EDMONTON – Two St. Albert high schools have been listed “for sale by principalâ€� on Kijiji and Craigslist in an apparent graduation prank.
No offers have come yet in for Paul Kane High School, at 12 Cunningham Rd., since the phoney ads went up a week ago selling the St. Albert school plus all students and staff — minus the custodians and cafeteria workers — for $1.2 million.
“I think we’re undervalued in the ad,� principal Duncan Knoll said with a laugh Thursday.
“And we wouldn’t accept any (offers). The school is priceless.�
The joke listing highlights the school’s “gigantic kitchens, multiple fashion design rooms, private lounge featuring multiple tables and party-sized dance floor, gymnasium with workout room with full equipment setup and a private cosmetology lab.�
It’s a chance to own one of the finest high schools in Alberta, the ad says. “Should you make this purchase, your future troubles will dissolve in an instant (although we can’t promise you that on your mortgage),� the Kijiji post says.
“Note: the school is NOT a mobile object and cannot be moved to another neighbourhood.�
The successful buyer will get the building, property and infrastructure, including more than 100 computers, 30 printers, software “and a private team of technicians,� the ad says.
All staff, full-time and part-time students are included in the sale.
“Tired of buying furniture? Why not simply ask the youthful workers in the construction class to make them for you? … Have your nails done professionally in your very own cosmetology lab and never have to spend an extra dime on a haircut!â€� the listing says.
“Unfortunately, we cannot include the cafeteria staff members and custodians because they don’t want to clean up after you.�
Lorne Akins Junior High is not included, the ad notes.
Knoll said staff at the school are getting a chuckle out of the prank and are not pursuing the student or students responsible for posting the ad.
“We always harp on the students, ‘Clean up after themselves, we don’t want the janitors to have to clean up after you. They have enough to do,’ so that’s my guess (about why custodial staff were exempt),� Knoll said.
He has contacted Kijiji and will contact Craigslist to have the ads pulled.
Technology teacher Jim Dosman’s name and cellphone number were initially listed in the ad but he told the student who posted the joke listing to remove his number. The ad now tells potential buyers to contact Knoll through the school’s main phone line.
“It was a grad prank,� Dosman said. “He thought it was funny.�
For-sale ads are also posted on Kijiji and Craigslist for Bellerose Composite High School in St. Albert, at 49 Giroux Rd. That high school is listed for the lower price of $870,000.
“Shining with brilliance in both student minds and football helmets, Bellerose Composite High School is not to disappoint! Bursting with endless features such as the working-bee calculus class and instant-entertainment drama classes, you won’t need a TV ever again!�
asands@edmontonjournal.com