I recently reviewed the report regarding the School Site Allocation Committee and saying I am disappointed is an understatement. The School Site Allocation Committee was created to provide recommendations to council regarding school sites. Recently, it chose to "swap" several sites. The Catholic board is holding the Oakmont school site – although only as a bargaining chip for future site allocation as it has already expressed it wants a new a site in a "newer area" and won't be using it. The new public elementary has opted for the site in Erin Ridge North. The Regional Francophone High School moved its site to Eldorado field.
The report explains that it is enough for city council to be involved in the original area structure plan process and that it can then safely delegate to this committee. I strongly disagree. In the most recent round of decision-making, the School Site Allocation Committee completely disregarded the area structure plan for Eldorado field. The area structure plan specifically stated that the Eldorado area was for a local elementary/junior high, not a high school. It effectively eliminated the average citizens' representation by ignoring the area structure plan. In addition, a more appropriate spot may have been Oakmont, which is a larger site and can be accessed by a four lane divided road as opposed to the two-lane residential street in Erin Ridge; which is already subject to a myriad of traffic mitigation attempts due to being extremely busy. Much better for a school that will see a huge percentage of students bussed or driven in from out of the city. However, much like a child's marble or a trading stamp, the Catholic board is clinging to the Oakmont site in hope of using it to bargain for a better spot in the future. Lastly, the area structure plan for Eldorado Park had not been reviewed in more than a decade. When it was originally created there were 17 acres of land available and the regional hospital was a small local hospital, the seniors' complex and the large shopping area did not exist … many changes have been made to affect the area and traffic flow. Given all this information, I am stating with confidence that the School Site Allocation Committee does not work as a final authority on school site allocation.
We cannot allow what equates to three special interest groups/businesses to make decisions which impact the entire community. I appreciate that the school boards work hard. Having been a teacher, I also understand they operate like businesses and fight for competitive advantage. They are looking out for their students/board first and what is best for them is not always what is best for the community as a whole. City administration does not represent the average citizen. In theory, Council is our representative. I hope City Council will reconsider the report's recommendation and place the final approval for school site allocation, which affects our entire community where it belongs – in the hands of duly elected officials.
Kristin Toms, St. Albert
