Officials at three St. Albert schools are frustrated, after news that a set of portable classrooms meant to help ease congestion have been delayed again.
At Leo Nickerson School, officials say it’s the third time the two portables they were promised had been delayed.
“We found out in July that officially they were going to be delayed the first time,” Principal Kevin Jones said. “They were supposed to come in October, then they were supposed to come in November, and we found out now they’re delayed until December.”
Until the portables arrive, the school has transformed the art studio and music room into classrooms to make space for 60 students – the music teacher Deirdre Brown has been forced to carry out music classes on the move.
“I have 10 classes through the day, and I make sure I have everything I need in my bin, and I just travel from class to class,” Brown said.
The foundation and pilings for the two portables that would be space for those 60 students has been ready to go since July.
Alberta Infrastructure says the portables are being constructed in Crossfield, near Calgary, by a manufacturer who came on board in December 2013, but the prototype took longer than anticipated.
“We’ve been working hard with the manufacturer so we can get their building process more fine-tuned so they can get put out faster,” Tracey Larsen, a spokesperson for Alberta Infrastructure said.
Now, the portables are expected by late December or early January. Two other schools in St. Albert are each expecting a portable as well, Elmer S. Gish Elementary and Bellerose High School.
Jones said he just wants improved communication with the province.
“Just be honest, and tell us what’s going on,” Jones said. “So then we can make better decision sin the buildings instead of having to kind of shoot in the dark, and not having the information we need to make good decisions.”
Alberta Infrastructure told CTV News it tells school districts as soon as it can about delays.
With files from Veronica Jubinville
