For Immediate Release
SARMsupports moratorium on school closures
About 400 people attended the Save our Schools rally today at the Legislature in Regina, which focused on the importance of rural schools to their communities, a position shared by SARM.
At the SARM convention earlier this month, delegates unanimously passed a resolution calling for a five-year moratorium on school closures, except in cases where local affected communities agree to close the school.
“In these times of economic growth, many rural communities are determining their own futures by facilitating local economic development,” said SARM President David Marit. “In time, the effects of these initiatives will be seen as communities grow. We want to keep schools open in this time of opportunity and to give rural Saskatchewan a fair chance.”One common theme at today’s rally was that before schools are closed, the Province needs to examine the current funding for K-12 education, as a disproportionate amount is flowing out of rural school divisions and into the cities.
“At the rally today, we heard what it means to the local residents and to the sustainability of the community to keep our schools open,” continued Marit. “When you close the school, you remove opportunities for the communities to grow.”
For more information contact:
David Marit
SARM President
Cell Phone: (306) 476-7754
