The Issue
The Edmonton Public School Board has placed the Hardisty area under review for possible school closures.
Why It's Important
A vibrant community needs schools to attract families with young children to the area. Too many schools in Edmonton Gold Bar have already been closed. Edmonton Public Schools' Ten Year Facilities Plan 2009 - 2018 uses old facilities data, which shows a decline in district enrollment. This study is being used to justify potential closures. Hugh wrote a letter to the Board Chair, pointing out recent Provincial data, which shows a projected increase in enrollment in Alberta. Click here to view the letter and the response. Click here to view statistics posted on the Edmonton Public School Board's own website, showing projected classroom sizes.
What Should Be Done
Write a letter to your local Public School Board Trustees and City Councilors. Write a letter to Alberta Education Minister Dave Hancock. Make your voice heard!
Click here to see Hugh's presentation from his recent Town Hall Meeting on Public School closures.
Click here to download an excerpt from Hansard from February 8, 2010, in which Hugh asked Minister Hancock about school closures. Hugh would have preferred to address the question to the Premier directly, but Premier Stelmach left Question Period after the first two questions, as is his usual custom.
Click here to read a letter sent to EPSB Trustee George Rice on March 3, 2010, asking several questions about the statistics presented in the Greater Hardisty Sector Review regarding Capilano School.
Click here to read a letter sent to EPSB Trustee George Rice on March 4, 2010, asking several questions about the statistics presented in the Greater Hardisty Sector Review regarding Fulton Place School.
Click here to read a letter sent to EPSB Chair Don Fleming on March 5, 2010, urging him to cease and desist with the latest round of school closures.
Click here to see a letter sent to EPSB Chair Don Fleming on March 12, 2010, requesting the answers to a number of questions regarding school closures.
Click here to see the reply to our March 12 letter from Superindendent of Schools Edgar Schmidt.
At the time of the EPSB meeting on School Closures on April 13, 2010, we had not received an answer to any of the other letters.
