Andrew School Committee Requests Support from Village Council

Andrew School Committee Requests Support from Village Council

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

Members of the Andrew School Committee appeared before village council on Sept. 23 to provide an update and to also ask for support from council to continue its work.

Stan Zabrick made the presentation that was heard by members of council, administration, divisional county councillor, and five community members. He gave an overview of what the committee has done since its inception, the results of a community survey it had conducted, and some of the things it would like the village to provide going forward.

Zabrick told council the committee has held five meetings to date with 8 to 14 community members in attendance at each meeting. He mentioned the commitment of fellow committee chair Jodie Calfat and the amount of research she has done over the last couple of months. He then gave an overview of the survey results.

So far, 150 people have responded to the survey. Based on results, Zabrick said the community has not given up as 80 per cent of respondents said they believe the school can be saved. However, there has not been a “hard push” from families, noted Zabrick. “From the committee’s perspective, we’re a small group of people doing a lot of work.”

Coun. Sheila Lupul asked if there had been an increase in the number of parents attending the committee meetings in August. “Sadly no,” responded Zabrick.

Coun. Herb Fedun said that if parents are so concerned they should be involved. Coun. Lupul said it was not just a parent issue, but she would also like to see more of them involved.

Currently, there are 66 elementary students enrolled in Andrew School. Zabrick said the watermark is 55 students. He also pointed out that if they did move to another school division they wouldn’t have the same resources to carry them as EIPS.

Zabrick stated the village would have to make the school its number one priority. “As it stands being a volunteer group with no specific mandate we see a line in the sand, roughly 60 days of work, without having anyone or anywhere to deliver our results to. We intend to accomplish at least this list that we are going to show you and plan to hand off a file to council or to whoever is the willing recipient to decide what is next.”

He also recommended the village host a well-advertised town hall forum to gather input, solutions, and a concrete plan by the end of October.

Lupul stated that she appreciates the work they have done, and the village would need to work on getting the county involved as more than 50 percent of the students who attend Andrew School come from the rural area.

County Councillor Roy Anaka, who represents the Andrew area, recommended committee members come to a county council meeting.

A joint meeting between the village and the county was also discussed. “Unfortunately, at this time it’s very difficult to gather county councillors, and it’s unreasonable to expect them to come to the table.” She did think a joint meeting could be arranged in November.

After the council meeting, Zabrick was asked to comment on attendance. “I was extremely disappointed.” Calfat felt the low turnout was because parents are busy. She is hoping more parents will get involved now students are back in school, and parents are in the mind frame of school.

Calfat said they did notify residents about the committee’s upcoming presentation to village council by having Canada Post distribute a flyer on Sept. 18.