School utilization rates are overflowing at some schools within Pembina Hills School Division (PHSC) but at others it’s low, which had prompted the board to consider closing the junior high program at one school.
Eleanor Hall School in Clyde, as well as Busby and Neerlandia Public Christian School have the highest utilization rates in the division, whereas Fort Assiniboine School’s rate is low, PHSD Board Chair David Truckey told Clyde council during their regular meeting Jan. 13.
“This year we looked at the viability of the junior high program at Fort Assiniboine School and it was basically a hold and see,” he said.
The utilization rate for Fort Assiniboine School is only 33 per cent.
“It’s low but it is still in the range of viability according to Alberta Education,” said Truckey, adding that schools do go through cycles and the division closes grades and expands grades in schools as needed.
Busby is at 105 per cent utilization rate and Eleanor Hall is at 70 per cent. Truckey said when “once you get to 70 per cent it starts to get to crowded.”
“Geographically it’s our southern schools that have the highest utilization rate, Dunstable School, Busby, Clyde and Neerlandia.”
The school division plans to bring in portable classrooms to deal with the growing capacity at these schools.
“I think you will see those portable classrooms showing up in the next reasonable time frame,” he added.
There are approximately 3,500 students in the school division.
Trustee Sherry Allen said fly-bys continue to be an issue with drivers not stopping for busses with stop sign out and lights on.
“We put extended arms on some of the buses that go all the way across the first lane and into the next lane and people are still going around,” said Allen. “They will go half way into the ditch to go around.”
PHSD has installed cameras on some busses that have helped convict offending drivers. They plan on installing cameras on all buses.
“We are hoping to increase the number of cameras and get them on all of the busses,” said Allen.
Trustee Maureen Schnirer said the next project for Clyde is the outdoor space with a structure near the rink where the old building was torn down last year. She said Jolene Lawrence, the chair for Eleanor Hall School council, is spearheading fundraising for the project. The school division is considering funding the cement and suggested the village could consider sponsoring the walls or roof. The engineers and architects are working on the plans.
“It’s going to be a beautiful facility,” said Allen.
“Jolene Lawrence is very dedicated to the school and she has really taken this project to the next level,” said Allen, adding that they may be breaking ground next year.
