As young parents flee the higher taxes and real estate prices of Montreal for the off-island suburbs, the demand for off-island schools is creating problems for the Lester B. Pearson school board.
The boom in the student population means many schools are overcrowded, and LBP wants to build another school to accomodate 400-450 elementary-school pupils by September 2010.
Richard Arsenault at Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary is one teacher having to make do so students don't suffer.
"We'll often give up our classrooms during preparation time or make other arrangements so people can come into our classrooms and have a more private space to work with kids," said Arsenault.
Changing rooms are being used as classrooms, and even with the addition of portable classrooms, Principal Colleen Galley says there just is not enough room.
"We had to send a couple of our kindergarden classes to another location in order to reduce the amount of students that were in the building," said Galley.
Tough to find real estate
Finding a desirable piece of real estate has become a real problem.
The board has found two lots, but Chairman Marcus Tabachnick is not very happy with the available options.
"We have some real concerns for the safety of the students and the staff," said Tabachnick.
The board wants to find land that has access to water and sewage systems, and is a safe distance away from the road.
So far all that's available in Vaudreuil-Dorion is a lot sandwiched between a busy street and high voltage power lines
Mayor Guy Pilon says that's all his city has available.
"We offered them the land we can offer. If it's a no, it's a no. But there will bo no other land," said Pilon.
Tabachnick says the board won't settle for second-best.
"We're going to be picky when it comes to the security of the kids we're responsible for and the staff we're responsible for," said Tabachnick.
