A private school hasn’t made the grade with Lumby taxpayers.
Council has turned down a request from Cedar Bridge School to fund construction of a new elementary classroom.
“They came to us when we’ve already done the 2016 budget and it’s hard once the budget is done to find extra money,” said Coun. Julie Pilon, adding that the deadline for grant requests was last fall.
There also appears to be a philosophical debate over private schools.
“For a rural community struggling to keep its public school open, supporting a private business is not the best route,” said Mayor Kevin Acton.
“It’s great that they’re offering an alternative to the public education system but if people want to send their children to private school, they need to put money out.”
Cedar Bridge School, which is a non-profit group with charitable status, is currently in the midst of a fundraising campaign for a new classroom.
“Our history and student growth has both prepared us for and created the immediate need for more space,” said Roxanne Brierley, board president, in a letter.
“Additional space will secure our school’s future in providing education from preschool to Grade 8. We believe in the education that students receive at Cedar Bridge — the Waldorf inspired curriculum, the connection to farm and the location next to a forest.”