News
October 27, 2025
With class size in the spotlight, incoming school trustees say fix could be in non-traditional spaces
CBC Calgary reached out to all public school trustees to ask about their expectations for the term, and what they learned while campaigning.
Calgary's incoming public school trustees are hinting at innovative solutions to address the persistent issue of overcrowded classrooms, suggesting that non-traditional learning spaces might be part of the answer. This comes as class sizes continue to be a major concern for parents and educators across the city.
Following a recent election, CBC Calgary contacted all newly elected and re-elected public school trustees to gather their perspectives on the upcoming term and glean insights from their campaign experiences. A recurring theme emerged: the urgent need to alleviate pressure on existing classroom infrastructure.
While specific details remain to be seen, several trustees indicated a willingness to explore alternative learning environments. This could potentially involve utilizing spaces within schools that are not typically used for traditional classroom instruction, such as libraries, gyms, or even repurposed common areas. Some trustees also mentioned the possibility of partnerships with community organizations to access external spaces for educational purposes.
The move towards non-traditional spaces reflects a growing recognition that simply building more schools may not be the only, or even the most efficient, solution to the class size problem. Land availability, construction costs, and the time required to build new facilities all present significant challenges. Exploring existing resources and forging community connections could offer a more immediate and cost-effective way to provide students with the learning environment they need.
The trustees' willingness to consider unconventional approaches signals a potential shift in how the Calgary Board of Education tackles the issue of overcrowding. It remains to be seen how these ideas will translate into concrete policies and actions, but the early indications suggest a commitment to finding creative and practical solutions. Parents and educators will be watching closely to see how these proposals are developed and implemented in the coming months. The conversations sparked during the election campaign have clearly highlighted the importance of addressing class size, and the incoming trustees appear ready to take on the challenge with fresh perspectives and a willingness to think outside the box, or perhaps, outside the traditional classroom.
Following a recent election, CBC Calgary contacted all newly elected and re-elected public school trustees to gather their perspectives on the upcoming term and glean insights from their campaign experiences. A recurring theme emerged: the urgent need to alleviate pressure on existing classroom infrastructure.
While specific details remain to be seen, several trustees indicated a willingness to explore alternative learning environments. This could potentially involve utilizing spaces within schools that are not typically used for traditional classroom instruction, such as libraries, gyms, or even repurposed common areas. Some trustees also mentioned the possibility of partnerships with community organizations to access external spaces for educational purposes.
The move towards non-traditional spaces reflects a growing recognition that simply building more schools may not be the only, or even the most efficient, solution to the class size problem. Land availability, construction costs, and the time required to build new facilities all present significant challenges. Exploring existing resources and forging community connections could offer a more immediate and cost-effective way to provide students with the learning environment they need.
The trustees' willingness to consider unconventional approaches signals a potential shift in how the Calgary Board of Education tackles the issue of overcrowding. It remains to be seen how these ideas will translate into concrete policies and actions, but the early indications suggest a commitment to finding creative and practical solutions. Parents and educators will be watching closely to see how these proposals are developed and implemented in the coming months. The conversations sparked during the election campaign have clearly highlighted the importance of addressing class size, and the incoming trustees appear ready to take on the challenge with fresh perspectives and a willingness to think outside the box, or perhaps, outside the traditional classroom.
Category:
Politics