The decision as to where Glenavon youngsters will attend school will soon be in the hands of the Prairie Valley School Division Board. Deliberations will go on until May.

Just like many other communities in Saskatchewan, Glenavon is fighting for the continuation of a full K-12 school in their town. It is not unfamiliar ground for the community. This is the third such review of Glenavon school in recent years.

Approximatly 150 people were in attendance at the Jan.30 meeting held in the school gymnasium, despite the winter weather. There they would hear the reasoning behind the possible of discontinuing of a school in their town.

The meeting was attended by all members of the board as well as members from the Prairie Valley School Division head office.

In a well put together presentation, the current state of Glenavon School was explained to the community as to how it fit under the “Viable School Policies” of the Prairie Valley School Division.

Reasons it has fallen under review yet again were the small class sizes and the lack of students in the same age groups. The school division also contends that staffing to offer instruction outside core strength areas is not possible (especially in the high school curriculum), and that busing students a little further down the road can be done without much of a problem.

It was explained that if Glenavon was to close its doors that 50 of the students would in all likelihood go to Montmartre, 12 to Kipling, five to Wolseley, one to Grenfell, and five outside of the division based on their locations.

Other statistics of the school were then presented which were also available on a pamphlet that was distributed at the door.

Following the School Division’s presentation the floor was opened up to the public and anyone who wanted to ask questions with the Board Chair, Rod Luhning and Director Jan Chell answering to the best of their ability the questions that were brought up.

Charlene Hagerman, a parent of a student, was the first to step up and stated to the board that she as well as many other people in the community were happy with the teaching there, liked the grade size and felt that this was a good place to grow up in. She also said that she knew of people who have moved to the town because of the smaller classes. She then stated, “We have very strong students come out of this school. For example Sarah Sluser who is taking optometry at the University of Waterloo, where only 80 students are accepted into the program every year and recieved her education in Glenavon Community School.”

Another parent, Susan Englot was next in line and wanted to know more about how the busing would work if the school was to close. She asked, “If a student would like to go to another school but lives closer to a different do they have the option to go to either?” The PVSD officials’ reply was that it would be considered, depending on the situation.

These were only a few from the long list of concerned citizens who took their turn at the microphone getting the answers that they sought in hopes that they would some how convince the board of the positive aspects their school provides. Whether it be their strong staff and support staff, the safe environment they provide, the virtually zero per cent drop out rate they maintain, or a facility that promotes a great learning environment, this community believes strongly in what they have and are just one of many hoping to keep just one more rural school alive.