By Troy Gillard

new school coming, one closing

Decisions made regarding the future of Drayton Valley schools

Jan 7, 2020 | 3:13 PM

Drayton Valley’s newest school will have a familiar name.

The Board of Trustees for the Wild Rose School Division voted to approve “Evergreen Elementary School” as the name of the new facility slated to open in January 2021.

A naming committee has presented the board with a list of 10 potential names to choose from. That list included: Atlas Elementary, Barry Dodd Elementary, Discovery Elementary, Eldorado Elementary, Evergreen Elementary, Horizon Elementary, Maegan Waltz Elementary, Powerhouse Elementary, Rita Steele Elementary, River Valley Elementary.

The shortlist was based on a community survey that received 279 responses.

“In making their final decision, the Board took into consideration the fact that the new school is replacing the old Evergreen Elementary School and is located on the same site. As such the Evergreen name is easily identifiable and has great significance for the students, staff, parents and community,” the division says on its website.

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The old Evergreen Elementary School building was demolished in 2018 due to structural issues.

Trustees also voted to close Eldorado Elementary School. Students will be transferred to either the new Evergreen Elementary School or Aurora Elementary School.

“This decision is consistent with our 2018 capital plan request to government for a new replacement school and our commitment to improve our school utilization rates in Drayton Valley once the new school opens,” says WRSD on its website.

The Board of Trustees also passed a resolution last month to continue operating Drayton Christian School in the building they have been sharing with Eldorado Elementary School.

Only space required to have an appropriate utilization rate will be used, while the rest of the building will be closed until the Board has made a decision regarding the structural issues being experienced at H.W. Pickup Middle School.

“We may need this space once again in the event that we need to close all or a portion of H.W. Pickup School,” the division says. “This decision is still in process and will impact our April 2020 capital plan submission. In the meantime, the closure of Eldorado Elementary School will provide some efficiencies in terms of custodial, administration and utility costs.”