Regina’s wealthy awaited the spoils last night as school trustees voted resoundingly against a moratorium on the closure or merger of 14 inner city schools. Older schools are a “drain” on the system, argued Cindy Jarvis, representing the school council of Campbell Collegiate, a large south end Regina collegiate. Jarvis complained that Campbell’s higher socio-economic status was a burden that might cause “prejudice” against the school, and asked when the cost savings from the closures would be transferred over to the remaining schools. She also put in a pitch for more funds, saying Campbell needs a “facelift.” The trustees apparently felt Campbell’s pain; only one, John Conway, voted in favour of the moratorium.

Meanwhile, other presenters voiced their concern over a plan that will put nearly half of Regina’s elementary school population on buses. Parent Leif Caldor noted that the map of closures looks nearly identical to maps depicting low income and aboriginal populations, and criticized the board for their middle-class bias. More to the point, presenter Leslea Mair quoted Buffy St. Marie: “Regina makes me wish I had never been born.”

Noting that the trustees seem firmly set to begin the plan on March 11, RealRenewal, a group opposing the closures, said they will turn their attention toward the province and the polls.

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