HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1989-04-05, Page 13THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 1989. PAGE 13.
Jewitt tells students 'No simple solutions
presentation included a video demonstrating the love and respect the
students at CHSS have for their administrator. He was described as a man
“who rules by respect.”
Central Huron District Secondary School Student Council President Greg
Lobb made a presentation at Monday’s Board of Education meeting in the
hopes of stopping the transfer of their principal. Mr. Lobb says that Joe
Wooden is special in that he relates to each student individually. The
Continued from page 1
re-consider, proving that their feel
ings and opinions do count.
Chair John Jewitt began his
response by commending Mr. Lobb
and the students on the mature way
they have expressed their concerns
and that it has all been done within
the bounds of the political process.
He then went on to explain the
similarities between the Board of
Trustees and the student council
that they are both elected officials,
they have an obligation to serve the
public to the best of their abilities,
and have both had to make difficult
decisions that have no simple
answer or solution.
He reminded them that the
decision to transfer their principal
was neither a hastily nor rashly
made one and many factors were
considered. There are also, Mr.
Jewitt said, private and confiden
tial matters that are taken into
account. Trustees make the deci
sions with information that the
public is unaware of, Mr. Jewitt
explained. He continued, “There
are no simple solutions in life; but
there are some intelligent
choices.” He feels that the one
made concerning Mr. Wooden’s
transfer was intelligent.
Mr. Jewitt said that as Mr.
Wooden had become a special
individual to the students at CHSS
he could understand why they did
not want to share him. However, he
said, a positive relationship is not
the only aspect of a principal’s job.
It is a complex job and administra
tors are called on to perform many
duties that are not always related to
the student body and that students
may not be aware of. They are, Mr.
Jewitt stated, vital to the welfare
and future of the students of Huron
County.
Mr. Jewitt said that the Board
also recognized the outstanding
performance and service that Mr.
Wooden has given to CHSS and to
the educational system in Huron
County. Two years, he said are a
considerable length of time in
terms of school life. The Board
believes that a man of Mr. Wood
en’s particular skills can have a
major impact on any school regard
less of the time remaining in his
career. Mr. Jewitt then reminded
students that the only record they
have concerning Mr. Wooden’s
retirement is that he will be
required to retire in the late 1990’s.
Six years ago Mr.
tranferred to CHSS
Students there were
the transfer. “The
South Huron may be expecting that
the principal that was borrowed
from them six years ago, should
now be returned,” Mr. Jewitt
why decisions were made. Mr.
Chapman has been approached by
concerned citizens regarding the
transfer of SHSS principal and
Exeter mayor Bruce Shaw. They
feel that Mr. Shaw will retire and
that his personal needs are not
being met. Also Mr. Chapman
said, the ratepayers are concerned
about Mr. Wooden. They do not
feel his philosophy is what is
needed at SHSS and he may not
want what they want for the school.
Trustee Norm Pickell of Goderich
seconded the motion to re-open. It
was voted down.
Greg Lobb makes student presenta
tion.
Plan to attend our cb
APRIL 7
whose support is
implement these
then informed the
their new principal
Wooden was
from SHSS.
also upset at
students of
remarked.
Mr. Jewitt discussed the revitali
zation project to take place the next
few years at CHSS. The proposals
include new science labs, visual
and performing arts facilities -
modernization of physical educa
tion facilities inside and outside,
technological and business studies
equipment and facilities and a new
resource centre in the library. It is
not anticipated according to Mr.
Jewitt that any other Huron County
school will receive this type of
facility and commitment of funds.
A project of this size should be
implemented by one principal who
can see it through to completion. If
Mr. Wooden retires in two years,
as he claims, he is not the man for
this major long-term expansion,
the Board feels.
Mr. Jewitt asked for considera
tion in another point. The students
in a letter had described Mr.
Wooden as “our voice of protest”
when the Board decided to take
over part of the building. In view of
the aformentioned changes, Mr.
Jewitt stated that they could not
accept the fact that the “focus of
opposition emanate from the key
administrator
necessary to
changes.”
Mr. Jewitt
students that
was Jim Moore, who has been with
the Board for 18 years. He began
teaching at Seaforth District High
School in 1971 then assumed the
Head of the History Department at
CHSS until 1978. In 1982 he
became Vice-Principal at Seaforth.
Mr. Jewitt strongly urged the
students to get to know Mr. Moore
and if they have concerns, speak
with former members of his depart
ment or staff members at Central
Huron or Seaforth.
The movement of principals is
not rigid and it is not done on any
quota system, Mr. Jewitt said. It is
done after the strengths of a
principal are matched to the needs
of a particular school. The Board
believes, Mr. Jewitt stated, that it
has made the right decision.
In closing Mr. Jewitt said that
this issue has taken too much time
from the school curriculum and if it
continues he and the Board will
have to take appropriate action.
Since watching the events of the
past month unfold he is convinced
that the Board has made the right
moves.
“It is my intent after the close of j
this day, not to comment on this
issue further,” said Mr. Jewitt.
In a somewhat ironic twist Trus
tee for Exeter, Jim Chapman
reopened discussion asking for a
presentation as a rationale as to
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