The surprise announcement a few weeks ago that Port Edward Elementary school might be on the closure list of School District 52 caught more than a few folks by surprise, not the least the folks living in Port Edward.
It was announcement that was made from Prince Rupert, and when school district staff and trustees heard from Port Edwards council and residents the words weren’t ones of support for the cost saving measure.
However, all may not be lost for parents, students, teachers and residents of Port Ed, as senior staff at School District 52 is exploring every option to try and find a role for the school in the School Districts future.
With the School District set to hold its next school board meeting tonight at 7 pm at Charles Hays Secondary School, it’s a safe bet that there will be some traffic on Highway 16 westbound this evening.
The folks from Port Edward will be finding that they share the outrage file with parents from Westview, who also have expressed their concerns with plans to close their school and move the French Immersion program to Roosevelt.
The Monday Daily News had some background on the controversial Port Edward possibilities and what the future may hold for the school.
Stakeholders work to save Port Edward elementary
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Monday, March 10, 2008
Pages one and three
It came as a shock to many residents of Port Edward when their school was recommended for closure last month, but senior School District 52 staff are saying that every option will be examined in order to provide a future role for Port Edward Elementary.
Although the District Visioning Committee’s report recommended the district “examine the continued viability” of the school, the recommendations presented to school board trustees suggested a deadline of 2010 for establishment of a partnership to reduce the district’s maintenance and capital costs.
Whether that arrangement was a lease-back agreement or finding another way to utilize space in the building, Superintendent of Schools Eric Mercer says closing Port Ed is a last resort.
“The recommendations are to look at any and all possibilities to make it work for the community of Port Edward,” he said. “We recognize this school is the heart of that community and we want to find ways to make it work and enhance its role.”
District staff and trustees heard from several concerned and upset Port Edward residents at the Town Hall meeting on Feb 28, including Mayor Dave Macdonald who was adamant that Port Ed could not afford to purchase the building from School District 52, and who said his council was disappointed it had not been consulted.
Since that meeting, Macdonald says he feels a bit better about the situation, knowing that the District of Port Edward is going to be included in any future discussions.
“We should discuss this and see what we can do to work together and keep Port Edward School open,” said MacDonald. “We want to work together and make sure we have this school because I really feel Port Edward without a school would discourage any young families from moving to this area. They‘re not going to come here without a school if they’ve got children.”
MacDonald said he is confident a meeting between Port Edward and School District 52 will happen in the near future, and in the meantime he will be in attendance at tomorrow night’s school board meeting to hear what trustees have to say on the issues.
The team at School District 52 is reminding the public that neither the DVC or administrative recommendations have yet been considered by the school board. They will not have a chance to discuss any of what they’ve read or heard in the past three weeks until tomorrow night’s regular board meeting. In addition to the other school closure recommendations and future plans for the district, the recommendation to examine options for Port Edward and the recommendation to close Westview Elementary in June 2009 will be included in the board’s agenda.
Tuesday night’s meeting will be held in the Charles Hays multi-purpose room at 7 pm.
It was announcement that was made from Prince Rupert, and when school district staff and trustees heard from Port Edwards council and residents the words weren’t ones of support for the cost saving measure.
However, all may not be lost for parents, students, teachers and residents of Port Ed, as senior staff at School District 52 is exploring every option to try and find a role for the school in the School Districts future.
With the School District set to hold its next school board meeting tonight at 7 pm at Charles Hays Secondary School, it’s a safe bet that there will be some traffic on Highway 16 westbound this evening.
The folks from Port Edward will be finding that they share the outrage file with parents from Westview, who also have expressed their concerns with plans to close their school and move the French Immersion program to Roosevelt.
The Monday Daily News had some background on the controversial Port Edward possibilities and what the future may hold for the school.
Stakeholders work to save Port Edward elementary
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Monday, March 10, 2008
Pages one and three
It came as a shock to many residents of Port Edward when their school was recommended for closure last month, but senior School District 52 staff are saying that every option will be examined in order to provide a future role for Port Edward Elementary.
Although the District Visioning Committee’s report recommended the district “examine the continued viability” of the school, the recommendations presented to school board trustees suggested a deadline of 2010 for establishment of a partnership to reduce the district’s maintenance and capital costs.
Whether that arrangement was a lease-back agreement or finding another way to utilize space in the building, Superintendent of Schools Eric Mercer says closing Port Ed is a last resort.
“The recommendations are to look at any and all possibilities to make it work for the community of Port Edward,” he said. “We recognize this school is the heart of that community and we want to find ways to make it work and enhance its role.”
District staff and trustees heard from several concerned and upset Port Edward residents at the Town Hall meeting on Feb 28, including Mayor Dave Macdonald who was adamant that Port Ed could not afford to purchase the building from School District 52, and who said his council was disappointed it had not been consulted.
Since that meeting, Macdonald says he feels a bit better about the situation, knowing that the District of Port Edward is going to be included in any future discussions.
“We should discuss this and see what we can do to work together and keep Port Edward School open,” said MacDonald. “We want to work together and make sure we have this school because I really feel Port Edward without a school would discourage any young families from moving to this area. They‘re not going to come here without a school if they’ve got children.”
MacDonald said he is confident a meeting between Port Edward and School District 52 will happen in the near future, and in the meantime he will be in attendance at tomorrow night’s school board meeting to hear what trustees have to say on the issues.
The team at School District 52 is reminding the public that neither the DVC or administrative recommendations have yet been considered by the school board. They will not have a chance to discuss any of what they’ve read or heard in the past three weeks until tomorrow night’s regular board meeting. In addition to the other school closure recommendations and future plans for the district, the recommendation to examine options for Port Edward and the recommendation to close Westview Elementary in June 2009 will be included in the board’s agenda.
Tuesday night’s meeting will be held in the Charles Hays multi-purpose room at 7 pm.
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