Two Edmonton Catholic schools to close in June, board decides

Two Catholic schools in east Edmonton are closing because of lower enrolment and higher costs to keep them open, the district said Wednesday.

St. Gabriel, an elementary school in Capilano, will be closed at the end of June. Its students will be transferred to St. Brendan, an elementary-junior high about three kilometres away, theEdmonton Catholic School District board of trustees decided ata public meeting.

Bus service will be provided to get former St. Gabrielstudents to St. Brendan, the district said.

St. Gabriel is at 5540 106th Ave. and St. Brendan is at 9260 58th St.

Beginning in September, the St. Gabriel building will be taken over by programs currently operating at St. Margaret school in Hazeldean.

St. Margaret Centre for Diverse Learning, at 98th Street and 71st Avenue, serves students of all ages with neurodevelopmental disorders, or complex emotional or behavioural issues.

St. Margaret had 81 students at the beginning of the 2018-19 school year and had reached capacity, placing students on a waiting list. There is no proposed alternate use for the St. Margaret building.

The vote followed an extensive consultation with the community, the district said.

• St. Gabriel School to stay open, 3 other Catholic schools to close

John Fiacco, assistant superintendent for educational planning at Edmonton Catholic Schools, sent a letter to parents explaining the move.

Before making the decision, trustees reviewed information from administration as well as feedback from parents, guardians and interested community members, Fiaccosaid.

Board chair Laura Thibert said trustees recognize that many people are disappointed.

"We did feel the passion from the parents, as well as we heard the voices of the parents," Thibertsaid.

One reason behind the decision is continuing decline in enrolment, she said. St. Gabriel has about 130 students and by 2024, that's projected to drop to 105.

The district is running a yearlydeficit of $372,000 to keep St.Gabriel's open and facing deferred maintenance costs of $6 million, including work to refurbish the boilers and the roof, Fiacco said.

As of September2018, 497 students were enrolled at St. Brendan, which has a capacity of 765.

Edmonton Catholic Schools said administration at St. Margaret's "is committed to working with St. Margaret's students and their families to ensure a successful transition to the new building."