Opposition is mounting against the closure of Lakeside Academy in Lachine.
In less than a week, the Lester B. Pearson School Board is expected to render their decision on arguments to save the English-language school.
The board is citing declining enrolment as the reason for closure.
After packing school board meetings, parents turned to local city councils in both Lachine and Dorval for support.
A motion from Dorval council urges the Lester B. Pearson School Board to reconsider, because it's the only English high school in the area.
Jennifer Park is spearheading the fight to save Lakeside by launching a petition drive. Her team has set up a Facebook page, and formed a committee to look for solutions.
“We have solid ideas that we want the government and we want the school board to look at, and we really hope they don't look at the building and rather look at the school as families,” said Park, adding that her team is still brainstorming for ideas, which include bringing in an aviation course or engineering classes.
Another popular idea involves sharing costs with the French school board Marguerite-Bourgeoys.
Lester B. Pearson Ward 3 commissioner Joshua Arless said ideas are still being hashed out on the best use for the building.
“We had a meeting with school board officials, the MNA Francois Ouimet as well as mayors from Dorval and Lachine and through that there's been a lot of conversations on what can we do with that building,” he said.
