Andrew Chief Administrative Officer Kylie Rude updated council members and the public at the Oct. 9 council meeting, on plans for the Andrew Rural Academy which is set to open in Sept. 2025.
The local charter school is slated to teach kindergarten to grade nine students with a focus on STEM; science, technology, engineering and math.
Rude said that repairs to the building’s roof, which partially contributed to a decision by Elk Island Public Schools to close the school in June 2023, were coming along as planned.
“Roof repairs at the school are well underway. Progress is coming along, and we’ve noted that there was a leak in the skylight, and the contractor has graciously agreed to fix that at no additional cost,” she said.
“Everything seems to be on track and will be. I have no indication that it won’t be completed within budget.”
Rude confirmed the original budget for the roof repairs of just over $137,000 has not changed. Costs to fix the metal roof, which has been leaking off and on for several years, in addition to replacing the fire suppression system, was originally quoted at $3 million by Elk Island Public Schools and contributed to the closing of the school, in addition to dwindling enrollments, in June 2023.
The Village took over the building, which also houses the village offices, weight room, bowling alley and library, earlier this year for $1.
Andrew Mayor Barry Goertz explained during a council meeting in July, that EIPS’ quote was to do a complete roof and fire suppression system replacement, whereas their quote is for repairs that don’t include the fire suppression system.
“That (fire suppression) system has been inspected, and it’s deemed do-able. What it was, was that Elk Island, their policy (stated) it had to be replaced at X number of years, regardless if it passes (inspection),” said Goertz.
“So it wasn’t that it was failing, their system said to replace. The next figure that was coming in on that $3 million was they were changing woodwork. They were changing computers, everything, so it was not just the roof.”
Meanwhile, Rude said at this point the roof repair project is waiting for more materials. Additionally, in terms of the school society, Rude said that $900 has been used from funds set aside by the Village to aid in the ARA’s start up.
In March, the Village council voted unanimously on a motion to set a cap of $50,000 for the ARA to use in hiring a consultant to assist with their charter school application.
Rude said the money was used for consulting in getting the application for the province completed.
“It’s for consulting to get the application completed, which is very close, from what I last heard, and I’ll be hopefully sharing with you at the next council meeting that it has been submitted,” she said.
Andrew council’s next Village meeting will be on Oct. 30 with the organizational meeting held at 6:30, where a new mayor and deputy mayor will be chosen by the council, and the regular meeting will follow after.
JANA SEMENIUK
