INNISFAIL - For the second straight year, a 250-student classroom addition to Carstairs Elementary School is the top priority infrastructure project in Chinook’s Edge School Division, say officials.
A new middle school for Penhold is also on the priority list.
Trustees approved the 2020 – 2023 capital plan at the recent regularly scheduled board meeting. The plan is essentially a wish list for the division that is sent to Alberta Education for funding consideration.
The top priorities in the plan are, in order of priority, a 250-student classroom addition in Carstairs, a new 500-student capacity replacement middle school in Penhold, a new grade 10-12 high school in Sylvan Lake, and a new 400-student capacity Ecole Olds Elementary School.
Shawn Russell is associate superintendent corporate services at Chinook’s Edge.
“We have issues with classroom space in the community of Carstairs,” said Russell. “The community continues to grow and we are at the point that we desperately need some more classroom space.
“The number 1 priority is to expand the Carstairs elementary to accommodate an additional 250 students. It was the top priority last year as well.”
Every year school divisions submit capital plans to Alberta Education outlining priorities for capital projects.
“Once the board submits the plan it is up to Alberta Education to decide which projects are the highest priority across the province,” he said. “They award projects based on where they feel the highest needs are across the province.”
A shortage of classroom space is also behind the need for new schools in Penhold, Sylvan Lake and Olds, he said
“The Penhold community continues to grow and we have an aging building that we currently house some students in,” he said. “The Penhold middle school would replace the existing Penhold Elementary School and add additional spaces to the community as well.
“When we project out of the next 10-year time period we are going to be in a situation where we are going to be needing additional classroom space in the community of Olds.
“Olds continues to have strong, steady growth and if that pattern continues, we will be in the situation where we need that additional classroom space as well.”
The capital plan being submitted to Alberta Education includes background information such as projections and current enrolments, he said.
There is no set date for Alberta Education to announce new capital projects in the province, he said.
“It’s determined by the government and by the budgets they put in place for capital projects,” he said.
Meanwhile, trustees reviewed a report on class sizes in the division during the recent board meeting.
The report shows that “efficient and healthy class size levels continue to be sustained in the division overall despite fewer resources,” the division said in a press release.
“In Chinook’s Edge, class sizes are influenced annually through an internal Resource Allocation Working Group process, which involves school and division office administrators working collaboratively on a detailed and transparent allocation strategy for the division.”
Also during the March 13 board meeting, trustees “discussed various ideas to further engage with school councils as a board, particularly as the Alberta School Councils Association’s provincial conference approaches in April.
“The board appreciates the enthusiasm and ideas that are generated through school councils in Chinook’s Edge, and recognizes the strong support they provide to school administrators.”
Trustees also discussed the recent Inclement Weather Red Day that saw several schools closed due to heavy snow.
“Trustees discussed the detailed strategies that are in place regarding how decisions are made and communicated. This policy is built around the priority of safety.”
