Overcrowded schools not just a Stratford issue, says parent group

While there has been a lot of talk about new schools in Stratford as P.E.I.'s Public Schools Branch consults on a new schools plan, the issue affects everyone in the Charlottetown area, says a parent advocacy group.

The branch is wrapping up meetings on overcrowding at six Charlottetown schools this week. For the high schools, in particular, a proposed solution has been a new schools in Stratford for students in Grades 7 to 12.

Currently, Stratford students are bused to Charlottetown after elementary school.

Lindy MacQuillan of the Facebook group Parents Concerned with Overcrowded Schools said while there has been a lot of talk about Stratford, it is important for parents to understand the problem is not just about Stratford, and that they need to stay engaged to ensure a proper solution.

"This isn't a Stratford issue. This is an issue for all of us. We are all, at this juncture, sending our kids to overcrowded schools," said MacQuillan.

"If we don't come up with a solution we're going to have well over 700 too many children going into our high schools. That's bigger than Three Oaks [High School in Summerside]."

The Public Schools Branch is looking at a number of possible options, including both new schools in Stratford and expanding schools in Charlottetown.

At a public meeting at Charlottetown Rural Wednesday, schools director Parker Grimmer said people seemed to be leaning toward the new schools option.

A meeting on elementary schools will be held Thursday night at Spring Park Elementary. A survey on the schools question remains open, and there is still a chance for individuals or groups to make presentations directly to the Public Schools Branch board of directors.

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With files from Island Morning