The battle over the future of two Saint John area schools is headed back to court after the province decided to appeal a court ruling overturning a decision to close the schools.
Kelly Lamrock, the lawyer representing parents in the dispute, filed a Court of Queen’s Bench motion Wednesday afternoon, forcing the school district to have both schools open next week.
“My client’s position is open the school and fix the process,” he said.
Education Minister Serge Rouselle broke his silence on the matter in a statement via email.
“Following a thorough review of Justice Darrell Stephenson’s decisions concerning recent school sustainability studies, the government has decided it will appeal the rulings to the New Brunswick court of appeal and seek a stay of the judge's order,” stated Rouselle.
Lamrock says he will meet the appeal.
“We will continue with our hearing on Friday to make sure the district can’t close the school by sneaky means,” he said.
Last Friday, a judge overturned the closures of Brown’s Flat Elementary and Lorne Middle School.
In his decision, Stephenson said government did not follow its procedures on school closure, but stopped short of ordering the schools reopen.
The school district says there is not enough time to get the two schools operational before the academic year begins.
“It is legally offensive that the district has dragged its heels and tried to draw this out, they've likely successfully done it, so we'll see what Tuesday brings,” said Lamrock.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Nick Moore.
