ATHABASCA — A recently completed viability study has recommended the closure of Rochester School.
At Aspen View Public Schools (AVPS) board of trustees meeting Feb. 24, Dr. Lorne Parker and Jennifer Thompson of Focus 10 Educational Consulting Group presented their final report to trustees, first in-camera prior to the start of the public portion of the meeting, and then again once again for the public.
“The Hamlet of Rochester has declined over the last five years, between 2016 and 2021, the current population according to the census is 70 people and that’s down from 79 people in 2016,” Thompson said.
Thompson noted the area is considered farm-based and there are several home-based businesses which traditionally have fewer employees. The school also houses the community library, acts as a venue for community events throughout the year, and the Rochester Agricultural Society is continually active within the school.
“There has been an increase in agricultural tourism and greenhouses in the area which is leading the area to become more of an agricultural and recreational hub,” she said.
“In 2018, (Athabasca) County did engage with Rochester regarding a central water line to serve the hamlet,” she said. “Half the residents at the time did not support the waterline and the county decided not to proceed without the majority of the residents. Typically, when a waterline is not extended to a community like this it does hamper development.”
Currently at the school there are seven students in the combined Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2 class; 10 students combined for Grades 3-4; Grades 5 and 6 have nine students combined; Grades 7-8 has six students; while there are eight in Grade 9.
“If the current trends persist and no new developments or employment opportunities are realized within the Rochester area, in all projections indicated the steady enrolment trends for the next decade between 33 and 37 students,” said Thompson.
Regardless of the number of students, the building will need to be maintained. The study found $3 million will need to be invested in the school which was built in stages starting in 1951 with the first addition in 1955, second in 1958, third 1965 and the final addition in 1981.
“Based on strictly a geographic perspective (students can be sent to) Thorhild Central School or schools in Athabasca,” she said. “Enrolment projections for Thorhild Central School, they’ve indicated decreased enrolment over the next 10 years which would ensure that available space would not be a concern in the future.”
If the students are sent to Athabasca, they would have access to French language immersion, cross country skiing, cheer leading, running, swimming, dance, curling, gymnastics and more, the also report noted.
“It is evident that Rochester School is staffed by highly professional and caring teachers and considered to be a vital community asset. It's declining enrolment, current and projected, is of significant concern for the division when viewed from the lens of programming availability and financial viability,” said Parker.
“Given the financial realities and current education funding, the division's mandate to ensure excellent programming for all students and the outcome of this review it is recommended Rochester School be considered for closure and the students be redirected to another school or schools in the division.”
Board of trustees chair Candy Nikipelo reminded the public, and trustees, Grassland School went through a similar recommendation in 2020 and the division chose to only close the high school portion of the school.
“So, just to remind everybody that after that process was done, the motion came to the floor, it was to close junior high and senior high,” she said. “That was defeated (and) a new motion was made to just close the senior high.”
The number of students has since gone up in Grassland, she said.
Supt. Neil O’Shea said the board has two options, to table the report and do nothing or to set a public meeting to get input then vote on whether to close the school, a portion of the school, or leave it as-is.
“If a closure of any portion of the school is being considered, I would recommend that the board approve an addition of a public board meeting on April 14 to vote on the motion,” he said. “I think it’s important that we have a board meeting focused on just one topic and that would be this topic.”
AVPS will organize a public meeting in Rochester for March 22 and delegations are invited to attend the March 24 or April 14 AVPS board meetings to make further presentations.
