A unanimous decision to seek a judicial review by the Town of Bridgewater.
Councillors voted in favour of filing an application to the Nova Scotia Supreme Court following the South Shore Regional School Board’s decision to send grade 10-12 students from Bridgewater Junior-Senior High to Park View.
Councillors echoed comments of frustration with the review process and a lack of consultation by the school board.
Councillors Tanner says residents have not been heard, catchment areas have not been reviewed. Frustrated with review process
— CKBW Radio (@ckbwradio) October 27, 2016
Councillor MacDonald says town residents have expressed frustration and she stands with them
— CKBW Radio (@ckbwradio) October 27, 2016
Bridgewater Deputy Mayor Bill McInnis says review was flawed from the beginning, calls is a charade and believes it was pre-determined
— CKBW Radio (@ckbwradio) October 27, 2016
Mayor David Walker says council would have rathered address their concerns by meeting with the board.
“But the board has already made a decision that they’re not interested in meeting with council. So, this was sort of the only avenue left to council other than saying everything is over; we wash our hands; we give up.”
Walker says the trust between the town and the school board is gone but believes it will be re-built.
#Bridgewater Mayor David Walker continues by questioning trust in @SouthShoreRSB pic.twitter.com/UfuRZahYiT
— CKBW Radio (@ckbwradio) October 28, 2016
Walker expects the majority of taxpayers won’t be happy to foot the bill for a judicial review.
The cost is not yet known but estimates are upwards of $100,000.
However, the town won’t have to cross that bridge until a judicial review is approved by a judge.
Walker believes the town can pay for it from reserves but it won’t be his decision as a new council will be sworn-in next month.
The town’s solicitor, J.C Reddy, expects to file the application in early November.
