About 30 local parents got an in-depth look at Rocky View Schools’ capital contingency plan to address the classroom space crisis, Jan. 25.
RVS’ Director of Facility Planning John Wheatley explained the division is seeking three new schools, including two in Airdrie in this year’s provincial budget.
The jurisdiction currently serves 17,200 students, 8,230 of whom are in schools with utilization rates above 85 per cent, the Province’s recommended operating level. By September 2013, 11,340 of the predicted 18,960 students will be in crowded schools if none are built.
“We are the fastest growing jurisdiction in this Province, bar none,” said Superintendent of Schools Greg Bass. “It’s really mind boggling and it shouldn’t be happening.”
Wheatley said sometime during the 2011-12 school year, Airdrie schools will average 100 per cent capacity.
Mayor Peter Brown attended the presentation at the RVS Education Centre in Airdrie, and encouraged citizens to raise their voices.
“I ultimately believe the Province is responsible,” Brown said. “I think we’ve got to pressure the hell out of these people. They owe us.”
“I fully support the all-gloves-are-off approach to make sure the kids have a desk,” said Gerry Papararo, dad to Nose Creek Elementary student Erik.
Six new portable classrooms will be coming to George McDougall High School by 2013-14, two for Muriel Clayton in 2012-13, four at Nose Creek in 2011-12 and two for Rainbow Creek Elementary and Prince of Peace Lutheran in Chestermere by 2012-13.
In addition, RVS plans to sell the former Alberta Transportation Building, currently used by Cam Clark Ford, and use the proceeds to fund capital projects. Currently, the school division’s Airdrie Alternative School is housed in the building and Wheatley said if RVS sells it, the program would be homeless.
Premier Ed Stelmach’s resignation, announced Jan. 25, may impact plans for new schools, Wheatley cautioned.
“If he’s resigned, typically the Province will go into sort of a red zone where virtually no decision is made,” he said. “The hope is that the process is… so far in motion that it may just happen with the budget coming up. That is our only outside hope.”