It may be raining — but the Mayor of Arran Elderslie says it’s sunny in Chesley today.
That’s because the Bluewater public school board voted to keep Chesley District High School open and make it a J-K to Grade 12 school.
Mayor Paul Eagleson admits he had the best night sleep in a long time last night after the board’s decision.
Eagleson tells Bayshore Broadcasting News he is very happy with the board’s decision.
He notes Chesley already lost its biggest employer in Durham Furniture and losing the high school would have been devastating.
Eagleson says it would have been a shame to close Chesley District since it is academically among the best in Ontario with its high skills agricultural program.
Eagleson says the entire community deserves credit for saving the school — from students to parents to staff to merchants to service clubs.
As part of the Board’s decision, Kinghurst Elementary will close.
Eagleson says it’s unfortunate the community will close another elementary school but he notes Chesley District will be J-K to Grade 12.
The Bluewater board also voted to build a new J-K to Grade 12 school in Hanover, resulting in the closure of John Diefenbaker Secondary and Dawnview School.
