HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-11-03, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016.
OFA committed to rural school closure issue
By Rejean Pommainville,
Director,
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Rural Ontario is facing a critical
social and structural concern: the
closing of rural schools. There's an
alarming trend of local school
boards closing low enrolment
schools without considering the
well-being of those students, their
families and communities.
Schools are an integral part of the
economic and service infrastructure
necessary for prosperity in our
agricultural and rural communities.
The Ontario Federation of
Agriculture (OFA) is committed to
addressing issues like rural school
closures.
Rural school closures were
discussed extensively at a recent
OFA Policy Advisory Council (PAC)
meeting in Brockville. OFA
members across all counties and
regions share the concern of school
closures — a result of cutbacks in
operating expenses that's done at the
expense of rural students and
communities. PAC members have
identified these closures as a
provincial concern and the OFA will
be working with regions impacted
by the threat of rural school
closures.
The OFA opposes school closure
decisions that are made without the
consideration of critical factors that
impact the students, rural families
and communities. Too often
important decisions like these are
made without critical consideration
to transportation, student
employment opportunities and
parental involvement.
Rural school closures mean
students are faced with lengthy bus
rides to larger schools in urban
areas. Hours could be spent each day
on a bus, impacting students'
attentiveness, learning potential and
ability to participate in
extracurricular activities.
Longer commutes to school also
impact students' opportunities for
after school and part-time jobs.
Every community — urban and rural
— relies on part-time student
positions to run their businesses.
Student jobs are also an integral part
of gaining job experience and saving
for post -secondary education.
Schools increasingly rely on
parent volunteers, and those
volunteers will be lost if they can't
travel the greater distance to a larger
urban school.
Rural schools are also central to
the community, acting as hubs for
social, service and athletic events
and community groups that rely on
school buildings.
We can't compromise the welfare
and best interests of our next
generation and our rural
communities with school closures
that do not account for all costs.
Rural Ontario values its children and
their education. The OFA will be
working with affected counties to
ensure they receive the necessary
support to secure the proper
development and growth
opportunities for their rural students,
families and communities.
Get information
on Huron County attractions
on the
Stops Along The Way
section of our website
www.northhuron.on.ca
CANADA
Thank You
The 4-H Members of the Brussels Show and Sale
wish to thank all the many buyers and supporters
CANADA
Grand Champion Calf
COLE MacPHERSON
Buyer -
Lucknow Co-op
Grand Champion Lamb
ZACH WALDEN
Buyer -
Steve Dickson Inc.
LIVESTOCK
4-k' CALI'
& SAILE
ALEX COULTES
Buyer -
Edgar Feed & Seed
ALYCIA COULTES
Buyer -
MGM Townsend Tire
DAKOTA COULTES
Buyer -
Metzger Veterinary Service
LIVESTOCK
4-R' CALM :rOW
G SALE
ASHLEY HIGGINS
Buyer -
McGavin Farm Equipment
NICK McARTER
Buyer -
Brussels Livestock
GARRETT McNABB
Buyer -
Huron Tractor - Chatsworth
LUKE WAUGH
Buyer -
Tobler & Sons Inc.
MASON WEBER
Buyer -
Dave Franken Concrete Forming
ALEX BECKER
Buyer -
Leslie Motors
DREW BECKER
Buyer -
Edgar Feed & Seed - Elliott Miller
TYLER BECKER
Buyer -
MAD Express Transport
MEGAN BRUDER
Buyer -
Harvey Transport
TROY COULTES
Buyer -
McCall Livestock
GRAHAM FALCONER
Buyer -
Reinhart Auctions - Ed Rouse
CARSEN FLOOD
Buyer -
Wingham Veterinary Clinic
HADEN FLOOD
Buyer -
Newry Veterinary Clinic
JACOB FLOOD
Buyer -
Waito Bros.
MAX JOHNSTON
Buyer -
Paul Johnston Farms