Airdrie has done everything possible to convince the provincial government that this city needs not just one, but several new schools immediately.
Our school board has been warning the public about the crisis situation for years, and created back-up plan upon back-up plan to try to make the best of a bad situation. Our MLA has spoken about our school crisis at every opportunity, in public and behind closed doors with government officials. Our Chamber of Commerce has joined the effort, encouraging its members and the public to write the province about the matter. Not one, but two consecutive Airdrie mayors have taken up the cause. School councils have banded together to hold public meetings to discuss the issue. A local student even started a petition, garnering thousands of signatures and took it to the Legislature.
The facts are well known. In Airdrie, every school will be over 100 per cent capacity by the end of 2011. No new school has been approved for this city since 2003. It takes three to four years to build a school. Of Airdrie’s 40,000 residents, one-third are school-age or will be in the next five years. And, despite the economic downturn, the city continues to be one of the fastest growing municipalities in Canada. In short, Airdrie’s case has been made. There can be no disputing that this city requires several new schools, and needs them right now.
The Province has heard Airdrie’s case. In the past year, several officials, including the Minister of Education, have said that school space in Airdrie is the top infrastructure priority. As such, the Province should not wait until this spring’s budget to announce new schools for Airdrie. The work must begin now. We simply can’t wait for sod turnings and photo-ops.
Enough with the politics. Its time for action.
