The plan's first year ended $933,034 over budget, according to an internal review report tabled at the board's Tuesday meeting. As well, a number of targeted schools can no longer be considered for closure due to enrolment increases, including Connaught, Glen Elm, Kitchener and Walker. The report recommends putting the plan on hold or altering it significantly. Although the review has been tabled, there is no guarantee the board will act on its conclusions.

(Photo - A kid's poster protests the closure of 14 Regina schools. M. Plante)

Anticipated cost savings of $693,092 will be "applied in repayment of debt associated with the renewal plan," the report states. "At the end of the day, there's no evidence students have benefited from this plan," said Elliott. "Class sizes are still too large, staff is stretched thin, and more students face long bus rides to cramped, noisy portable classrooms. We don't see value for money in this report."

Putting the plan on hold is the review's first recommended option. A second option is to push ahead with planned closures in 2010 but rescind several future closures, while a third option would include changing the proposed Argyle-Athabasca merger into a straight closure of Athabasca, now that Argyle's increased enrolment takes it off the list of appropriate merger candidates.  

But if smaller schools like Athabasca, Dieppe and Davin remain on the closure list, their loss could quickly push surrounding schools over manageable enrolment levels, Elliott noted. "We need all our schools, whatever their shapes and sizes," she said. "Each one contributes something valuable to the overall system, and deserves to be nurtured and properly maintained."

"This is especially true because the landscape has changed dramatically. Enrolments are up, budgeted mill rate increases are no longer available, and the province is scaling back funding commitments for new school construction."

Comments

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.

Powered by AkoComment 2.0!