Eastern Passage high school plans may be axed by school board
Site has already been chosen for the school, province has committed millions
The Halifax Regional School Board may ditch plans to build a high school in Eastern Passage, despite the provincial government already committing to spend $15 million for it.
Darrell Dexter pledged the money when he was premier in 2012, after years of lobbying from residents.
But the school remains unbuilt, and this week the school board began talking about other ways to spend the money.
Dave Wright, the board member for District 8, said the money could be better spent relieving overcrowding at schools with increasing enrolment.
We don't want to stop this process or hold it up in any way.- Nancy Jakeman, member for District 2
Sheryl Blumenthal-Harrison, the board member for District 6, agreed. She introduced a notice of motion Wednesday for the province to withdraw its commitment to the new high school.
Nancy Jakeman, who represents District 2 — which includes the planned school — was upset with the change. She says the community wants the new high school.
"It definitely caught me off guard. It was quite a surprise, actually. Just because the process is already started," said Jakeman.
"It's been a long time coming and we're very excited to keep moving forward. We don't want to stop this process or to hold it up in any way."
If the new school was to open, it would reduce the student body at Cole Harbour District High School by 50 per cent.
Karen Casey, the province's education minister, says if the school board doesn't want the school, its funds can be allocated somewhere else.
"If the board submits a request for a school, we consider their priorities," she said. "If the board in fact submits something that in fact says that's not a priority for them, then we'll have to sit down and work at that."
School board members will continue the debate at their next meeting on May 28.