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The Citizen, 2009-06-04, Page 20The Avon Maitland DistrictSchool Board has responded to criticisms leveled by members of the public during the ongoing accommodation review in Central/East/North Huron. In particular, the board expressed confidence that a staff proposal to relocate Grades 7 and 8 students to F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham will not leave it open to legal challenges. At the board’s previous regular meeting, held May 12 at Wingham Public School, trustees heard public delegations from several people opposed to the staff proposal. Accusations were levelled in more than one of those delegations, and more than one delegation threatened legal action if the Grades 7 and 8 option moves forward. The accusations revolved largely around public comments made by superintendent Mike Ash. And the legal threat revolved around the perceived addition of the Grades 7 and 8 option into the accommodation review process late in the game – long after the establishment of terms of reference for the board-mandated, community- based Accommodation Review Committee. At the board’s most recent regular meeting at its Seaforth headquarters, Ash responded to some accusations. Other responses were included in the information package for the meeting – in the form of copies of the letters sent by the board to the people who made the delegations on May 12. “The topic of placing the Grades 7 and 8s in the high school was discussed at every single meeting ofthe Accommodation ReviewCommittee,” Ash told trustees.“(Adding the relocation into the staffproposal) isn’t a change in the scope of the process; it is a change in how that school is involved in the consultation process.” Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Ash said provincial accommodation review guidelines state a school must be part of the ARC committee if more than 50 per cent of the student population is affected. The addition of Grades 7 and 8 students from Wingham Public School and Turnberry Central Public School – as described in the staff proposal – would not cause the high school to meet that threshold. Also at the May 26 meeting, education superintendent Ted Doherty – who did the same job as Ash during last year’s accommodation review in Mitchell – shed light on why administrators decided not to include F.E. Madill in the ARC. He claimed the Mitchell ARC – which included a high school representative – ended up spending an inordinate amount of time trying to convince the board not to close the high school, even though outright closure of the high school was never a serious staff consideration. As for some of the other accusations levelled during the May 12 meeting, copies of the letters sent by the board to the people who made the delegations reveal various attempts to clear up controversy. “Superintendent Ash did not state ‘that we (the ARC) are making the students at F.E. Madill out to be monsters’,” says a letter to Muriel Coultes of Belgrave. “This comment was not directed at the ARC members but it was based onfeedback from community memberswho took exception to commentsmade about the negative influencethat secondary school students would have on Grade 7 and 8students. The use of the word‘inadvertently’ in the quotationindicates that superintendent Ash didnot believe it was the intent of the community members to paint anegative picture.”Regarding an accusation – byDavid Sparling of Blyth – about anunnamed, inebriated Avon Maitland staff member disclosing sensitive information at a Christmas party, a letter responds, “it is regrettable that this occurred as we hope that all our staff members behave in a responsible and professional manner at all times.” And, responding to Morris- Turnberry mayor Dorothy Kelly’s concern about rural students wandering around town at lunch hour, a letter reads, “many Wingham Public School students eat their lunch at school. Students are not permitted to leave school grounds unless they have parental permission. Eating at the Frosty would not be an option unless approved in advance by the parents.” PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2009.Avon Maitland superintendent responds to criticisms New friends Mario Fernandez Tellez, two, gets some cuddle time with new friends. The little one picked up the stuffed toys during the Brussels community-wide yard sale on Saturday. The early part of the day was chilly, but bright, perfect for bargain hunters to make their way around town lookinig for treasures and vendors to display their wares. (Vicky Bremner photo) By Stew SlaterSpecial to The Citizen Slip! on clothing Slop! on sunscreen SPF 15 or higher Slap! on a hat For more information call the Canadian Cancer Society at 1 888 939-3333 or take our SunSense quiz at www.cancer.ca.