WATCH ABOVE: When the Riverside English School Board informed South Shore schools that boundaries were being redefined, parents were worried. But as Rachel Lau explains, the school board says it’s good for the community.
BROSSARD – When the Riverside English School Board informed its South Shore schools that boundaries were being redefined, parents became worried.
Especially those who purposely bought houses within a specific school zone.
“We’ve invested money, we’ve donated to different projects,” said Marlyn Birmingham, a mother of two children who attend Saint-Lambert Elementary.
“There’s a new school play structure that was built in the yard, there’s a soccer field, these are all things we’ve invested in and you invest there happily for the school after you’re gone but for the time, the duration that you’re there.”
Every year, the school board re-evaluates zoning. This time, they’ve decided to do a complete overhaul.
READ MORE: Brossard English school board re-zoning could force children to change schools
“When you look at zoning, there’s a lot of layers of consideration so it’s never an easy process,” said Sylvain Racette, Director General of the Riverside School Board.
“We’re trying to implicate people in the process and make sure we hear everyone before we make a decision.”
There are four schools involved in the re-zoning: Harold Napper and Good Shepherd in Brossard, Saint-Jude in Greenfield Park and Saint-Lambert Elementary.
The three-step process involves presenting several scenarios to the school governing boards and then hearing their feedback.
After, the board will hold an official consultation before re-presenting its plan to the public for final feedback.
“I just want to make sure that everyone understands that that’s a positive process,” said Racette.
“We’re lucky, we’re fortunate to have a lot of kids in the Brossard area.”
The goal is to prevent future overcrowding by spreading out the children who will soon be starting school, but that means re-zoning could impact hundreds of families.
“I don’t know why there’s this need to upset people,” said Birmingham.
“Implement. Make it digestible. This is our children. This is the thing that’s going to get everybody really worked up fast.”
Some parents are worried that negotiations are moving too fast for the upcoming registration dates in early January.
“It’s true that we need to take the time,” said Racette.
“It’s taking two to three months to look at everything.”
The four school governing boards are expected to begin discussions with commissioners from the Riverside School Board on October 29.
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