Saturday, 3 October 2020

Former PC leader questions new Moncton school location

https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies

 

Replying to   @alllibertynews and 49 others
I bet Cardy knows I had a conversation with Mr Cochrane earlier this evening. I was pleased that he knew exactly who I was and that he enjoyed reading my comments but he can't see them all until he checks my blog


https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2020/10/former-pc-leader-questions-new-moncton.html

 

#cdnpoli #nbpoli

 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/former-leader-moncton-school-1.5749470

 

Former PC leader questions new Moncton school location

Site to replace aging Bessborough and Hillcrest schools has been panned by some parents, community members


CBC News · Posted: Oct 03, 2020 1:10 PM AT

 


Dennis Cochrane, who also served as the mayor of Moncton, an MP, a high school principal and as a deputy education minister in Nova Scotia, said he’s not sure where the best location is for the new school, but public outcry shows that the planned site isn’t it. (Shane Magee/CBC)

A former Progressive Conservative party leader is criticizing his party's decision to build a new elementary school in Moncton on the same grounds as Bernice MacNaughton High School.

Dennis Cochrane, who also served as the mayor of Moncton, an MP, a high school principal and as a deputy education minister in Nova Scotia, said he's not sure where the best location is for the new school, but public outcry shows that the planned site isn't it.

He said the government is on the verge of making a bad decision. He said he's speaking out now because he failed to do so back when Moncton High School was moved, which drew criticism.

"At that time I didn't say anything," said Cochrane. 

"I recognize now that people who have some background should speak up and make their point of view."

The new K-8 school will replace the aging Bessborough and Hillcrest schools.

Minister stands by site

While parents have decried the decision to put the new school on the site of the high school, Education Minister Dominic Cardy said he wouldn't reconsider the site, which was approved by ministry staff.

"I will accept the recommendation of those experts because I am not an engineer and not an architect and not a designer," Cardy said.

The local district education council has asked the minister to explain why the site was chosen, something Cardy said will happen later in October.

But Cochrane said many groups believe they were not consulted on the issue.

"This is not a decision that's going to last for a year," he said.

 

While parents have decried the decision to put the new school on the site of the high school, Education Minister Dominic Cardy said he wouldn’t reconsider the site, which was approved by ministry staff. (Submitted by the Government of New Brunswick)

"This is a decision that's going to take a year to put in place. But it's going to last 60 years to serve the educational needs of this community. It can't be made quickly. It can't be made frivolously."

Cardy said staff base recommendations for new locations on multiple factors but said he wasn't sure whether he could name the other two locations that were considered.

In an email, department spokesperson Danielle Elliott said the locations would not be released as they are considered "confidential advice" to the minister.

"That's foolishness," said Cochrane. "If there was a process and the minister looked at one side over the other two, why is that?"

Numerous issues

Cochrane said there are numerous issues with the planned site.

"One access, off a very busy four lane thoroughfare, beside a major highway where there's already 900 students on site," he said.

The new school will be built on land next to Bernice McNaughton High School and will eventually replace the smaller and aging Hillcrest and Bessborough schools. (Google Maps)

"This is a high school, these children drive. All these buses coming in, all the people walking, all the people driving, it's going to cause unnecessary congestion."

Cochrane said it's important for local stakeholders to feel like they've participated in the process.

 "People have to feel engaged."

With files from Harry Forestell

 

 
 
 
78 Comments 
Commenting is now closed for this story.
 
 
 
 
David Amos
Welcome back to the circus
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @David Amos: Methinks the worm just turned on Mr Cardy N'esy Pas?
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @David Amos: Furthermore I hear there is desertion in the ranks and Higgy's precious majority mandate may be in jeopardy before the Speech from the Throne in his Police State is history
 
 
AI Martins 
Reply to @David Amos: Thankfully Higgy's police state is less robust than Ford's police state. In fact, the weird thing is that the Conservative parties are more police statish than the NDP and Liberals...scary.
What's more scary is that they're all police states! 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
David Amos
Deja Vu Anyone?

