Public meetings to determine value of Hantsport School

BY NADINE ARMSTRONG

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com

After coming up short during the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board Review, the Hantsport School needs an outpouring of public support, says Town CAO Jeff Lawrence. He said the school is a community cornerstone and the recent review didn’t cover enough bases.

The Town will commence its own school study next week, which will be presented to the AVRSB by Oct. 31. Lawrence said community input is crucial to the process. “It's vitally important to have your opinions and perspectives heard. What does Hantsport School mean to you, your family and the community?” Those are the questions the study hopes to answer in the affirmative. “What we really want is to get the community involved,” he said.

The review, which was conducted on all Annapolis Valley schools last spring, pinpointed the aging Hantsport School as being in need of significant capital investment. “This school is 45 years old and in need of a major upgrade to continue to serve students.” That assessment along with declining enrollment does not bode well for the school’s future.

However, during a June 23 meeting, AVRSB Superintendent Norman Dray assured Hantsport Council that the current review process was a facilities review and not a school closure exercise.

Lawrence said council did not want to jump to conclusions, but is fearful where the review could lead. “Much more needs to be taken into consideration,” he noted. “They haven't looked at what this school means to the community.”

The Town's study will consider factors such as future population growth; community facilities available to the school; success level of students; as well as the relationship between the community and school. “There is more to a school’s value than just the nuts and bolts,” Lawrence said. “To do a proper assessment, you need to look at all the variables.”

Public meetings are planned

The Town has hired consultant Jemma Lambert to assist in adding public opinion to the matter. “We went in this direction because this study is critical to the future of Hantsport. We need to have something to the School Board by the end of October and that’s not a lot of time.”

The study will divide the community into four segments including a student focus group that will form once the new school year begins.

Three public meetings are slated for Sept. 3 to accommodate business owners, retirees and seniors as well as working adults. “We want to make sure people understand that if the school is important to you, you need to come out.”

Lawrence adds that Hantsport promotes community living and the school is a valuable contributor. “We have a good relationship with the school,” he noted. “It's a reciprocal relationship of shared resources that needs to continue.”

As well, the Town urges those unable to attend meetings to write a testimonial letter that will be included in the study. Lawrence says each and every letter received will help.

For more information, visit the Town of Hantsport website: www.hantsportnovascotia.com or contact Jemma Lambert by phone at (902) 765-4600 or by e-mail: jemma.lambert@hotmail.com

More information on the AVRSB School Review is available online at www.avrbs.ednet.ns.ca.

Letters of support can be dropped off at the Town Office or mailed to: Hantsport School Study, Town of Hantsport, P.O. Box 399, Hantsport, N.S., B0P 1P0.