Loading...
Huron Expositor, 2009-10-28, Page 11The Huron Expositor • October 28, 2009 Page 11 News Students may attend 'mega -school' near Wingham From Page 3 Deputy -Mayor Bernie MacLellan and his alternate Grey Coun. Alvin McLel- lan to join the ARC committee which will study Brussels Public School, Grey Central Public School, Elma Township Public School, Listowel Eastdale Public School, Listowel Central Public School and Wallace Public School to provide the board ` advice about the strengths and challenges facing each school and possible changes to: the way they could be organized. Laurie told council that Brussels Public School was included in the ac- commodation review because of the "major costs" the school is facing in maintaining the building while Grey Central "has enrolment issues" and is in a position where triple -grade classes are being considered for some classes. "Brussels and Grey Central are the two schools driving the review. They need significant dollars invested but we don't want to invest money without looking at all the possible alternatives," she said. Laurie said possible scenarios to solve the problems facing each school would include sending Brussels students to the "mega -school" being planned to be built somewhere near Wingham to accommodate four schools closing in North Huron. Another possible scenario would see Grey Central students bussed to Elma Public School, which she said' would need an addition and some boundary adjustments. "The scenarios are not necessarily conclusions. The review conducted by the ARC is a community consultation and part of the decision-making pro- cess," she said, adding that the board of trustees will make the final decision. The ARC committee will have 14 rep- resentatives - two from each school and one from the two affected municipali- ties. "I'm hoping the school councils will consult with their community mem- Wast Coact kitchens.. And Much More • Kitchens • CustomVanitics IJi,da Ramose • Entertainment Units • Home Offices Design Consultant Bob Smyth Design Cumulus INSTALL;iiTIOVii (.", t ifi"tI)N1 I)}1S1ixN,s & COUNI K:f.pys Visit Our Showroom! 50 West St. Goderich 519-440-0352.1-866-440-0352 Goarkh & District Chamber of Commove • BusfirslR of Ike Ye*,Aerard 2006 Rmall: weatcoastkft bMY.orr.ca bers. We'll need everybody's best think- ing and we'll listen and do our best to hear all the points presented to us," she said. Ash told council that after reviewing "on the ground capacity" of Avon Mait- land schools along with the percentage utilization of the school buildings over the summer, it was determined that there are 400 empty spaces in the sys- tem. "That concerns us. That's a large el- ementary school," he said. Ash said the board begins to look at accommodation review when a school drops in enrolment to 150 students or less since that number makes it diffi- cult for administration to "ensure the best possible program" with a reduced ability to provide extra -curricular acti- tivies or specialized teaching in Grades 7 and 8. He said that when utilization falls below 60 per cent, the board is also con- cerned about a school. Brussels Coun. David Blaney asked what investment is required at Brus- sels Public School and how those costs compare to the increased cost of bussing that would be necessary if the school is closed. "The reason I ask is for financial rea- sons. The last accommodation review I followed, there was never any explana- tion of the transportation costs," said Blaney. Ash responded that he didn't know the numbers about the transportation costs and added that the investment needed on the school would be revealed at the ARC meetings. Seaforth Coun. Joe Steffier pointed out that rural schools are very impor- tant to the economic development of the area. "If we were to take the school out of Brussels, it would reduce the housing starts because there'd be no reason for a young family to move there," he said. "We can't afford to be losing schools in small rural towns. Without schools, small rural Ontario will dry up and blow away and a lot of people like to live in small, rural Ontario," said Stef- fier, who added that the loss of Seaforth District High School affected economic development in Seaforth. Steffier asked why Brussels and Grey Central couldn't amalgamate instead of sending Brussels students to a "mega - school" and Laurie responded that could be a scenario that's considered. McKillop Coun. Bill Siemon asked if it would cost more to fix Brussels Public School than to build a new school and Ash responded that it would. Blaney ex - wishes to thank all his clients for their patronage and has opened a larger salon at 8 Main Street Bayfield. Saturdays frorn Aursdays and 1 All "Key" Text With his ma' pressed concern about how long a Kin- dergarten student might have to ride on a bus if local schools are closed. . "My kids go to high school in Wing - ham on the bus and they're on the bus for an hour. This means Kindergarten kids on the bus for an hour," he said. Seaforth Coun. Bob Fisher asked if there is not something in the school board's mission statement about the vi- ability of the local municipalities. But, Ash said there is not. "We try to work in partnership with communities but our primary goal is the best education of the students," he said. McKILLOP MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY Box 819, 91 Main St. S., SEAFORTH 519-52744400 1-800-463-9204 • FARM • HOME • AUTO • COMMERCIAL Fax 519-527-2777 www.mckillopmutual.com Serving You Since 1876 Insurance for Living Today... C�rrario Milt i:a & ere part the fabric of communities avt:ss the ptOvIrtVe, Aoci h*n tot Telecs:ioint iniEe yota, ,+e `re .boat re)oti!Nnshitys. Saturday morn€ng t odrey, and getting totwther at the coffee shod,. When it «met to protecting ?ai $ impoeani, we prefer it> d*:* rieig }taus; not a !stranger. With the stratsgtb ;M Mutual behind you, Yoga tart gat ontariamutuals.com 1-888.Q.MUTUAt.