Eastwood School closure discussed by parents

Parents attending a meeting Thursday night over the possible closure of Eastwood School said they're worried about the programs which would be lost.

"Like family therapy. They got speech therapy. There's an all-day daycare," said Angela Tairney, president of the school's student parent council.

Eastwood, along with McCauley, Parkdale, Capilano and Fulton Place schools, could be closed this spring due to under-enrolment. The Edmonton Public School Board may also end the elementary school program at Spruce Avenue school.

Only 106 students were enrolled at Eastwood in September - approximately 20 per cent of what the school can hold, according to figures presented to parents at the meeting.

Eastwood School, located at 81st Street and 120th Avenue, is in the ward represented by city councillor Tony Caterina.  Caterina worried about a pattern he sees emerging in the city.

"People are choosing to take their children where they think they're going to get the best education and unfortunately that means [in] neighbourhoods like this, those children are being taken somewhere else," he said.

Similar meetings will be held to discuss the future of the other schools set for closure. Trustees will make a final decision on April 13.