On February 19th I attended a meeting called by the South Shore Regional School Board to hear from residents of the Western Shore/Gold River area about why their school should be kept open. The board is considering closing the school, again. The NDP government added to the community's fears by announcing more cuts to the education budget for the South Shore last week.
This school should stay open. It is a vital part of the community and an essential tool to economic development of the Western Shore area. Without local schools, people and businesses are less likely to move to an area. And currently, with Ray Ivany chairing a 'Commission on Building a New Economy' in part to find ways to revitalize rural communities, it doesn't make sense to close a school now that may be identified in the Commission's report as essential to improving the Western Shore/Gold River community.
Here is the text of my submission:
“Thank-you for letting me speak tonight.
My name is Janet Irwin.
I am the Progressive Conservative candidate for Chester-St.Margaret's in
the next provincial election.
The mere fact that we are here tonight discussing the
possibility that the Gold River – Western Shore Elementary School may close
indicates to me that the process of school reviews is broken. A school is so
much more than square footage and heating costs and maintenance issues. A
school has many intangibles to offer a community. It offers a sense of
identity, a promise of hope to our young people through education and bonds of
friendship and trust between students, teachers and the community. It is a place
for students to feel safe, to feel inspired, to feel at home. How do you
quantify those influences?
I’ve talked to many residents and business owners in the last
few months about what is needed to attract people to and keep people in our
smaller communities. One of the first things they mention is the quality and
proximity of schools. Having a school in the community is one of the engines
that drives economic activity and sustainability.
This school is the heart of this community and a way must be found
to keep it open.
Tonight I'd like to propose something quite different from
what's come up so far. Something that I believe would be helpful for the
families of Western Shore/Gold River and other rural parts of Nova Scotia where
schools are in danger of being closed.
In December of 2012, the Government of Nova Scotia appointed the
Nova Scotia Commission on Building Our New Economy. Ray Ivany, the
President of Acadia University and former President and CEO of Nova Scotia
Community College was appointed to lead it.
The Commission has been asked to find ways for us, as Nova
Scotians, to face the challenges of a new global economy and seize the
opportunities it presents. Part of their work is to recommend ways of
sustaining our rural communities. In an interview on CBC Radio's Mainstreet
program last December 11th, Ray Ivany said, and I quote: "I can't
imagine any community surviving and thriving without a whole range of amenities
which would include schools."
In light of that statement, I believe you should not make any
decision about the future of Gold River – Western Shore Elementary until the
Commission has finished its work and made its recommendations. And I
would ask the NDP government in Halifax to support this action. The parents
and community workers here have told you what will happen to this community and
their children if this school is closed. If you decide to close this
school now, and the Commission advocates keeping small rural schools open, it's
too late for communities that have already had their schools closed. There will
be no going back.
Thank you"
