Skip to content

Clearview Public Schools requesting modular classrooms for Gus Wetter School

School’s capacity decreased to 305 students from 358
13967197_web1_sub-Gus-Wetter
Gus Wetter School (Clearview Public Schools photo)

By Kevin J Sabo

For the Independent

With enrolment in Castor’s Gus Wetter School projected to remain strong, the Clearview Public Schools trustees have approved a motion to request additional classroom space from the government.

The utilization of Gus Wetter School for the 2017-18 school year was 80 per cent, however, due to an Alberta Government change in the maximum capacity formula, that percentage has increased. Under the new formula, Gus Wetter School has a maximum capacity of 305 students, which is a significant decrease from the maximum of 358 students from last year.

With increasing enrolments seen at Gus Wetter School, more classroom space is needed. To fulfill this need trustees approved a motion made by Trustee Erika Grice requesting that Alberta Infrastructure supply two modular classrooms for the 2019-20 school year to Gus Wetter School.

“We can make the request, but the Alberta Government makes the decision,” said Associate Superintendent Peter Neale.

Due to demand for the modular classrooms, Gus Wetter isn’t guaranteed to receive them in the requested up-coming school year. Clearview Public Schools is projecting enrolment to remain strong around the district for the near future.

Other board highlights:

• The trustees received Superintendent Peter Barron’s report. Barron has been busy with the “Season of awards evenings,” across the district, as well as submitting an article in the College of Alberta School Superintendents (CASS) magazine entitled “Leveraging Technology Systemically - Student Centred Learning at Clearview Public Schools.”

• Wm. E. Hay has requested preliminary trip approval to take some Grade 10-12 students to Montreal in for spring break 2020. It was approved in principle in a motion by Trustee Kim Smyth.

• Big Valley School has requested preliminary approval for an upcoming student exchange with Ontario through Experiences Canada. Approved in principle in motion made by Trustee Kim Smyth.

• There was discussion on moving spring break out of March in 2020 due to March having a typically low number of teaching days. The conversation was held about tying it into Easter break. More stakeholder conversation will be held in the coming months.

• The next Clearview Public Schools board meeting is Oct, 31.