Ralph McCall School parent council members Steve Goodall and Teree Hokanson presented survey results to trustees aiming to maintain the school’s K-8 status, Jan. 20.
In 2004, Rocky View Schools’ capital plan proposed a new middle school in Sagewood, which would cause Ralph McCall to be restructured to a K-4.
An electronic survey was distributed to the schools’ parents from Nov. 5-16, 2010. Of the 259 responses, 181 were from parents and 41 were from staff. Results show two out of three voted to keep the current grade configuration. Twenty-one per cent voted for K-4, while 12 per cent were unsure.
“We thought it was really important to ask parents and staff specifically: do you want the configuration to continue?” said Goodall.
“I think if it was just a choice for a yes or a no, I believe that most people would say yes. They would want it to continue.”
Hokanson said the people might have misconceptions about Ralph McCall not being able to offer enough options or properly integrate children into high school.
“We would argue that Ralph McCall does provide specialized options that meet the needs of 21st Century learners,” said Hokanson.
“We believe our K-8 structure grounds them and prepares them for the future.”
Ward 3 Trustee Sylvia Eggerer asked whether the school’s alternative calendar was a problem for survey respondents. It wasn’t.
“Parents didn’t say it was a significant issue,” Hokanson said.
“They have the calendar a full year in advance, they know where breaks are.”
Goodall suggested the school board could make Ralph McCall a K-6 and restructure Sagewood as grades 7-9.
“That could alleviate some of the pressures that the high schools are facing with Grade 9s as well,” he said.
“You guys do not have an easy decision to make.”
Ralph McCall is one of six K-8 schools in Rocky View.
A decision will not be made on the issue until the Province approves the school board’s capital continguency plan.
