Medicine Hat School Division facilitator Dr. Cal Hauserman gives a presentation to parents and guardians during a public consultation meeting on the proposed closure of Webster Niblock School. The public meeting was held at Medicine Hat High School on Dec. 5.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
Medicine Hat Public School Division school board trustees will vote on the proposed closure of two elementary schools during a special meeting set for 2 p.m. on Jan. 6.
During the only item for action planned in the special meetings agenda, trustees will vote on whether to permanently close both Southview and Webster Niblock elementary schools at the end of the school year and reassign students to nearby Crestwood STEM, Ross Glen, Vincent Massey and Dr. Ken Sauer Arts schools next fall.
The impact of the vote will affect hundreds of families, as both schools have a student enrolment of around than 200, many of whom attended two public consultation meetings held in early December to collect feedback.
Speaking with parents at both public consultation meetings, the News reported most parents are disappointed with the decision to close both schools, citing zoning, transportation and issues with adjusting to a new school, however some said they saw the benefits of sending their children to larger schools with more programming.
Feedback and all data from both public consultation meetings has been processed by local private consultants who have compiled the data for trustees following a thematic analysis used to identify recurring issues expressed by parents.
Last November, MHPSD announced it was considering closing both schools as it faces budget challenges keeping all of its 17 schools operating optimally.
At the beginning of 2025 trustees began looking into possibilities for cost-saving measures and began working with consultants from Alberta Education.
Through a value scoping process, MHPSD focused on three areas – SE Elementary, North Elementary and the Hill – to reduce costs and to ensure there was a school operating in each community. Southview and Webster Niblock were chosen to be potentially closed down with students transferred to other schools within the division.
By closing the two schools the division would see $500,000 in cost savings and a deferred maintenance budget on the buildings of more than $7.9 million. Transferring students to other schools, officials have said, will improve access to subject specialists and special needs care, as well as provide more education options.
In a new release on Dec. 22 the division said it welcomes anyone interested in attending the meeting Tuesday as an observer. The meeting will be held in the board room at the MHPSD Central Office.
If the closures are approved, the division says it will provide parents and staff with a transition plan beginning Jan. 12.
