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Yukon Party: Decommissioned Dawson School Portables Disappointing

Tuesday, 20 August 2019 12:01

Two portables at Robert Service School are being decommissioned heading into this school year.

Yukon Party members say they're disappointed that two school portables at Robert Service School in Dawson are being decommissioned due to to mold being found in their internal structures.

Yukon Party Education Critic Scott Kent says he's frustrated that two portables at Robert Service School in Dawson have been decommissioned heading into the school year.

An inspector found mold last month in the internal structures of the buildings after renovation work was being conducted. While no programs will be impacted, the closure means around 15 students will now be moved into the main school building where the majority of school activities take place.

Kent says the Yukon government has been aware of the state of the portables for years now.

"One of the main concerns for us is regarding how the Liberals have botched another plan with respect to school infrastructure. This is negatively going to impact the school in Dawson. The conditions of the portables is something we've been raising with the Liberal government for over two years now. It's something we heard back in 2016 when we were up in Gold Show in Dawson from some parents. We then brought the issue back (for discussion) in the legislature."

According to discussions between Yukon Party and Yukon Government officials back in 2017, the portables housing students of Robert Service School were over 17 years old.

Kent says this is one of multiple education issues not being addressed by government.

"We've seen similar issues at Golden Horn Elementary out by the Carcross Corner. The school council there and myself were raising the issue of portables to address some of the challenges from the attendants. The minister dragged her feet and finally there's portables going in for this year. Again, we had situations where less than ideal spaces were being used for learning at Golden Horn and now we're in the same situation in Dawson City. It's disappointing."

Most students in Whitehorse and Dawson go back to school tomorrow.

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