News Release
Sloane Says School Board Holding Back Data
(Tuesday, February 12, 2002)-- Councillor Dawn Sloane said today she is still waiting for the projected student enrolment forecast and other research data related to the Regional School Board's intention to close one or both of the two urban high schools, as well as several elementary or middle schools that feed the senior schools.
Councillor Sloane said there is even some speculation that announcement of the closure of St. Patrick's High School could come as early as this evening, at the regular meeting of the Halifax Regional School Board.
Councillor Sloane said "It's a good thing that I haven't been holding my breath waiting for this information. Either the School Board doesn't have it, or they don't want to share it with me. Either way, their approach is unacceptable."
Joseph Howe School in central Halifax and St. Mary's School in the south end are the two latest schools being mentioned as possible closures next year.
Councillor Sloane challenged the School Board some time ago to study the demographics of peninsula Halifax and weigh them against the amount of new housing developments that are in progress, or being planned, before moving too quickly on additional school closures or consolidating Halifax's two high schools.
She said "It seems the School Board is determined to close some schools, any schools.... come hell or high water. One of the major factors they are forgetting to consider is the huge number of students who live outside the area, but attend schools in central or south end Halifax. The School Board should get a failing grade when it comes to math, because the figures showing how many classrooms are available to move students from one school to another don't add up."
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Dawn Marie Sloane
District 12 Councillor
Halifax - Downtown
Halifax Regional Municipality
(902) 490-4752 Cell:(902) 488-4812
