More students are filling the classrooms in Cold Lake schools this year.
Preliminary numbers for the Northern Lights School Division show that enrolment has increased just over one percent in total for their schools in the City. Currently, there are 2,282 students in NLSD Cold Lake schools, that's 44 more students than the 2,238 as of Sept. 30, 2014.
“Certainly we're always pleased to see the system growing, but I don't take that into account that confidently on Sept. 30 we're going to have those numbers,” said NLSD board chair Arlene Hrynyk.
While the official enrolment numbers aren't released until the end of this month, there are already some concerns arising that the increase might be a little too high. The early numbers are showing that Cold Lake Elementary School has increased by at least 20 more students than the 2014/'15 school year. It's an increase that division officials are watching closely.
“Cold Lake Elementary School is over capacity, but (principal) Kathy McKale is doing the best she can to accommodate the students. It's a good thing they'll have a new school soon,” Secretary Treasurer Paula Elock told the board during their meeting Sept. 9.
The new Cold Lake Elementary School building won't alleviate the problem this year, as the school isn't set to be complete until Sept. 2016. Hrynyk expressed that they are always concerned when there are too many students for the infrastructure in place.
“We're anxiously awaiting the completion of the Cold Lake Elementary School. Certainly we know that they have some trials and tribulations in ensuring every student has a place to sit in the school, but I'm confident administration is going to make it as comfortable as possible for all the children that enter that door.”
North Star Elementary School also had one of the biggest enrolment increases across NLSD schools, adding at least another 20 students this school year.
Over a one percent increase across Cold Lake schools for the 2015/'16 school year is promising for the local public school division, as during the summer they were expecting enrolment to hold steady.
“We'll get our official enrolment numbers on Sept. 30, but from the preliminary numbers it's a pleasant surprise,” said deputy superintendent Roy Ripkens.
Cold Lake wasn't the only pleasant surprise for the NLSD board and officials. Division schools in Lac La Biche increased one percent from 2,029 as of Sept. 30, 2014 to 2,090 in their 2015 preliminary numbers.
Enrolment numbers in NLSD's Bonnyville schools have decreased slightly, dropping from 1,787 recorded on Sept. 30, 2014 to 1,772 according to preliminary numbers.
