Burdett School tops PRSD wishlist

By Peggy Revell
Southern Alberta Newspapers
A modernization of Burdett School is top of Prairie Rose School Division’s wishlist, as trustees approved the rural division’s three-year capital plan.
“The big change is Burdett School was No. 2 last year; it’s now No. 1,” said secretary treasurer Ryan Boser, going over changes to PRSD’s plan at Tuesday’s board meeting.
Schuler School – which had been the division’s No. 1 priority – is removed from the list now that construction is underway.
The capital plan is basically a “wishlist” Boser noted, which they’re required to submit to the province. The province then evaluates PRSD’s list, alongside others from across the province, and makes decisions on any funding.
If money isn’t provided, the division uses money from its infrastructure, maintenance and renewal funding for facility repairs and upgrades where they can.
“I’m glad Burdett School is at the top because it’s the one bursting at the seams,” said trustee Kathy Cooper during discussions. The division is asking for a modernization of Burdett School, including a possible addition to the existing building.
Second on the list is a request for a middle school to be built in Redcliff in a new subdivision.
The plan, explained Boser, would be to then have Parkside students and Margaret Wooding School Grade 6 students attend this new school. The Redcliff Mennonite Alternative Program is being housed in the former RCMP station – so these students could then move over to the old Parkside School.
No. 3 on the list is a modernization of Parkside School, as various deficiencies need to be addressed such as the HVAC system, the electrical distribution system and boiler system.
Board chair Stuart Angle noted that the top items on the capital plan are in areas where the division is experiencing growth.
Other schools, if modernized, would probably be “right-sized” he said – meaning that funding formulas would require the size of the school to be cut down to reflect declining enrolment numbers.
No. 4 is a modernization of South Central High School in Oyen. Issues include the HVAC system for the gym and east wing, the CTS lab, electrical and siding.
The fifth item is a modernization of Foremost School.

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