Closure of Riverdale High School an 'exceptional situation,' Premier Legault says

Quebec PremierFranoisLegaultsays the decision to close Riverdale High School in the West Island was necessary, given the shortageof spacein the French schoolsystem.

Legault told reportersTuesday that transferring the buildingtothe French-language Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys (CSMB) represented an "exceptional situation."

"We have to supply classrooms for these children," Legault said at a cabinetretreat in Gatineau.

The province used a rarely cited section of the Education Act, section 477.1.1, to make the change.

Roughly 300 students at the school, which is part of the English-language Lester B. Pearson School Board (LBPSB), will be required to transfer to other high schools next fall because of the impendingclosure.

The two school boards hadbeen in discussions for almost a year to explore different options to deal with the CSMB's influx of new students.

Thetransfer announced Monday would make room for 770 CSMB students, bringing the total number of spots vacated by the LBPSBto meet the CSMB's needs to 1,200, the ministry said.

Anglophone community groups and the Liberal Opposition have criticized the decision, saying parents should have been consulted.

Quebec's English School BoardsAssociation called it a "gross infringement on local autonomy and on the powers of duly elected school board commissioners."