With a new school year upon us and in the midst of a busy week for students, parents, teachers and school staff, the Town of Stratford reminds residents that there are also three important deadlines to keep in mind related to the public consultations now underway by the Public Schools Branch (PSB). Throughout the process, the Town of Stratford continues to share its message that new junior and senior high school infrastructure in the Town is the only viable long term solution to the overcrowding issues at those school levels in the Charlottetown area.
"The Town of Stratford has remained engaged with the Public Schools Branch on additional school infrastructure requirements in the Charlottetown area," commented Stratford Mayor David Dunphy. "We continue to work hard to ensure a long-term solution is realized for our students. Ongoing short term solutions simply create the need for more short term solutions in the future. It is time for decisions to be made that will have the best outcome for the future of our students. Based on the data we have reviewed and the options put forward, the only long-term solution to best resolve the present junior and senior high situation is new infrastructure in Stratford for grades 7-12″.
The current report in the hands of the Public Schools Branch, "Charlottetown Family of Schools Study Report," was prepared for the purpose of improving capacity issues at elementary and secondary level schools. The options outlined in the report are currently open for public input through an online survey, with written submissions and at public consultation opportunities this week. The Town of Stratford encourages residents, and Islanders, to attend the open house on Wednesday, September 5th at Charlottetown Rural High School between 7:00 and 8:30 pm which will offer opportunity to review and comment on the secondary school options. (Consultations on Thursday, September 6th at Spring Park Elementary are for input at the elementary school level outlined in the report). The Public Schools Branch Board of Directors is expected to make a decision regarding the options at their next meeting, Thursday, September 13th.
Fast facts:
- Latest census from Statistics Canada (2016) shows that the Town of Stratford is the fastest growing community in all of Atlantic Canada
- New junior/senior high infrastructure in Stratford does not cause disruption to students, teachers and support staff as opposed to a renovation at existing schools
- Overcrowding issues in Charlottetown schools (grades 7-9 and 10-12) would be solved with new infrastructure built in Stratford
- Town of Stratford is willing to partner and coordinate with PSB to share spaces and infrastructure, such as sports fields, providing cost savings
"We are reminding residents of the open house being held this evening at Charlottetown Rural High School between 7:00 and 8:30pm," added Mayor Dunphy. "We hope to see a strong turnout once again. Residents can also complete the online survey which closes this Friday and anyone wishing to submit a written submission can do so by end of day on Thursday. We thank everyone for their engagement to date, and encourage it to continue for the next couple of days."
Further information as well as the links to the online survey and Public Schools Branch report can be found on the Town's website at www.townofstratford.ca.
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For more information please contact:
Wendy Watts, Community Engagement Coordinator
Phone: (902) 569-6921
Email: [email protected]
Printable Version: Media Release -Deadline Quickly Approaching for School Decision (September 5, 2018)
Additional information available here.