Marjorie Kirsop is beginning to wonder if the two modular classroom units that were promised for the new Morinville Public Elementary School will ever arrive.
“It’s ridiculous. I don’t know anymore if they are really coming. They offer programs yet the infrastructure is not there,” said Kirsop.
On Monday Kirsop and other Morinville Public Elementary School parents received a letter from principal Wayne Rufiange explaining that the arrival of the modular classrooms is delayed for at least a month.
Originally the modular units were to arrive in early December. Parents and teachers had volunteered to set up the new classrooms over the Christmas break. The students were scheduled to be sitting in their new classrooms by Jan. 9.
Now, according to Rufiange’s letter, the modular units will not be in place until Jan. 15, with Jan. 23 the new proposed first day of classes in the new portables.
“It has been delayed but the delay is out of our control,” said Sturgeon School Division Superintendent Michelle Dick.
“This was a big surprise to learn last week that the modular units would not arrive and we are very disappointed. Staff and parents were poised and ready to roll to get those modulars ready for the first day of school,” she said.
Last June a partnership was achieved between Sturgeon School Division and Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools to provide non-faith-based schooling in Morinville. Since then Morinville School has been located in a series of makeshift buildings that included the Morinville Cultural Centre and the Sturgeon School Division offices.
Currently there are 15 students registered in the Grade 1-2 split class and 12 students in the Grade 3-4 split.
“The move to the Sturgeon School Division offices was better for the Grades 1 and 2 students because they were too cramped in the cultural centre. But for the Grades 3 and 4 students it is not as good because in the cultural centre they at least had room for a gym class,” Kirsop said.
Under the partnership agreement, Morinville school was promised two modular units.
Kirsop explained the frustration that has continued to grow since June, when she attended a meeting held jointly between the two school boards and Alberta Education.
“Then Education Minister Dave Hancock ensured us there would be secular education in Morinville. In July they said the kids would be bused out of town. In September they registered in the cultural centre and 1.5 months later they moved to the Sturgeon School Division offices,” she said.
At those June meetings Kirsop saw photos of the newly designed modular units and was excited at the prospect of school starting in regular looking classroom facilities. She held tightly to the promise of new units and at first made allowances for some delays. Now she is not so sure.
“I’m not sure what to tell the kids anymore. Now we still don’t have them settled for this year.”
Dick has asked the minister of education and Alberta Education Infrastructure to adhere to the original time schedule.
“I have spoken to the minister and to Greater St. Albert School Board to expedite the process, but that being said, it is also practical to make plans for the new January completion date,” she said.
