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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-04-23, Page 9Against the wishes of acommunity-based committee created by the board to gather public input, administrators of the Avon Maitland District School Board have recommended placing Grades 7 and 8 students in a high school setting in the Wingham area, as part of a larger plan to close and consolidate elementary schools. Under the proposed reorganization – on which trustees could potentially vote June 23 – both Blyth Public School and Turnberry Central Public School near Wingham would close, with students moved to existing facilities. But education superintendent Mike Ash is quick to point out that the optimal solution – in the case of positive response from the provincial Education Ministry to the board’s request for funding – would be to close three schools and move students into a brand new building. At a regular meeting Tuesday, April 14,Ash delivered a staff report to trustees about the so-called Central East North Huron Accommodation Review. The review, kicked off last September, examined future enrolment and school capacities in the catchment areas served by five facilities: Blyth, East Wawanosh Public School, Turnberry Central, Hullett Central Public School, and Wingham Public School.Part way through the schedule offive subsequent public inputmeetings, a break-away group ofnon-board-related members of the Accommodation Review Committee devised a plan to construct a large new school for approximately 1,000 students in the Wingham/Belgrave/Blyth area. Details about that proposal – which would accommodate students from four of the schools (but not Hullett Central) – were included in Ash’s April 14 report. Key to the proposal is that Grades 7 and 8 students remain in an elementary setting – in contrast to the board’s already-established practice of educating those grade levels in secondary school settings in Stratford, and future plans to do the same in Goderich, St. Marys and, potentially, Exeter. The April 14 report from Avon Maitland administration, however, advises relocating Grades 7 and 8 to F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham. As is the case in the other communities already adapting to this arrangement, it’s expected the plan will include some level of isolation between the senior elementary students and their secondary counterparts. Ash’s report lists three possible scenarios, all involving the relocation of Grades 7 and 8 students. One option is to closeTurnberry, East Wawanosh andBlyth, with students shifted to eitherF.E. Madill or a newly-constructedkindergarten-to-Grade 6 school near Belgrave. Another would see those same three schools close and a smaller new school built, while some Blyth students would shift to Hullett Central – thereby decreasing the number of empty spaces at that school. The preferred staff option, however, is to close Turnberry and Blyth. Wingham Public would be converted to a K-6 school and take in the students from Turnberry, Grades 7 and 8 students from Turnberry and Wingham would shift to F.E. Madill, and Blyth’s students would attend either Hullett Central or East Wawanosh. Under the proposal, one portable classroom will be necessary to accommodate the increased student population at Wingham Public School, although that need may disappear if enrolment continues to decline. At Hullett, additional space will also be necessary. According to the report, this could be addressed through either portables, an addition to the school, boundary adjustments between the Hullett and East Wawanosh catchment areas, or a combination of approaches. “Staff will not be changing its recommendation,” Ash said in an interview, following the meeting. He didn’t preclude, however, a change being brought forward by trustees.And there’s one key factor whichmight inspire a change: additionalfunding from the Education ministryunder its Local Priorities program. The ministry’s replacement for the Prohibitive to Repair (PTR) initiative – which saw funds committed to school- consolidating efforts in both Goderich and St. Marys over the past two years – Local Priorities is based on a wider range of criteria than just the condition of a building. According to Ash, the new program is based on “more of a business case model” that takes in such factors as community partnerships and the potential for decreasing the amount of unused student capacity. The board submitted a Local Priorities application for the North Huron area last fall, and has lobbied for its approval based on the potential to consolidate three schools into one. Ash adds the board has heard indications that some announcements of application approval may occur within the next couple of months. And, if that happens in the case of North Huron, it’s possible trustees will suggest alternative solutions – most likely, some variation on the two other options listed in the April 14 report. Even if this does happen, however, he expects the recommendation to place Grades 7 and 8 students into F.E. Madill will remain. The April 14 report argues, “our experiences at the two Grade 7-12 schools in Stratford over the past four years have not presented the outcomes originally feared by parents and staff . . . Elementary and secondary teachers are working together to provide a safe, positive and productive education environmentfor all students.”The report also notes that theministry has made it clear thatchanges in student accommodation must achieve a reduction in excess capacity. “It is highly unlikely that this board would receive funding for a new school where it does not demonstrate the reduction of available surplus space such as at F.E. Madill.” According to Ash, PTR funding for both Goderich and St. Marys “was insufficient to build a full K-8 school,” and it’s unrealistic to assume it will be any different in North Huron. Members of the public will have the opportunity to address the board when it holds a regular meeting Tuesday, May 12 at Wingham Public School. Requests for delegations – which generally consist of five-minute presentations to trustees, after which there may be questions of clarification but no back-and-forth discussion – are received by the board up until one day prior to the meeting. To sign up, contact (519) 527- 0111, ext. 106. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2009. PAGE 9. Portables necessary to accommodate extra students at Wingham and Hullett New card option for Huron library users AMDSB rejects Centre of Excellence proposal Huron County Library users now have the option of carrying their library cards on their key chains or in their wallets. The new library card design is based on the new Huron County brand. The various components of the brand represent the lakeside scenery, agricultural heritage, strong sense of community and relaxed lifestyle of the county. The new Huron County Library card will be available for free to all new library users. Current library cards may be exchanged for a new card or key fobs free of charge until May 18. After that, a $2 replacement fee will be required. Huron County Library book bags may be handed out with the new library cards while supplies last. Huron County Library cards are valid at any of the 12 branches of the Huron County Library system. For more information about the Huron County Library or library programs call your local branch or visit www.huroncounty.ca/library. Library card application forms may also be printed off the library’s website and submitted. Library cards The Huron County Library will be running a new library card program until May 18. Library board chair Dorothy Kelly and county warden Ken Oke hold their brand new cards. (Photo submitted) CLINTON PUBLIC HOSPITAL ST. MARYS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL SEAFORTH COMMUNITY HOSPITAL STRATFORD GENERAL HOSPITAL WE PAY A TRIBUTE TO HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS National Volunteer Week is celebrated April 19th - 25th 2009 HPHA from April 26 th to 30th 2009 This is the time of year we acknowledge the enormous contribution by the dedicated volunteers who give their time and efforts to assist in the delivery of programs and services that significantly enrich the culture of our hospitals and the communities we serve. We wish to recognize and express gratitude to all the volunteers who make a difference to our patients, staff, and our local healthcare system... If you would like to join our great team of volunteers, please refer to the information on our website, www.hpha.ca, or contact your local hospital. “No man can become rich without himself enriching others” Hospital Volunteers, Hospital Board Members, Local Advisory Committee Members, Auxiliary Members, and Foundation Board Members By Stew SlaterSpecial to The Citizen Students bring fresh ideas, energy and enthusiasm into the workplace To find out more about offering high school students work experience contact the Foundation for Enriching Education Perth Huron at 519-527-0111 ext 231 or visit www.foundationforeducation.on.ca Sponsored by the Ontario Learning Partnernship Group and the Provincial Partnership Council Supported by The Government of Ontario