'Send students elsewhere' recommends superintendent on crowded Leo Hayes
All of them focused on sending more than 100 future students to other schools.
"We would see somewhere of around 110 to 115 students," said McTimoney.
"That would be movement of students from the Maugerville area and the Keswick Valley area and as well as consideration of students who are attending Leo Hayes out of their catchment area."
All of the recommendations revolve around changing the district's catchments, or zoning areas, that determine what schools students go to based on where they live.
"Some would go to other schools like Stanley, or Fredericton High School," said McTimoney.
As of this year, Leo Hayes High School has 1,686 students enrolled, the school was designed to house 1,500. With the use of modular classrooms, the school is currently operating at a capacity of nearly 90 per cent.
The Keswick Valley Memorial catchment area changes would see some students attended FHS.
The Nashwaak Valley catchment area would remain unchanged for the time being.
However more study would be done on the Zionville Road section of the catchment area. The presentation noted that the area was closer to Stanley than Fredericton, so those students may attended Stanley Consolidated School in the future.
McTimoney argued for not dividing the current catchment of Maugerville that would result in those students attending FHS. Students located between the Princess Margaret Bridge and the Burton Bridge would also be designated for FHS.
The final recommendation would see the district pay closer attention to students attending Leo Hayes outside of their designated catchments.
McTimoney stated that around 85 students are currently attending schools not designated for them, for a variety of reasons, in the district. That includes approximately 30 at Leo Hayes.
McTimoney did not suggest building any new schools to service the area or construct expansions to current ones.
"I'm sure those conversations will happen in the future," said McTimoney.
"The reality is that we have many communities within our district and we have 69 schools so there are a lot of competing priorities."
Parent Reaction
About two dozen parents were in attendance for the district meeting at Fredericton High School.
Parent Erin Roberts was visibly emotional, crying momentarily when addressing the committee at the conclusion of the evening.
"Please, just be very careful and considerate of us," said Roberts.
"I don't want my child to have to go to Stanley."
McTimoney acknowledged that there were several drawbacks to some of his choices including the possibility of longer bus rides for some students with increased travel on hazardous roads during winter months.
A final decision will be made by the district on Jan. 26, 2017.
