HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2010-06-17, Page 20Continued from page 1
financial information at the June 22
meeting for other scenarios
involving Grey Central and
Brussels.
Stratford representative Meg
Westley, noting that “I certainly
haven’t made up my mind yet,”
asked for analyses to two versions
stemming from a new North Perth
school: the version recommended by
staff; or the same, except Grey
Central remains open for K-6
students and Brussels closes.
Perth South trustee Carol
Bennewies, wary of asking affected
students to transfer schools three
times, then requested analyses of a
K-8 model – either at Grey Central
or Brussels, with the other school
closing.
For Bluewater/South Huron, area
representative Randy Wagler
revealed his opposition to what he
described as a “mega-build” option:
seeking Education Ministry funding
for a K-12 expansion on property
currently occupied by both SHDHS
and Exeter Public School. Instead,
he explained, he would like to see a
full analysis of the scaled-down staff
recommendation: closing Zurich
Public School and Usborne Central
Public School, and shifting the
area’s Grades 7 and 8 students into
the high school.
Laurie concurred, suggesting the
“mega-build” would have eliminated
close to a dozen village or rural
classroom spaces, only to rebuild
them on the Exeter site. “I just don’t
see anyone running any type of
business doing something like that,”
she commented.
The possibility remains open that
further options will be raised by
trustees at the June 22 or June 29
meetings.
PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2010.After weeks of claims andcounter-claims between supportersof potentially-threatened elementary
schools in Huron East, there was an
aura of reconciliation on Tuesday,
June 8, as area residents took
advantage of their final opportunity
– ahead of a planned vote June 22 –
to address Avon Maitland District
School Board trustees in a public
forum.
Monique Baan, making her second
public delegation on behalf of Grey
Central Public School in Ethel,
began by thanking trustees and
community members for their work
throughout a Huron East/North
Perth accommodation review
process that began in September,
2009.
Lyle Martin, meanwhile, jokedthat he had become very well-acquainted with school boardofficials over the past nine months.“I’m beginning to wonder if I shouldput (Avon Maitland chair) Jenny
Versteeg and (education
superintendent) Mike Ash on my
Christmas card list,” said the Grey
Central supporter.”
An April 13 staff report, delivered
by Ash, recommended closing Grey
Central and sending its
Kindergarten-to-Grade 6 students to
Brussels Public School and Grades
7-8 students to Elma Township
Public School in Newry. Since that
time, trustees have heard numerous
delegations in support of both
Brussels and Grey Central, and it has
become clear – through discussions
during open meetings – that there
exists a very real possibility that
trustees could instead decide to closeBrussels and keep Grey Centralopen.During previous meetings,comparisons between variousattributes of each school had beennumerous. On June 8, however, it
seemed like a truce had been
achieved.
This time around, Baan stopped
short of criticizing the Brussels
school, saying only that “there is
strong support for Grey Central.”
She then lamented that the past
several months have “been a
frustrating and time-consuming
process which inadvertently haspitted community againstcommunity.”Jim Prior of Brussels added that“there’s another option: keep themboth open.” In his delegation, Priorcalled for the closure of Wallace
Public School in Gowanstown, with
students distributed to Howick
Central Public School near Gorrie,
Listowel Central Public School, and
Grey Central – thereby eliminating
the current excess of empty space at
Grey Central.
Wallace is already threatened with
closure due to a second
recommendation in the April 13 staffreport. Pending provincial EducationMinistry funding, thatrecommendation calls for theconstruction of a new K-8 school inNorth Perth and the closure of bothWallace and Listowel Central.
Taking a more serious tone after
his opening remarks, Martin
addressed the possibility of school
closures. “There’s going to be hurt,”
he advised. “There are going to be
misgivings. But we must find value
and support the value of the decision
of the board . . . We need to join
together.”
By Brittany Nigh
As the final full week of classes
commences, it has definitely been a
bittersweet week at St. Anne’s
Catholic Secondary School. With
many events to recognize and
celebrate the school’s
accomplishments this past year, it
was an exciting time to be in the
school. Tuesday was the annual
“Dyno Day” where over 40 students
participated by driving their tractors
to school and measuring the
horsepower as part of the Ag-Tech
program. This is a Huron County
tradition that was enjoyed by
everyone.
Thursday was perhaps the most
exciting day of the school year and
students and teachers were blessed
with beautiful weather. The day
started with an outdoor Mass,
followed by a barbecue lunch
provided by Student Cabinet for
all students. The afternoon
played host to a variety of carnival
games, tie-dye and a dunk tank in
which students took aim to
dunk their teachers. After school,
the co-curricular banquet was held
in which all teams and clubs
were able to recognize valuable
members. Congratulations to
everyone who received special
recognition.
The evening’s festivities continued
with the second annual outdoor
dance, a country-western themed
event. Everyone was able to pull out
their favorite plaid and denim attire
for this event. After a long, but very
successful day, everyone made their
way home for the night.
Looking back on the year, there
are so many things that St. Anne’s
staff and students have to be proud
of. These events, fundraisers and
victories could not have been
accomplished without the support of
the amazing community surrounding
us. Thank you, thank you, thank you,
for all of your support and
dedication throughout the school
year.
Continued from page 1
change.”
Several concerned citizens spoke
regarding traffic problems that
would be created by the approval of
the by-law.
Unfortunately for those asking the
questions, there were no
representatives present that could
comment on the traffic study.
Councillor Alma Conn
commented that she would not be
ready to make a decision until she
saw an updated traffic report.
Council declined a decision and
deferred the decision based on the
fact that there were changes yet to be
made to the by-law.
Trustee’s mind
‘not made up yet’
Rezoning deferred
Eagles end year
Supporters make their closing arguments
A pie in the face
The Brussels Mennonite Fellowship held a fun carnival on Saturday where Nancy Hiebert got
a pie in the face from her young cousin Lorenzo. (Vicky Bremner photo)
Getting his grub on
Doug Evans was one of the many diners at the Brussels Legion’s Fish Fry on Saturday
evening, as he waits for his dinner from Sharon Robbins. (Vicky Bremner photo)
By Stew SlaterSpecial to The Citizen