Parents consider other options until Warwick State High School issues are resolved: Springborg

Member for Southern Downs Lawrence Springborg believes the State Government could be stifling growth in the area if it did not purchase Slade Campus or come up with a feasible solution to the overcrowding at Warwick State High School.
Mr Springborg said the growth of Warwick State High School had been stifled, since parents were considering other options for their children as a result of the overcrowding at the school and lack of open space.
“It troubles me that people are making decisions to send their children to other non-government high schools in the area,” he said.
“They (Warwick State High School) are not growing because parents aren’t going to enroll their children because of this issue.
“It’s a great school but lacks vision.”
Mr Springborg led the delegation to Brisbane on Thursday to meet with the Director-General of Education and the Deputy Director General – Infrastructure Services to discuss the issue.
“It was disappointing. I would have liked to have spoken to the Education Minister,” he said.
“They have a view there’s no appetite amongst the school community on this but I have teachers, students and parents come up to me on a regular basis saying they are really worried about the overcrowding and social problems at Warwick State High School,” Mr Springborg said.
“If they want to close the door after they’ve properly considered it, I could reluctantly accept that,” he said.
The government’s possible solution was to build elevated buildings, an overpass over Victoria Street to use the open space across the road, and staggered lunch breaks.
“Certainly, that’s not the best environment for the students. We’ve got anti-social issues at the moment; that’s just going to get worse,” Mr Springborg said. “The whole thing is just ridiculous.”
He said purchasing Slade Campus would be cheaper than building the overpass.
“I encourage people, if they want Slade Campus properly considered, they need to stand up.”
Time is running out for residents to save Slade as expressions of interest for the purchase of the campus close next month.
New Education Minister Cameron Dick was unavailable for comment at time of print.