TRURO - Two local schools will be studied in depth to determine the fate of their future.
Bass River Elementary School was a school in Chignecto-Central Regional School Board that recently underwent an impact assessment report. The report provides an overview of the school's usage, condition and other relevant factors.
At a special school board meeting in Truro last night, board members voted to move forward with further studies into the school, looking at two
options: remain as is or move students to nearby West Colchester Consolidated School, which is a Grade 4 to 9 school.
"This does not mean automatic closure," reminded chairwoman Trudy Thompson.
"We will do everything possible to have kids go to schools in their community," said superintendent Gary Clarke, adding there's extreme pressures on the education system to make reductions.
Bass River elementary is a Grade Primary to 4 school with 22 children. It's 100 years old.
Another school discussed was Maitland District Elementary School, a Grade Primary to 6 facility that was constructed in 1962. It too will continue in the study process.
Thompson said the assessment is an "opportunity to provide something better than what we have."
Thompson said while she agrees with keeping young children in their community, she wants education money to go to the most advantageous place.
"Do I want to put resources into a building or staff? I want to put it in staff ... we can't maintain schools that are only 20 per cent full as is the case here," said Thompson of the school that has an enrolment of 23 children.
This school could remain open or students could be moved to Cobequid District Elementary School and Hants North Rural High School.
Sue Ellen Lawrence, a parent of two kids at the school, said the decision wasn't a surprise.
"We expected it. Personally, I disagree ... There are aspects of a small community school that are beneficial but we acknowledge the board is in a crunch."
The schools will now go through a study committee with school advisory committees. Public meetings will be part of the process, with final decisions being made next March.
I appologize for the grammatical errors in my post above. In my passionate haste I did not stop to edit myself.