Former Principal, Parents Speak Out On Potential School Closures

Rene Grigat, parent of Webster Niblock students, speaks to the Owl regarding the proposed school closure.

Beginning the process to shutter two city elementary schools may not have been an election issue but it was the first order of business for the three new public school trustees and two incumbents.

“There was no campaigning on it and they haven’t even had enough time to have an in-depth conversation – this is a major operation of closing schools down,” said Ed McLaughlin, vice-president of the Webster Niblock parent council.

Notices to parents of students at Webster Niblock and Southview elementary schools went out barely a week after trustees were sworn in and shortly following the public school division’s first meeting last week.

“I’m a little bit confused,” said McLaughlin. “We just had a strike with teacher’s saying the classrooms were getting overcrowded, they need more teachers, they need more schools and then they are going to close down a school – two schools actually.”

Other parents the Owl spoke to outside of Webster Niblock also expressed frustration regarding the move with McLaughlin expecting a large turnout during next month’s meetings on the proposed closures.

“I’m definitely going to show up at the meeting Dec. 4 at the public school district office. I don’t think the room is going to be big enough for the people who aren’t overly excited about closing the school,” said McLaughlin.

Fellow Webster Niblock parent Rene Grigat expressed some skepticism regarding whether the move will enhance learning opportunities for public school students across the district.

“I hope it will but we’ve heard lots of promises from school districts before, from politicians before,” he said. “But it will be closed and we will see the results after and we won’t be able to influence if the results are not what they promised as it’s too late to reopen the school.”

Graham Kelly, former principal of both Webster Niblock and Southview elementary schools between the late-80s to late-90s, said it will be up to parents and citizens impacted by the possible closures, “to let the board know how they feel.”

While he said he understands the economics can be difficult, he pointed to both schools having merit.

“Webster Niblock is a good solid building. I’m optimistic there is going to be growth in northeast Crescent Heights,” said Kelly. “And the same with Southview. They’ve served a lot of people; it’s a community school which meant a whole lot of people were involved. Southview has more of a role to play than strictly education. It’s an important part of that community.”

Kelly was dismissive of the idea the resources to keep the schools open will be better utilized if the schools are closed.

“I think the likelier result is there is going to be overcrowding in one or both of the neighbouring communities,” he said.

Kelly used the example of Elm Street School which he was also the principal of and which, “faced the axe” several times over the years.

“It continues to survive and thrive and grow and basically prosper,” he said. “It’s very difficult to predict what the community is going to be like 10 years from now.”

Attempts to schedule an interview  with Medicine Hat District board chair Cathrine Wilson have been unsuccessful as of Monday evening.