Hundreds crowd Kinkora schools review meeting

More than 200 people turned out for a meeting presented by P.E.I.'s Public Schools Branch on the future of the Kinkora family of schools.

The Public Schools Branch is holding a series of meetings as part of major review that will likely include extensive rezoning and possibly some school closures for the fall of 2017.

• Road map for change: Consultations for P.E.I. school review begin

It was an impressive turnout at the meeting. There are just three schools in the family, with 420 students enrolled for 2016.

The Kinkora family is being reviewed because it is under-utilized. It is at 63 per cent capacity in 2016. That is projected to fall to 51 per cent in 2022.

A busy question period

The consultation process includes three rounds of meetings. This first round is for the presentation of information.

Questions went on for some time, and eventually school review project manager Bob Andrews told the crowd he would have to end the meeting.

That did not go over well with Janet Payne, who has children in the family of schools.

"To turn them away and tell them this is not part of the prescribed process, and this is not time for them to talk, to send them an online submission, that's not acceptable. Not if you're really interested in what people have to say," said Payne.

But others at the meeting were more optimistic about the process.

"I don't have too much concern, because if anything I see it as an opportunity to create a better environment for our students," said Sharon Kamperman.

"That's what it comes down to. I'm pretty positive it will be a good experience."

The next family of schools up for discussion is Westisle on Oct. 11.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |'When are payments coming?': Landowner in path of Cornwall bypass wants answers from province
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |No new lease at former McCain fry plant in Borden-Carleton