Leo Hayes High School overcrowding could see some students moved

The Anglophone West School District Education Council is considering changing thecatchmentarea for Leo Hayes High School in a bidto address overcrowding at the Fredericton school.

If implemented, some students would be moved to other schools, such as Stanley School, Nackawic Senior High Schooland Fredericton High School.

"I don't think it's about popularity, I think it's about being fiscally responsible,"said Jane Buckley, a member of theAnglophone West School District Education Council, who sits on a committee struck to find solutions to the problem.

As it stands, Leo Hayes has about 165 more students than it was designed to house,Buckley toldCBC'sInformation Morning Frederictonon Friday.

The other option would beto build an addition, which would cost an estimated $9 million, said Buckley.

And the school might end up too big a few years down the road, based on population predictions, she said.

A report by Ernst and Young recommended changing the catchment area, but thedistrict educationcouncil decidedThursday night to seek public input first.

"We do not want to cause any upset to thecommunities,any unnecessary upset," said Buckley."So it was decided that we would hold off any announcements or decisions until we did some public consultation."

Details about the public sessions will be announced once they're finalized, she said.