After hitting a speed bump on the road to keep a school in the district, Port Edward council members left a special open school board meeting on Tuesday with their minds eased and more time to figure out how to keep an education facility in the community.
“We are so happy tonight that [the board] has given us the opportunity to continue on our quest of keeping a school in Port Ed,” said Port Edward Mayor Dave MacDonald.
Although this week has been looking bright for the district, Port Edward aced a set back last week when residents Larry and Violette Bowman handed council members a successful counter-petition campaign opposing the district borrowing up to $2 million dollars. Port Edward council then decided to go to referendum on the issue.
But for the referendum to have any point of going forward, the District of Port Edward needed to be granted another extension from the Prince Rupert School District, which proved to not be an issue at Tuesday’s meeting where trustee unanimously decided to defeat the third reading of the bylaw that would have the school closed. Also at the meeting, the first and second reading of a newly made bylaw on the issue that would give the District of Port Edward another year before the final decision was read by Board Chair Tina Last.
“While I had hoped to never have to read another school closure bylaw,” started Last jokingly, “I’m ok with reading this one because it gives us a chance to finish the great work that [Port Edward] has started.”
“I’m glad that we are putting a motion back on the table to start consultation again because I think it’s important that the pressure remains present for the community that the options are running out. Port Edward is doing its job in trying to share with your community the importance of planning for the future and being prepared to educate your students in your community,” said Last, adding that on behalf of the board she applauds the district’s efforts.
It is now up to council to inform residents on why a school should remain in the district. Some previously given reasons include the fact that, although taxes may rise, it won’t be drastic as well as the fact that even without a school in the district all residents would still have to pay school taxes.
At the meeting both Last and MacDonald brought up the point that if the school does move forward it would mean that the school district would become a leaser (one who is under lease) of the Port Edward school. This would mean that the board would be paying Port Edward for students attending the school.
“That is an important thing residents in Port Edward should know. Port Edward could be the landlord [to us] on this new property,” Last stated.