Calgary school board to shut Queensland Downs

CALGARY – The Calgary Board of Education has moved to close a southeast elementary in hopes of preserving two other under-used schools in the community.

Queensland Downs School has 173 students but can accommodate almost twice as many children.

Two other schools in the area, Deer Run and Haultain Memorial, also have excess space — especially now that McKenzie Towne students have begun attending their own new community school.

CBE trustees unanimously voted Tuesday to consolidate students from the three schools into two buildings.

Board chairwoman Pat Cochrane acknowledged the closure is difficult for both the community and trustees.

"We recognize there are human consequences of our actions and we have to make broader system decisions," she said. "There really aren’t students in the area to support three schools."

After touring Haultain Memorial and Queensland Downs, trustees agree the geographic location of the two schools to remain open makes sense, said Cochrane. But local parents have strongly opposed the plan, expressing concerns over separating students between two schools, increased busing and the loss of before-and-after child care.

Some were in tears after learning of the closure.

"My son is going to be devastated," said Queensland Downs parent Tiffany Goebel, whose seven-year-old son Liam has cerebral palsy. She is concerned about the lack of wheelchair access at Haultain Memorial, as well as the effect the closure would have on her child.

Goebel had spoken out before Tuesday’s vote to reiterate her "passionate plea" not to close the school.

"We sort of thought it was inevitable. If you don’t close the school, it would cost more money to go through this process again (to close another school)," said school council chairwoman Suzanne Allan.

"I still think they made the wrong decision," she added.

Trustee Karen Kryczka tried to highlight potential positive aspects of the change. Moving to a larger school could offer children more extensive programming and extra curricular opportunities, she said.

The Queensland Downs School closure is to take effect at the end of June, with remaining students sent to Haultain Memorial or Deer Run schools depending on where they live.

The future of Dalhousie School was also under the microscope on Tuesday when trustees voted unanimously for a staged closure of the school’s regular program.

Of the 537 children attending the elementary, only 107 students enrolled in the regular program. The bulk of Dalhousie School students are involved in Spanish bilingual studies, which will continue.

By moving regular program students to West Dalhousie School, the Spanish program will be able to expand.

"I think we have a very compelling case for us to relocate all students in Dalhousie to one school," said trustee Gordon Dirks.

Kryczka supported the fact that unlike the Queensland Downs School closure, this program has been recommended for a staged closure.

If enough grades 4 and 5 students wanted to complete their elementary years at Dalhousie School, they would be able to do so.

All younger students, however, are to be sent to West Dalhousie School starting next fall.

"This is about the sustainability of a community school," said trustee Lynn Ferguson. "What it comes down to is utilizing the space and resources within the CBE for two very successful programs."

smcginnis@theherald.canwest.com