Honorable Member McIsaac,
My name is Paula Paquet-Lutz and I live in Souris West. I am a member of the Souris Consolidated Home & School Parent Council and I have two children that attend school there. I am writing to you to express my concern regarding the possible further delay of the Souris K-12 school because of budget constraints.
Let me start by saying that, in my opinion, the students of Eastern Kings have waited long enough to see this school become a reality. In the seven years that this project was first brought to light, we have seen several new schools built on the Island and many others renovated. I believe Eastern Kings is long overdue for the educational infrastructure promised to us upon the closure of many of our small, rural schools.
I am aware that the school design has come in over budget. However, I know the people that are on the planning committee have not asked for anything spectacular or frivolous. This is simply what they deem necessary in order to give our children the best possible education. I know you have visited the two Souris schools and have seen the space issues that our students and staff are currently contending with. It is my opinion that the staff is giving the best possible education under the circumstances, but I do not believe we should settle for mediocrity when the students of Eastern Kings could excel given the proper opportunities.
As you know, Eastern Kings and the Town of Souris are in an economic downturn. Our residents are defeated with the loss of so many jobs and lack of opportunities. Yet the school remains a constant part of the community. The construction of a new school in Souris would be a boost to the local economy, would help with job creation and would certainly boost the morale of its residents.
The closure of our small schools was only supposed to be a “Band-Aid” solution, yet it has been almost three years and still no sod has been turned. We have seen money taken from the Rural Development fund to build a new concert site. What does that say to the people of this area ... that money for tourism in Charlottetown is more important that the education of our children in Eastern Kings? I implore you and your government to do whatever it takes to get this project started immediately. Our children should not be punished because of where they live or how their parents voted!
Sincerely,
Paula Paquet-Lutz
Concerned parent