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The Citizen, 2000-01-19, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2000. Walton families plead to save their school By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff Their children may go to a feeder school, but Walton parents made it clear that they aren't.willing to sacri­ fice their school to sustain another. School Council Chair Dianne Van Vliet, one of about 100 who attended a meeting Thursday night in Duff’s United Church, hosted by the Avon Maitland District School board, admitted that the Walton and Seaforth Community Study Groups had been working hard and working well together. However, she added, “when it comes to making a presen­ tation Walton Public School has gone with the option to put in a minority report and go with our own case to the board.” Walton and Seaforth are in the midst of a battle to keep their schools open. The board has been emphatic in its contention that money must come from somewhere and school closures are the only way to maintain programs and services throughout the board’s schools. Three scenarios have been pre­ sented. The first, the one which shows the most significant savings even though it involves extensive renovations to the high school, would see the secondary students move to Clinton, Mitchell or possi­ bly even Wingham and Exeter. Walton and the elementary school would close and these students would move into the secondary school. Walton students may also be able to attend Blyth, Brussels or Grey. The second scenario has Seaforth Public School closing and the stu­ dents going to the high school. Walton would remain open as a JK to Grade 5 school. The final proposal is for Walton to close and the high school become a Grade 7-OAC, with Seaforth Public being for JK to Grade 6. In his presentation, Director of Education Lome Rachlis attempted to explain why the board must con­ sider these proposals. He noted that all the money the board receives comes from the government, based on the number of students. Currently the board has 4,000 empty student places and is in a declining enroll­ ment situation. “The government said this year we would receive $l million less, but have given us one year of stable funding. That means next September we will have $2 million less and we will have to make cuts.” Geoff Williams, supervisory offi­ cer, noted that the new curriculum is a spending priority, explaining that there is greater accountability with testing to show that students are doing well. “Kids are being asked to do things differently than they have done in the past. The reality is we have less dollars to do a very differ­ ent job with your kids. We don’t have the kind of money we need.” For the next two hours the admin­ istration and trustees were on the hot seat while frustrated parents tried to gain some understanding. Brian McGavin said that while he realized what the board was trying to do, he felt there had to be another answer. He wondered if the board had gone to the province and explained. Trustee Colleen Schenk said the possibility of a rural remote grant had been pursued, but AMDSB was told the area was not eligible. “We are apparently too close to London.” She added that she is on a provin­ cial board which has petitioned for change with regards to this. Rachlis said the board continues to lobby and meets with ministry offi­ cials. A discussion with the educa­ tion minister in December brought little satisfaction, however. “The Tories have been elected twice to a majority government. They are doing what they believe they are meant to do.” Cathrine Campbell, chair of the school council at Brussels, wondered what would happen if the board ran at a deficit. Rachlis said to do so is illegal. “The province would not accept our budget and if it became serious enough they could replace the board with a bureaucrat trustee.” Praising the county’s schools, Campbell noted that graduates go on to prestigious universities. “One thing missing in these discussions is the educational value. It won’t be enhanced by school closures. I strongly urge you not to close schools.” She cautioned the board not to make a decision based on “an arbi­ trary process from Queen’s Park. Step back and think outside the box. You are being boxed in and I don’t think it’s going to work for our chil­ dren.” Questions were brought forward regarding dialogue with the separate board, which administration said is still being investigated. Superintendent Janet Baird-Jackson said that prior to the building of St. Anne’s in Clinton, the two boards had had discussions about sharing space. “However, it was the public school supporters who spoke against it. We did it to ourselves.” Grey Twp. Reeve Robin Dunbar commiserated with the board saying that the municipal politicians also know what the board has been deal­ ing with. Citing the province as the bad guy, he said, “I don’t believe we should shoot the messenger, but slowly the fabric of rural Ontario is going to disintegrate.” When asked where Walton proper­ ty taxes are spent, Baird-Jackson said when the province removed the board’s ability to tax, what they did was leave the-boards in the middle between the municipal and provin­ cial governments. “We have no notion of assessment. It may be that the taxes raised are going into gener­ al coffers.” “Why should we educate the peo­ ple in Toronto,” one parent asked. Baird-Jackson