Rocky View Schools (RVS) also launched a ward boundary review on Monday as part of its preparations for board elections in 2025.
RVS board chair Gilbert said given the high rate of population growth in the Rocky View Schools attendance area since the last boundary review in 2017, a number which now stands at 195,000 residents, the current board felt it necessary to look at how the current wards are representing their electoral demographics.
“If we are wanting to make changes to our boundaries, the decision needs to be made prior to Dec. 31, 2024,” she explained. “So that’s the timeline we are working with. When you are looking at electoral boundaries, the principle of representation by population comes into effect.”
GIlbert said RVS wants to hear from all citizens on how the ward boundaries should be adjusted, regardless of whether they have kids in school or not.
RVS is holding four public meetings to consider three options:
A seven-trustee option combining Ward 2 (Langdon, Indus and Chestermere rural areas) and Ward 4 (Crossfield, Beiseker, Irricana, Kathyrn and Airdrie rural areas) and redistributing 5,600 residents from Ward 6 (Cochrane: Sunset Ridge) into Ward 5 (Bragg Creek, Springbank, Bearspaw, Westbrook and Cochrane rural areas).
An eight-trustee option adding a trustee to Ward 6 (Cochrane would now have two trustees) and combining Ward 2 (Langdon, Indus and Chestermere rural areas) and Ward 4 (Crossfield, Beiseker, Irricana, Kathyrn and Airdrie rural areas).
A nine-trustee option adding a trustee to Ward 6 (Cochrane would now have two trustees), and redistributing 8,600 residents from Ward 3 (Airdrie: North of Veterans Blvd) into Ward 4 (Crossfield, Beiseker, Irricana, Kathyrn, and Airdrie rural areas) and redistributing 5,100 residents from Ward 1 (Chestermere: East side of the Lake and East of Range Road 282 on the south end of the lake) into Ward 2 (Langdon, Indus and Chestermere rural areas).
Further explanation of these options and the upcoming meeting dates are available on RVSEngage. .
