How can two people attend the same meeting and get something so different out of it? That is only one of the questions one could ask after attending last night’s Halton District School Board’s (HDSB) delegation meeting.
Listening to what amounted to 1/2 English and 1/2 French delegations, the views of the accommodation process’s outcome, honesty and transparency were starkly different depending on whether you are part of the 25% minority FI group or the 75% English group.
What also became evident to many was the amount of preparation and research done by both sides regardless of whether or not you support the FI entry date being moved up years from what the BRC recommended for the new Ward 4 community high school. We use the term ‘community school’ tongue in cheek because that concept seems to be a dying breed in Halton these days.
The English delegations went first. Filled with stats, BRC members’ public objection to the changes made to Option 5 and how they disagreed with how the HDSB portrayed those changes publicly as being from the BRC, one message was sent loud and clear. The message – the changes made did not follow and/or adhere to the same criteria used and forced on the BRC, changes were not analyzed or proven and that they would not have been approved because they did not meet the end requirement – essentially being good for the community, guarantee a viable FI program, or minimizing the effect on neighbouring schools. In addition, delegates took the opportunity to remind the board that the test of honesty and trust was again broken or stressed. It would seem that the public is saying they are tired of having mandated programming always put second. That point was not lost but the question is will it really be heard?
The French delegations were short on stats but rather were consistent in their ringing endorsement for the Director’s recommendations. What was different, however, was that for many residents they seemed to be based on personal preferences as several asked for their families to be considered and that of their FI community. They asked that the board consider optional boundaries or flexible boundaries.
What does that really mean for the new high school? It means that the already predicted overcrowded new school may have the same fate as Palermo. Remember, the brand new elementary school that according to the Planning Department is the only ‘crisis school in Ward 4′. So much for good planning and responsible decisions when getting your way is what matters! To hell with the kids it would seem.
So how can two camps drawing a battle line in the sand have such different opinions, do such different amount of work, put in such varying effort when making their case. For many, it all comes down really to polarizing politics.
When you are the 25% – yes finally it was acknowledged by the French parents themselves as they continuously tell us the popularity of the program – is just that – a serious minority. Being a minority you usually have to fight your way through to get anything.
In Halton, does the minority have to really fight? Not really it would seem. As noted by a resident who attended last night meeting, not when you watch a trustee (we won’t bother to name the specific one) huddle over what only can be guessed boundary maps with FI delegates doing what???? figuring out what streets should be forced into the school even though the boundaries are not supposed to be changed so that you can ensure you get those much needed numbers up. It is anyone’s guess as to what these actions at the end of the evening meant – residents can only speculate. The true test will be tonight when the vote happens.
You see flexible or optional boundaries seem to be the only way that the FI supporting trustees can ensure they force their will on the decision. The director’s recommendation clearly stated that two classes had to be established to go in on opening day. Two classes are more than the anticipated 26 FI pupils noted.
So how does 26 pupils become the needed two classes? It can’t….but wait….it can if a motion is presented tonight to do what the 25% want – flexible and/or optional boundaries.
So we ask, who will bring this predictable motion to the table? So residents are asking a whole lot of questions before vote night. For example, they ask has any of the trustees traded their vote in favour of some future or present backscratching ensuring the other pet project is supported? What new trustee will have the guts to break away and finally not be humiliated and manipulated by other trustees? Will it be a trustee with years of service who breaks rank?
Many residents have publicly stated (at the BRC meetings themselves, to the press, within the community and now at the board delegation table) that they believe it will be business as usual at the HDSB …. oh yes….that they the 75% majority – the taxpaying public – can predict what is coming.
Don’t worry – many beleive the ‘rat out of the bag’ is coming. They just don’t know who will want to be the hero in the eyes of the 25% – you know the one who presents that motion that a majority of trustees vote for ensuring FI once again gets their way. If history repeats itself, and many believe it will, mandated parents are stating that they already know that the ‘my constituents tell me’ party line will be used when defending making sure the mandated majority get the knife put in their back tonight when the final decision is hijacked. They will tell us it will heal us or maybe they won’t.
Maybe they won’t even give a damn to explain why the 75% never seem to really matter. Will it hurt less due to how predictable it has become.
The rat out of the bag is about to be presented. Now can we anticipate who the presenter may be!!!!
I suppose also the minority FI want free busses with their flexible boundaries as well. Why don’t we just give them our houses and cars too. If it wasn’t so sad, it would be funny.
What warms the cockles of my heart is that I feel that I’ve been heard. No, not by the HDSB, but by the French Immersion community that has now seen the merit of dual track walk-to schools. In representing,writing, meeting and delegating for the past several years to ensure that my tax dollars spent on education that filters through to every child, I felt a little comradeship, a little team work, a little epiphany on their change of heart. Imagine the money we’d save and the comfort felt of staying in ones own community. Now if we could only retain the small class sizes, the much needed resources and the quality educators, ALL of the kids would continue to benefit from the formula they and Trustees touted as “the best” program. It is………. for all those reasons and more. Although I feel some relief, I still feel the sting of the stick lodged in my eye, that my kid is still a mule for funding the best optional program, unlike any other in Ontario. That should make the price of my house sky rocket for those flocking to Ward 4 to take advantage of premium education. At least my kids will benefit from their inheritance.