The writing could be on the wall for Pentz and Petite Riviere Elementary Schools in Lunenburg County.
The provincial government’s recently announced capital plan did not include a new school in those communities.
It’s the third time the province has turned down a request by the South Shore Regional School Board to build a new school.
The board decided in 2013 to close both schools but has five years to shut them down.
Board Chair Elliott Payzant says as of now, those schools will close in September 2018.
“There will be meetings to see what we can do going forward and I’m not sure just what they will be, but it’s something I’ll be talking with the superintendent about and especially with chair of the Petite SAC and probably with the Pentz SAC chair.”
A meeting will be held Friday between Payzant, Vice Chair Theresa Griffin, Superintendent Scott Milner and the SAC chair of Petite Riviere.
Board member Jennifer Naugler says she would also like the board to hold a special meeting to discuss the future of both schools.
No date for that has been set, yet.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Karen Casey didn’t have many answers about why a new school for Pentz and Petite Riviere was not in the capital plan.
A letter from Casey to the school board from November 2015 said major additions or alterations could be coming to either Pentz or Petite Riviere, if approved by cabinet.
A study from 2016 indicates an A&A at either school would cost between $5.5 and $6-million, while a new school has an $11-million price tag.
She says it comes down to capacity in their capital plan and need.
“If you look at the capital plan, it’s a very small capital plan for school construction but we believe it responds to the most current needs right now.”
The school board has not determined if it plans to contact the minister to change regulations that would allow them to alter their 2013 decision to close both schools.
