A year after construction was completed, a school on the Peavine Metis Settlement is finally home to students of Northland School Division. The province provided $12.5 million to build a new school in Peavine because the existing school was in very poor condition. While construction was completed in April 2009, the new school sat empty because of a land transfer issue and the students were unable to move in.
This was not an acceptable situation, and was one impetus for the appointment of an Official Trustee to act in the place of the Northland corporate board.
Minister Hancock made the following statement about the opening of the new Bishop Routhier School:
"I am pleased that Northland School Division and the Peavine Métis Settlement Council have successfully signed an agreement with the land holder for the transfer of land so the newly built school will open its doors to the children living in Peavine and the surrounding community.
All Alberta students have a requirement to learn in safe and healthy environments. The students in the community of Peavine are no exception and I'm sure their families are pleased that their new community school is now open.
I am confident that the students attending classes in the new school in Peavine will benefit from an enhanced learning environment that will contribute to improved attendance and performance.
Student success is a shared responsibility that engages families and communities. This agreement is a good example of finding solutions by working together for Alberta's children.
I congratulate all parties for reaching this agreement by placing children's education needs first and foremost."
In related news, the Northland School Division Inquiry Team is beginning its community discussions about the operations of the school division. Follow the link for more details.
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