The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

HB NEWS PARENTS’ GROUP AMONG THOSE PLEASED WITH DECISION Continued from page 1 School, who spearheaded the movernent to raise the re grate- ful irustees were re willing to isten. "Upon hearing the final decision of the board, I was absolutely overwhelmed ith joy. I immediately burst into tears, a very dif- ferent kind of tears from the ones I shed at the previ- ous decision last April. I couldn't stop smiling for a good twenty minutes, and could hardly believe what had just happened," Hotch- kiss said. Despite the motion pass- ing, the meeting was heat- ed at times, with repeated arguing amongtrustees. At one point, a trustee was told they were out of order being followed, and multi- ple point of order calls were made. This year's Pride flag motion was made by Bur- lington trustee Brenda Ag- new, who argued that the flag was about showing 2SLGBTQ+ students and staff that they are welcome at the board. She believed the reason the motion passed this time and not last year was a combina- tion of factors, including that trustees saw the out- pouring of support for this motion. "I perhaps wonder if some of the trustees were just not ready last year to take this step in this mo- tion... it was probably a lot to ° perhaps digest,” said Ag- during th a delegate; there were regu- lar incidents of crosstalk; a trustee told the chair that proper procedure was not The Cost of Sprawl tight delegati about the Pride flag were on the evening's agenda — six in favour, two against. Nine delegations were declined. Supporters of raising the flag argue it would help 2SLGBTQ+ staff and stu- dents feel accepted and help address significant mental health issues with- in that community. McCombe, with Hal- tn Parents for Change, a mt year's Pride flag vote, said in his delegation to the board that the effect of last year's vote against flying the flag had a serious effect on many students. "D the course of the debate, there were many thing: in letters of correspon- dence, during delegations and across the wider com- munity that left an indeli- ble mark on our school board. We heard from many 2SLGBTQ+ students and community members who had to turn off those board meetings because what was being said was so hurtful. This is not OK, said McCombe. Opponents to flying the Pride flag argued that it is contrary to the message of the Catholic faith and that it it represents immoral be be: Hones are anna. SO abels at use in the schools that foster inclusion for all. Huschilt told the board during his delega- tion that they should in- stead display the Sacred Carolyn Hotchkiss photo Nic Hotchkiss led the push to have the Pride flag raised at Halton's Catholic schools. Heart of Jesus in June. in speaking with other parents in Burlington, I that a a Huschilt. 3 Similar to last year’ 's de- EY bate on flyi lex or delays to the ‘motion, Those attempts | were un time aroun. Veronica Touhey, a par- ent with children at the board and the other dele- a whe spoke against fly- the flag, said doing so - 8 wend not be in keeping 8 with the Catholic faith. 3 z | a 2 5 A 2 5 cy Guzzo, Peter DeRosa and Janet O'Hearn-Czar- nota voted in favour, Trust- s Tim O' can report that there is a Helena sense of discouragement Karabela — Vineent Tan- frustration tomasi voted against. due to these outside ideolo. sles being forced on our STORY BEHIND THE schools and our students. STORY: The question of ‘Also. it distracts from the Pride flag has proved Catholic teachable mo- controversial at the Catho- ments and does not make _lic school board for the last sense. The people promot- year. We wanted to takea ingflyingthe Prideflagare closer look at why people seenasforcingthisissuein are so passionate on both a bullying fashion," said sides of the debate. The city of Ottawa found that low density on undeveloped land COSTS $465/person while growth within existing boundaries SAVED $606/person per year Tell your Councillor www.stopsprawlhalton.org eordyouy