisional board assumed responsibility for upkeep of school
buildings, hiring of teachers, and collection of taxes. The
taxation rate was equalized throughout the division. The
local boards of each rural school continued to function in an
advisory capacity to the divisional trustee.

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