Board, Minister Strike Committee to Preserve Holy Angels School

Education Minister Marilyn More and the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board today, Nov. 12, agreed to establish a joint committee to help the board keep Holy Angels High School open.

The Sydney school, established in 1885, is the only all-girls public school in Atlantic Canada.

"This school is cherished by students, their families and the board," said Ms. More, after a meeting with the board in Sydney. "I understand the value of this unique school, and I am committed to helping the board keep the school open."

Senior staff from the board and the Department of Education will examine all options for the school to continue. The committee has until the end of December to come up with recommendations.

"This is an excellent first step to finding a solution for preserving Holy Angels as a single-gender school," said Lorne Green, chair of the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board.

The board, which is leasing the 50-year-old school building from the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame, was notified late last year that the lease would be terminated, effective June 30, 2011.

"Preserving Holy Angels High School is a priority of the board and government, and I want to help find a solution," said Ms. More. "The challenge now is to find an option that meets the needs of the students and their families, and allows government and the board to live within our means."