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RVS begins Cochrane consultations

CochraneConsultation
Rocky View Schools is considering changes to attendance boundaries and grade structures in Cochrane in an effort to address crowding at RancheView School. Photo by Cathi Arola/Great West Newspapers

In an effort to address capacity issues in Cochrane, Rocky View Schools (RVS) will hold a series of consultations with area families.

According to RVS Board of Trustees Chair Fiona Gilbert, RancheView School in particular is currently overcapacity and a focus of the school board’s attention.

“We know that school’s going to continue to grow, so as we look to be able to best accommodate students in giving them a classroom to attend school at, we need to have a look…at the boundaries and the kids who are designated to go to RancheView School,” she said.

Gilbert was clear that, at this point, options have not been decided upon by the division. A new school would be ideal, she said, but that is not currently on the table.

“What we know is the circumstance and what kind of capacity we have,” she said. “We know we’re not opening a new school in Cochrane for at least three years. We don’t have any funding that’s been approved by government.”

In the interim, she said, RVS is contemplating adjusting attendance boundaries or grade structures to reallocate students to other Cochrane schools with room for more students.

Capacity has been an ongoing issue for the division. In the urban areas within RVS – Airdrie, Cochrane and Chestermere – Gilbert said increasing student growth is leading to crowding and the rising need for new schools. Unfortunately, she said, the building of new schools in the division has not kept pace with population growth.

“If we don’t do anything as far as building any new schools…we anticipate that probably in about three to four years – about 2024 – we will be at 100 per cent capacity everywhere,” she said.

In Cochrane, the situation is more urgent, she added. The school division anticipates being at full capacity in the town’s schools in two years.

According to Gilbert, RVS hopes to hear from parents before deciding on the best approach to address the situation.

“The idea is to go to the community and say, ‘OK, this is where we’re at, these are the possibilities. What do you guys think? Are there other things that we don’t see?’” she said. “Parents are the ones in the schools every day, and the kids are in the schools every day.”

Gilbert said participation by parents is vital for two reasons. First, it allows families to remain informed and up to date on the possible changes that could impact where their children attend classes. Second, it allows them to make their voices heard and share what is important to their families.

“Is it important that we look to have as many K-8 schools as we can, because to you as a family, it’s important that your kids stay in the same place for as long as possible?” Gilbert said. “Is it more important to have a K-4 school and a 5-8 school, because then your middle school can focus on the middle school years, separate from the elementary. Those types of things, I think are important for parents to be able to share their opinions.”

The first consultation will occur Jan. 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. at RancheView School to present information on enrolment and the possible changes being contemplated, and to hear from the public. Based on the information gathered at the sessions, Gilbert said, RVS will compile some options to move forward, with a second meeting planned Feb. 25 to share those options and gather additional feedback.

The Board of Trustees has also set aside time at its March 19 meeting to hear from residents impacted by the changes, and will accept written submissions until March 9. A decision will be made April 23.

“The board is able to make the best decisions when we hear from a variety of people and a variety of perspectives,” Gilbert said. “Each parent will bring a different perspective to the meeting and to the consultation, so the more parents we have there, the better the feedback will be.”



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