Currently, Royal Oak School Council is beginning a lobbying campaign to secure funds for a Middle School in our area. We are currently ranked 2nd on the CBE Capital Plan for new construction. This ranking can change, though, due to the changing needs of the city. It is essential that we campaign strongly now for funds from the provincial government.
We are now starting a phone campaign and asking you to call our Minister of Infrastructure, Honourable Ray Danyluk and our Minister of Education, Honourable Dave Hancock. When contacting these Ministers, respectfully and honestly share your concerns and experiences about our community’s specific need for a middle school. “One phone call to my office, however, from a real person (not associated with a lobby) counted for 20 real people concerned about the issue (“13 Ways To Kill Your Community,” by Doug Griffiths and Kelly Clemmer).
When making your phone call:
• Remember that telephone calls are usually taken by a staff member or picked up by voice mail, not the MLA.
• Prepare an outline of your speaking points.
• After identifying yourself, leave a brief message with the assistant or on voicemail – include your contact information and request that your call be returned by the Minister.
• Be respectful.
Here are some speaking points to get you started:
• Our children are traveling across approximately 5 communities to get to school.
• Time spent on travel causes them to be at a disadvantage for extracurricular programming
• A neighborhood school helps to promote a strong and vibrant community.
• School construction is part of “Building Tomorrow”, one of Alberta’s top five priorities.
• Province has not allocated any new public funding since 2007 for new school construction.
Please phone:
1. Honourable Ray Danyluk, Minister of Infrastructure
Phone: (780) 427-5041
laclabiche.stpaul@assembly.ab.ca
2. Honourable Dave Hancock, Minister of Education
Phone: (780) 427-5010
edmonton.whitemud@assembly.ab.ca
3.Honourable Lindsay Blackett, MLA for Calgary-North West
Phone: (403) 216-5444Fax: (403) 216-5442
calgary.northwest@assembly.ab.ca