Just yesterday Dennis Cochrane posted the following Correct?

"I seldom comment on education issues through the media. However, this situation is serious and crucial. I watched a whole series of poor decisions regarding the closure and subsequent re-location of Moncton High School and we do not need to repeat or re-create that debacle .
Decisions to locate schools should not be merely engineering or construction decisions . These are centers of care and education in communities and the decisions involving their location should be shared by educators, councils, the school community as well as the provincial departments. The planned location of this new school is terrible. A crammed site beside a high school on a busy road beside a major thoroughfare is not the location at which to educate hundreds of elementary and middle school students.
The Minister has an opinion on everything regarding education, as he should, but he should not abdicate his role in this case to engineering and construction bureaucrats . The decision should be reviewed and and the chosen site reconsidered. A poor site , a poor decision and a poor attitude of "we know best" by the Minister !"
 
 
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @David Amos: Yesterday I deemed Cardy's words not worthy of a comment just to see it disabled Furthermore other folks said enough

Higgy et al know I had had enough of this wacko long ago
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @David Amos: I can't help but wonder if Dennis Cochrane will come back the fray today if only to defend his reputation from his critics..

Methinks he cannot deny that this article is all about him N'esy Pas?
 
 
Andy Scott
Reply to @David Amos: This is NOTHING like the Moncton High Craziness. The school is 2 KM from the old site and it is IN a neighbourhood that already attends. This site makes sense. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

David Amos
Methinks if he is ethical then Dennis Cochrane and I should have a long talk ASAP N'esy Pas?
 
 
Ray Oliver
Reply to @David Amos: You the ethics police? Nope, just an uneducated guy with few complexes that lead him to believe he's a hot shot pseudo lawyer
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Ray Oliver: Ask your hero Cardy
 
 
Ray Oliver
Reply to @David Amos: All bark and no bite. Keep drumming up your wild cases, no one listens. No one cares.
 
 
Ray Oliver
Reply to @David Amos: Cardy is far from my hero. Who are your heroes? ZZ Top? Oscar the Grouch? Rainman?
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Ray Oliver: Methinks speaking of artist per se everybody knows i am fond of a certain writers such the old bard Mr Zimmerman aka Dylan Robert Service Robert Pirsig, Leonard Cohen several dead Russian , Aristotle, Confucioius and as Higgy et al well know Jim Traficant was artist at politicking N'esy Pas?
 
 
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Ray Oliver: BTW I just had a great 45 minute conversation with Mr Cochrane. Trust that I was so pleased when he informed me that he knew exactly who I was and that he enjoyed reading my many comments in here. He confessed that he was surprised that I made no comment about his concerns yesterday. I told him I was aware of it and opted to say nothing but I certainly Tweeted about why I did not comment. He did not know that this article exists so i read him my comment and your reply. ...
 
 
Dan Short
Reply to @Ray Oliver:
Note his "russians".
 
 
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @David Amos: BTW I had a great 45 minute conversation with Mr Cochrane. earlier this evening Trust that I was pleased to be informed that he knew exactly who I was and that he enjoyed reading my comments.
 
 
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Dan Short: Spell checking are ya? Too bad so sad you could not get to check my work the more important comment about your fellow tr o ll

Methinks you wackos know where to find it N'esy Pas?
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Dan Short:Methinks it too bad so sad Mr Know It All can't spell check all my words N'esy Pas? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
David Amos
Content disabled 
Methinks the worm just turned on Mr Cardy N'esy Pas? 
 
 
David Amos
Content disabled 
Reply to @David Amos: Deja Vu Anyone?

Just yesterday Dennis Cochrane posted the following Correct?

