School realignment decisions should not be made without consultation

Parents were promised that rapid changes to public education over the past three years would enhance transparency, communication and accessibility. Instead, this major decision was made without a single second of consultation.

Understandably, many parents are upset and are voicing their disapproval on social media. I’ve also spoken to teachers that are struggling to come to grips with the reality that they will be leaving a school they love. There’s zero doubt this has created chaos, uncertainty and confusion for the students impacted as well.

On one hand, it’s true that grade realignments at Nova Scotia schools have happened before. There are cases where they are beneficial and appropriate. Further, as a concept, the NSTU is in favour of the creation of a pre-primary program for all Nova Scotian children. However, even if well intended, changes that impact students should never be made without first consulting with their parents. There is just too much at stake for choices to be made in haste without proper consideration.

In the past this decision would not have occurred in secret. It would have been reviewed by elected school board trustees at a public meeting. If community members had concerns, they could pick up the phone and call an elected trustee who could provide answers and offer support through the process.

Unfortunately, the McNeil government made a heavy-handed decision in 2018 to abolish elected English school boards. Parents have largely been left in the dark ever since. The body that supposedly replaced school boards, the Minister-appointed Provincial Advisory Council on Education (PACE), has yet to release the minutes of its last meeting before this decision was announced. That meeting took place almost three months ago in early December.