Chinook’s Edge School Division wants to bring new school to Carstairs

Neighbouring school division to the north of Rocky View Schools, Chinook’s Edge School Division Board of Trustees, have approved their 2026-2029 Capital Plan.

The plan prioritizes school construction and renovation projects based on demographics, projected community growth, facility utilization rates, and overall building conditions.

"The plan is submitted to Alberta Infrastructure for consideration," stated the school division.

According to Chinook's Edge, the Capital Plan includes the following priorities, which would affect Airdrie's neighbouring communities:

1. New Grade 10-12 high school in Sylvan Lake
2. Modernization of Innisfail High School
3. A new elementary school in Olds
4. A new middle school in Carstairs or the modernization of Hugh Sutherland School
5. New K-8 school in Liberty Landing (Gasoline Alley in Red Deer)

Also, at their latest trustee meeting, they received a transportation quarterly update.

"Trustees were informed of the increasing costs of transportation happening throughout the province. This includes the cost of purchasing buses, which is up by more than 10 per cent," stated the school division.

The Board hopes that more provincial funding will be available to offset the growing transportation expense.

The school division has 12 schools in neighbouring communities, including Olds, Mountain View County, Didsbury, Crossfield and Carstairs. Chinook's Edge has a total of 11,000 students across 40 Central Alberta schools.

Last month, the Chinook’s Edge School Division (CESD) Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Dr. Ryan Sawula as the new Superintendent of Schools, effective June 2, 2025.

At Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, where he most recently served as Deputy Superintendent, Sawula has spearheaded several projects centred on career pathways, curriculum development, leadership, mentoring, Indigenous learning, and community involvement.

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