Town argues for new schools

Stratford will present its vision to residents at open house on Aug. 22

Stratford Mayor David Dunphy said before renovations or additions are made to existing aging schools in the greater Charlottetown area, both a junior and senior high school should be constructed in Stratford. Dunphy said not only would this ease the overcrowding issues that existing junior and senior high schools will experience, it would also ease some morning and afternoon congestion on the Hillsborough Bridge with fewer buses and parents commuting over it. He added that it would also allow Stratford students and future residents to receive their schooling from kindergarten to Grade 12 in their own community. Representatives with the town recently held meetings with the Public Schools Branch and the provincial cabinet on priorities. Dunphy said the town continues to be concerned about the projection numbers being used by the Public Schools Branch The town commissioned Atlantic Evaluation Group to review and update population growth projections with a focus on the school-age population. Its analysis of the 2011 and 2016 Statistics Canada data showed student enrolment at Glen Stewart Primary and Stratford Elementary grew by double the population growth in Stratford during that same period of time. “Based on those numbers presented and anyone who has driven through our community in the past couple of years you can see that Stratford is continuing to grow with new subdivisions, condo units and apartment buildings being constructed all across our community,” Dunphy said. “We are concerned with the calculations the Public Schools Branch have been using which, in fact, would see our student growth projection remain stagnant through 2026. We simply see no trend in which this scenario is probable.” Public Schools Branch projections shows Glen Stewart Primary and Stratford elementary total student enrolment numbers of 1,111 in 2017 and 1,110 in 2026. Atlantic Evaluation Group projection shows student population at Glen Stewart and Stratford Elementary to be 1,416 students in 2026, a three per cent increase per year. Dunphy said presently almost 1,000 junior and senior high students cross the bridge daily for school, numbers that justify the town having its own junior and senior high schools. The public is invited to an open house on Wednesday, Aug. 22 from 7-8 p.m. in the Southport Room of Stratford Town Centre. A presentation will be made at 7:15 p.m. and include a summary of the projection numbers as well as allow for an opportunity to view the proposed community campus vision. Following the presentation, residents are invited to remain and provide comment to council and staff.