Lamont County Approves $50,000 Grant for Andrew Rural Academy

 Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Lamont County Council is investing in local youth and programming to support future careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

On April 22, member of council passed a motion to provide a $50,000 grant to the school that will be opening its doors this September. On April 23, council fulfilled its commitment by presenting a cheque to Andrew Rural Academy Foundation Chair Jason Tkachuk and Vice Chair Kylie Rude. Also, on hand for the presentation were: Village of Andrew Mayor Barry Goertz, Deputy Mayor Merwin Haight, and Councillor John Van Vyfeyken. Representing Lamont County was Div. 4 Councillor Roy Anaka and Div. 1 Councillor Daniel Warawa.

“Lamont County is a strong supporter of education opportunities in our region and Alberta’s Industrial Heartland (AIHA)’s Designated Industrial Zone (DIZ),” stated Lamont County Reeve, David Diduck. “Programming that provides opportunities to learn skills related to trades, industry, innovation, and for future trending areas such as hydrogen, carbon capture and oil and gas production, is vital to our future. It has a direct impact on industry growth.”

 Specific skills and learning position youth for the future. The STEM skillset is in high demand and targeted programs help create opportunities. This foundation is vital to the region and its impact on economic development.  

“We are at an important stage of development and planning for significant future investment,” said Diduck. “Exposing rural students to industry and agriculture programming helps better prepare them for the skills and trades necessary within Lamont County.”

Tkachuk responded to the grant by stating, “I appreciate the enthusiasm the county has for the project and I'm thankful they understand we will be able to provide an educational option to county students that is not currently available.  It's exciting to see this project come together, our goal is simple, we want the best for our students and the support of Lamont County will help ensure we can deliver.”

Project Manager Stan Zabrick said, “The bridge funding is critically important as there is a time gap between when the startup funding from the Ministry can be accessed and the need for certain expenditures. As an example, when EIPS exited the facility, they pulled the control module for temperature control of the school. That was somewhat understandable as their facilities are centrally controlled. However, it is $4,000 plus replacement that needs to happen before startup funding is flowing.

Other expenditures Zabrick said that are required include some IT equipment and office related expenses. “Other costs are outside of ministry funding including those related to launching our fundraising and sponsorship campaign,” added Zabrick.

“May will begin very aggressively with the orientation and onboarding of our Superintendent. We will immediately move into a strategic planning session on the mornings of May 5-7. From that Natalie will turn her focus to curriculum planning and design and how that impacts on the facility infrastructure now and into the future.

She will also focus on building relationships with the community and parents. While she is fully immersed in that critical work, I will continue to advance the design of the pay and benefits systems in attempt to secure the teaching candidates we have landed as well as other staff. IT systems for student records as well as the payrolling system have to be landed.”

An Open House and meet and greet with staff are in the works as well as planning for busing, in addition to meeting provisional approval stipulations. Zabrick said they will be creating a new governance structure, and then moving into operations which will include updated bylaws.

While there is still much to do before the school officially opens this fall, a grand opening celebration will be held on Nov. 1.