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27| The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,M arch 29,2018 theifp.ca Halton Region munici- pal staff are urging the Halton District School Board to consider making a change to the 2018-2019 calendar to keep students out of schools on the up- coming municipal election day. Danielle Manton, man- ager of committee and election services for the City of Burlington, along with Halton Hills munici- pal clerk Suzanne Jones and Milton town clerk Troy McHarg, presented a request to the HDSB on March 21, asking the board to schedule one of its pro- fessional activity days on Oct. 22. Some trustees, howev- er, remain unconvinced that this is necessary. Manton says that while there is a common per- spective that children ben- efit from witnessing the democratic process on mu- nicipal election days, in re- ality, keeping schools open on these days provides no advantage from an educa- tional standpoint, as stu- dents are not permitted in the voting areas. "The students at the school cannot witness the voting process happening or the setup of that process occurring. Therefore, there is no opportunity to teach them anything about that process," she said. Manton added that if educators are interested in further teaching stu- dents about elections, they have other options outside of the curriculum, such as the student vote program. "Given the ongoing con- cern from school boards, parents and teachers for student safety, we recom- mend you reconsider the decision of your calendar committee and what they've proposed and you listen to this stakeholder your school board chose not to consult with," Man- ton concluded. Halton Hills municipal clerk Suzanne Jones says one of the primary con- cerns for parents, students and election staff is that on election days, adults visit- ing or working in the schools often have to share washrooms with students. "We do hear from not only eligible voters but al- so our election workers who work a long day, and they need accommoda- tions in the school," Jones said. "We make sure they have bathroom breaks and so forth and they feel un- comfortable as well going into a washroom with a child. That perception is there." But HDSB trustees indi- cated they have been get- ting mixed responses from parents on the issue. "I, too, have received phone calls from constitu- ents who are concerned about student safety on election days," trustee Amy Collard told the mu- nicipal staff. "I am hopeful that you will be able to find alignment between your wishes and that of the Catholic board and that we will be able to do the same here." Trustee Leah Reynolds says unlike Collard, she has only heard positive feedback from the commu- nity regarding the issue. "I heard the reverse. People were supportive, teachers and parents, of engaging their kids in the school day with the voting going on," she said. In the past, the HDSB has paid to hire security guards at all sites to en- sure student safety on election day, director Stu- art Miller noted. The HDSB will further discuss the topic on April 4, following conversation with the Halton Catholic board. NEWS Should schools remain open on municipal election days? HDSB trustees split on issue VERONICA APPIA vappia@metroland.com Annual General Meeting Pancake Breakfast haltonhills.ca haltonhills.ca 9-318 Guelph Street (rear of building) Annual General Meeting: Thursday, April 12, 2018 @ 1:00 pm Please come out to elect your next President and Board of Directors as well as "Year in Review". 34 9-318 Guelph Street (rear entrance) Pancake Breakfast Saturday, April 7 8:00 to 11:00 am Enjoy Pancakes, Sausage, Syrup, Tea/Coffee & Juice Tickets: $7.00 per person available at HAL Centre 35 Hillsview Active livinG centre - GeorGetown Hillsview Active livinG centre - GeorGetown Registration: Call or Pick Up at 479 Guelph Street, Norval Georgetown Daycare Centre 90 5-877-4376 georgetownsummercamp@gma il.com Licensed with Ministry of Educ ation Registration now open for Sept 2018 Daycare & Before/ After School Programs. Transportation to and from local schools. 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