The Rocky View Schools board of trustees approved the Capital Plan for 2013-2016, March 15.
Based on schools that were approved by the Province for Airdrie and Cochrane in May, 2011, population projections and enrolment, trustees determined their first priority is a new K-8 facility in Cochrane.
Trusteesí second priority is a new K-4 in west Airdrie. Priority number three is a new K-5 on the east side of Airdrie, followed by a Crossfield gym addition and internal renovation.
On May 24, 2011, the Province announced approval of the top three capital projects from the 2011-2014 capital plan:
ï A new 5-8 school for northwest Airdrie,
ï 9-12 school for Airdrie, and
ï K-9 school for Chestermere
Airdrie Trustee Sylvia Eggerer proposed changing the first priority to the K-4 in west Airdrie, second - the K-8 in Cochrane and the third the east Airdrie school.
ìWe have 40 per cent of Rocky View Schoolsí students are in Airdrie and the cityís population grew 47 per cent from 2006,î she said.
ìWe are not providing any kind of contingency plan.î
According to the Capital Plan, Cochrane schools will reach an accommodation crisis in early 2015, while Airdrie will not reach a crisis point until late 2017. Crossfield will be in crisis by late 2015.
ìI think compared to other school boards, we do an absolutely excellent job in our capital plan,î said Cochrane and Bearspaw Trustee Colleen Munro.
ìThe data our planner has gathered shows that we have some significant growth in Cochrane with a number of new communities.î
Airdrie Trustee Don Thomas said he wanted to ensure Airdrie interests are not lost but the problem is more severe in Cochrane than it is in Airdrie.
ìWhen I look at the information, I come to the conclusion that the need within Cochrane is greater than that in Airdrie,î he said.
ìI will vote in favour of the capital plan.î
Eggererís motion was voted down, with all other trustees voting against it.
Superintendent Greg Bass said the entire Rocky View Schools division will reach an accommodation crisis in mid-2017.
ìWith the capital approvals we received in May, we have a year-and-a-half (from 2016) until we have a serious problem,î he said.
Bass will submit the capital plan to Alberta Education by April 2.
