HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-02-19, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009.
Parent shares viewpoint
Continued from page 1education.”However, Lila Procter of EastWawanosh felt it was perhaps timeto have faith in the system. “I haveattended many meetings and this
committee has really looked at
everything. I also love the warm
fuzzy of the status quo, but when
you attend these meetings you learn
it has to change. Something’s going
to happen and I’d rather it not be
moving the Grade 7 and 8s. I like the
super school better.”
Roger Hopper of East Wawanosh
said he had initially agreed with the
naysayers, but since learning more
has decided the bigger school might
be a good idea.
The idea “excites” Michele
McDonald of Blyth who wondered
if it might help increase enrollment
down the road for F.E. Madill
Secondary School.
Director of education Mike Ash,
ARC chair indicated that the
potential for this kind of review for
secondary schools did exist. “There
are a number of things to consider
with a secondary school. For
example, we are looking now at
what happens when Walkerton
opens its new school.”
Currently 250 Madill students are
crossing the border from Bruce
County. “That’s on our radar.”
People of course, wondered where
the board would find the money to
build a big school. Ash responded
that government has indicated therewould be investments ininfrastructure. “We are hopeful somewill come to us.”However, he added, it has alsobeen indicated that the consolidation
of schools will see higher priority
than one school. “So in that respect
we would have a better chance.”
He reminded, however, that when
it comes to accessing funds, Avon
Maitland is in competition with 72
other boards across the province.
“In the long-term if we can’t
consolidate we will be in a position
where the buildings we have we
can’t maintain as accustomed. That’s
a concern for us and I’m pretty sure
it’s a concern for you too.”
The school as well, should mean a
drop in administrative costs, said
Ash. “There will be fewer
principals, fewer secretaries and
custodians. That’s the reality of
closing schools and putting
everyone under one roof.”
With 2012 set for a new school
should that be the decision, Kim
Hunking of Hullett wondered about
the interim.
Ash said as of 2010, the board
would be “in the red” for
maintaining the buildings they have.
However, if the decision was made
to close a school this June, the
capital funding for that school would
cease immediately. “Maintenance
for safety would continue, but we
would not be investing.”
A reduction in renewal funding of$625,000 has resulted in a re-prioritizing of capital needs, Ashadded. And if the school doesn’t proceed?ARC member for Hullett Robert
Hunking said “Plan B will be what
the board recommends, whether it’s
moving Grade 7/8s or closing two
schools, or three.”
The scenario of the centre for
excellence is to start people
thinking, he said. “We’re getting
response. But we still have to wait to
see what senior administration
presents.”
Mark Beaven,ARC vice-chair and
East Wawanosh parent, said a
working group has been given the
task of coming up with looking at
the idea of the one school, whether
plan B or an interim plan are
necessary.
Trustee Shelley Kaastra explained
that the ARC recommendation
would go to senior staff who would
then present it to trustees for a
decision in June.
“At any time you can come to a
meeting and present a delegation to
all the trustees.”
She added that the majority of
trustees would be present at the final
ARC meeting March 12 in Wingham
school.
Taylor asked if there had been
consideration given to moving Blyth
and East Wawanosh together and
Turnberry and Wingham. Ash said it
was a scenario that could beconsidered. “It’s reasonable. Wewouldn’t be doing our job if wedidn’t look at it.”In conclusion, Beaven thankedthose present for the “valid”
questions, adding the committee has
considered the same points.
He also apologized for the use of
the term super school. “I guess I
started that, but it has a negative
connotation. I was thinking super as
in superb, as in extraordinary. A
school with 750-900 students is not
a gigantic school.”
Regardless of their preference,
Beaven reminded everyone that they
had one thing in common. “The goal
is what’s best for our kids. These
people have agonized long and hard.
Don’t think the final decision will be
made lightly.”
He encouraged anyone with
concerns to call him directly. “I willcome to your house, drink yourcoffee and answer your questions.”Saying that being the ARC’s“point person” is not an easy job,Ash commended those present for
“open and honest dialogue. It shows
a commitment to education for your
kids. Thank you very much.”
The next ARC meeting is Feb. 26
in Turnberry Central Public School.
Continued from page 4
where we were exposed to sewing
machines, cooking projects, using
the oven and stove, etc.
The students in this area had to be
bused to participate in these
activities. Talking to my cousin who
grew up in Toronto and took public
transportation to school, not just the
school bus that many from this area
seem to fear the idea of, I really felt
out of the loop so to speak with what
my schools were able to offer.
The personal choice on where you
decide to make a life for your family
and children, where they go to
school, what they are involved with
as they grow up is all at the parent’s
discretion. It’s a personal choice and
one that should not be disputed or
have to be explained to anyone.
What I would like to see
explained, is why do the children in
less rural settings get the greater
opportunities? The question is really
why can our children not have the
same type of education that is
available in the city. Are we less
valuable as students or adults? I
would certainly hope not.
I do not personally think so, and
that is why I have put the much-
needed time into this process.
Unfortunately the way we have it
now will not last. It is financially a
disaster for the board. They can not
keep the schools running the way
they are now and have no choice but
to make changes.
So let’s put the emotional feelings
aside. I know this can be a difficult
thing to do, but really would you
rather see the money go into keeping
buildings open that are facing
declining enrolment and aging
issues or would you like to see the
money going into greater
opportunities for our children and
their education? Why not grab the
bull by the horns when the time is
right?
The government is going to put
money into infrastructure. We have
five communities uniting to create a
fantastic opportunity of all of our
children. We are going to have to be
there for them, and tell them it will
be okay.
Children are models of what they
see. If you can see that this will
bring the rural communities up to
the educational level of other areas
in Ontario, you have to agree that
this is certainly in the best interests
of all the kids and we will just have
to be a stepping stone for them,
support them, reassure them and let
them continue to face the chapters of
their life with a positive attitude and
know in your heart, that we have
tried to give them the best
opportunity available for them.
That is our responsibility as a
parents, is it not?
The last thing that I would like to
bring forward is the feelings of some
other parents that have let the board
decide their fate. This is by no
means to fault them or the process
that they went through, but I really
feel that we have made such a great
accomplishment bringing the five
communities together for our kids.
Call The Stratford Beacon Herald
and ask for the letters to the editor
addressing the situation they face
with the integration of Grades 7 and
8 in the high school atmosphere.
Thank you to those who have
made their feelings known. Keep in
mind to represent our community
you have to be open with us. We
need everyone’s input. Please
involve yourself for the future of
your kids, your kids to come, a
friend’s kid, maybe a grandkid, or
just kids in general. At the end of the
process, it is all about the better
education and opportunities for all
five communities of kids.
Heather Toll, Blyth Parent
Council rep on the ARC.
Parents prefer idea to moving Grades 7 and 8
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