2 Calgary Catholic elementary schools face possible closure

Parents are preparing to fight to keep two schools in the Calgary Catholic School District from closing.

The board recently passed a motion to look into closing two K-6 schools, St. Gerard in Haysboro and St. Angela in Bridgeland.

The school district says the decision will be based on what's best for students and what's cost effective.

Board chair Mary Martin says the closures are not a certainty and officials still want to hear from parents.

"When motions are brought forward they are brought forward with a great deal of gravity because we know that they're disruptive to a community," she said.

Samantha Jones, whose children attended St. Angela, is part of a group of parents who will present a counter plan to school trustees at a meeting at the end of the month.

That public meeting about the future of St. Angela School is set for Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. at the school, which is at 231Sixth St. N.E.

"We just really feel like closing our school is not necessary. And there's other solutions out there. So what we really want is a lot of transparency around why they actually feel like this is the best decision for the school," Jones said.

St. Angela is designated a "workplace school." It caters to parents across Calgary who work downtown and want their children to attend a school close to their workplace. It has before and after school care.

A meeting about the future of St. Gerard School is set for Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. at the school, at 1204 96th Ave.S.W.

The final decision on both schools is expected at the April 8 board meeting.