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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-01-27, Page 1Education Feature Farm p «Bly th PS gets Blyth man Morris couple s v environmental raises prize-wins Huron ...;donation winning birds pork award See page 2 See page 6 See page 11 Possible boundary shift worries Brussels parents By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff On the one hand, it's an idea that could, for Brussels parents and stu­ dents, be nothing more than that. On the other hand, it's a political decision. Close to 150 people packed the public school gymnasium on Mon­ day night to learn more about a proposal that would see Brussels students moved from F.E. Madill Secondary School to Seaforth Dis­ trict High School. Marie Parsons, a superintendent with the Avon Mailland District School Board said that to a great extent the concerns were based on "miscommunication". She ex­ plained that when the board agreed there would be no school closures, the request came out to school communities to speak among them­ selves and find ways to address the issue of excess student space. "As enrolment drops so does funding," Parson said. Also at issue was the fact that when Madill's library was renovat­ ed in 1998, it was approved only if there were further upgrades to the fire system. The second stage would cost about 5100,000. Excess space would mean no funding to help with those renovations. However moving students and demolishing the math wing of Madill is only one scenario being studied to answer the Ministry requirements. "Do I think the chances of boundary changes will happen?" said Parsons. "I highly doubt it. Il has to be looked at, but would it make sense in the grand scheme of things? Not likely." Madill Principal Wayne Tessier, who informed the students at an assembly last week "to make sure the study didn't proceed without the knowledge of the students, added "I'm not sure of the results because I don't have control." A committee will first study options, which will then be taken to the board of trustees. The recom­ mendation rests with them. "Is there a need to change boundaries," said Tessier. "Perhaps not, but I'm not the one to make the decision. A Seaforth representative at the meeting urged parents to work with them. She said Seaforth has been fighting vigorously to keep all schools open and does not want students moved. "We should not fight against each other but togeth- cr. If we fight, only the bureaucrats win." Noling that the proposal came as a shock to them, as well, she stressed that grandfathering (mov­ ing students from Grade 8 into Seaforth, rather than those present­ ly at Madill) would be the only way they would agree to such a plan. "If you started at Madill, you'll graduate from Madill," she said in response to a student's concern. According to Tessier, an addi­ tional 35-50 students would be all Seaforth school could handle. Grade 11 student Gayle Van Beck read a letter stating she believed the move would adversely affect the student. She described a lengthy bus trip and asked for con­ sideration with regards to student employment and the availability of course selections. Van Beck has also begun a peti­ tion at the school, which Parsons said was a good idea, but added that individual letters of concern often had more impact. Letters can be given to Tessier for the commit­ tee's consideration or to the local representative Frank Stretton. School Trustee Colleen Schenk urged everyone present to write let­ ters to each trustee. "My vote is with you, but I am only one per­ son."' With regards to students in Mor­ ris Twp. who attended Brussels, Tessier said he would be "surprised if that area came up for study." When asked about the benefits to Brussels students should a move occur Parsons said, "1 can't think of much of a response to that. If a stu­ dent wants to move for personal reasons that's fine. But for some­ thing like this I can't give you bene­ fits and I'm not going to pretend to." Emphasising that the final deci­ sion will be a political one, Tessier stressed, "You have to realise nobody is moving anywhere yet. There are all kinds of alternatives we have to list." The report is to go to the board Feb. 23. A request was brought for­ ward from the Brussels Student Advisory Council Chair Cathrine Campbell asking that the report be made available for the Feb. 22 SAC meeting. Schenk was going to dis­ cuss it with the trustees Tuesday night, Jan. 26, as they must approve the report's release. 'The more the community knows the more we can deal with it," said Campbell. CitizenTheNorthHuron Huronlea gets all-clear on flu cases Huronlea in Brussels has been given the all-clear after being closed for 14 days due to a large number of flu cases at the facility. Cathy Brown, administrator for Huronlea and Huronview said the home was reopened to visitors on Monday after the last, new flu symptoms were seen Jan. 17. The home remained closed to visitors for an extra weeks to give residents an opportunity to get back on their feet, she said. Of the 64 residents, 42 had suf- fered some symptoms, said Brown. "We were fortunate that we had no losses." Though Huronlea is open, any­ one who has experienced flu symp­ toms in the last 48 hours is asked to refrain from visiting. NDP to meet in Kincardine D. Richards moves to pork bd. A long-time employee with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, Doug Richards has accepted a newly-cre­ ated position with the Ontario Pork Producers. Richards assumed the role of senior field representative as of Jan. 18. His experience will be used to enhance customer service for pro- ducers while helping them attain the maximum potential from their business. On both and individual and group basis, Richards will be a source of information on the Canadian Quali­ ty Assurance Program, marketing, nutrient management planning and other current issues faced by the industry. Members of the Huron-Bruce New Democrats met at the home of Janice McKean and Art Wiebe to discuss preparations for the coming provincial election. The first priority was the upcoming nomination meeting scheduled for Feb. 5, at the McKay Hall in Goderich. The theme is "Take Heart" and in addition to the usual nomination fare of candidates and speeches there will be a party with dancing and refreshments to celebrate the people who make up our communities. Plans were made to distribute posters for the evening and to arrange car pools to attend. McKean expressed her concern that the Harris government cuts were hitting women particularly hard and that women are having to pick up the pieces across the community. She said the tax cut Harris keeps talking about is a joke when she looks at the hidden costs from service cuts and downloaded expenses which are being borne b.y local municipalities. McKean is organizing a campaign to reach out to women in Huron-Bruce. Tony McQuail, a declared candidate for the NDP nomination, spoke on how the NDP runs local campaigns using volunteers and raising its campaign funds locally. He reported that there is a provincial election training school scheduled for mid February and that following it there will be a Huron-Bruce training school in March. He pointed out that because the election period has been shortened to 28 days more organizing work needs to be done before the election is called.