Strait board drops school closure review

The Strait Regional School Board has granted a reprieve to three small schoolsfacing possible closure,after parents discovered the board wasn't following therules for a review.

The review focused on three rural schools Maryvale, Heatherton and Canso Academy. As part of that process, the boardprepared impact assessment reports on how the students and community would be affected by school closures.

'We can't trust that they have all the correct information" Parent Denise Delorey

But the board mistakenly believed a new deadline was in place. Ithad those reports readyat the end ofSeptember.

When parents discovered the deadline was actually four months ago, they complained to the provincial education minister. The boarddecided Wednesday toabandonits review of the three schools.

"[The board] felt that it couldn't continue," said Strait board superintendent Jack Beaton.

Parents said they're relieved, though disheartened by the board's actions.

"As parents you have to be on top of this board and the superintendent and make sure that we're so well versed in all the stuff that goes on, that we can't trust that they have all the correct information to make their decisions," said Denise Delorey, a parent in Heatherton.

The three schools are safe for now, but the board can decide to put them back on the review list in the spring.