The Wild Rose School Division is very excited to have opened a new school in Condor this year.
On Tuesday September 6, 2022 elementary students in the Corridor began their school year at the new Charlotte Small Elementary School.
Superintendent of the Wild Rose School Division (WRSD) Brad Volkman, says he is proud the school division was able to replace three older school buildings that were not fully utilized with two new, beautiful, modern school facilities for the students and families in the rural communities of Condor and Leslieville. Volkman added, they are also proud of the efficiencies gained by going from three schools in the region that were under-utilized to two schools that are right-sized.
Volkman said the idea for the new school in Condor started with the need to modernize David Thompson High School (DTHS) located on Highway 11.
“After further investigation it was determined that we could not move forward with the modernization of David Thompson High School due to problems with the sewage lagoon that could not be easily or quickly fixed. At that point we met with the community and government officials to suggest that we close the school on the highway and move all of the students from three schools (Condor, Leslieville and the DTHS on the highway) into two schools,” explained Volkman.
“We suggested a K-6 school in Condor and a change at the Leslieville School from elementary to grade 7-12. The community, Clearwater County and the government all supported this plan and it resulted in two new schools, one of which is Charlotte Small Elementary School in Condor. The new DTHS should be open by the end of January,” added Volkman.
He said the name, Charlotte Small School, sets it apart from all other schools and is in recognition of the important role she played in the history of the region, along with her husband, David Thompson.
Volkman expressed in times of rural depopulation, it means that Condor is a rural community that will continue to thrive. Having a strong educational presence in a rural community is said to be vital to that community.
“The WRSD is very impressed with the community support for this project,” exclaimed Volkman. “The community raised additional funds in order to enhance this project and make the school even better. Clearwater County has also been very generous in terms of their time, money and support for this project.”
“Thank you to the people of Condor, Leslivielle and Clearwater County,” he continued. “This is a wonderful success story of cooperation in rural Alberta!”
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