A motion to revisit a 2013 decision to close Pentz and Petite Riviere Elementary Schools has been voted down.
Board member Jennifer Naugler asked the board to rescind their motions from four years ago.
Chair Elliott Payzant called the statement out of order.
He says the South Shore Regional School Board’s lawyer has determined the decisions made in 2013 are final and binding.
“Based on the Education Act and the regulations that were in place at the time when those motions were made, the schools have to close.”
But, the school advisory committee chair in Petite Riviere sees it differently.
Leif Helmer says he feels Payzant’s actions were uncalled for.
“We’ve reached out to the ombudsman’s office in Nova Scotia to see if there is an appeal or complaint process for fairness here and proper due process.”
Helmer feels the board isn’t competent enough to make the decision to save the schools.
Superintendent Scott Milner says the next step is to prepare for student transition when the schools close in September 2018.
