Cole Harbour-area schools review crushed, new report due in September

Plans to review eight Cole Harbour-area schools were crushed once again at the Halifax Regional School Board meeting Wednesday night.

Christy Linders, board member for District 5, says it marked the third time a decision for a review of these schools has been delayed.

The board voted instead to have the superintendent submit a new report on a possible review of the Cole Harbour High family of schools, as well as the Auburn Drive family of schools, to be ready for their September meeting. 

The initial motion only called for a review of the eight schools in the Cole Harbour High family. 

• Cole Harbour-area schools could face Halifax school board review
• Halifax area schools could face review to determine which might close

"I'm concerned that it might be postponed again in September indefinitely and that concerns me because I think at some point you have to start having these decisions and some of them are difficult decisions," said Linders.

Nancy Jakeman, board member for District 2 — says the new report will allow for more time to consult with families in her area.

"They're so close together, so it makes sense to get all that information and to have a discussion with the community, with parents and everyone involved," said Jakeman.

Cole Harbour High's future is in question now the province is committed to building a new high school in Eastern Passage.

If the board approves the superintendent's new report when it comes out in September, the review process would start within 30 days.

The School Options Committee would then need to draft a report for March 2017. A school board decision would be needed by the June 2017 meeting.

"This is going to give that additional time they want to get together and have more discussion and for us to get more feedback," Jakeman said.

Linders says she's hopeful a decision will be made by September. She says there will be another school board election happening some time before then, so it may be a completely different board that actually makes the decision.

There weren't many parents at the Wednesday night meeting. Shannon Parsons, who has two children attending Astral Drive Elementary School says she's pleased about the September report.

"We're extremely pleased they're going to take the time to do this properly rather than rush the process," she said.

In 2014, the Liberal government changed the way underused schools are closed in Nova Scotia.

School boards are no longer able to review individual schools for closure. Instead, they must look at families of schools and come up with long-term regional plans for each building.