Public Ward 4 boundary meeting on Monday

The three boundary review recommendations for Ward 4 are being presented to the public at Abbey Park High School in the gym starting a 7 p.m. and it is very important residents attend this meeting.

We encourage all residents to attend to see how the elementary schools are being affected, what scenarios were picked and voice their opinion on the choices.

BRC members worked hard at an unprecedented speed to come up with these recommendations. Although two representatives were chosen for each of the elementary schools affected to represent the interests of their school, the main object was to find a long term solution for the entire ward. Members voiced their opinions not only on the scenarios but vision, history, policy and conduct of the board and its trustees. They stressed that the community needed a long term solution that provided stable boundaries, fair delivery models and financial responsibilities.

Wary of past BRC outcomes after recommendations are tabled, concern regarding how the trustees will interpret and vote on their recommendations was made clear.

Proximity of local schools was one of the main objectives heard over and over again. Members made it clear – stop busing kids out and allow them to go to neighbourhood schools.

The sceanrios selected took enrollment, programming, portable density limits, program viability, etc. into account when coming up with the final recommendations.

Two of the scenarios ask for multiple dual track schools (including Forest Trail) while one scenario keeps the Single Track French Immersion model at Forest Trail.

The scenarios affect all schools and the comments stated clearly that even if the changes are sweeping, let this be it. Make responsible choices now for stable boundaries which is something this ward has not experienced for a long time. Our community needs local schools available to community children without biased decisions made to ensure centralized French Immersion programming.

It is extremely important that you attend the Monday meeting to not only find out what is being proposed but to make it clear to our trustees that we expect fair/responsible programming, boundaries and vision in our community using the scenarios that share the pain, opportunities and issues equally.

The community needs community based schools, less busing, co-existing and responsible management regarding programming, decisions for all representing all children.