Declining enrolment and increased cost pressures are to blame for recent cuts to a local sports academy.
As heard on AM800 News on Tuesday, local parents are frustrated with this decision after going through a number of open houses, going through registration, and providing a deposit.
The program allowed students in Grades 7 and 8 to focus on developing athletic talent through structured training, education, and support services.
It was offered for hockey, dance, and soccer at both Lajeunesse and L’Essor schools in Windscor.
What’s being cut
- As of Septebmer, the hockey program will no longer be offered to Grade 7 students at L’Essor,
- Hockey and dance for Grade 7 students at Lajeunesse will be cut
- Soccer will no longer be offered to both Grade 7 and 8 students
According to the board, there has been a 50 per cent decline in enrolment for these programs over the last five years, and there are increasing cost pressures in several areas of the board.
All students currently in Grade 7 of the hockey and dance programs will finish out the program next year as planned.
However, students currently in Grade 7 of the soccer program at Lajeunesse will return to their respective elementary schools to finish their Grade 8 year.
According to the statement from the school board, any deposits already collected will be returned to parents.
The Board also said it will be undertaking a review of its intermediate and secondary programming and will be consulting on broader budget issues in the coming weeks.
