School faces another boxing day

March 17, 2006

Last updated Mar 17 2006 11:35 AM AST

CBC News

Nova Scotia,Canada

Students and teachers at a high school in Shelburne County will have

to spend more time in their " sick " school.

The new Barrington Municipal High School was supposed to open in Oak

Park after the March break, but the Tri-County Regional School Board

decided the new $14-million building wasn't quite finished.

So the moving trucks that were supposed to carry boxes out of the

old school in Barrington Passage are now putting them back in.

" When the inspection was conducted the school was still very much a

construction site. There was a lot of cleanup that needed to be

done. There were still workers on the premises doing some painting, "

said Finch, a spokesman for the Department of Education.

The school board was also concerned about air quality and

ventilation at the new school, a big reason the 700 students were

leaving the old one.

There have been complaints of mould and dust in the school since

2002. After dozens of students complained of rashes and headaches,

one part of the building was completely shut down and portables were

set up on the school grounds.

The delay with the new school has students and parents concerned.

" I don't see the difference. I think we should just be put in the

new school if the air quality is bad. It's the same in both

schools, " said Kristy Greer, a Grade 11 student.

" My opinion would have been that they should have waited and put

them in the school in September. This way they're disrupting the

kids, " said Shelle Nickerson.

The school board expects the students will be in their new building

before June.

FROM JUNE 11, 2003: 'Sick school' to be replaced

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