New Kentville school on official timeline

By Kirk Starratt

The Advertiser/NovaNewsNow.com

Annapolis Valley Regional School Board superintendent Norm Dray says the site selection process for a new school in Kentville will begin shortly.

Dray, who presented an update to Kentville town council June 13, said the education minister has announced Kings County Academy, the current P-8 school in town, will be replaced. The design process for the new school will begin later this year, with construction to follow in ensuing years.

Dray said the site selection process would begin soon. Mayor Dave Corkum and other town representatives will be invited to serve on the committee, which will select three locations from which the final location will be selected.

Corkum said he's glad to see plans to move forward with a new school. He said he appreciates the efforts of Dray and local school board representative Jenny White, who has been fighting for a new school on behalf of the town since day one.

Councillor Mark Pearl thanked Dray for working toward a new school and asked if there are any plans for the catchment area at this point.

“We don't see the catchment area changing, aside from minor tinkering,” Dray said.

In terms of enrollment, Dray said Kentville is holding well compared to some other areas. The trend is toward declining enrollments because people simply aren't having as many children these days.

In terms of potential uses for the old KCA building once the new school is constructed, Dray said the board would soon be undertaking a study of their properties. He said the existing KCA space must be studied before a final decision is made, but there are good parts to the building.