Much like the town’s often-discussed growing population, the number of students flooding into Cochrane schools is also rapidly on the rise, posing some logistical challenges for officials and parents alike.
Overcrowding in schools – particularly in Glenbow Elementary and Mitford Middle School – is precisely why one such parent felt it necessary to write a letter to Rocky View Schools (RVS) addressing some of these concerns.
Jaimie Anton, who has a child currently attending Glenbow, said she understands the hurdles RVS must clear with regards to over-capacity issues, and hopes what is best for the students is first and foremost when a decision is ultimately made.
“My largest concern comes from the idea of moving only a select number of kindergarten to Grade 4 students from each grade based on where they live,” Anton explained. “I think that by moving 120 K-4 Glenbow students – essentially one class from each grade level – there is the potential for those kids to miss out on what I think of as an overall elementary school experience.”
The numbers are quite telling.
This school year, Glenbow sits at 103 per cent capacity; in 2013/14, it would rise to 115 per cent; and by 2016, a whopping 166 per cent.
Mitford is not too far off Glenbow’s numbers, with them now at 87 per cent capacity and by 2016, 134 per cent.
Manachaban Middle School and Elizabeth Barrett Elementary also may see over 100 per cent capacities by next year, but not to the extent of Glenbow and Mitford.
These numbers are of course only accurate if nothing is done by RVS to ease the swelling student populations at Glenbow and Mitford.
The situation is also considered a temporary one, as RVS is hoping to hear final approval of a new elementary school to be built in the Sunset Ridge neighbourhood. It is anticipated that this new school would open in 2016 and would hold 700 students and be expandable to 900.
For the time being, however, something needs to be done.
“We are concerned about Glenbow school’s ability to continue to accommodate students within its attendance area,” said Darrell Couture, associate superintendent of business and operations for RVS. “The Government of Alberta rates the capacity of the school at 554 students, and as of Sept. 30, 2012 there was 568 enrolled students, and if we do not re-direct students, we are projecting 637 students as of Sept. 30, 2013.”
RVS has come up with a contingency plan to address this issue, one that would see, as pointed out by Anton, 120 students moved to Mitford, and placed in seven modular classrooms, which RVS applied for in November 2012 and hopes to receive for the start of the next school year.
Two options are being considered for this move: relocate Glenbow’s entire Grade 4, or a K-4 group from a specific attendance area, possibly West Terrace.
Anton said that when looking at the numbers, it’s obvious something needs to be done to ease overcrowding, and that moving Glenbow students to Mitford seems to make sense since it does feed students there already once they move on to the next level.
Her concern is with how RVS will ultimately make its decision.
“If you have a disproportionate number of K-4 students compared to the number of middle school students, the K-4 students likely will not get some of the same experiences that a school with multiple classes at the same level may have,” said Anton. “When you have a school with different classes in the same grade, staff can team teach and bring in programs that are most specific to each particular grade.”
Enrollment projections for 2013/14, if students are moved from Glenbow to Mitford, certainly lessen the capacity burden.
If Grade 4s are moved, Glenbow’s Enrollment would drop from an estimated 637 to 540. With a mix of K-4 transferred, Glenbow’s population drops to 552.
Mitford’s student numbers would of course rise, but with the approval of seven modular classrooms, it would be able to temporarily house such an increase. RVS is looking for concerned parents and others to give their opinions on what the best way forward would be.
“These options and others that meet RVS’ objectives will be discussed with stakeholders and the board will decide which option is the best at its March 7 board meeting,” said Couture.
RVS has already received some suggestions from the community, but say none of which fully solve the issue at hand.
Couture also said that the proposed portable option at Mitford will provide space for students until the end of the 2014 school year, at which time, RVS will again discuss with parents and staff which options may be needed at that time until a new K-8 school opens.
Anton is hopeful the school in Sunset will be approved.
“A new school would obviously help ease many of the overcrowding issues,” she said. “And along with the new school, the designation areas for the schools would change as well.”
As it presently stands, RVS is set to exceed 100 per cent capacity by 2015. Glenbow is in the most dire straits, while Bow Valley High School is currently at 78 per cent.
Anton said Glenbow’s situation is a testament to how well it does as a place of education.
“So many parents are upset to potentially have their children leave the school sooner than when they had anticipated,” she said. “Change is inevitable, but as parents, we need to have our voices heard so we can have a say in how best to deal with the changes.”
To have your voice heard on this matter, contact Couture at [email protected].
