More modular units needed for Rocky View Schools

While Rocky View Schools approved their 2023-2026 Capital Plan, which highlighted an urgent need for space citing the need to build more schools Airdrie, Cochrane and Chestermere, Colette Winter the Director of Operations at RVS, also underlined that a more short-term solution is needed; that of modular units. 

During a board presentation last week Winter said that RVS is Alberta’s fifth-largest school division. 

“Our capacity is around 30,000 Students spaces. We're sitting at 87 per cent utilization for Rocky schools,” she said. “In 2026, we're expected to be at over 100 per cent utilized.” 

According to Winter, 1/3 of the capacity for students at RVS is in modular units, which are classrooms that are attached to school buildings. Currently, 42 schools have these units attached. She also added that the only school in Airdrie that might be able to add modular units is Northcott Prairie School. 

“We expect it to be at capacity within the next few years and that's with the build-out of modular units onto that. That's why Airdrie is number one priority.” 

In November 2021, according to RVS, a request for 18 additional modular units was made to the provincial government and the division has not yet received communication regarding approval for its request.  

Board of Trustees Request Funds to Relocate Modular Classrooms

"To help ensure that there are spaces where and when students need them, the Operations department presented information on how existing units in schools not near capacity could be moved within the division to help with urgent capacity needs at schools in Cochrane and Airdrie," according to an RVS brief. "RVS Trustees approved a motion to request the Government of Alberta fund the move of these 10 modular classrooms. If not funded by the Province, the Board reluctantly authorized the use of 2021/22 funds to support the relocation of these modules as a necessary step, if given no other option. The estimate to relocate the modulars is $1.6 million."

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