The two elementary schools in Honey Harbour are considered the heart of the community, but both are proposed to close at the end this school year.

The catholic and public school boards cite declining enrollment. According to officials, there are only 14 students at Our Lady of Mercy and 38 students at Honey Harbour Public School.

"It’s very difficult for teachers and support staff to provide an adequate program for four or five grades in one classroom," says Larry Hope, director of education at Trillium Lakelands District School Board.

If the closures are approved, the catholic students would be bused 28 kilometers to a school in Victoria Harbour. The public students will be sent 56 kilometers to Glenn Orchard Public School north of Bala.

"We’re working to ensure that we stay a close as we can to the hour long maximum bus ride," Hope says.

Parents argue that is too far.

"We're going have to leave the community and find another community that will provide the kids with access to education that's appropriate," one parent says.

The local town councillor wants a moratorium on the current review process and decision.

Kathy Kay is proposing that both boards merge the schools under one roof.

"People who are looking to move somewhere the first question they're asking is there a school, if there is no school they will go somewhere else and that will hurt us economically."

The community is rallying together and plan to put pressure on both boards to reconsider the closures.

The fate of both schools will be decided by the spring.