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Keep J.H. Sissons standing for better physical distancing in fall, parents urge GNWT

A group of concerned parents have asked the territorial goverment to reconsider plans to demolish J.H. Sissons School in Yellowknife to ensure there is enough space for physical distancing in the fall amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The letter, signed by 10 parents and sent to R.J. Simpson, minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) on Sunday, urges the GNWT to keep the school standing for the "coming school year so more children can go to school safely during the pandemic."

"Physical distancing requires space. Choosing to delay the demolition of Sissons would put our children’s health and education first during a health crisis.

A group of parents have asked the GNWT to reconsider plans to demolish J.H. Sissons school so there can be more space to meet physical distancing protocols when school resumes in the fall. Blair McBride/NNSL photo

"Demolishing the Sissons school means more children in less space. Tearing down Sissons school means that all 16 classes of Sissons students will be added to William McDonald School. By reducing the number of classrooms available for students and doubling the population of William McDonald School, ECE is choosing to further reduce our children’s access to an
education.

"We respectfully ask you to reconsider this decision. The GNWT has decided to prioritize this demolition at a time when it clearly does not make sense. Over 500 students and their families will be affected. Why is ECE choosing to move ahead with this project during a pandemic, when the education and health of so many children are at stake? If ECE insists on tearing down a whole school during a crisis that demands more space, not less, the public will expect ECE to transparently explain why it is deciding to place other considerations above the safety and education of our children.

"This is not the time to cling to plans made before our current reality, out of administrative convenience. It is irresponsible to be tearing down a school at a time when schools are required to reduce class sizes and stagger schedules to maintain physical distancing."

Metro Huculak, superintendent of Yellowknife Education District No. 1 (Yk 1), which includes Sissons school, declined to comment on the parents' request to keep the school standing.

"Parents have the right to question and receive feedback from the politicians," he said Monday.

Simpson would not comment on the issue until he has heard from the Yk 1 board of trustees about the letter, said ECE spokesperson Meagan Wohlberg.

Before the J.H. Sissons building is torn down this summer, its resources are scheduled to be moved to William McDonald Middle School. The contract for the demolition was awarded to KBL Environmental at a cost of $1,006,842.82.