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The Citizen, 2009-11-05, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2009. At a community meeting in Brussels Public School, Oct. 28, local members of the Accommodation Review Committee had a clear message for those present... get involved in the fight to keep Brussels school open. “It is very important that we come together as a community,” said Charlie Hoy, who chaired the meeting. He urged the close to 100 people present to encourage others to attend the ARC meeting scheduled for Nov. 4 in Brussels. “The board has not yet made a decision. They are now asking us to come up with our preferred option. There is hope.” The Avon Maitland District School Board administration has presented its “preferred option” the first phase of which would see Brussels’ kindergarten to Grade 6 students sent to a new school planned for North Huron, and senior elementary students attending F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham. The second part of the option targets another Huron East elementary school, Grey Central, suggesting its closure with students attending Elma. (Four other schools, Listowel Eastdale and Central, Wallace and Elma are in this review as well.) Brent Kipfer, a parent council member, said the option comes from senior board staff, but the trustees make the decision. “That’s what gives hope.” The board staff had submitted an application for the new North Huron school with a schedule B that would see another $3 million in funding to accommodate students from Brussels, Hoy explained. However, because Brussels was not included in the North Huron review that part of the application is on hold. Huron East trustee Willie Laurie admitted that they are “not exactly holding our breath” on that application funding approval. While a few ideas were tossed around by those in attendance one thing that was fundamentally clear was what people thought of the board’s option, or their reasons for it. Speaking to the comments about the condition of the Brussels school, which, unlike Grey is over capacity in its enrollment, Hoy said it had been stated it was not cost-effective to repair the school. “Actually, this school is no worse off than any other.” The board’s view, he said, is that the additions built in the late 1980s have a “shelf life of 10 more years” meaning that considerable money would need to be spent at that time to fix them. “The bottom line is they are not falling apart now,” said Hoy. Hoy said Brussels residents need to indicate the value of the school to the students, to the board, to the community and to the local economy. “The recommendation will be based on input. We have to convince others.” David Blaney, a Huron East councillor, whose sons had attended Brussels and Grey, expressed his opinion that the board wants consolidation of some kind and suggested the schools work together for their solution to this. “We need some creative thinking so Brussels and Grey get theirschool.” “We’ve got to have one that’s ours for sure,” said parent David Bell. Laurie said there are 400 extra pupil spaces in the six schools under the review, most in Wallace and Grey. “So somewhere along the line we have to consolidate.” Karen Mitchell Thomas ex- pressed a concern with Grades 7 and 8s mixing with secondary school students. “You are only looking at the money.” Laurie said that the elementary students in the high school would have different lunches, etc. from the secondary students. However, she did agree when Thomas said that they would share the same bus. Laurie was put on the hot seat when John Nesbit, who said Brussels was one of the tightest-knit communities he’s ever seen, asked her what kind of representative she would be. “How strong are you to stand up to others? You should back our ideas. We say this is what we want, will you fight for us?” “You are putting me on the spot a bit here,” said Laurie. “But I will say I have to put the kids first.” When she mentioned the projected enrolments, however, Blaney had a different view. “I’ve seen your projected figures for Grey,” he said. “They’re wrong.” Grey actually has 20 more than the board had projected for this year. Many felt that if the problems were 10 years down the road, it was too soon to have Brussels in a review. “Leave this school alone,” said Sharon Stephenson. “Why are we facing this now when we are over capacity.” That the school’s closure would be devastating for the town was noted too. Sara Newell said she and her husband had moved to town, in part because her kids would be able to walk to school. “This is a gem of a school and if we close it we limit the potential to grow and develop. We’re done. That’s not fair.” Jeff Cardiff spoke on behalf of the Agricultural Society saying Brussels and Grey schools are an integral part of the fair. “If we lose one or both it will have a devastating impact. We will fight tooth and nail to oppose this.” Brussels Legion president John Lowe spoke of the annual competitions that involve local students adding that the fight to keep the school open has the “100 per cent support of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 218”. Many parents echoed Newell’s remarks about the comfort in knowing your child could walk to school. “I picked this town,” said Julie Johnston. “I brought my child here because I felt it was the safest.” Sharon Holthuyssen said she and her husband choose to have lengthy commutes to work, in opposite directions, in order to live in Brussels. “That speaks volumes.” Melissa Jacklin from the parent council, asked to hear from business owners. Those in attendance agreed the school closing would have aprofoundly negative impact on their livelihood. “It’s very important we fight hard,” said John McDonald. Morris-Turnberry councillor Paul Gowing agreed. “Don’t take this lying down,” he said. “I have asked someone to show me what’s wrong with this building. There will be capital expenditure dollars to move kids elsewhere. Why not spend it here.” Gowing noted that the majority of kids at Brussels are obviously living in the village and therefore walking. “How can you do that any more economically?” This raised the point as to which of the schools would be the lesser of two evils to close. “I understand the emotion,” said committee member Jim Prior, “but we have to make a decision on the best use of the facility and convince the board.” “The talks that we’ve had with Grey so far, everyone wants to work to a comfortable solution,” said Hoy/. Ideas were tossed around, regarding boundary changes and additions. Cardiff reminded that the issue of declining enrollment at Grey is probably not going to go away. “Farms are getting bigger. There used to be a family one every 100 acres, now you’re looking at every 300-400 acres. Minivans can pick up the kids now. There are just fewer from the rural areas.” Sheana Campbell suggested the board turn Grey into an ecological science retreat, while expanding Brussels to accommodate the rural students. “If you’re going to put $3 million into a super school, you could create a pretty nice building here.” Hoy asked people to bring their suggestions to the committee, noting that an e-mail address had been set up which would direct any comments to all of the committee members. It is arc@villageofbrussels.ca However, everyone was reminded that in addition to the Brussels and Grey representatives there are those from other communities who will have a say on any recommendation to the board. Whatever solution, said Bell, “we want one that’s one and done so we don’t have to deal with this in another five years. We need a solution we know is going to be a final solution.” To achieve this, the committee representatives said it is going to require a community effort. The low attendance was noted by several people, who wondered if Brussels people had given up or hadn’t gotten the message. “I saw more cars heading up to the arena tonight than here,” said Don Bray. “They should be out fighting for this.” Joan Beuermann reminded that that is what Brussels does best. “I have been feeling lately that all we ever do is fight. But we can stand up together and do this because we always have.” Alvin McLellan, a Huron East councillor, said that council is planning for a fight. He asked people to get started on a letter-writing campaign to MPP Carol Mitchell and to the Ministry. “This fight is a long way from over.” Boo! The ghosts and goblins were out in full force last weekend at the Belgrave Community Centre where this year’s community Halloween dance was held. Among the dozens of costumed heroes and ghouls were a cowboy, Travis Newman, a mummy, Hunter McCullagh and Darth Vader, Tyson Michie. (Shawn Loughlin photo) Community gets infofrom Brussels ARC reps BBLLYYTTHH PPRRIINNTTIINNGG IINNCC.. BLYTH 523-9211 PRINTING IS OUR BUSINESS • Colour • Business Printing Forms • Posters • Brochures • Letterheads • Flyers • Envelopes • Carbonless • Business Forms Cards • Labels WE CAN DO IT ALL! By Bonnie Gropp The Citizen ‘You should back our ideas. Will you fight for us?’ parent asks trustee