Sudbury parents rally to protest possible high school closure

Parents in Lively, Ont., are working to save a local high school — and some wonder if they would stay in the community at all if the school was gone. 

• Rainbow Board looking at closing more schools in Sudbury, Espanola
• ​Fewer students — and fewer dollars — for Rainbow District school board

Citing a loss of provincial revenue and declining enrolment, the Rainbow District School Board announced last week it's moving forward with a review of 12 schools in Greater Sudbury and Espanola.  

On that list: Lively District Secondary School.

Kendra MacIsaac is a graduate of the school, and always hoped her two sons would be, too. She said when she and her husband moved back to Greater Sudbury a number of years ago, the Lively area seemed like the obvious choice. 

But, MacIsaac said if the high school ultimately closes, her family will have some tough decisions to make.

"Would we sell our house and move into town? Which is something I don't want to do," she said. "But I really feel passionately about going to the school [in the community] that you reside in."

"If that means moving, I mean, that might be worst-case scenario." 

MacIsaac said Lively parents are working together now to have their voices heard.

"People have reached out to each other," she said. "I know that there's some committees being formed … to make sure that our voice is heard with the trustees and with Rainbow District School Board."

The board said it will consult with the public and parents this fall, and make a final decision on the closures in January.