With a public open house planned for March 3 to gather input on the future of the Benalto Elementary School, Red Deer County has sent the school division comments on the possible impact of closing the school.
“Red Deer County does agree that there are other factors that have an effect on the potential future development of the Hamlet of Benalto,” Red Deer County mayor Jim Wood said in the letter released last week. “However, it is the county's belief that having a school located within the community is a benefit that could help to encourage additional residential development and support the economic viability of the hamlet.
The March 3 open house is the culmination of work and study by a school review committee regarding the future viability of the Benalto school.
Input collected at the meeting will be compiled and submitted to the Chinook's Edge School Division board on April 6, at which time trustees will make a final decision on the future of the school.
There are currently 21 students at the school. In 2010 there were 49 students, 52 in 2011, 51 in 2012, 41 in 2013, 39 in 2014, and 27 in 2015.
Declining enrolment at the school has created a situation where Benalto is now the most expensive school in the division in terms of cost per student. In the 2015-16 school year, $15,918.30 will be spent for every student in the school; the division average is about $8,000.
“We are sure that the Board of Trustees of Chinook's Edge understands and are aware that the closure of the local school does have an impact on the community,” said Mayor Wood. “As the elected official for this area of Red Deer County, local Coun. Richard Lorenz has been hearing these concerns from current residents of Benalto.”
The county's 2012 municipal development plan (a document that governs development across the municipality) lists Benalto as one of its priority growth hamlets, he said.
“To ensure provision of services for current residents and the potential growth, Red Deer County has spent approximately $4 million for infrastructure improvements in Benalto since 2010,” he said.
The decision to examine the viability of the school was made in October 2013.
"It is the county's belief that having a school located within the community is a benefit that could help to encourage additional residential development and support the economic viability of the hamlet."Jim WoodRed Deer County mayor
