Parkdale School Two schools in Charlottetown threatened with closure will remain open after votes in support at a special meeting of the Eastern School District to consider closing 11 schools.
The motion to close St. Jean Elementary was defeated 7-3.
In the first vote, the motion to close Parkdale School was defeated by a vote of 10-0.
Several trustees spoke out against the closing of the school in advance of the first vote. Trustees Edna Reid and Gael MacEachern went further, saying none of the 11 schools recommended for closure in a report by the district superintendent should be closed.
"I asked myself if by closing these schools will I be doing the best for the students of the Eastern School District, and the answer is no," said Reid.
Closing the schools was recommended in a report earlier this year, and months of public consultation followed. The trustees will vote on separate motions regarding the closure of each school at Friday's meeting.
MacEachern echoed the sentiments of several trustees in saying that expecting school board staff to prepare a school organization plan in three and a half months, a request made by Education Minister Gerard Greenan, was not realistic. Public input echoed that concern, she said.
"Do it right. Do it after rezoning, after kindergarten, and after a professional transportation study."
The final decision on whether to close schools rests with the provincial cabinet. Those schools that are closed will not reopen in September following the summer holiday.
CBC.ca/pei will post the results of the votes as they occur.
Watch for results of the votes here:
| R. Clow | A. Miller | G. MacEachern | S. Clark | R. Collins | B. Dingwell | R. Lee | D. Mitchell | E. Rankin | E. Reid | H. Somers | |
| St. Teresa's Cons. | |||||||||||
| Tracadie Cross Cons. | |||||||||||
| St. Peter's Cons. | |||||||||||
| Dundas Cons. | |||||||||||
| Georgetown Elementary | |||||||||||
| Grand Tracadie Elementary | |||||||||||
| St. Jean Elementary, Ch'town | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Parkdale Elementary, Ch'town | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Eastern Kings Cons., Souris | |||||||||||
| Rollo Bay Cons. | |||||||||||
| Fortune Cons. |
