Richard Froese
South Peace News
A new building for St. Andrew’s School in High Prairie was the main priority Holy Family Catholic Regional Division trustees pressed the premier and education minister at a special reception April 15 in Edmonton.
Trustees spoke with Premier Danielle Smith and Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides at the Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association MLA Reception.
Board chair Kelly Whalen says trustees had an opportunity to meet Smith and Nicolaides to advocate for funding for the Division’s top capital priority, a new building for St. Andrew’s School.
“Meeting with Premier Smith and Minister Nicolaides was an important step in advocating for the future of our students at St. Andrew’s,” Whalen says.
He adds a modern building is needed to replace an aging facility.
“Our students deserve a learning environment that matches their spirit – one that is safe, modern and built for the future,” Whalen says.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to share our vision and we look forward to continued collaboration to make a new school a reality.
“St. Andrew’s is a vibrant school community and we’re committed to supporting this growth and long-term success.”
More than 50 MLAs attended the reception and trustees were able to speak with many of them.
At its regular meeting Jan. 22, the board appointed High Prairie trustee Leanne Cox, Grimshaw trustee George Chuckvar, Western Cree Nation trustee Donna Duda to the St. Andrew’s ad hoc committee and Fairview trustee Jessica Richard as the alternate.
Holy Family hopes to involve the community to be active in advocating for the project.
The committee continues moving forward with the project, which is the top capital priority for HFCRD. Holy Family administration will also be involved on the committee as needed.
Supt. Betty Turpin says the aging school facility has long been a priority for the school division.
“St. Andrew’s School has been our number-one capital project for a number of years,” Turpin said in a news release dated March 9, 2023.
She adds the current facility was originally constructed in 1957 as a one-storey school building. Additions were completed in 1963, 1971, 1985, 1990, 1991 and 1998.
Cox stated in a March 2023 news release the school needs a modern building.
“Our students and staff deserve the most modern facilities,” says Cox, a graduate and former teacher at St. Andrew’s.