As a resident of St. Albert, I am deeply concerned about the city’s approach to urban development, particularly regarding the allocation and servicing of school sites. While the Alberta government’s School Construction Accelerator Program aims to acknowledge the pressing need for new schools in rapidly growing areas, St. Albert’s city council appears to be undermining this progress.
St. Albert Public Schools has seen enrolment rise by 41 per cent since 2012, now surpassing 10,000 students. This growth demands the construction of new schools, not just upgrades to existing ones.
Instead of supporting the school boards in identifying appropriate school sites and planning for the types of schools our students need, city council has repeatedly overstepped its role — delaying site approvals, resisting land servicing (notably in the Northeast), and even trying to influence what kinds of schools are built and where. These actions jeopardize provincial funding and, more critically, the future of our students.
Our school boards were elected to make educational decisions based on demographic data, community consultation, and long-term planning, not politics. Their expertise and planning should be respected, not overridden by a city council focused on control rather than collaboration.
If we are serious about meeting the needs of St. Albert’s families and preparing for the future, we need our city council to stop playing gatekeeper and start being a partner. It's imperative that the City of St. Albert collaborates closely with the school boards to prioritize the servicing of school sites, ensuring that they are shovel-ready for construction. Failing to act now not only wastes the opportunity offered by the province but also fails the growing families of our community.
Let’s build schools, not roadblocks.
Kari McKnight
