Alberta schools set to open, but long term concerns linger
Posted Aug 15, 2014 11:52 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It’s just a couple of weeks until it’s back to school!
Alberta school boards are ready to go this year, but they’re already looking ahead at some longer term challenges that they say need to be addressed.
Alberta School Boards Association president Helen Clease told 660News the boards work hard to keep what they have in shape, but there are some issues.
“In terms of trying to provide schools in areas where populations are growing,” she explained. “We are also concerned about some of the declining populations and trying to keep those schools vibrant.”
She said infrastructure continues to be a concern, even with the promise of new schools.
“We’re sitting in a position where if we get those 50 new schools, most of them with be full the day they open. Then we’re looking at the next round because when a population grows like that you really need to make sure you have the resources and the infrastructure to handle it,” she said.
Funding is another area of concern and Clease hopes there will be more stability when the next premier takes over.
She said a five or even three year funding forecast would really help with planning.
