Citadel High Scheduled for September 2007

The new high school for peninsular Halifax will open in September 2007, the Department of Education announced today, May 4.

Citadel High School was originally scheduled to open in September 2006; however, demolition of the existing building on the site will take longer than anticipated.

Education Minister Jamie Muir said it might have been possible to open the school as early as February or March 2007, but after discussions with the board and the community School Steering Team, it was decided to wait until September.

"Moving in the middle of a school year can be very challenging, especially considering that we'll be moving two schools into one," said Mr. Muir. "We agreed it was better to wait."

The new school will replace Queen Elizabeth and St. Patrick's high schools.

The delay of the school opening will move some of the expenses to the 2007-08 fiscal year, which will relieve some cost pressures in the department's $360-million, seven-year capital spending plan.

Mr. Muir said the decision was based on practical issues alone, but said the change would also affect another new school in Halifax Regional Municipality.

"Coincidentally, this decision also improves the cash-flow projection for the new Western HRM high school, which is scheduled to open in September 2006," he said.

"From the standpoint of teaching and learning, opening a school in middle of the year can be disruptive and often results in lost teaching time," said Wade Marshall, chair of the Halifax Regional School Board. "Hopefully, this delay will allow all of the building systems to be tested and ready to go well before the students arrive."

David Driscoll, a former school board member and a current member of the School Steering Team, agreed.

"The delay is unfortunate, but it's better for all concerned than attempting to make the move in mid-March," he said. "I expect this will continue to be a priority project for the board and the province."

Citadel High will accommodate about 1,200 students at a projected capital cost of $21.7 million.