An Okotoks mom with three children in the Foothills School Division wants the board of trustees to consult the public on a site for a new high school.

Right now plans are moving ahead to build it next to the Legacy Field House near Aldersyde, but Laurie Hunka says news the Town of Okotoks has a tentative deal for land should at least open the discussion.

She says a couple things have surprised her.

"The first thing that has surprised me is that the Foothills School Division has been making references to how they will be making the decision in the absence of consultation and input from the community," she says. "And the second thing that caught my attention was the defences to how they will make a decision based on whoever can help them move the fastest."

She says on a $25-million project that last point is too simplistic.

Hunka says she doesn't believe this decision can be made in isolation of those who pay for and use the system.

Hunka says she wasn't able to get on the agenda for Wednesday's board meeting but hopes to speak to the board at it's mid-September meeting.

"My request, and I think the community's expectation, not that a second site is available is that the Foothills School Division and Alberta Education pauses to ensure that they are conducting a proper review of both sites and that reviews should include the community residents through an engagement program," Hunka says.

She says after the consultation process is complete it may be determined that the Aldersyde site is the best, but the community hasn't had a chance to make its views known.