Office of the Official Opposition 

New Kenmount Terrace School stalled while current schools in crisis: Dinn

 For Immediate Release

(June 5, 2024, St. John’s, NL): Paul Dinn, PC Official Opposition Shadow Minister of Education and MHA for Topsail-Paradise, was joined today by parents in expressing frustration over the ongoing delays with the proposed new school in Kenmount Terrace.

Dinn met with parents today of Larkhall Academy, Leary’s Brook Junior High and PWC that are frustrated with continual delays in the proposed new school for Kenmount Terrace, while existing facilities are overcrowded causing unacceptable learning environments.

“Parents are frustrated that the new school was promised over a decade ago.  The Liberals most recently promised to have it opened in 2026.  Instead, the site remains a pile of rocks with a weathered sign and little information from Government,” said Dinn.

“Existing feeder schools are busting at the seams, with over crowded classrooms, a lack of outdoor play space and unsafe conditions.  The recent reconfiguration has actually made the overcrowding problems worse at Leary’s Brook Junior High.  There does not seem to be a plan to address issues raised by the School Community,” said Dr. Jillian Croke, a spokesperson for the Parents Group.

“A first round of consultations on the proposed new school closed in March and there has not been any updates.  The actual proposed site is reportedly mired in legal action.  Parents have not been given any updates on what is being done to address current issues in the various school buildings.  More importantly, what is the updated schedule and timeline for the new Kenmount Terrace School,” asked Dr. Croke.”

“Under the Minister’s plan, Leary’s Brook Junior High is actually going from 510 students now to 560 in September.  Kids eating in the hallways, no library, no outdoor space and traffic congestion in a busy neighborhood is not a sensible plan.  Larkhall Academy was cited to close decades ago as an outdated, inadequate building.  Enough is enough.  The Minister needs to outline a detailed action plan to address the short term issues of the various buildings, and specify when the new school is going to break ground and finally open.  Students deserve better.” added Dinn.

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