On Monday morning, parents and students linked arms around the FACE school in downtown Montreal to demonstrate against the Quebec government’s choice to revoke significant refurbishment plans for the facility, pointing to escalating expenses as their reasoning.
Due to this decision, around 1,300 students ranging from kindergarten through Grade 11 will be permanently reassigned to two distinct sites starting with the upcoming academic year.
"The separation between our high school and elementary school seems permanent, which is incredibly heartbreaking for us. Our community thrives on the older students taking care of the younger ones," stated parent Clothilde Légaré-Dionne from FACE.
She mentioned, 'It feels like family here.'
His daughter, Grade 5 student Mirka Ralaisoa-Dionne, mentioned she is also "quite saddened" by the relocation.
Alex Norris, who serves as the city councillor for the Jeanne-Mance district, joined the protest to show support for the school community.
He also highlighted what sets this school apart from others.
"This is an exclusive community within the Quebec province where two separate school boards operate side by side. Both English-speaking and French-speaking pupils come together for their musical education, with kids from elementary as well as high schools all under one roof," he explained.
Furthermore, there's the structure of the building itself.
Norris mentioned, "This is an extraordinary historic structure." He added, "The venue features a 600-seat auditorium which makes it perfectly suited for such an educational endeavor. It’s truly unfortunate witnessing this school being divided."
FACE was established 50 years ago, yet the school’s present structure on University Street, situated right at the edge of the downtown area, was constructed in two stages, with the first phase completed in 1914 and the second in 1924.
Much like numerous ancient structures, it requires maintenance and renovations.
In In 2019, the French school service center The CSSDM raised an alert, requesting up to $153 million from the Quebec government to undertake the required work and move students to another facility during the renovation period.
Education Minister Bernard Drainville stated on Tuesday that the cost of the project had increased significantly from an initial estimate of $243 million to $375 million, leading the government to cancel it.
The project is allocated $375 million, but we haven’t started work on the walls from 1914," Drainville stated, noting that this amount does not include the expenses required to refurbish the two temporary schools.
Drainville reiterated the stance taken by the school as stated in a letter sent to parents earlier last week. The letter emphasized the need to put an "unequivocal halt" to the renovation project because of "the present financial constraints and with consideration for the prudent administration of public resources."
Drainville emphasized that the fine arts program of FACE would remain intact but would operate from two different sites.
"He stated that the core of an educational institution lies in the instruction provided within its walls," emphasizing that this fundamental aspect will remain unchanged.
Beginning this autumn, pupils at the elementary level will transfer to an educational institution situated on Christophe-Colomb Avenue, approximately four kilometers distant from FACE's present premises.
High school students will be moved to a school located on St-Urbain Street, approximately two kilometres distant, though this change will not occur until 2032.
The two structures at the new sites are currently going through or will soon undergo renovation, costing approximately $200 million.
After the transfers are finished, the CSSDM stated that they intend to sell the initial structure.
Fannie Proulx-Arpin, a parent affiliated with FACE, expressed her deep distress upon hearing the news.
She remarked, 'This choice doesn’t make any sense at all.' It’s as though there’s a shortage of schools in the city center.'
Norris likewise voiced worry about the proposals to put the school up for sale.
He fears the building might remain vacant for many years, leaving Quebec taxpayers responsible for its upkeep and maintenance to prevent it from deteriorating.
"Finding someone willing to invest in bringing it up to contemporary standards and also keen on repurposing such a large concert hall is quite challenging," Norris pointed out.
Parents and students are hoping their pleas to keep their school intact will be heard in Quebec City.
"Please don’t put my school up for sale because I really adore it," stated Ralaisoa-Dionne.