Morinville mom moves for children's education

A mother in Morinville said she will continue fighting for secular education in the community, even though she has decided to move away.

Donna Hunter is moving south to nearby Edmonton so her children can attend a non-religious public school.

"I cannot fight from within at the cost of my children," she said.

Hunter launched a campaign earlier this year to get a secular school in the district. All four public schools in Morinville — two elementary schools and a junior and senior high school — fall under the Greater St. Albert Catholic Regional School Division.

'I have to protect my kids and I'm going to fight from outside.' —Donna Hunter

Her initial request was rejected. The school board has said that providing a secular option goes against its Catholic mandate.

After a meeting with Alberta's Education Minister, the board began discussions about a partnership with the neighbouring Sturgeon school district to offer a secular program.

Both the school board and education minister Dave Hancock have now said a secular option would be in place by September.

But Hunter is doubtful, and the time is running out: her daughter will be starting first grade in the fall.

"If we stay, we would be second-class citizens in our childhood education, and I can't do it," she said.

"I've definitely lost on the moving side, financially and, gosh, emotionally. But I have to protect my kids and I'm going to fight from outside of Morinville."

Hunter said bussing her children outside Morinville or having them attend the religious schools and opting-out of religion classes were not acceptable options.

"If you choose it, that's great, but if there's no choice — if that is it — if that is the prism in which your children are being taught to view the world against your expressed wishes: that's not acceptable," she said.

The board launched a survey of parents and some town residents to gauge how much interest there is in a non-religious option. The survey should be complete by the end of April.