EIPS Hosts Meeting at Andrew School

EIPS Hosts Meeting at Andrew School

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Andrew School families were invited to meet with members of Elk Island Public Schools, (EIPS) administration team to discuss information that was contained in Superintendent Mark Liguori’s information report regarding the potential closure of the school that was presented to trustees on April 20.

Around 50 people, including parents and community members, took EIPS up on its offer, and were in attendance during the April 25 meeting.

April Kliachik, a former student who graduated in 2006, said the board has been tasked with a hard decision, one that will not only impact the school families, but the village as a whole. Kliachik, said her parents still live in Wostok and she would be willing to enrol her four-year-old daughter in Kindergarten in Andrew if that would help keep the doors open.

Allan Zukiwski doesn’t want the school to close either. Zukiwski graduated in 1967 and his son Myroslav graduated in 2008. He said the school could offer crop and livestock production courses and said there are kids in the area that could utilize the school. Zukiwski has relatives in Ukraine and said there’s a lot of potential for Ukrainian evacuees to settle here.

Mayor Merwin Haight.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Superintendent Liguori did not to go into the report in detail, but did discuss enrolment, quality of education, infrastructure issues and other challenges surrounding staffing and funding.

“I don’t feel the viability of the school is an option at this time,” stated Liguori. He told attendees that he would be bringing forward a motion for closure of Andrew School and for students to be accommodated at other schools within EIPS at a special board meeting on May 4.

As to what would be the designated school for the elementary students if the school were to close? Liguori said that would be a decision of the board of trustees. More than likely, it would be Mundare School as its current utilization rate is well below 50 percent.

School transportation fees are also determined by the board of trustees, noted Liguori. Parents did voice their concerns over lengthy ride times and what is considered acceptable for their young children. Under the Education Act parents have the choice where to send their children to school, and if it is a nondesignated school, they are required to pay additional transportation fees.

As for busing students out of the school division to another school division, Liguori said that could happen, but they would need to receive permission from the Minister of Education in order to do that. The other school division would also have to be in agreement with that.

In regards to infrastructure, attendees were told there was a potential $3 million liability to the school division if the fire suppression system failed. Projected maintenance costs over the next five years is pegged at $2.1 million.

Repairs to the fire suppression system and roof have already been projected to cost $2.72 million with cost split between EIPS, (two-thirds) and Village of Andrew, (one-third). EIPS was asked if the municipality could select its own contractor to provide estimates for repairs and was told by Calvin Wait, Director of Facility Services, other companies would still have to go through the bidding process. Companies must also abide by the New West Partnership Trade Agreement guidelines and procurement procedures.

Superintendent Mark Liguori responds to a question.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Andrew Deputy Mayor Tammy Pickett asked about whether they would be able to retain the playground and other items that were acquired through fundraising efforts of parents. Liguori said those are assets of the school division, but they would have to have a conversation with the board. Pickett intends to bring that request forward at the May 4 special meeting.

Mayor Merwin Haight wanted to know how much time the Village of Andrew would have if the board decides to close the school. He was told that would have to be discussed as a board.

The following evening, April 26, Haight stated during the regular council meeting that the Village of Andrew is at a distinct disadvantage as the municipality does not own the land or the building, part of which it utilizes and EIPS could put it up for sale or demolish it. During the meeting Liguori said if the board decides to close the school they would have to send a letter to the education minister to dispose of the asset and offer it to any school division or educational interest in the building and then inform the minister. He said it could also be sold to the village for a nominal fee. “Ninety-nine percent of the time the asset is transferred for one dollar.”

Haight said whatever comes next it will have to be a community decision, not a council decision. He made a motion to set up a four member committee to gather information and conduct a viability study. The motion was carried unanimously.