UPDATED: Minister Halts Review, Board Chair Questions Timing

In a stunning move, the province's Education Minister has requested school boards suspend the school review process for next year while a new process be developed. Ramona Jennex has also asked school boards to delay any school closings decided this year until the new process is in place. This includes four South Shore schools, most notably Gold River-Western Shore Elementary, which the board decided would close this fall. Jennex says they want to delay a decision for one year.



The department of education is waiting for a report from 'The Commission on Building Our New Economy' to help develop the new approach. Meanwhile, the chair of the South Shore Regional School Board says she's surprised by the announcement. Jennifer Naugler says board members worked hard and dedicated themselves to putting time and energy into their recent decisions on school closures. She says she's caught off guard by the education minister.



The new review will also look at the current process of turning schools over to municipalities after they are closed. A discussion paper for public input will be ready this fall, with the new process expected to be in place early next year.