There’s a sense of shock and sadness in a Saint John neighborhood that just found out it’s about to lose its community school.
The Department of Education says St. Patrick’s School will not be opening this fall because of structural and safety issues.
The school district is trying to find a place for the school’s 170 students.
“Taking kids that have been together, even from kindergarten to grade five and splitting them up, where they already have friends and acquaintances here, will just tear those kids apart,” exclaims parent Denise Vautour.
“Now they’re going to be bussed to the upper west side,” adds parent Jessica McPhee. “Why not keep them here. There’s no other school in the Lower West District.”
Parents fear that closing the school for one year will lead to permanent closure.
The kindergarten to grade five school was built in 1924 and is one of the oldest in New Brunswick.
The school district says parents will be contacted with more information on where the kids will go in September.
