Elementary students pose outside Webster Niblock School after participating in a Walk-for-Wishes event. The school in Crescent Heights is one of two on the chopping block after the Medicine Hat Public School Division announced possible closures as a more prudent use of funds.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
The Medicine Hat Public School Division is considering permanently closing both Southview and Webster Niblock schools, but want to hear from the community before any decisions are made final.
Families of students of the two elementary schools were informed of the proposed school closures through a letter sent out Wednesday, which also extended an invitation to a public consultation meeting in December.
Board chair Catherine Wilson says the division is facing budget challenges keeping all 17 local schools operating optimally, and trustees have been working with education officials and architects for more than a year to analyze and evaluate all possibilities.
Last October the division began to analyze resources and spending and identify any opportunities of cost savings.
“It was a really rewarding thing to look at because you learn that programming and support and teachers and other children being put together because of two smaller schools is actually a positive benefit, if you can get past the emotional attachment of the building,” Wilson says.
She says MHPSD focused on value, scoping three city areas including SE Elementary, North Elementary and the Hill.
The analysis was also prompted by the announcement of the government’s School Construction Accelerator Program, introduced in 2024 to create more student spaces in overfilled Alberta classrooms.
“When the government came in with this program, that is absolutely why we decided to take a look and do this scope and decide where we sit as Medicine Hat Public School Division.”
That evaluation period concluded this week and after various criteria were considered, such as enrolment, use of resources, modern learning spaces and other schools in proximity, both Southview and Webster Niblock were identified as posing the largest financial challenges to maintain.
“We have 17 buildings that we have to keep up and we’re not getting the funds,” said Wilson. “So that is a funding issue, but I don’t want to just pinpoint and say ‘we’re not getting the funds to do it.’ Any building, especially older buildings, are very hard to keep up with, so for us, this is about diverting our funds to go into schools to support the children.”
Both elementary schools have enrolment below 200 students, and Wilson says the cost to maintain the older structures is going to continue to rise, and that funding used for infrastructure could be better utilized to support student education.
With Elm Street School the only MHPSD school in the Flats, it was not an option for closure, and Herald School offers several specialized programming and resources, so it can’t close either.
“When you have children in a school that should be, let’s say, 300 (students) and they’re down to 150 or 130, there are relationships that kids, perhaps, are missing out on. There is funding that is less because you’re spreading it over 17 schools instead of 15,” said Wilson.
She says the process highlighted the challenge MHPSD faces with a growing number of small schools and complexities that arise in programming, class structure, resource allocation and operations.
If closed, students attending Webster Niblock School could be reassigned to Vincent Massey School or Dr. Ken Sauer Fine Arts School.
Southview students could be reassigned to Crestwood STEM School or Ross Glen School.
By transferring students to other schools the division believes it will improve access to subject specialists and special needs care, as well as provide more education options.
“So if you look at what’s good for the students, you would have more programs and more choices,” she said. “And by that, you’re bringing students together, and then we’re able to offer them so much more because we have them under one roof. So the money, the funding, will be going to that one school, not two schools.”
Wilson points to more options like music programs, academies and specialized supports, which are offered at the proposed feeder schools.
“I believe honestly for the long term, when you look at this, ‘right-sizing’ our schools is going to ensure that all of these programs and services stay intact for longer periods of time, I truly believe that.”
However, before any decisions are final, MHPSD is seeking feedback from families and stakeholders and is hosting public consultation meetings in December to gather feedback.
“We want to involve stakeholders, because we feel they are a huge part of this decision,” says Wilson.
“This is their opportunity to do that and to do it with us together … This is staffing, families, everybody. This is not something we are taking lightly. We want this to be well-rounded, discussed and come to a solution together.”
The division is asking all families, guardians and individuals to register to attend the public consultation meetings by visiting its website.
Southview School’s public consultation will occur Dec. 3 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., and Webster Niblock will go Dec. 4 from 6:30-8: 30 p.m. The format is in person and will include a facilitated feedback session.
Feedback can also be submitted through an online Stakeholder Survey posted on the division and school websites.
Trustees are expected to analyze all feedback immediately following the public meeting and are expected to make a decision by Jan. 6.
If the closures are approved, transition support will begin Jan. 12, however students would not transfer until next fall.
“It wouldn’t be mid-year, it would be the end of the year,” explains Wilson, who says the division would focus on making a smooth transition for students and families. “I honestly think there are so many things you can do to even introduce kids to the idea that they’re going to be changing schools and make it exciting and fun.”
Wilson says the news may be a lot for families to process, but she believes the changes are in the best interest of students’ education.
“I just really want the community to understand that as difficult as this is, it really is about focusing on our students’ future and their opportunities.”
Decisions around student transportation, staffing levels and discussion around potential increase of classroom sizes are on hold until after a final decision on closures is made.
