Some walked out, others cheered loudly, some even swore.
The various reactions came following the approval of school closures, consolidations and the requests for new school builds within the Hastings Prince Edward District School Board.
On Monday night, the board rubber stamped the changes in Belleville, Centre Hastings and Prince Edward County.
CLICK HERE FOR THE BOARD’S DECISION
Quinte Secondary will be closed, with students being moved to either Moira or Centennial Secondary.
Grade 11 student Carly Henderson says it was devastating to hear the trustees’ decision.
Rob Lucas went to Quinte in the late 70s and was furious about the outcome.
He believes community stakeholders did not have a chance to fight.
Moira will welcome many of those Quinte students in September 2018.
Stuart Chalk has a daughter at Moira, in the Foundations program. He says the board got the decision right.
Applause came across the room, when it was announced that grade 7-8 students from Madoc Township would be transferred back to the township public school.
Brittany Lacaria is a graduate of MTPS and also has a child currently attending. She says she is thrilled with the trustees’ choice.
Board Chair Lucille Kyle says it is a huge relief the decision is over, however she adds the work is just beginning.
She says the various reactions from community members, students, parents and others is understandable.
Director of Education Mandy Savery-Whiteway says the review committees did their job effectively.
The board will now begin the process of applying for the new capital builds over the summer.