"I seldom comment on education issues through the media. However, this situation is serious and crucial. I watched a whole series of poor decisions regarding the closure and subsequent re-location of Moncton High School and we do not need to repeat or re-create that debacle .
Decisions to locate schools should not be merely engineering or construction decisions . These are centers of care and education in communities and the decisions involving their location should be shared by educators, councils, the school community as well as the provincial departments. The planned location of this new school is terrible. A crammed site beside a high school on a busy road beside a major thoroughfare is not the location at which to educate hundreds of elementary and middle school students.
The Minister has an opinion on everything regarding education, as he should, but he should not abdicate his role in this case to engineering and construction bureaucrats . The decision should be reviewed and and the chosen site reconsidered. A poor site , a poor decision and a poor attitude of "we know best" by the Minister !"

 
 
David Amos
Content disabled 
Reply to @David Amos: Methinks Mr Cochrane and I are entitled to know how much it costs New Brunswickers to keep Cardy and hismany minions in butter tarts N'esy Pas?
 
 
David Amos
Content disabled 
Reply to @David Amos: Perhaps we should inform the Auditor General and the Ombudsman of our concerns 
 
 
Ray Oliver 
Content disabled 
Reply to @David Amos: The greatest day of your life was receiving those butter tarts. Being acknowledged by a Govt official for once, and didn't have to hit the dumpster behind Timmy's at closing for some grub. Win win! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rekindle Warron
The new location is fine. There's a small but vocal group in this area and they are fully entitled to their opinion. For those on foot it is a little distance away from the old location. For those that drive their children its an extra few seconds. I can't quite figure out what the reasoning is to oppose this move but the new location is fine. I support the new location because there's another school right beside where they want to build....the government made a sound , logical and practical decision moving the school to this location. Doing otherwise would cause outcry by overspending on the solution.
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Rekindle Warron: Good points
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Rekindle Warron: "Doing otherwise would cause outcry by overspending on the solution"

Whereas the school is about to built on provincially owned land it certainly saves tax payer funds and no costs in buying more land and/or expropriation costs etc.

Methinks I am being fair to Cardy et al despite their dubious secrecy N'esy Pas?
 
 
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @David Amos:
One has to simply wonder why secrecy, dubious, or otherwise, is necessary, or an elected official might think it is necessary? It's almost the same as a young boy hiding Penthouse magazines under his bed from his mother. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Errol Willis
Why do people believe they have some kind of say in the location of the new school?
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Errol Willis: Methinks you should ask your hero Cardy he knows everything N'esy Pas?
 
 
Rekindle Warron
Reply to @Errol Willis: There are these things that working adults pay called Taxes. Some remember that these people are employees of the PEOPLE of New Brunswick. Education is the privy of the provincial government which is supported %100 by taxes.
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Rekindle Warron: I wholeheartedly agree with you again
 
 
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @Errol Willis:
Because the simple reality is an elected official is supposed to serve those who elected them, not themselves, not the Irvings. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wilson Rose
How many people are angry? Is it most or just a few? The minister needs to do more explaining about the site choice and it had better make sense.
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Wilson Rose: I doubt many folks truly care and the people who will make a buck of building the school won't say a word. .Hence no doubt Cardy will get what he wants if Higgy's majority mandate stands the test of time
 
 
Andy Scott
Reply to @David Amos: My kids go to Hillcrest AND will attend the new school for 4 years after it is built. I LOVE THE SPACE!!!! It makes way more sense! There is plenty of room. The road into the school is quiet. There is a big neighbourhood behind the site...be great for them to have a community k-8 school. There IS support for this new location and I hope card doesn't fold! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Terry Tibbs
I am simply amazed. Dominic Cardy has been at this politics business for how long now? And he hasn't been able to figure it out yet? Inclusion in NB certainly is not limited to our schools.
Rule #1:
Instead of attempting to hog the credit for everything (including good weather) you will go farther, and get more done, in politics by convincing folks your ideas, good, or bad, are their ideas.
Rule #2:
Telling taxpayers that their money is being spent on your own "secret missions" is like waving a red flag an angry bull.
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Methinks Mr Cochrane and I are entitled to know how much it costs New Brunswickers to keep Cardy and his many minions in butter tarts N'esy Pas?
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: BTW I had a great 45 minute conversation with Mr Cochrane. last evening. I liked him. Trust that I was pleased to be informed that he knew exactly who I was and that he enjoyed reading my comments. He wanted to know what I meant by the term butter tarts so I explained to him how to find the background about Cardy and pals.sending me treats from Tims in the mail with a signed note not long after he became Higgy's Chief of Staff
 
