On Mar. 10, Education minister Adriana LaGrange announced that the 2021 provincial budget would be allocating $268 million towards school capital projects. That would go towards building new schools, five modernizations or additions, two school replacement projects, and a school ownership solution.

Out of all of those projects, not one of the three requests that Rocky View Schools submitted was on the approved list. 

RVS board chair Fiona Gilbert was unable to hide her disappointment.

"A big disappointment, you know. I knew we weren't going to get all three or much but I was very surprised that our number one priority was not a high enough need to get on the provincial list."

The top priority requested by RVS was a much-needed expansion for Bow Valley High School which is at 100 per cent capacity with projected growth surpassing that in the near future. Second, was a request for a new K-5 elementary in Cochrane's Heartland and an additional elementary school in Airdrie. 

Sadly, none of the wishes will come to fruition in the foreseeable future. 

"The one-piece that we are still waiting to hear from the government on is the modular/portable request how many of those we'll be able to put on our schools for this year," says Gilbert. "I understand from the budget announcement that they are putting quite a bit more dollars into the modular program. So, we can hope for some modulars."

With the rate of growth in Cochrane, and other areas under Rocky View Schools the need is essential and the hope is great.

Gilbert says that the modular announcement should be coming soon.