PRSD offers services to St. Thomas More students

Dec 21, 2023 | 6:00 AM

After Grande Prairie & District Catholic Schools announced pausing construction at St. Thomas More School, the Peace River School Division (PRSD) offered its services.

The two school divisions met on Tuesday, December 19, and discussed both a short-term and long-term plan, after the pause due to rising project costs, and the price of removing asbestos.

In a release, the Catholic division says it chose not to pursue putting a modular facility on PRSD property and will leave all St. Thomas More students at the NWP Fairview Campus until the end of the school year.

In the fall of 2024, Grande Prairie & District Catholic Schools is proposing all of their K-9 students remain at NWP’s Fairview campus, in a standalone facility, with offices, playgrounds, and a library.

This plan has been submitted to Alberta Education and Alberta Infrastructure for approval.

As for St. Thomas More High School students, they are now being encouraged to transfer to PRSD’s Fairview High School, as a Catholic high school in Fairview, “is no longer a feasible option,” according to GPCSD.

In the release, the divisions also talked about the potential of offering a religion class at Fairview High School, which will be discussed further at a joint board meeting.

Anyone wanting more information about education in Fairview can visit PRSD’s website, and anyone wanting to learn more about GPCSD’s solutions for the St. Thomas More school closure, click here.

Photo Courtesy PRSD

by Tanner Smith