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Vol. 15, No. 38, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020 www.LamontLeader.com
Survey shows overwhelming support to keep Andrew School
Andrew School parents and concerned residents gather outside Andrew school in May for a photo to accompany an article for the Lamont Leader.
Deadline extended, 91% felt school is important
BY JANA SEMENIUK The Village of Andrew Committee, which was formed by Andrew parents specifically with the goal of saving their local elementary school from an eventual closure, was overwhelmed with support from their residents during a recent survey. The goal of the survey was to measure the amount of concern and support local residents had in avoiding a permanent closure of their school. The village has a population of 425 according to a 2016 census. “We thought if we had at least 50 responses we would be doing alright,” said committee board chair Jodie Calfat. “In the end, we received 122.” Andrew school has had a devastating history over the past year after first
losing their high school program in 2019 to declining enrolment, then their junior high program in May 2020 for the same reason. Terrified they will lose their school altogether; Andrew parents came together to take action and have organized themselves into the Andrew Committee in hopes of preventing a permanent closure. The committee has so far met three times with the last meeting held at the village office on Aug 10. The next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. in the village office. All concerned residents are encouraged to attend. The survey comprised of 10 questions, geared at measuring the importance to residents of having a local school within the village of Andrew,
how residents felt about possible programming alternatives presented should the school close, as well as where residents fell demographically. Responses were given using one of six options from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Respondents also had the opportunity to provide written comments. When asked how important having a local school was to residents, a response of 82 per cent were in strong agreement, with another nine per cent in agreement. As well, 45 per cent of residents felt dissatisfied with alternative schooling options should the school be closed, such as busing to other schools in Lamont and Vegreville.
Calfat felt encouraged by the results. “We do have a pulse in the community,” she said. “The numbers along with actual comments are very telling so it really helps inform our work.” Calfat included that although the survey originally ran from July 27 to Aug. 10, they have extended the deadline until Aug. 30 in hopes of garnering more responses. “We want to ensure everyone who has something to add has the opportunity, and more feedback can only help us,” she said. The survey can be accessed at this address; https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2SN5HK3 or by visiting the Andrew Committee’s Facebook page.