Shannon Park School is unique. Its English program from Primary to Grade 6 serves the neighbourhood families. Its French Immersion program from Primary to Grade 6 is a District program which serves the entire area of Dartmouth. French Immersion students are bussed from all over Dartmouth to attend Grades Primary to 6.  Our English Program students feed into both Bicentennial and John Martin Junior High and the French Immersion students feed into Prince Arthur Junior High. - http://www.shannonpark.ednet.ns.ca/AboutUs.htm

The future of Shannon Park School has been in question for years, with the school continuing to operate on a year to year lease from DND.  This year DND has released the entire Shannon Park Property to Canada Lands (essentially the Federal governments "realtor" so that the land may be sold) Each year the school has been given a "first right of refusal" for the parcel of land on which the school sits.  This right expires in April each year.  This has not been much of an issue as DND, until this year, has retained ownership of the land.  With DND sending the land to Canada Lands this increases the risk to the future of Shannon Park School.

The plan, according to the HRSB, is to purchase the school.  However, they depend on funds from the province to make this purchase.  Up until now the province has not allotted funds for this to be done.  In December, the provincial government released its capital budget, with no funds being set aside for Shannon Park School.  Meanwhile Canada Lands will want to begin their redevelopment consultation process soon and they've given the school board until April 15 to make a final decision about the school.

The response from the HRSB and the province has been lackluster at best, with very little communication getting out to parents.  No guarantee has been made regarding funding, and perhaps more alarming, HRSB does not have a contingency plan in place if the school is not purchased.  Will funds be given for a new school to be built?  Will English students be forced to walk to Harbourview?  Will French Immersion students be split up into other schools? Will those schools have to install new French Immersion programs?  Answers are needed.

Rumours swirl on the playground, children are upset that their school may close and they'll all be split up, etc.  Parents are concerned about their children's educational future, many choosing to move their children to other schools to avoid uncertainty and potential upheaval.  This is beginning to damage the Shannon Park community. 

We are asking the provincial government to put an end to the uncertainty, and put effort into protecting the future of Shannon Park School.