On Nov. 29, the Regina Board of Education announced plans to “renew” Regina public schools by closing them. Citing increasing capital costs and declining enrolment, the board’s plan will see 12 elementary schools, primarily in the inner city, and two highschools shut their doors over the next 10 years. The move follows pressure by the Chamber of Commerce and other pro-business organizations to ‘streamline operations’ and keep taxes down.

But it appears the plan will not go unopposed. Connaught and Davin School parents who gathered at a Dec. 17 meeting vowed to fight back for the sake of all neighbourhood schools that want to stay open.

North Central's Herchmer School,
slated for June closure.

The “renewal” involves closing either Connaught or Davin by 2011. But first, French immersion students will be moved to Massey School, in the city’s south end, in 2010.

The parents noted that their enrolments were healthy and growing, and expressed concern about the impact the decision would have on the neighbourhood and its families, as well as on other inner city neighbourhoods facing the same scenario.

They discussed research emerging from the U.S. that indicates smaller schools offer better education outcomes and are more efficient and cost-effective than large schools.

The parents also expressed doubt that the board’s $95.6 million capital plan to enlarge schools is feasible in today’s overheated construction climate.

“Some major projects in the city are running 50 per cent over budget, and contractors are impossible to find. This plan adds up to portable classrooms,” said one parent.

The parents decided to do a research survey to find out, among other things, how many families would follow the merger plan and how many would choose other schooling options. They also intend to survey community members to find out the broad impacts of the proposed changes.

The parents also plan to join in a city-wide coalition to support other neighbourhood schools and promote more innovative, creative renewal ideas.

School Board representative John Conway, one of two dissenting Board members, encouraged the parents to work with other schools, noting that board members are fearful of Davin and Connaught parents, who have a history of running successful high-profile campaigns to preserve schools and libraries.

The School Board will hold consultation meetings at Herchmer School on Jan. 15, Connaught School on Jan. 17 and at Davin School on Jan. 23. Herchmer is a North Central school that recently received attention in the media for its innovative First Nations education approaches. It is one of the first schools slated for closure. Recognizing that the School Board expects to see schools fight one another for declining resources, parents at the meeting vowed to stand behind Herchmer and all schools.

The school board’s meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. All members of the community are welcome, not just school parents.

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Tools for Fighting School Closures

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