Comments on: How the Wynne Government is killing community schools. Wake UP, Ontario!

By: KGray

KGray — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 12:33:25 +0000

Thank you for you passion Brenda. This is absolutely a government vision. The school boards are just their scapecoats. Teachers are passionate about this issue as they are also concerned citizens and parents, however are also board employees. There is a OSSTF meeting this evening where we will find out some clarity regarding what our role can be. Thanks for your comment!

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By: Brenda Nelson

Brenda Nelson — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 12:01:30 +0000

I agree. Taking it to parliament hill is the old fashioned way to see how many people want to stop the elected from doing what they want and not what we elected them to do. Who’s with me? It’s not just Lively here. It’s the whole country. A model developed here will be the new Canada. Nobody asked for that. The government has made patsies out of the hired education staff. The accommodation review board are following the plan laid out for them. They have made it clear they don’t like it either but we can all see where it is coming from. I wish the teachers would join us on the street. Organize our revolt and take it to their doorstep . Parliament Hill. Everyone, get off your laptop and take it to the street and be visible. Please let’s do this together.

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By: KGray

KGray — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 17:55:13 +0000

Thanks for your comment, Pam. I’m sure many will check our your facebook page. Since there is no precedence for something so large scale and time sensitive in terms of school closures in Ontario, it’s important to let the public know what is going on and how it’s going to effect families and communities. Thanks for your support.

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By: Pam Wilson

Pam Wilson — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 17:20:03 +0000

Brilliant article!! Smoke and mirrors is the game being played by most school boards who have already made their decisions before the review committees even begin the process. Here’s what happened with the Blue Water District School Board. This spring and summer several Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute (OSCVI) Alumni members and other interested parties in Owen Sound spent long hours trying to save this school from being turned into an elementary school. Its students are now being transported across town to the former West Hill Secondary School (WHSS). Next year the OSCVI will house three current elementary schools also slated for closure. Originally the ARC was working on the premises that both high school would convert to 7-12 schools. At the last minute BWDSB pulled the rug out from under their feet and told them all students would be going to the WHSS and it would remain a 9-12 school which is now known as Owen Sound District Secondary School (OSDSS). Four portables needed bringing in. The OSCVI was rebuilt 16 years ago to replace the old structure. Plans for expansion where included in the rebuild. The WHSS was built in 1960. No one in this area can figure out the logic in the boards decision as we never saw any figures to support their decision. Many board members did not acknowledge the letters that were sent to them. Two invitations were sent to the board, asking them to meet with the citizens prior to school commencing this fall to explain their decision and answer questions. The board refused. During the review process the staffs at both high schools were under gag order and their emails screened. The OSCVI Alumni raised about $900,000 dollars to build an auditorium for the rebuilt school and for public use. The OS Symphony Orchestra has its concerts there. The Alumni also has its archives housed in a room at the school dedicated for this purpose. We were told these features would continue to exist, but now we are hearing that this may not be the case. It’s difficult to trust anything this board says and does and now there are other schools, that are the focal point of their communities, also facing the chopping block. THIS IS NOT DEMOCRACY!!!! I fully support the idea of a provincial petition and agree that better media coverage is essential. For more insight into our experience you can visit our facebook page OS SOS: Save our Schools.
I wish you the best as you face this fight.

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By: KGray

KGray — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 13:42:38 +0000

Thanks, Laura. A provincial petition is a great idea – send me the link and I’ll post it as an edit to my blog.

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By: Laura Killam

Laura Killam — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 13:35:51 +0000

Thank you for this beautifully written analysis of the issue. I totally agree. Right now I am trying to find an official provincial petition platform. We need to fight this on a provincial level. (A mom from in town)

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