Stratford parents must wait for school

The new MLA for Stratford says the incoming Liberal government will respect the process for capital spending at the Eastern School District, meaning no quick decision on a school for the town.

During the election campaign, Progressive Conservative Leader Pat Binns promised to build a new school in Stratford if elected.

But the promise did not carry the election for him, not even in the district of Stratford-Kinlock, where incoming Liberal MLA Cynthia Dunsford said her government will wait to hear what the Eastern School District recommends for capital spending.

"When and if the Eastern School District comes to a then, newly formed Liberal government with a recommendation to build a new school in Stratford, then yes, that's when we're going to look at it and, you know, build a school," said Dunsford.

About 350 students are bused to Charlottetown from Stratford to attend junior high school, but enrolments across the region are falling, and the district is about to begin a process to review required capital investments for the whole area.

The committee lobbying for the new school concedes it did not work to extract the promise of a new school from the Liberals during the election campaign. The arm twisting concentrated on the Progressive Conservatives.

Stratford Mayor Kevin Jenkins, who co-chairs the committee, saidmembers will now try to convince the Liberals to see things their way.

"We're not giving up. We've had some positive hints from all parties, really, on the need for a school," said Jenkins.

"We think we have a rock-solid case for a school. We're definitely carrying on. We'll meet with the new representatives and new government when they're ready to meet with us, and we'll carry on the discussion."

Jenkins said the school district is not willing to share how it makes decisions on where schools should be built.