18°c Overcast
14°c Cloudy periods
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Swandel warns of division's plans
Coun. Justin Swandel (WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES) Photo Store
City councillor Justin Swandel (St. Norbert) is wading into school board politics and he doesn't like what he sees.
Swandel said his residents should "fear" the direction in which the Pembina Trails School Division is going over educating children in the massive and sprawling Waverley West development.
Pembina Trails is abandoning its plans for reasonable-sized community schools throughout Waverley West, in favour of large-scale expansion of existing schools that will force children to travel long distances across major roadways, Swandel said.
Swandel wants residents to attend today's open houses on the proposed expansion of Bonnycastle School in Waverley Heights to let the division know the quality of education for children matters more than keeping costs down.
The open houses, from 2 to 4 p.m., and 6 to 8 p.m., outline proposals to expand Bonnycastle with eight new classrooms.
The Free Press reported last July that lower-than-expected enrolment from Waverley West, along with empty desks in existing schools, had led Pembina Trails to revise its needs for new schools in the area.
Superintendent Lawrence Lussier said last summer instead of six kindergarten-to-Grade-8 schools, and one or two high schools, Pembina Trails would need only one high school and four K-8 schools in Waverley West.
Swandel doesn't like that.
The division's plans are an eye-opener for residents "to what I see as negative impacts being put upon them with a cost-based approach to school planning, rather than a well-thought-out policy approach that respects existing communities and delivers quality education to all.
"These impacts include shrinking recreation space, new traffic concerns, new student-safety concerns, and changing school social dynamics to name a few," said the councillor.
A spokeswoman for Pembina Trails said the division would not respond directly to Swandel.
She said "the Bonnycastle expansion of eight classrooms will provide space for about 200 additional students."
"Bonnycastle's Sept. 30, 2012 enrolment was 508 students. We are projecting 630 students for September 2013.
"The catchment for Bonnycastle is currently under review by the board. If it changes, the board will make the decision at a public board meeting in the near future," she said.
Any expansion would need provincial approval and funding from the public schools finance board.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 6, 2013 A5
History
Updated on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 9:21 AM CST: replaces photo
More Latest News
- Back to Top
- Return to Latest News
More Latest News
(1 of 36 articles for today)
Local anti-Monsanto protesters critical of 'Franken-food'
4:38 PM 0They didn’t come out in the numbers organizers had hoped for, but the anti-Monsanto message got out anyway.
About 100 people ...
View Related
Poll
Most Popular Latest News
- Police searching for suspect who woke sleeping teen
- Evidence ignored in dangerous driving acquital, appeal court told
- Teachers vote to donate $1.5M to human rights museum
- Rare comic book featuring debut of Superman found insulating abandoned house in Minnesota
- Driver horrified by scene in rearview mirror after load hits I-5 bridge, road falls into river
- Doctor charged with sexually assaulting teen at HSC
- Overnight stabbings probed
- MTS becomes takeover target
- Traffic backed up on Trans-Canada near Richer
- After LA synchronizes all stoplights traffic moves a bit better but the road war endures
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Crash claims two young women, RCMP say
- 2 dead in crash near Portage la Prairie
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Winnipeg woman camps out in front of legislature to protest child welfare
- Rainfall warning issued for southern Manitoba
- Two men now facing first-degree murder charges in Tim Bosma test drive death
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Seattle man dribbling soccer ball to Brazil killed by car on Oregon Coast
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Driver crashes into tree near golf course
- Arrests made after raids on local head shops
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- News of city's $17-million winner leaks out on FB
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- No threat from bag found at Winnipeg Square
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Driver horrified by scene in rearview mirror after load hits I-5 bridge, road falls into river
- Youth faces murder charge in Pauingassi First Nation death
- Islamic life showcased
- Charges laid against Sharon Home over resident's death
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Unjust justice: Still no aboriginal court in Manitoba
- PC white grape juice recalled nationally over undeclared sulphites
- Protesters 'March Against Monsanto' across US, in over 50 countries in anti-GMO rally
- New owner for lumber stores
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
- Marsh Madness: Photographers Fred Greenslade and Joe Bryksa capture spring migration's grandeur at Delta Marsh
- Skin picking gets status as distinct disorder, should help sufferers access help
- Order of Manitoba recipients announced
- New owner for lumber stores
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- 'Revenge of the redheads': Ginger-haired Montrealers gather in celebration
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Dogs can experience separation anxiety and depression just like humans
- An uncommon phenomenon
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.