Progress, but no promises
Minister says Airdrie schools are number one priority
Airdrie’s Council of School Councils took an important step towards getting more schools for Airdrie, Nov. 16.
Nearly 20 residents including trustees Don Thomas and Sylvia Eggerer, Mayor Peter Brown and Airdrie Chamber of Commerce president Mike De Bokx travelled to Edmonton to take Grade 8 student Leah Moore’s petition for more schools in Airdrie to the Legislature.
“I got the impression that the Province really does understand the issues and situation,” said Donna Pearce, chair of the Council of School Councils. “I felt like they heard us but we didn’t come away with any promises.”
The group was invited to meet with Minister of Education Dave Hancock and Minister of Infrastructure Ray Danyluk.
“It was really, really great,” said Pearce.
“Everyone got to speak about how serious the issue is and how it affects them. Everyone from students, parents, trustees, the mayor and the Chamber. It was amazing that ministers got a very broad picture of how the lack of schools is impacting everyone in community.”
Airdrie-Chestermere MLA Rob Anderson presented the petition, started by Moore in April, with 3,300 signatures to the Legislative Assembly.
“You see, it’s not about spending more taxpayer money,” Anderson said in his speech.
“It’s about spending the money we have wisely. It’s about putting needs before wants – and priorities before pet projects that government has no business being a part of. It’s about making decisions objectively based on the needs of Albertans – rather than making political decisions based on favours owed to politicians.”
He said he came out of the meeting hopeful that Airdrie will soon see new schools.
“I have never heard them (the ministers) so adamantly say they are working to get this done,” he said. “I am very hopeful there will be an announcement in the February budget. Minister Hancock has said Airdrie is the number one priority for school in all of Alberta. That means there will not be a school built in Alberta until Airdrie has at least one.”
However, he said residents of Airdrie need to keep the pressure on.
“This is not the time to stop writing letters and getting your voice heard,” said Anderson.
Pearce agreed.
“I hope people understand just how critical this situation is and how important it that we are a unified voice and we continue to have our voices heard,” she said.
“The ministers said they have to meet the needs of the province and balance the budget, but I say lets not put our kids in debt educationally to erase our debt financially. If the government doesn’t address this, it will have a huge impact on the community for the next four to six years.”
Steve Goodall, member of the Airdrie Councils of School Councils, said he was disappointed the ministers didn’t make a commitment.
“I think we made headway but I would have liked to see some action before the February budget,” he said.
“It will take at least four years to build these schools and we need them now!”
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