For years the Calgary Stampede has been billed as the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, but coming into its centennial year, it is looking bigger and better than ever.

 The Prairie Land Regional School Division (PLRD) will be addressing a motion to close the Hanna Primary School and have the classes moved to J.C. Charyk at their May 30 board meeting.

At the March 7 board meeting, Trustee Duane Roy served a notice of motion to close the Hanna Primary School. Discussion has been vigorous since the notice of motion was made.

“The board will be considering that Notice of Motion, which will become a Motion at the May 30 meeting,” said PLRD superintendent Wes Neumeier. 

Since the Notice of Motion, the board held a public meeting in April and employed an online survey. They have met with concerned community groups and with Hanna Town Council.

“The board has heard a lot of community feedback and input and has to weigh those concerns now and the various trustees I am sure will debate the issues they see pertinent,” said Neumeier. “They have to look at the facilities and the best way they can monopolize on those facilities to offer education in the long term in Hanna.”

He said the primary concern is how to meet the needs of students and there are many successful scenarios.

“We have to work on separating fact from fiction. There are many scenarios in terms of education, you have K-3 arrangements and K-12 arrangements in a variety of schools. This isn’t new stuff,” said Neumeier. “There are many successful models for running K-12 schools, just as there are successful models for running K-3 schools.”

“It’s a matter of finding the benefits and recognizing the losses, and trying to compensate for those losses as well. There are benefits that exist in a K-12 arrangement that are not there in a K-3 arrangement too, so it is give and take.”

“There is really a lot of interest because people are invested in their kids’ education, and that is a good sign,” said Neumeier.