P.E.I. government's mind made up on school closures, Opposition charges

The P.E.I. government has already made up its mind to close schools, says the Progressive Conservative Opposition, in advance of an extensive review of schools on the Island announced Tuesday evening.

Population numbers at Island schools, along with trends looking ahead to 2022, were released this week at a meeting of the board of directors of the Public Schools Branch. The board also announced a major review of under-utilized and overcrowded schools affecting six of 10 school families.

• School rezoning, possible closures, coming for next school year

• Is my school under review? A list of Island schools and whether they are under review

But PC education critic Steven Myers believes the government has already made up its mind.

"I think their intentions are quite clear that they're going to try to close schools," said Myers.

"I don't think that anybody's buying that they're going to go through this whole process and they don't already have their minds made up."

The announced consultation process will include district advisory councils, parent groups, principals, local community councils, unions and school staff.

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