'Students shouldn't settle for adequate,' school trustees told
Last Updated: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 | 8:09 AM AT
CBC News
Parents with children at urban schools threatened with closure had their turn to speak Tuesday night, as P.E.I.'s Eastern School District continued consultations on a plan to close 11 schools.
'I would ask that you put the children first.'— Andrea MacNeil
Two schools in Charlottetown would close under the plan, St Jean Elementary, near the downtown, and Parkdale elementary, in Parkdale.
The gym at Colonel Gray High School was full for the meeting. Most of the dozen parents who made a presentation to the school board expressed their concern that Parkdale would close, when it was rated as one of the top elementary schools in the area.
"Our students shouldn't settle for adequate when they're used to superior," said Kathy MacKenna.
The students at Parkdale would be moved to Prince Street school, closer to the downtown, and parents felt they would receive a poorer quality education there. They argued the school has a large gymnasium, just built in 2002 and four acres of green space, which is not the case at Prince Street. They also pointed to the school's new playground.
Andrea MacNeil was on the verge of tears during her slide presentation of Parkdale staff and students.
"You've got a lot of things that you have to think about but I would ask that you put the children first," said MacNeil.
Prince Street students could move
Several parents suggested the students of Prince Street should be moved into Parkdale instead, if extra rooms were built to accommodate them.
Even district superintendent Sandy Macdonald, author of the report, agreed that would be a good alternative to closing Parkdale.
"That would certainly turn Parkdale into a very, very valuable site, even more so as compared to Prince Street," said MacDonald.
The reason MacDonald recommended closing Parkdale in the first place is because it doesn't have enough room for any more students, but Prince Street does, he said, adding it will be up to the school board to take those arguments into consideration.
Creating a dead zone
Parent of students at St. Jean Elementary also made a case to save their school.
Andrew Gass worries about what would happen to the neighbourhood if St. Jean Elementary closes. (CBC) Andrew Gass, president of the home and school, said closing St. Jean would have negative ramifications on the community.
"If the school closes, the location is at risk of becoming a dead zone in the heart of downtown, causing an increase in vandalism which would discourage businesses from setting up shop in the area," said Gass.
"Playground vandalism would mean it would no longer be a safe place for families or children. As well, property values are most likely to decrease."
Gass noted sending kids to West Kent would mean most would no longer be within walking distance, and would miss out on that extra physical activity, as well as time spent with parents who walk them to school.
They would miss after-school programs, because they would have to take the bus home directly after classes.
