Big support for small schools at Kinkora school review meeting

The Kinkora family of schools only has three schools, which are under capacity, but there was a big turnout in support of rural schools at the latest public school review meeting.

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The school review process has been underway for more than a month now, when it was decided that six families of schools would be subject to possible changes due to over crowding or under-utilization. The Kinkora group of schools are under-utilized, with 63 per centof theircapacity being used currently.

Parents, students and community members made a very strong statement on Monday night by populating KinkoraRegional High School's gym with over 300 people.

The crowd was passionate and vocal, giving a standing ovation to the first speaker and many after, and clapping throughout almost all of the speeches.

Andrew MacKayhas a son in the family of schools and graduated from the schools himself.

"I believe in small schools," said MacKay, echoing the sentiment of other speakers.

"The current structure of the Kinkora family of schools should be showcased as a success story, rather than being on the chopping block."

Fear of closures

School closures were a focus for many people. Mia Grace Payne, a Grade 7 student at Somerset Elementary, told the crowd she was worried her school would be shut down.

"When I'm supposed to be working on math and other subjects, I keep thinking about how horrible it would be to leave this school and have to go somewhere else in a different community."

Other students, alumni and parents shared the same message:that schools in Kinkora are a family, and not one they are willing to give up easily.

MacKay, along with some others, talked about what it would be like if schools were to close. He asked people to close their eyes, and had them picture how it is currently, and then how it would be.

Fighting for status quo

The group focused on the value of their schools and the impact changes would have on them, rather than making recommendations.

Research was presented by many of the 15 presenters of the night, including a video messagesent from a professor at Mount St. Vincent in Halifax who is an alumni and couldn't make it.

The benefits of small schools and being taught in the community were stressed.

The overwhelming consensus of the night was to keep everything the same with the schools, but to have better enforcement of the school zones.

Many speakers said the government is too lenient with school zones, andmany students are being bused long distances to Three Oaks or Bluefieldschools. They saidif the zones were enforced, enrolment would go up in Kinkora.

Parker Grimmer, director of the Public Schools Branch, said status quo is one of four options the others being reconfiguration, rezoning or closures for the school families.

Frustrations about the review

Another trend of the night was speakers talking about growth in the community. Speakers questioned the data presented by Bob Andrews at the first meeting on the schools, that said there is no significant growth.

Others expressed concern the review process was too rushed, and about a perceived focus on money instead of quality of education.

Bob Andrews thanked the crowd at the end of the evening, and said although people may not believe him, no decisions have been made. Andrews said this is what they were hoping for, input from the public about the impact of the changes, and information about the communities.

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