1st school review consultation meeting about questions, not answers

The P.E.I. Public Schools Branch held its first consultation meeting Monday night as it began a process of consultation on rezoning and possible school closures.

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More than a 150 people packed into the multipurpose room at Stratford Elementary to hear how consultation on school changes will work.

The Public Schools Branch announced the review just last week. It is concerned many schools in the province are under-utilized, and some are overcrowded.

Concern over city schools

The meeting at Stratford Elementary covered the Charlottetown Rural family of schools. Information on school populations in the family was distributed, and people began making suggestions.

Rebecca MacDonald said she doesn't want her two children to end up at Birchwood in Charlottetown.

"I don't want my kids going from somewhere where they can run - like we live in Mermaid, it's quiet - and then putting them in an inner city school where there's no green area at all, just sidewalk," Rebecca MacDonald.

She asked if a junior high could be built in Stratford to ease the pressure at Stonepark in Charlottetown, which is projected to be at 145 per cent capacity five years from now.

Bob Andrews, the school reorganization project manager, didn't have an answer. He's looking for suggestions first.

"I think to respect the process let's engage as many voices as possible and come up with what is the best option for this family of schools and also the use of taxpayers' resources," said Andrews.

Facing uncertainty

Leigh Anne Matthews appreciated the opportunity to provide input. She isn't happy knowing school zones could change.

"When we purchased our house five years ago the school zone that we purchased in was a definite factor in our choosing the area," said Matthews.

"Now that could all change."

The Public Schools Branch will hold seven more presentations in this round of consultations, with each meeting discussing different families of schools.

• School review consultations start Monday

A second round of consultations will begin in November. The Public Schools Branch is seeking online and written submissions with suggestions of viable options for change.

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