The pioneer Benalto School permanently closed its doors on June 24 after 87 years of service, but not before parents jumped key hurdles towards creating a new education service for their hamlet.
Members of the Benalto Review Committee appeared at the June 22 board meeting of the Chinook's Edge School Division to deliver a 20-minute presentation to turn the old institution into a chartered alternative school. Trustees rejected the application, which was fully expected by committee members.
“We would have wanted to keep our original school. We all know that,” said Lisa Mason, a member of the committee, which filed an application to Alberta Education on May 12 to create an alternative school for their community. The June 22 application to Chinook's Edge was part of the process that is mandated by Alberta Education. “Our alternative is the charter school and knowing that Chinook's Edge would not have an interest in alternative programming, this is our backup. We got what we wanted today. This is what we need.”
Kurt Sacher, superintendent of schools for Chinook's Edge, said it was important for everyone concerned that trustees, who asked several questions during the presentation, not needlessly delay a decision.
“Which we could have easily done if we were consciously trying to be difficult,” said Sacher. “What the (committee) is hoping for around the building is that it is still in a position where they will have access to it.
“You have no idea the relentless pursuit these (Benalto) folks have had to do to see that their children are looked after. I personally admire what they have tried to do,” added Sacher. “They have done everything under the sun possible to do that. Now their next phase that they have looked at really hard is the possibility of a charter school to serve in their community.”
Following the application decision, the board approved the sale of Benalto School and its property to Red Deer County, a move that gives the community its desired venue to maintain an educational presence at the hamlet. Sacher said financial details of the sale are not being disclosed as there are still conditions that have to be met, including provincial ministerial approval.
“But we are confident,” said Sacher. “It is a win-win for everyone.”
The board decisions added up to another emotional day for the trio of committee members, who along with several other Benalto parents, have been working tirelessly to maintain an educational institution in their community after Chinook's Edge trustees voted last April to permanently close the school.
“I think it's because we are finally getting it closed. It is finally happening this week,” said Lisa Mason, noting the final day festivities at the school on June 24 included the handing out of awards, a special lunch and an afternoon celebration of games and activities for the 22 students. “Our kids have gone through a lot. It has been a pretty gruelling eight weeks now.”
In the meantime, the community must wait until Alberta Education makes a decision on the chartered school application, as well as what the county decides is the best use for the building. Mayor Jim Wood said earlier this month he understood the passion the community has to maintain its school for education, but added the structure could also be used for other purposes.
However, even if the decisions by the county and province are in favour of the alternative school option, Benalto School will remain closed until at least the start of the 2017-18 school year.
“Alberta Education has confirmed that as well. There is too much that needs to happen for it to happen that quickly,” said Angie Schickerowski, a committee member who presented the chartered school application at the board meeting.
Schickerowski said she does not expect a decision by Alberta Education to be made until at least the fall.
“Unfortunately it is entirely in their hands,” she said, adding provincial legislation requires the government to make a decision within 60 days of the filing of the application. “This additional information is coming now and we are not sure if that delays how long they have.”
In the meantime, Benalto School's last 22 children under the jurisdiction of Chinook's Edge will be scattered to other division schools throughout the region for at least a year.
“There's five different directions,” said Schickerowski.
