The school review process will continue for both Pangman School and Wapella School.
Trustees of the Southeast Cornerstone Public School Division discussed the possible school review processes that both schools will be placed under. Final decisions on school review processes must be made by the Cornerstone board by April 30.
For Pangman School, the board will consider if there should be a grade discontinuance, possible closure, or if the school stays the same.
Elwood White, trustee of subdivision six (which includes Pangman School), explained that he couldn’t support the motion. “Since this motion speaks about possible closure of the entire school, I can’t support it. Pangman School is a community school. It is beautiful to see students interacting with seniors and the community.”
Janet Foord, trustee for Estevan, noted that sometimes hard decisions had to be made by the board. “With low enrollments and budget constraints, the decisions we make for small schools will have an effect on our larger schools.”
It was noted that by placing Pangman School into the review process, there was opportunity for the board, and members of the Pangman School Community Council, to discuss the issue further.
When the vote was called, six members voted in favour, while Harold Laich, Elwood White, Audrey Trombley and Dana Currie voted no. With a majority in favor, the motion was carried.
For Wapella School, the board will consider if there should be a grade discontinuance — specifically looking at discontinuing Grades 7, 8 and 9 — or if the school stays the same.
Kevin Keating, trustee for subdivision three, noted that the only discussions around Wapella School had been around grade discontinuance, and that the topic of possible closure had never been debated.
When the vote was called, nine board members voted in favour, with Elwood White being the only no vote. This motion was also carried.
Moving forward with the school review process, public meetings will be held in both communities and their School Community Councils. There will be a meeting on March 15 set for Pangman School and March 16 set for Wapella.
