Seven more modulars proposed for Cochrane schools

Rocky View Schools (RVS) is seeking 22 more modular classrooms and the relocation of 12 others, a total of seven for Cochrane, to find short-term solutions to address the ongoing boom in student populations.

Three new units are sought for the Fireside School, which is bursting at the seams with 111 per cent usage. Without them, the usage is expected to climb to a staggering 114 per cent in 2024 and 117 per cent in 2025.

The Cochrane Christian Academy, which relocated to the recently reacquired Powell St. school this fall, is already at 110 per cent occupancy. By relocating two units from Indus, AB, it's expected to drop to 100 per cent and meet the school's needs until 2025.

A new classroom unit and one surplus unit from the province are sought for Cochrane High. It's sitting at 101 per cent usage and without the additional space will climb one per cent in both 2024 and 2025. 

READ: Cochrane school enrolment up another 4.5%

While it's a tense situation in Cochrane, it's even more severe across the board in Airdrie. The W. H. Croxford High School is facing the biggest crisis in the division. It's already at 119 per cent usage, and that's expected to escalate to 133 per cent next year and 143 per cent in 2025 without adding eight new classroom units.

Last March, RVS sought 32 modular classrooms from the province but only received 10 new ones and the relocation of two others.

On Oct. 24, five surplus modulars were awarded to the division. The province will be paying for their delivery and setup.

After assessing needs, school divisions submit their modular requests in the fall. Typically, the province announced its decisions on modular requests in March. It's also around that time the province announces funding allotments for new schools.

The school division added 990 students this fall. With no new schools across the division until at least the 2026-27 school year, the division says it's critical to obtain this additional space. 

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