A decision now rests in the hands of the South Shore Regional School Board.
The school options committee recommended moving grade 10 to 12 students from Bridgewater Junior-Senior High to Park View.
SOC recommends moving grade 10-12 students from @ssrsbbjshs to @PVECPanthers
— CKBW Radio (@ckbwradio) May 12, 2016
It was not a unanimous decision by the 20 committee members, but it was considered the best option out of five scenarios presented.
Co-chair Heather MacKenzie-Carey says she feels confident.
“When you put the facts on the table, given the policy, and if you put the numbers into the formula you can’t really come up with anything except for what we did, in terms of recommendations.”
Those recommendations include reviewing catchment areas and grade configuration, evaluating facility utilization and operational costs and keeping Bayview Community School open beyond 2020.
MacKenzie-Carey says moving students from BJSHS to Park View will increase their program options.
About 90 people showed up to the meeting, but was not open for public comment.
Some students made it a point to try and get their questions answered.
Board asking questions to staff members – the public can’t comment but students have questions pic.twitter.com/ZUsgxT5vnR
— CKBW Radio (@ckbwradio) May 12, 2016
Meanwhile, the school board will have two weeks to analyze the information and ask questions before making a decision.
Chair Jennifer Naugler feels the SOC has done its homework since it started working last November.
“So, at this point I’m certainly respectful of their recommendation but recognizing that we’re still in discussions and the board still needs to discuss and come to a decision as a group.”
The director of human resources says the move could provide an annual cost savings of roughly $238,000.
If approved, no students would move to Park View until renovations are complete, likely by the fall of 2017.
A transition team would also be established to help determine programming, scholarship opportunities and other student services.
The board will meet with staff again on May 19 for a question and answer session.
A final decision is expected to be made on May 24.
