The Calgary Board of Education will close its downtown headquarters as a security precaution against any violent G-8 protests later this month.
CBE spokesman Stephen Carter said administrative staff at the public school board's offices on Macleod Trail S.E. will either stay home during the June 26 and 27 summit of world leaders or be relocated to various schools around the city.
Local activists say their protests during the G-8 will be peaceful, but education officials aren't taking any chances.
Carter said it's very likely protesters could use the CBE site as a gathering point for demonstrations.
"If anything was to happen (in terms of protest), it may happen on our lawn," Carter said. "It's a green space that's close (to G-8 summit venues in the downtown)."
He also said the W.H. Cushing Workplace School, located in the Telus Convention Centre downtown, will end its school year early to avoid conflicts with G-8 activities.
Students there have already made up the time needed to ensure their school year isn't compromised by the early closure.
Most other public school students will be writing exams during the summit, Carter said.
He said education officials are encouraging students to learn as much as they can about G-8 issues.
However, the school board is also suggesting students satisfy their curiosity about the summit of world leaders by attending sanctioned events such as the G-6B alternative conference at the University of Calgary.
"We are always concerned with student safety," Carter said. "But it's kind of up to the parents and the kids themselves (to decide whether they take part in protests)."
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