Overcrowding, especially regarding French Immersion students, was the dominant issue when parents concerned with attendance areas proposed by Rocky View Schools (RVS) spoke at a special board meeting held the evening of June 4.
RVS is set to open two new schools in Airdrie and one in Cochrane in September 2016.
“This is phase three of the attendance area consultation process,” RVS Board Chair Colleen Munro said to Airdrie and Cochrane parents and community members. “Now is your opportunity to give presentations on (provided) options. Your feedback is going to be incorporated into the decision that we make.”
Previously, RVS solicited feedback at open meetings and two online surveys. However, concerns were raised by all three Airdrie presentation groups about the impact of new attendance areas on local French Immersion students.
Karen Lewall, who has had three children attend the French Immersion program in RVS, said she’s witnessed “first-hand” the impact of Airdrie’s growth on local schools.
“(RVS) have repeatedly stated overcrowding issues need to be addressed at (the tri-school site),” she said. “What do I hear from parents? They’re frustrated with overcrowding. Some parents are seriously considering leaving (RVS).”
Crystal Fillpenko said she had received more than 100 signatures from parents unsatisfied with options like hallway classrooms and pod spaces as answers to overcrowding issues.
“The options presented on May 12 do not address the overpopulation issues,” she said. “We would like the board to be proactive, not reactive.”
Erin Quiring and Sara Chamberlain of the Airdrie Chapter of Canadian Parents for French, asked RVS to promote French Immersion in Airdrie, rather than “squeeze” all the French students into existing schools.
“We believe a long-term strategy for the delivery of high quality, sustainable and stable French Immersion is needed,” Chamberlain said. “We feel French Immersion has grown far beyond an alternative program. It is a program of choice and one that Airdrie families are choosing.”
Chamberlain asked that RVS become a “leader” in French Immersion programming and implement a long-term strategy to promote the program by 2020.
Munro said the discussion would influence attendance area decisions.
“I would like to say thank you for your thoughtful, careful consideration,” she said. “I would like to personally emphasize that the board is in the middle of this deliberation, not the end.”
A recommendation for the new attendance areas will be brought to board members in June, and implementation will take place in September 2016.
