Port Moody reverses course on SD43's school site proposal after memo warns of potential provincial intervention
Last month, council
unanimously voted to not accept SD43's annual capital proposal
, over concerns they had with a school site and the provincial process for planning schools.
However, council promptly reversed course on May 13 after receiving a memo from the school board, which stated the rejection would cause the provider to come in with a facilitator to help 'resolve our differences.'
'This is a process that, personally, I do not believe is needed or wanted to occupy our council time,' said Coun. Callan Morrison.
The Coquitlam School District's 2026–2027 Eligible School Sites Proposal (ESSP) is a routine capital planning submission which outlines the number, location, size, and cost of new school sites based on projected enrollment.
Local school districts are required to pass the proposal annually under the Local Government Act and School Act.
At the previous meeting, council had raised concerns over a proposed school site at the 34-acre Flavelle Mill property, which is currently earmarked for a 3,300-unit development.
But council argued no application has yet been submitted for the property, and raised other concerns about the province waiting for schools to hit capacity before dishing out funds for new schools.
Mayor Meghan Lahti said she brought back the item for reconsideration after receiving new information from the school district in a memo.
'I've communicated that it would be helpful for us when we're approaching these kinds of decisions, to have that information in advance of these meetings,' she said. 'It might be helpful also in the future, to ask that somebody from the school district attend (these meetings) and provide us with answers.'
While the memo was not publicly shared at the meeting, Morrison said it made clear the ESSP is only for planning for new schools, and the Flavelle Waterfront site has been in their plans as a potential site since 2018. The province already had to appoint a facilitator when the site was first added to the list of potential new schools, he added.
The memo also made clear the school district plans to retain the old Moody Centre Elementary site for another school, according to Morrison.
Council passed a motion for the memo be placed on a future agenda item for public record.
Coun. Kyla Knowes said there was confusion over the ESSP before the memo added some clarity. She added it was 'unfortunate' as they have a decent working relationship with the school board.
'I think a lot of us are frustrated with the process that goes into planning schools, and I think that probably spilled over when we're considering this item,' Knowles said. 'I think this council is rightfully alarmed at the exceptional growth that we're experiencing in Metro Vancouver, and (the impacts) on our hospitals and schools and roads.'
Knowles noted council has had several meetings with the province over their issues with its methodology for school planning.
Morrison agreed, reiterating his previous argument that it is premature for the city to be planning for school expansions on private land before development applications are received.
On a positive note, he said council's initial rejection of the ESSP has fostered better communication between the city and the school district.
Knowles said she hopes there will be more information sharing and transparency going forward.
Council and the school board have arranged to meet in the near future to discuss some of the concerns raised at the previous meeting.
'As we conduct this ESSP review annually, there may be more clarity in what is happening with that property,' Morrison said. 'I look forward to a better understanding of what challenges the board is facing around school planning and around the restrictions that they have.'
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