SD57 board looks at combining schools

Trustees started the process to act on a number of recommendations on a year-old facilities report identifying schools with low enrolment and in poor condition.

School District 57 will consider combining McBride's elementary and secondary schools, shifting Grade 7 students at Mackenzie's Morfee elementary to the high school and redirecting Edgewood elementary students into Kelly Road's catchment instead of Duchess Park.

Though no timeline was given, SD57 trustees stressed throughout the meeting that consultation - and consultations alone - would begin in the fall.

"This evening we're not making any decisions on catchments, on co-locations or changes in grade configurations," said chair Tony Cable before the motions were put forward.

His comments came after the former and current president of the District Parent Advisory Council criticized the board for not adequately notifying parents about the potential changes.

Sarah Holland said parents from Morfee were particularly upset to hear their school was up for discussion.

"It wouldn't kill you to give a heads up" to parent advisory councils, she said. Later new president Gillian Burnett formally requested a meeting with the board early next year to discuss both the strategic and long range plans.

"When we work together we all benefit," she said.

The long range facility plan, presented to trustees in May 2015, said several of the 41 schools it operates are well below their ideal capacity, adding further strains on the budget.

"Despite the closure of 21 schools since 2001/02, the capacity in the district is still considered under-utilized as the enrolment continues to decline due to a decreasing school age population," the report said.

For example, Morfee elementary has capacity for 368 students but 389 are expected to enroll next school year.

"It's over capacity," said trustee Brenda Hooker, compared to the high school which has less than half of the students it should. Only 210 will pass its halls next year, when it can hold as many as 550 students.

Trustee Bob Harris noted the Ministry of Education expects schools to abide by a 95 per cent utilization rate.

By contrast, McBride's elementary shows dwindling student numbers, with 94 students expected to enrol next year when the school can hold 183. Similarly, the high school's 72 kids represent less than half the 200 needed to meet its capacity.

In Prince George, trustees are considering moving Edgewood elementary from the Duchess Park secondary catchment to Kelly Road. Duchess Park secondary's capacity is 900 students, but next year 998 are enrolled.

All three motions to consult on the recommendations passed unanimously, with trustee Tim Bennett absent at another meeting.