responded, “The challenge is trying to get the ministry to recognize there is an Ontario beyond the go-train. We have tried to influence funding, but no one is lis­ tening.” She added that the board is being penalized for earlier efficiency. “Internally we can’t make a differ­ ence. We need ratepayers to say from across rural Ontario that there needs to be something different.” Schenk and Board Chair Abby Armstrong were centred out by Steve Bowers, who asked them what as “my representatives” rheir deci­ sion would be if asked now. Schenk expressed strong feelings for the Walton school and a desire for every student to have the best education. However, she said, “I have to be equal and fair. My heart is with my school but we want to listen to everyone before making a deci­ sion.” Armstrong said, “I have spent the last four years fighting. I believe in small schools. But I have to face cer­ tain realities. I don’t believe all schools can stay open. I have an overriding concern with a high school that has an enrollment of 252 students. I have to ask myself are the needs of the kids I represent met in a school that small? Working from there I have to look and see what I can do, but I won’t make a definite decision at this point.” There was concern expressed over the introduction of Grades 7 and 8 into a secondary school, as well as the impact closing Walton would have on little children. Armstrong said, “There is nothing worse than what our communities are facing. We are trying to do the best we can.” Blyth Public School Principal Willie Laurie offered some comfort saying her children were part of a board decision to change transporta­ tion. “We were amazingly surprised by what we discovered at our new school.” Stressing further, that change needn’t be bad, Laurie said that should any of the Walton students come to Blyth she would do whatever possible to make the school welcoming and ease the tran­ sition. Yet, while parents questioned and sometimes berated, there were few solutions offered. Graeme Craig, a former trustee, said that solutions lie beyond local boards. Referring to the high number of secondary graduates in 2003 as a result of the elimination of OAC, he said, “I believe the board has an opportunity to provide peo­ ple- places for university and college distance education. I hate to take away a desire for further education because there are only (post-second­ ary) spots for those with 90 per cent.” Schenk noted that the board is con­ tinually talking to colleges and con­ tinues to explore these types of options. With 78 per cent of expenditures going to salary, Chris Lee wondered if the teachers were interested in par­ ticipating in a solution. Stating that Huron teachers were not among the best paid in the province, Rachlis credited them for their “hard-work and dedication in dealing with your children. If you are talking about a salary rollback that’s the quickest way to close schools.” He did say, however, that the board would explore all options. Who is Closing Your School? Mike Harris and the Ontario Government!! mmc] m m mnicn to to ld uj i±l to to to The Ontario Government is Forcing District School Boards to Reduce School Space. The Ontario Government’s Funding Model is Forcing School Closures. The District School Board’s Hands are Tied. You Can Help. Call your MPP!! Helen Johns 1-800-564-1010 Bert Johnson 1-519-272-0660 Remember Bill 160 and November 1997 OSSTF District 8 Avon Maitland Seaforth Mayor Dave Scott asked trustees if they do vote in favour of closing Walton that they not sell the school. The reason is that a plan for an agricultural program being dis­ cussed between Seaforth and the University of Guelph could mean utilizing the building as a field school or lab. “We are just waiting for this board to take a stand and be a leader and Walton would still have an educa­ tional facility.” While the idea met with some applause, it was not welcomed by Van Vliet. “This is a small school, perfect for primary education. That’s E thelThe news from Compiled by Margaret McMahon Phone 887-9250 11 tables in play at euchre Ethel’s euchre was held on Monday, Jan. 10. There were 11 tables in play. Winners were: 50/50, Scott McLean; high lady, Marg MacDonald; high man. John Subject; lone hands, Iola Subject, Lois McLean, Marguerite Beimes, AFP Wealth Management HELEN M. HETHERINGTON, CFP Financial Planning Consultant WHEN CONSIDERING YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE, RETAIN PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. Call me at 887-9964 or 1-800-869-8922 Head Office: 800-20 Erb St. W. Waterloo, ON N2L 1T2 519-886-8600 ING>£) Group why we love it. I think it’s a slap in the face for our kids to be bussed and someone else use our school.” Acknowledging the efforts of the trustees, “who don’t get paid enough for this,” McGavin wondered if it would be any benefit for the commu­ nity to take their protest to the province. Saying she’s always an optimist, Armstrong contended that a large demonstration last year in Stratford brought results. “Will you be in time to save this school? I don’t think so, but does it make it any less impor­ tant? We have to work together or we are going to lose everything.” Mary Huether, Donna Moore and Ken Crawford; tally, Velma Sleightholm, Jim MacGillawee, Edna McLellan, Harold Metcalfe, Helen Cullen, Keith Turnbull; low lady, Jean Little; low man, Mac Smith. The next euchre is Jan. 24.