A group of parents trying to save Vancouver schools from closure have delivered a petition to the board with more than 11,000 signatures. Chanting "Save our schools," the parents gathered outside the Vancouver School Board office on Monday morning, asking officials to find another way to save money. The protesters arrived at the office by school bus. Earlier this summer, the public board revealed a shortlist of 12 schools slated for possible closure, the majority of which are in the eastern portion of the city. (See list and map below.) The board is looking to close schools to fill the holes in its gaping budget. It also hopes to meet a 95 per cent capacity target that the province has set as a condition to pay for long-awaited seismic upgrades. Thousands signed the petition as a way to send a message to the board that the schools are important to the community. They say the closures in East Vancouver don't make sense, as the neighbourhood is growing. "This is not acceptable," parent Melanie Cheng said of the closure of a school near her home. "This school is needed now and will be needed 10 years from now." Another parent said they're concerned for the kids who live in the area. "If there's no school anymore there, what's going to happen?" she asked. Mike Lombardi, chair of the VSB, called the response from the community "overwhelming," and said it was a "great feeling" to know that that many people took the time to show their support. "For me, it's confirmation that we're on the right track in advocating for additional funding and making sure we have great neighbourhood schools in all of our communities, which Vancouver's always had." Lombardi said reports on the schools shortlisted for possible closure will be released on Tuesday, which will include details about financial and community impact. There will then be a public meeting on Thursday. The board will then meet on Sept. 26 to discuss the reports and the public's feedback, and decide whether the schools should be put on a consultation list. There is then a consultation period, and the final decisions will be made on Dec. 12. The schools on the shortlist are: The map below shows how enrolment has changed over time at Vancouver's elementary schools. Read the full story, which was published before the shortlist was announced, here. With a report from CTV Vancouver's Sheila Scott
