The Calgary Board of Education’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to relocate the home education program at Windsor Park School to Bel-Aire School and open a regular K-4 program in its place.
The decision also eliminates the need for a lottery at Rideau Park School, according to an email to parents obtained by LiveWire Calgary, because it will free up more than 200 student spaces to help balance enrolment at schools in the area.
According to a report presented to trustees at Tuesday’s board meeting, the move would alleviate pressure at high enrolment schools (Chinook Park School, Elboya School, Rideau Park School, William Reid School and Woodman School) and create “more equitable learning experiences” for students. It will also better support students at high-enrolment schools and allow students living in the Windsor Park community to attend school close to home.
CBE administration also said students enrolled in the home education program will not be affected by the move because Bel-Aire School is only 1.3 kilometres away from Windsor Park School. To date, 430 students are enrolled in the home education program.
It will cost the CBE around $841,000 to relocate the home education program, the report added.
“The relocation of the home education program to Bel-Aire School, a site that is just a little over one kilometer away from where the home education program is currently located, would both allow the home education program to continue to provide the same extent of educational programming currently provided at Windsor Park, while freeing up space for regular program students as close as possible to where student enrollment growth is occurring,” said Dany Breton, superintendent of facilities and environmental services.
The decision also comes after a public consultation was held on Jan. 22, which is required under the Education Act. According to meeting minutes, parents and community members asked why the home education program was chosen for relocation to address school utilization in the area. Others raised concerns about transportation, while a few parents said it is important to have a regular program school in the neighbourhood.
Nine written submissions were also received by the board, five of which indicated support for the relocation. According to Trustee Nancy Close, the written submissions included concerns about future needs of the CBE home education program and whether the Bel-Aire School location is sustainable for the growing program.
In response, trustees and administration said all materials and staff will be transitioned to the Bel-Aire School, and families will be able to provide input into transition planning. Trustees and administration also encouraged parents to provide feedback and comments to adapt spaces at Bel-Aire School for students enrolled in the home education program.
“Windsor Park can now reopen community school programming in a neighbourhood that’s experiencing increased population growth, and the CBE can continue to operate the home education program,” said Trustee Charlene May at Tuesday’s meeting.
“It has been heartwarming hearing through the public input meeting as well as the written submissions, the positive impacts, successes, connections and the critical role of the school offering brings to so many students … So I do see a commitment from the CBD to still honor and support home education, but just reimagined in a new space.”
Trustee Marilyn Dennis said the relocation of the home education program will have a big impact on home education program students but she is confident CBE administration will be able to successfully transition families into the new space.
“One of the one of the more significant things that give me hope in terms of the success of this relocation is the incredible community of parents that are supporting their students, and also the amazing relationship that was demonstrated at the public meeting between the school administration and the families that that program serves,” she said.
“Change can be difficult … I certainly wish the school community all the best of luck in this transition and have confidence that they’re going to make their new home as much loved as their existing one.”
