The Progressive Conservatives held a town hall meeting on education Monday night in Tusket.
About 30 people came out in freezing rain to Ecole Secondaire de Par-En-Bas.
It was hosted by PC Leader Jamie Baillie and Argyle-Barrington MLA Chris d’Entremont.
The school has been on a priority list for replacement for years.
Retired teacher Donnie Jacquard said they’ve been waiting for major renovations for about 20 years.
“The government has changed three times and it may change again. You get your point across to a minster and they’re gone, you get your point across to the deputy minister and he’s gone.”
Jamie Baillie said his party would replace schools that have been on the list the longest based on need, and Wedgeport school would be one of them.
Baillie was asked last night if his party would review how school boards in Nova Scotia are funded if he was elected premier in the next election.
Parent John Levac says the current system isn’t working.
He says there are vibrant community schools that are being closed under the present funding formula.
“In the last go-around, we had the minister come around and the consultant do a whole big road show. Everyone agreed that the root cause of the issues is the funding model. No one seems to be willing to address the broken horse. Is the Conservatives willing to go down that road and completely overhaul the model.”
Baillie said the funding model must be completely revamped.
“You’re talking about the Hogg formula. I know Bill Hogg and I went to see him to talk about the Hogg Formula. Even he thinks it’s been abused.”
Baillie said the Hogg formula works ok in large population bases but not smaller ones.
Discussion on the state of Ecole Wedgeport and school board funding among topics at PC education town hall in Tusket. pic.twitter.com/nh5wlbyR3z
— Y95 – CJLS (@CJLSRadio) March 27, 2017
