DEC Recommends Morna Heights School Close

The Anglophone South District Education Council has voted in favour of closing Morna Heights School in Saint John.

Wednesday night’s decision came following a Policy 409 sustainability review which began last fall.

The school has 72 students, air quality issues and water problems, but these were not considered major factors in the review.

District Education Council chair Rob Fowler says it’s more about combining schools.

“I know it’s hard on the school and the community to lose a school, but that’s the reality. The numbers aren’t there. We can’t sustain half-empty buildings all over the district. We just can’t,” Fowler said.

The students would be transferred to nearby Saint Rose School in west Saint John.

Fowler says the operational costs of the school were low so savings would be found in other areas.

“Where we have the opportunity to save money is through FTE’s (full-time equivalents). Principals, custodians, school secretaries, teachers. In another school, you may not need as many. They could be used elsewhere. It’s a way to use those resources more effectively than spread out over multiple buildings,” Fowler said.

DEC member Justin Tinker noted he struggled with the decision. He said the cost to operate the school may be low, but the cost per child is higher, adding they have to think of the entire district.

Katie Harding, the vice-chair of the Parent School Support Committee, felt their questions were not answered.

“This process was not fair not even from the word go. Even this evening when Mr. Fowler was reading their information regarding the policy presentation in October, he was still using wrong numbers.” Harding said.

Harding, who has two daughters at the school, says the closure will have a huge impact.

“All they have ever known is that they will go to Morna and when they finish, they will be sent to River Valley [Middle School],” Harding said.

Harding says three different Policy 409 reviews over the last decade has taken a toll.

“‘Do you know how many people have not bought in our community because of that lack of security? It’s taken our security away. We can’t have that involvement because why do we want to get attached,” Harding said.

The decision now rests with Education Minister Dominic Cardy and Fowler said historically, education ministers don’t favour closing schools.

Wednesday’s night vote was not unanimous with two DEC members voting against the closure motion.