Starting this month, the Canadian Rockies Public School board (CRPS) will review information and develop options for dealing with the issues of underutilization of space and funding due to a decline in enrolment.
At it last regular meeting Nov. 27, the division’s board of trustees indicated to the various teachers, principals and administration present it will look at all public schools in the Bow Valley when evaluating options that could include grade reconfiguration or renting space out to other community partners.
Following a facility review of the three schools within Canmore by Alberta Education, CRPS determined its approach must include every school in the division and the criteria for developing its options must be narrowed down.
“We’ve got space in six schools and we need to be able to look at what makes the most sense for kids in learning and for the community, financially and academically, as we move the kids,” said board chair Kim Bater.
“The options will likely include consideration of what we need to do at all six schools,” he added. “There will probably be more options that deal with the Canmore schools because that’s where the most students are.”
Using four lenses – academic, social, economic/fiscal and community needs – CRPS will use a public engagement process to ensure the key questions of the proposed options are asked before a decision is put to the board next March.
A few of the options already generated include removal of portables at some of the schools such as Elizabeth Rummel School, or even leasing unused space at Canmore Collegiate to Bow Valley College.
Other options involve moving students from one school to another and then using the building as a board office. Bater indicated nothing is off the table in terms of options, however, he reiterated the board doesn’t plan on closing any schools at this point.
“The ideas that are sitting there, it isn’t like a one-time shot if we don’t get it right,” he said.
“I think what will happen is the really key questions and key concerns and key ideas will start to surface because we’ve got lots of information.”
During the meeting, a question from the floor was raised about how CRPS intends to steer clear from coming up with an option that is similar to what they’re doing at present and the reasoning behind that.
“We need to pay attention to that,” the chair responded. “Why are people attracted to the option they’re attracted to? The process will get us to the point where the trends and the strongest sentiments are clear.
“Of course, we’re going to compare that to what research tells us.”
At this stage, an online survey is being prepared that will be available on the board’s website for the public to complete. From now until March the process will be community-based, using groups such as the Community Education Network.
“We thought this out carefully in advance of how much time we need,” Bater said. “I think what people have to realize is we’re going to take in all the information that comes in, we’re going to look at the options and we will make a decision in March to maybe move ahead with some reconfiguration.
“We’re in a time of change and we need to make sure we’re delivering for students,” he continued. “School spaces are public spaces, so how are we using them to the best advantage for taxpayers? It’s a huge community asset, how do we use it well?”
