Mar. 13, 2019
At the March 12, 2019 public board meeting, the Calgary Board of Education Board of Trustees approved the Three-Year School Capital Plan 2020-2023, requesting 8 new schools and 10 major modernizations from the Provincial Government.
“Over the past four years, the opening of 23 new schools and the completion of four modernizations has helped provide many new or newer learning spaces for our students. However, we are still behind the curve in our efforts to maintain and expand our infrastructure to meet the needs of an ever-growing number of Calgary students,” said Trina Hurdman, Board Chair.
The CBE is scheduled to open three new elementary schools in 2020, in the communities of Cranston, Coventry Hills/Country Hills Village and Evergreen, and has one high school modernization under development.
The 2020-23 plan identifies a single prioritized capital list consisting of both new school construction and major modernization requests, as required by Alberta Education. The total cost of all of the projects is over $363 million.
The Calgary Board of Education does not decide when new schools are built. The Provincial Government determines where, when and how new schools are built. Each year, school boards submit a Three-Year School Capital Plan to Alberta Education. The plan identifies priorities for new school construction and major modernizations.
“This capital plan reflects a shift in emphasis toward our older schools, many of which are in need of infrastructure investment. In fact, many of these modernizations having been on our capital plan for years,” said Dany Breton, superintendent Facilities and Environmental Services. “We will continue to work with the province to obtain funding that supports the upkeep of aging facilities with the objective of enhancing the learning opportunities of students across the City.”
In 2014 the Board of Trustees approved revised ranking criteria for school capital projects after a thorough review that included public engagement. The criteria are data driven and establish a fair and equitable process for all communities.
Alberta Education requires the plan to be submitted by April 1, 2019.
