Advertisement

After school-saving vote at LBPSB, the hard work begins for parents

Click to play video: 'LBPSB keeps Lakeside, Riverview open'
LBPSB keeps Lakeside, Riverview open
WATCH ABOVE: Lester B. Pearson School Board commissioners have voted to keep Lakeside Academy and Riverview Elementary open until at least December. As Global's Billy Shields reports, the board said it's up to parents to find a way to increase enrolment at the two schools – Jan 26, 2016

DORVAL – Jennifer Park is one of the most vocal parents in the fight to save Lakeside Academy from closure.

READ MORE: Parents react to news of school closures at LBPSB

To emphasize this, teachers gave her a sweatshirt with the words “Trouble Maker” written on the right arm.

Story continues below advertisement

You could say causing a stir is something she wears on her sleeve.

“It was such a great feeling,” Park told Global News of receiving her gift.

READ MORE: More English voices need to be heard at Bill 86 hearings, says QCGN

All the same, she knows there’s a lot of hard work ahead.

Commissioners voted Monday night to keep Lakeside Academy and Riverview Elementary open until at least December.

Now, parents have to convince the Lester B. Pearson School Board (LBPSB) to keep the schools open longterm.

Get expert insights, Q&A on markets, housing, inflation, and personal finance information delivered to you every Saturday.

Get weekly money news

Get expert insights, Q&A on markets, housing, inflation, and personal finance information delivered to you every Saturday.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

READ MORE: Lester B. Pearson School Board reconsiders closures

Chairperson Suanne Stein Day said the board is under pressure to reduce the number of schools operating at less than 50 per cent capacity.

Parents have to show them how enrolment at the two schools can increase by hundreds of pupils.

Parents admitted it’s a daunting task.

WATCH: LBPSB closures
Story continues below advertisement

One notion, floated by Lachine councillor Maja Vodanovic, is to reconfigure school boards along regional, not linguistic lines in an effort to bring in more kids.

Story continues below advertisement

Another issue that clouds the next academic year is what will happen to the boards if the Quebec government passes Bill 86.

WATCH: Debate over Bill 86

Committee hearings examining the proposed law, designed to do away with school board elections, get underway at the National Assembly in Quebec City on Jan. 28.

READ MORE: Possible school board reforms pose no threat to Anglophones: Birnbaum

The LBPSB will meet in December to decide whether or not to keep Lakeside Academy and Riverview Elementary open.

Sponsored content

AdChoices