Parents in the Elizabeth Avenue East-Kenmount-Thorburn school catchment zone have resigned themselves to making do with an old—and what they see as overcrowded—building for at least the next couple of years, despite government promises stating otherwise.

Construction has not yet begun on a new school in Kenmount Terrace, yet the government has not backed away from its original intention of the school opening in September 2026.

Renee Hayley, who chairs the school council at Leary’s Brook Junior High, says key facilities in the building, such as the cafeteria, are being repurposed for instructional classes. Two classes—about 50 students—will be in the gym at the same time.

She’s challenging the powers-that-be to meet with parents and give it to them straight.

“Minister Davis, Minister Stoodley, officials in the department…do a walk-through with parents and teachers on school council, then look us in the eye and tell us that the situation is conducive to a teaching and learning environment. And tell us it’s a good environment, not just a ‘good enough’ environment,” said Hayley.