 
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @David Amos:
Why not ask him?
Watching Cardy, instead of saying something like $29.95, he will claim it is a secret, and by doing so, will raise the red flag.
I don't think he can help himself, it seems to be a condition he just can't get past.
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Perhaps we should inform the Auditor General and the Ombudsman of our concerns about Cardy's frivolous overspending on butter tarts?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rebecca Kolodzie
So now Captain Hindsight decides to speak up?? What a ZERO. Back to sleep Dennis, you joke.
 
 
Dan Short
Reply to @Rebecca Kolodzie:
He lost out on renovating the old Moncton high, so hE can speak out now without fear of jeopardizing his attempt.
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Dan Short: So you say
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
buster jones
Follow the smell of money , and you will find why this bothers Dennis so much. Seriously , there is a school there already. Will all the pupils arrive and leave at once? No. And with proper timing , both can coexist together.
 
 
Dan Short
Reply to @buster jones:
Some dsy the middle class that claims they are very concerned about the environment, might wake up and see how much damage they do by needing to drop off their precious personally,
 
 
Clifford Toland
Reply to @buster jones: Dennis was hoping to make a fortune off the old Moncton High. He didn't = Sour grapes.
 
David Amos
Reply to @Clifford Toland: Lets see your proof
 
 
Dan Short
Reply to @David Amos:
Cochrane was the president of MH Renaissance, I don't think much other proof is required.
 
 
David Amos
Content disabled 
Reply to @Dan Short: Whats your point? At least they don't partake of Cardy's butters tarts like you no doubt do
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Dan Short: There certainly is 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
JOhn D Bond
Must say I don't get the consternation of having the school located beside the high school. On the surface over the lifespan of the school there will be many economic benefits for the ministry that would be lost if they are in two different locations. This will have a beneficial impact on taxes and the ongoing cost of maintenance.
Shared equipment, lawn tractors, snow removal, custodial staff and supplies. Transportation with school buses converging on on location instead of different locations should result in fewer buses needed.
For the municipality, one school zone to manage safety in instead of two.
While I am certain that some people would prefer different locations, we really should try to spend our tax dollars wisely and 1 location certainly makes more economic sense than 2 completely separate locations.
Logistically the distance from the existing locations is not huge a few km from either of the schools 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @JOhn D Bond: Its not rocket science
 
 
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @JOhn D Bond:
Mr Cardy, amazingly enough, due to his many years in politics, has not figured the thing out yet. He is determined to hog all the credit for everything, which is a good thing at election time, but the rest of the time turns people off, and against him.
Rightfully so because he is an arrogant slow learner.
The simple fact of the matter is folks want to be kissed first. You let them think your ideas, are their ideas, and good, or bad, you will get what you want completely unopposed. 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Methinks Cardy will never bother to listen to anyone in order to learn anything new because he thinks he already knows everything. Higgy trusts that his buddy will do what he deems is best for our interests in secrecy while partaking of too many butters tarts then riding away on his retro bike painted to look like his favourite snack N'esy Pas?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dan Short
Cochran'e's claim to fame as a ,reader he brought the PC party from zero seats to three seats! woot! What power and foresight! He should certainly 28 years later be giving political advice...
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Dan Short: So you say Methinks he is entitled to his opinions just as you are N'esy Pas?
 
 
Dan Short
Reply to @David Amos:
As a civilian like anyone else yes, as some glorified ex politician who thinks he knows all no.
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Dan Short: What sort of label would you like attached to you?
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Dan Short: To me you are just another one of Higgy's many spin doctors and I truly doubt that is your real name
 
 
Ray Oliver
Reply to @David Amos: How many do you think on here are "spin doctors"? Anyone you can't find online to add to your spam list?
 
