By Lawrence Powell

The Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

A projected 25 per cent drop in enrollment over the next six years at elementary schools in Annapolis County has school board officials wondering what to do with the emptying facilities and they want communities to help come up with options. And there was no talk of closing schools.

At a packed meeting Monday at Lawrencetown Consolidated School, board Superintendent Norman Dray and finance director Stu Jamieson presented a board study on enrollment that painted a bleak picture.

While enrollments are declining everywhere, the drop in Annapolis county is more than twice that of the rest of the region. Charts showed that Bridgetown Regional Elementary School's current enrollment of 176 is expected to drop to 115 by 2013-14 and Lawrencetown's current population of 209 will drop to 134. Other schools show similar drops with the exception of Clark Rutherford which will see a decline of only 12 per cent.

With the declining school enrollments, facility usage costs per student will increase dramatically and calls into question the viability of continued operation. Already in Annapolis County, there are already more square feet being utilized per student than elsewhere in the region. Additionally, some facilities need major renovations or upgrades.

Dray said that even if there was an influx of families to the area, studies show that it would only slow the student population decline, not stop it.

In a question and answer session after the presentation, Bridgetown Mayor Art Marshall suggested that schools could justify staying open if they were used for community purposes such as day cares, cummunity school, seniors' and health and wellness programs, and even community libraries.

Marshall said the school board would hear more from Bridgetown council about that idea.

"We're here to listen," said Dray. "We welcome those submission. We will look at all options."

Leasing of space to businesses was also a suggestion, and utilization of space for board special resources such as speach pathology was also proposed.

Dray said that under the current provincial funding formula, the Annapolis Valley receives the lowest funding per student in the province. Asked by one woman if the public should lobby fore more funding, Dray didn't hesitate with his answer: "If you want my opinion, absolutely."

Annapolis MLA Stephen McNeil said the public interactin process being put in place by the school board is an opportunity to build strong community schools.

"Start now," he said, echoing Marshall's comments about utilizing schools for community needs such as libraries and day cares. "We could be a role model for the rest of the province."

He said he was starting from the point of view that no schools will close.

"The board is looking for your support and ideas," he said. "Look at these facilities as community assets."

Under the board's timelines, residents, SACs, and municipalities have until about mid-October to make submissions. During November and December the board will develop options, and in January and February will evaluate those options with schools and communities. By next March, recommendations should be ready for the board to consider.