Battle River School Division Trustees Vote on School Closures and Consolidation Motions

Battle River School Division Trustees Vote on School Closures and Consolidation Motions

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

March 19 was decision day for trustees in the Battle River School Division (BRSD) who were voting school closures and consolidation motions.

Trustees voted to reallocate the 35 high school students from Ryley School and consolidate Holden School and Ryley School into one school site serving students in Kindergarten to Grade 9. This will be located at Ryley School and Holden School will be closed.

Trustees also voted to close Allan Johnstone School, a K to 9 facility in Hardisty, which serves 48 students. They also voted to continue to operate Round Hill School, a K to 9 facility serving 86 students.

According to a press release issued by BRSD: “Each of the Board members expressed their appreciation for the work of the school staff, and emphasized these decisions are in no way a reflection of their work. In addition, they praised the dedication and passion of parents and communities who have addressed the board in recent weeks.

In the words of Board Chair Norm Erickson, “these are very difficult decisions and they are not made lightly. Each Board member has considered all aspects of the question and voted based on their own perspective. No one has voted without thinking long and hard about the implications. Now that the decisions are made, it’s time to move forward. We will do our very best to make the transition to a new reality a smooth one for students and families, whether they are moving to a new school site, welcoming additional students to an existing school or staying in the same school, but adjusting to a new level of funding.”

Glen Hamilton-Brown, Chief Administrative Officer for the Village of Ryley, issued this response to the decision, stating: “Given the recent provincial budget that provided more money to every single school division and a model that places emphasis on rural education. Ryley is disappointed that the BRSD could not reconcile their financial pressures to deliver high school in central Beaver County. Ryley is also disappointed that the BRSD could not reconcile their financial pressures to maintain a presence in the Village of Holden.

Ryley is extremely disappointed for Holden and Hardisty as well as for ourselves because these closures have a huge negative impact on the community’s future and it is a rare case that a community can remain vibrant after their school has been removed.

Ryley is committed to serving its community ahead of any competing priorities of the BRSD. There are a number of good alternatives aside from the public education program delivered by the BRSD; and Ryley will now engage its citizens to fully understand what our community needs for delivery of high school.”

Sherry Garbe, CAO for the Village of Holden, provided this statement: The Village of Holden council, administration and staff are disappointed with BRSD board’s decision to close Holden School. The recent provincial budget has provided more money to every school division and placed the emphasis on rural education. We are sad that this money will not be utilized to keep the school open. Holden will continue to work with the Village of Ryley to ensure that the students stay involved with both communities. This closure will have a huge impact on the future of Holden, it will be very difficult for the community to remain vibrant. The Village of Holden council and administration will be doing everything possible to ensure that Holden remains vibrant and economically feasible. As a strong community, the challenge will be to ensure the children receive the education they need to become the future of Holden.”