There is a level of exasperation surrounding negotiations between the municipality and Grande Yellowhead public school division. After more than a year, both sides are no closer to an agreement. Parents are fed up, negotiations are circular and the high school and École Desrochers students are still in need of a new home.

By stating the town is neither for or against a land swap, the municipality has essentially refused to play with the school board. It’s a move designed to pressure the school board to look at other options other than their preferred choice.

Both sides want to dictate the terms of negotiations, to gain an upper hand. With no real deadline on negotiations, this process has been allowed to continue for too long. The ball has been volleyed too many times. Either that, or this is a deal neither side really wants to make. If that’s the case, it’s time to walk away.

The bowling green appears to be the only solution the school board really wants. There have been few indications they have investigated other options, including Option C, and they must feel they can achieve this once general approval has been achieved.

The town does not want to approve a plan that would mark the end of the off-leash dog park in Jasper – political suicide in an election year. They have handed over a list of six questions they want resolved before moving forward. They boil down to who’s going to pay. Many municipalities can negotiate this themselves, and offer concessions by waiving development fees, however Jasper can’t do that, and doesn’t want to get stuck with a bill that will definitely enter the six-figure altitude.

The fact the school board is not offering answers to questions about who will pay for many key elements of the project is concerning. Let us hope it’s only a negotiation technique, and not ignorance to the challenges the process will present. Building in a national park is obviously a different creature.

With both sides entrenched and no deadline to speak of, this is a recipe for broken talks. Neither side has made much of an attempt to move from their positions, but the town is about to take the argument to the public.

Both agencies are public. They must do what the electorate tells them to do. It is imperative both sides learn the issues and make their voices heard to both the school board and the municipality.