 
Ray Oliver
Reply to @David Amos: For the sake of your family and the way you go on you should run an alternate handle. Just plain embarrassing
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Ray Oliver: Methinks ever Higgy et and all your RCMP buddies must laugh at how a noname tr o ll could be embarrassed and then have the nerve to admit he is breaking the rules and advise the real people he opts to harass to do the same N'esy Pas? 

 
Ray Oliver
Reply to @David Amos: I am Ray Oliver!!!
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Ray Oliver: and I am the King of Siam
 
 
AI Martins 
Reply to @David Amos: I didn't know that Carl Marx was the King of Siam, except in his own head. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dan Short
Cochrans is the guy who invited the disintegrating COR party MLAs to join the PCs. While they declined, it Still haunts the PC party today in northern NB.
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Dan Short: Your hero Higgy was a wannabe CoR Party leader Correct?
 
 
Ray Oliver
Reply to @David Amos: Hail Higgy! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Matt Steele
Just another has been politician from the past who still thinks that their opinion holds sway ; much like former Liberal Premier Frank McKenna 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Matt Steele: Surely you jest
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dan Short
Ow yes, great advice there Cochran's... I don't know where I'd put it but I wouldn't put it there,

Sheesh
 
 
David Amos
Content disabled 
Reply to @Dan Short: Obviously Mr Know It All is back
 
 
Harvey York
Reply to @David Amos: didn't realize you had left Dave
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Harvey York: Methinks if one speaks of the Devil and he and or some of his many minions are sure to appear N'esy Pas? 
 
 
Harvey York
Reply to @David Amos: maybe that's a sign to give it rest ya senile old coot
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Harvey York: Dream on tr o ll
 
 
Harvey York
Reply to @David Amos: go to bed gramps, you've got a big day ahead of you tomorrow spamming the internet with your special brand of wisdom and fake news
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Harvey York: I have just begun to blog tonight Look for your fake name you know where soon
 
 
Ray Oliver
Reply to @Harvey York: Oh look you'll live forever in infamy now on a blog only he ever looks it its so jumbled and unorganized
 
 
Harvey York
Reply to @Ray Oliver: Momma always said that someday I'd be somebody!
 
 
Harvey York
Reply to @David Amos: more likely your evenings consist of snorting viagra and thumbing through the women's undergarment section of the Sears catalogue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marc LeBlanc
Dennis Cochrane was and is an extreme rarity in New Brunswick politics and public service
He has integrity, honesty, morals, insight and experience
Cardy may have some of these qualities, but listening to citizens isn't one of them
 
 
Dan Short
Reply to @Marc LeBlanc:
Cochran's has aLso had his day and his turn. If he wanted a school somewhere else, he had plenty of time in his various jobs to get it done,
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Marc LeBlanc: Trust that Cardy can't hold a candle to Cochrane
 
 
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @David Amos:
Cardy hasn't got 2 clues, he was down to only one, and he sent that one out looking for the one he lost. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jim Wortman  
Content disabled 
"I will accept the recommendation of those experts because I am not an engineer and not an architect and not a designer," Cardy said. 
 
He isn't much of a elected rep of the people either(3 time loser of the NDP party changed color for his own glory) or he would listed to those that elected him, those he is employed by not those that are employed by him . I keep asking myself what Cardy has on Blaine Higgs that Higgs stands by him . Cardy is like a little despot, wanting to be king   
 
 
Jim Cyr
Content disabled 
Reply to @Jim Wortman: give it a rest, man
 
 
Jim Wortman 
Content disabled 
Reply to @Jim Cyr: Is that all you got?
  
 
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Jim Wortman: Ignore the Higgy fan club south of the 49th and keep it up 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jim Wortman
PS: Dennis Cochrane has forgotten more that Cardy will ever know about what the people of Moncton and New Brunswick need. 
 
