Moratorium takes Westview and Sherwood off chopping block

Parents ‘cautiously’ happy about Bjornson’s proposed legislation

Westview and Sherwood elementary schools no longer face the threat of closure, but parents aren’t letting themselves get too excited over the news.

“It’s slowly sinking in. I’m cautiously ecstatic,” says Anna-Marie Westervelt, whose two children attend Westview School.

“I told (my kids) quietly, because I have some reservations,” she says.

The River East Transcona School Division announced last fall that Sherwood and Westview were under review for possible closure due to declining enrolment. The school board was to make its decisions this June.

However, on April 28, provincial Education Minister Peter Bjornson announced a moratorium on school closures. Now all nine city public schools that faced possible closure in June 2009 will remain open indefinitely.

Shannon Forest, who has two kids attending Westview, feels much the same as Westervelt.

“I, personally, was quite elated,” said Forest, one of the parent representatives on Westview’s review committee.

“I’m cautiously optimistic that we will be open next year and in the years to come,” she said.

RETSD superintendent Dennis Pottage declined to comment for this story.

“This proposed legislation was introduced to keep schools open,” Bjornson said.

“What we’re saying to schools is that we want kids to be able to walk to their schools.”

Bjornson’s Stengthening Local Schools Act declares that schools whose fate was not decided by school boards before Jan. 1, 2008, cannot be closed.

Under the proposed legislation, schools can be shut down only in certain circumstances.

Schools will only be closed with the consent of parents and residents in a community, if consolidation of schools is possible or if it is clear that adding community services, such as day care, will not help keep the school open.

“In Westview’s case, we would ask, ‘Is there a demand for day care?’” Bjornson said.

Cheryl Erickson, executive director of the day care centre at Westview, says her facility has a waiting list for about 40 spaces.

“We’re at the point where expanding is necessary,” she said.

Even though Westervelt and Forest were pleased by Bjornson’s announcement, they wish it hadn’t taken so long.

“It’s definitely been a tense year, trying to convince the powers-that-be to keep Westview open,” Forest said.

“I’m glad it’s over,” Westervelt said.

“It’s surprising how much it’s taken out of everyone. Most people are just happy, and that’s enough for now.”