There's an article in the T&T today about how the Anglophone East School Board may proceed in terms of rationalization for cost savings.
In addition to potentially closing a couple of rural schools (Dorchester, Riverside), they also discussed the possibility of closing one of the primary schools in central (and west end) Moncton. The schools in question are Edith Cavell, Bessborough, Hillcrest and Queen Elizabeth. Both Edith Cavell and Hillcrest schools are currently operating at less than 50% capacity.
I hope they proceed carefully on this file. I fully realize that the population of school age children in the downtown area has fallen as more and more people move to the suburban periphery, especially in the northwest end and I also realize that that they will have to find fat to cut especially if they will have to find money to expand Northrup Frye School to accommodate increasing enrolment out there, but we should also plan for the eventuality of people of childbearing age returning to the urban core.
This will eventually happen - of this I have no doubt. Our current carbon culture will end sometime, if not in the next 10-20 years then certainly in the next 40-60 years. When that finally happens, suburban living will become a luxury (if not a downright liability). We have to make sure that we are prepared for the resurrection of the downtown family.
In any event, it sounds like in the short term that Moncton may lose one of it's downtown anglophone schools. Which one will it be? Here are my predictions.
Edith Cavell School - This school should be safe. Of all the schools on the list, it is the only one in the true downtown core. In addition, it is only about 25-30 years old, attractive and still in it's prime. With new apartment construction likely in the area I predict enrolment will pick up again in the next 10 years or so.
Bessborough School - Also should be safe. This school is more like 40 years old but is structurally sound and still has life in it's bones. In addition, it is the "prestige" school for the new west end. There would be quite a fight if anyone suggested closing this school.
Queen Elizabeth School - Probably won't be touched. It has a large catchment area in the Moncton Hospital area and it doesn't really have any other nearby schools to which students could be easily transferred.
Hillcrest School - This is the school that I think is the most at risk. It is probably the oldest school on the list and it's catchment area (old west end) is the smallest. It is right on a busy street (St George) and it's grounds are nothing to write home about. Given it's location, the property would likely be the easiest one to sell or repurpose. I think Hillcrest's days are numbered.
Personally, I'm surprised that they didn't include
Beaverbrook School on the list. It's easily the worst school property in the city and has the dodgiest reputation. It also has a horrible location right on Mountain Road. If I was to close a school in central Moncton, this would be it..........
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