I believe that Kennedy Langbank School (KLS) even being on the review list is crazy. If you look at our drop out rates and success stories it is obvious that small classes do work, and prove themselves to be just as good if not better than large classes. I also don’t have to tell you the effects of a school closure will have on Kennedy and Langbank. Every community on the review list will be making that point. Instead I am going to tell you some facts and what Kennedy and Langbank has coming its way.

These are just a few facts that I have gathered comparing Kennedy Langbank School (KLS) to the province. KLS has a drop out rate over the past four years of 4.75% whereas the province is at 26%. The provincial average of credits that grade12 students graduate with is 29. KLS students graduate with 30.5. KLS students graduate with 12.75 grade 12 credits. I do not have a figure for the province for this. The average for students going to post secondary education for the province is 32% for the last four years and KLS average is 83.54%. When I look at these numbers, it just shows me that the smaller classes are being educated better than large class rooms.

Kennedy is a thriving little community. There is a lot of activity starting in the Kennedy Langbank area. The oil field in the Kennedy area is growing fast. In 2006 there were about 100 oil wells drilled and 2007 looks to be even bigger. A company out of Ontario is doing studies in the Kennedy Langbank area for a wind farm project. Enbridge is upgrading their pumping station at Langbank and is running a new pipe line through this area. Seed Hawk which is a air seeder manufacturing company at Langbank, is doing a huge expansion to fill the demand of equipment that they are seeing from over seas markets. All of these businesses will be bringing employment to the area, and with a shortage of workers in the area, many will be moving to Kennedy and Langbank. This means more families and more kids for KLS. Once again I don’t have to tell you that no school means these new families will go and live where there is a school for their children.

I hope this information will help you understand why closing KLS is a bad decision. The community needs a school for obvious reasons. I believe the facts I mentioned above shows that the staff at KLS is doing a great job and that smaller classes are better. Kennedy and Langbank has a lot to offer to new families and students. I also want to remind everyone in the communities effected by the review list to go out to their local meeting. You don’t have to say anything, numbers in attendance means just as much. Kennedy Langbank meeting is on Jan.29/07 at 7pm at the Kennedy gym. Please come out and show the school board you do care.

Tye Cancade, Mayor
Village of Kennedy