Proposed attendance areas for two new Airdrie schools were presented to parents during a consultation meeting May 13 at the Rocky View Schools (RVS) Education Centre. The meeting follows previous open discussion meetings and two online surveys.
“In this process, it’s very important that we hear from individuals in our community,” said Trustee Todd Brand. “This (is) a four-stage consultation.”
Eighty-four Airdrie residents attended previous meetings and 568 residents provided feedback via the online survey. Feedback from those meetings informed development of the options presented at the May 13 meeting.
The new east Airdrie kindergarten to Grade 5/8 school and west Airdrie kindergarten to Grade 4 school, both set to open in September 2016, come as response to high estimated future utilization rates of current schools. But some parents at the meeting raised concerns that the changes wouldn’t come fast enough.
“The options don’t really satisfy any immediate plans. They have a good plan, but it’s down the road and the waiting for that is going to be the painful part,” said parent April Brown, adding her daughter has been in two hallway classrooms at École Edwards Elementary School. “The teachers and staff are doing the best they can with what they have.”
Another concern raised at the meeting was proposed options for French Immersion students. Erin Quiring, president of the Airdrie Chapter of Canadian Parents for French, said more had to be done to meet demand.
“The French Immersion program is exploding in Airdrie, which is a great thing,” she said. “But there needs to be another dual track program to keep up with the demands.”
Parents who wish to suggest alternative plans to the options proposed can do so by submitting a proposal to board members. Presentation requests must be submitted by May 22 and parents can propose their attendance area alternatives during a special board meeting June 4.
“It’s a game of chess, but our options are limited,” said RVS Superintendent of Schools Don Hoium. “But anytime you can meet with community members, it’s (valuable).”
A recommendation on attendance areas will be brought before the Board of Trustees on June 18. More information and surveys are available at rockyview.ab.ca/attendancearea