Cardy needs to listen to wise experienced people like Dennis instead of prodding along like he knows where he is going. 
 
His dictatorial attitude doesn't belong in our government
 
 
David Amos
Reply to @Jim Wortman: I concur 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies

 

Replying to   @alllibertynews and 49 others  
I deemed Cardy's words not worthy of a comment just to see it disabled 
 
 
Furthermore other folks said enough Higgy et al know I had had enough of this wacko long ago 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/moncton-west-end-school-site-cardy-1.5745265 

 

Education minister won't reconsider Moncton west end school site

Some parents had hoped province would make use of existing school location

 

Shane Magee · CBC News · Posted: Oct 02, 2020 5:00 AM AT

 


Education Minister Dominic Cardy says he has accepted a staff recommendation on where to put a Grade 8 school in Moncton's west end. (Submitted by the Government of New Brunswick)

New Brunswick's education minister says he won't reconsider a decision on where to build a new 700-student school in Moncton's west end to replace two other schools and the department is keeping the other locations considered secret.

The province plans to open a kindergarten to Grade 8 school on provincially owned land beside Bernice MacNaughton High School to replace Bessborough and Hillcrest schools.

Some parents, the Anglophone East District Education Council and Moncton city councillors have all said they want answers from the province about how the location was picked after the decision was revealed during the provincial election campaign. 

Dominic Cardy, who kept his portfolio in a post-election cabinet shuffle, said provincial government staff studied the issue and brought him a list of three potential sites. Cardy selected the site staff had recommended on July 22, a few weeks before the election began.

"I will accept the recommendation of those experts because I am not an engineer and not an architect and not a designer," Cardy said.

"As long as I'm satisfied that the process has been followed, I sign off on it. I was satisfied the process was followed, I signed."

He declined to name the other two locations considered during the interview, saying he wasn't sure if that's information he's allowed to release publicly. 

Danielle Elliott, a spokesperson for the department, sent an emailed statement almost 24 hours later saying the other locations considered are "confidential advice" to the minister and won't be released. 

That leaves it unclear whether a site preferred by some parents, space on the existing Bessborough grounds, was considered or why it may not have been considered suitable.

The district education council voted to close Bessborough and Hillcrest, both built in the 1950s, and request a new school. The council suggested the province consider using the Bessborough grounds. 

Jeremy Nelson, whose daughter attends Bessborough, said he was disappointed Cardy isn't open to reconsidering the decision. While he's happy the area will get a new school, he worries about the long-term impact of the province's site selection process.

"This is the first of probably dozens of schools of this age that have similar structural problems," Nelson said. 

"A lot of those are located in the middle of neighbourhoods. Are we setting a template where all of the neighborhood schools are going to disappear?"


The new 700-student school will be built on provincially owned land next to Bernice McNaughton High School at the western edge of the neighbourhood to replace Hillcrest and Bessborough schools. (Google Maps)

Generally, Cardy said, staff base their recommendations on multiple factors that include the cost to build a school on the site, availability of land, access to services and amenities, future growth of the neighbourhood and safety issues. 

Cardy said he won't reconsider the location because it makes no sense to disregard the recommendations of the civil service based on "heat from a small number of people."

"That is the pathway to bad decisions and weakened democracy," Cardy said. "That's not how our system works."

Nelson called Cardy's statement disappointing. 

"That smacks of, you know, 'Here citizens, take your medicine and don't don't question our decision-making.'"

The district education council unanimously voted the day after the election to ask the province to explain its decision. Cardy said that's expected to take place at an Oct. 20 meeting.

The call for answers about the school location echoes displeasure at the Progressive Conservative government's 2011 decision to replace the centrally located Moncton High School with a new school on the northern fringe of the city.

 

 Some parents, including Jeremy Nelson, had wanted the province to build the new school on the Bessborough grounds. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

Moncton councillors last month called for answers, saying the province has not allowed the city to offer input in decisions that affect how the municipality grows and public transit.

