Spruce Avenue parents meet about partial closure
Last Updated: Friday, March 12, 2010 | 10:40 AM MT
CBC News
Parents at a meeting Thursday night worried how a proposed transfer of elementary students from Spruce Avenue School to nearby Norwood would effect their children.
Ian McLean has three children at Spruce Avenue - two in the elementary school program and one in junior high. If the board approves a proposal to shut down the school's elementary grades, McLean's children would have to go to two separate schools.
"When we moved in here and all the kids started to go to school together, they took big pride, they were all very happy that they were all coming to school, the same school and it brought the family closer together," he said. "With them being split to different schools, then it's splitting the community."
The Spruce Avenue meeting was the latest in a series held by Edmonton Public Schools to gather input from parents into the closure of a number of schools due to declining enrolment.
Eastwood, McCauley, Capilano, Fulton Place and Parkdale are slated for complete closure.
At Spruce Avenue, the board proposes to keep junior high school students at the school, but close down the elementary grades, sending the students to Norwood School, seven blocks away.
Parents wonder what impact shutting down the elementary program will have on the neighbourhood.
Schools are a key factor for people when they are purchasing a new home, said real estate agent, Michelle Patterson Nipp.
"Having schools close by is really important for families with school-aged children and for couples that are thinking of having children," she said.
The board has already hosted meetings on the proposed closures at Eastwood, McCauley and Parkdale Schools. Meetings about the future of Fulton Place and Capilano Schools are scheduled for next week.
Final decision on the closures will be made by board trustees in mid-April.
