crowded schools to get new modulars, but many won't be ready for first day
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two modular classrooms at west springs school in calgary are seen in this file photo from oct. 31, 2014.
ted rhodes/postmedia
calgary public and separate schools are expecting dozens of new modular classrooms this fall, but questions remain around when the new units will actually be ready for students.
as urban school districts see record numbers of new students from across the country and around the world, alberta education has announced $215 million in additional funding for next year.
of that, $125 million will go toward operational costs and $90 million is for modular classrooms that can be quickly added to existing schools.
but officials with the calgary board of education confirmed last week the new modulars will not be ready for the first day of school as they continue to work with the province on delivery dates.
“while the modulars will not be in place for the first day of school, schools are used to making adjustments to respond to annual and in-year changes in enrolment,” said cbe spokesperson kara layher.
“once the modulars are in place, schools make additional adjustments to best use the new spaces.”
the cbe expects to add 47 new modular classrooms, accommodating up to 1,200 additional students. as well, 11 modular units will be relocated from lower enrolment schools to schools with the greatest need for additional space.
still, those numbers are well below a request which went to the province in 2023, when cbe officials said they urgently needed at least 68 new modulars and funding to relocate another 12 to address overflowing schools.
after two years of record enrolment growth welcoming more than 7,000 new students last year, the cbe expects yet another historic spike this fall surpassing the previous year’s records.
cbe developing strategies to handle overcapacity
in the past school year, overall utilization rates at the cbe have reached 93 per cent, with particular challenges in the higher grades. for grades k to 4, utilization rates are now at 86 per cent; in grades 5 to 9, they’ve reached 93 per cent; and for grades 10 to 12 they are well overcapacity at 103 per cent.
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in a recent student accommodation report, cbe officials outlined a list of unprecedented strategies to deal with overcapacity in the coming years, including staggered schedules, leasing office space and building “mini schools” in suburban areas.
and while the cbe would not say which schools will get the much-needed modulars this fall, detailed plans are expected to be shared with families soon.
“we are working closely with the province on the delivery of the new modular units,” layher added.
“we expect the work to install some of the new modulars to begin in the fall. these new modulars, as well as existing modulars that will be relocated, will mitigate some of the most critical enrolment pressures.
“detailed plans regarding the modular units will be shared with impacted communities soon.”
along with the new modulars, the cbe also received $31.6 million in additional operational funding which will go towards hiring new teachers, support staff and other financial pressures.
catholic school district also facing unprecedented enrolment growth
meanwhile, the calgary catholic school district said the new provincial funding will allow them to install 14 new modulars and relocate another six.
but like cbe, officials with ccsd were not clear as to when the units will be ready for students.
“installation of modulars is complex and must meet city standards and safety criteria,” said ccsd spokesperson joanna french.
“as such, some units will be ready sooner than others. we are aiming for the installation of the units in the fall.”
ccsd did not say what else their funding would go towards, adding that “planning is underway” to determine how to best support its growing student population.
ccsd has also seen unprecedented enrolment growth over the past two years, with nearly 2,800 new students added last year, and another 2,100 expected this fall.
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education minister demetrios nicolaides explained new funding announced last month will go towards 100 new modular classrooms and the relocation of another 50, with the intent of having some ready to go this fall, and the rest to be deployed by “the new year.”
“ahead of the 2024-25 school year, school boards across the province are facing pressures such as increasing enrollment, rising operational costs and inflation,” nicolaides said.
“so we’re stepping up and investing an additional $215 million in education to help alleviate these pressures.”
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