Several city councillors urged Nelson and another parent who spoke at a Moncton council meeting last month to continue pushing the province to reconsider. 

"I would hope that enough voices have come out now for the province to step back," Coun. Charles Léger said at that Sept. 8 meeting.

Léger said provincial criteria for new schools requiring certain acreage means they'll simply end up losing urban schools. 

Minister open to municipal input

Cardy said he agrees with Moncton councillors that municipalities ought to have more input when new schools are being considered. 

"I think that that should be changed in the future and look forward to talking about how we can reform the governance of the education system," Cardy said. 

He said he's not sure how long making that type of change could take.

The new school is expected to open in 2022.

About the Author

Shane Magee

Reporter

Shane Magee is a Moncton-based reporter for CBC.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.
 
 
 

 
 
Dennis Cochrane 
I seldom comment on education issues through the media. However, this situation is serious and crucial. I watched a whole series of poor decisions regarding the closure and subsequent re-location of Moncton High School and we do not need to repeat or re-create that debacle .
Decisions to locate schools should not be merely engineering or construction decisions . These are centers of care and education in communities and the decisions involving their location should be shared by educators, councils, the school community as well as the provincial departments. The planned location of this new school is terrible. A crammed site beside a high school on a busy road beside a major thoroughfare is not the location at which to educate hundreds of elementary and middle school students.
The Minister has an opinion on everything regarding education, as he should, but he should not abdicate his role in this case to engineering and construction bureaucrats . The decision should be reviewed and and the chosen site reconsidered. A poor site , a poor decision and a poor attitude of "we know best" by the Minister ! 
 
 
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @Dennis Cochrane:
 I don't "get" this new practice of locating schools on the outskirts of towns/cities/villages? Most certainly students can't be expected to walk there, even if there were sidewalks, they aren't on any conventional bus routes, so we seem to be being forced to continue to operate fleets of school buses, or have to cart our children back and forth. I didn't get the memo where walking isn't healthy. Reply to 
 
 
Buster jones
@Dennis Cochrane: 
Remember when you wanted to put a roof over Main Street in Moncton? You have such vision....... they have treatment for that I'm told.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Terry Tibbs
The first line of this story says it all:
"New Brunswick's education minister says he won't reconsider a decision"
And the reason for that has only to do with Conservatives having a majority government, no matter what else is said, by anybody.
 
 
Tristin Time
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Readers don be fooled by this misinformation until evidence is provided beyond a shadow of doubt.
 
 
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @Tristin Time:
How so? Even the city does not want a school there.
So, we have parents questioning the decision, and the actual city where the new school is to be located............
Maybe we should get input from the fine citizens of Bathurst, or Campbellton?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
John Smith
Everybody better get use to hearing "considered are "confidential advice" to the minister and won't be released. " This statement will be all we hear from this government now. Some call it a majority government, some call it a Dictatorship.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
val harris
This will only be the start by this government, nobody will be allowed an opinion only a select few 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Andy Scott
I have 2 kids at hill rest who will be attending this new school for 4 years. I am excited for the new location and happy it is there. Stick to your guns cardi
 
 
Andy Scott
Reply to @Andy Scott: hillcrest* 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sammy Kofax
Who cares. Build it where it needs to be. Stop whining, you're getting a new school !
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Joe Carey
Someone's pockets are being lined. The new location makes zero logical sense. Surely schoolchildren ought to be able to walk? Surely we don't want the young ones next door to the high school? Surely neighbourhood schools foster a sense of community and facilitate extracurricular involvement? Have they talked to any parents or educators? Moncton High was a failure that we ought to learn from. Shame.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CHRIS MacGillivray 
Look people...just talk to the real estate board there. You can't develop new subdivisions and increase tax base in an already developed neighborhood. It is why the new High School was located where it currently sits, and is why the new elementary will go where they need it. Simple puzzle. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Donald Gallant 
Jake Stewart MLA , is in the news today.

Crickets. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

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