Medicine Hat’s public school division has made the decision to close two elementary schools this spring to streamline resources and reduce costs due to declining student enrollment. The board of trustees of Medicine Hat Public School Division unanimously voted to shut down Webster Niblock and Southview Community schools at the end of the academic year following consultations with families last autumn.
Catherine Wilson, the board chair, acknowledged that the closure was a tough choice but emphasized that it would bring back resources to schools, ultimately benefiting the students in the long term. The division anticipates operational savings of half a million dollars from the closures, which will be reinvested in additional teacher and educational assistant positions. Furthermore, approximately $8 million in capital expenditure will be saved from deferred maintenance for the two schools, both of which are over 45 years old.
To ensure a smooth transition for families, students from the closing schools will be reassigned to two nearby institutions within their current zones. This consolidation of enrollment is expected to enhance programming flexibility, reduce split grade classes, and provide better support for students. Olivia Thorington, a parent advocating for the schools to remain open to minimize disruption for her son Charles Martin, expressed her understanding of the decision, despite her initial hopes for a different outcome.
Over the past decade, the number of Medicine Hat public schools with fewer than 300 students has doubled to 10, reflecting a downward trend in local birth rates. Enrollments at Webster Niblock and Southview Community have significantly decreased, with Webster Niblock currently at 174 students, down from 315 in 2015, and Southview Community at 137 students, down from 229 a decade ago.
After the closure, some schools receiving the displaced students will still be below capacity, while others will undergo upgrades with modular additions to accommodate the increased demand. Concerns have been raised about maintaining relationships between students and staff, especially educational assistants, but the board assures that appropriate supports will follow the students to their new schools.
With the decision finalized, the school board staff will begin the process of informing families, updating bus routes, and coordinating the logistics of student reassignments. Meanwhile, Olivia Thorington is preparing to explain the transition to her son, hopeful that the timing of the closure at the end of the semester will facilitate an easier adjustment for him.