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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday December 6, 2008 - 3 Board asked to find consensus in southeast Oakville Provincial report critical of school closure decision By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF A report released Friday by the Ministry of Education on the decision to close four public schools in southeast Oakville has recommended that the Halton District School Board find an alternative solution. The school board's response through a release from Director of Education Wayne Joudrie suggests it may be willing to do just that. The board voted on July 2 to close Brantwood, Linbrook, Chisholm and New Central public schools and build a school in Clearview. The two remaining southeast Oakville schools, E. J. James and Maplegrove, would be renovated. That decision was not the preferred option put forward by the Program and Accommodation and Review Committee, labelled PARC 14. Former education minister Dave Cooke was appointed to create the report as a result of a petition received by the Ministry of Education in July 2008 asking for a review of the board's decision. In his report, Cooke said the PARC 14 process was flawed and recommended the board take another look at its options. "I encourage the board, the petitioners and the Clearview community to step back and consider what could be done to lead to a consensus for both Clearview and southeast Oakville," Cooke said. "This consensus must put the interest of students first." Cooke outlined in his report two suggestions on how to find a new solution. "Perhaps a two-month process could be set up to explore solutions OAKVILLE BEAVER FILE PHOTO FUTURE STILL NOT CLEAR: Former Education Minister David Cooke has suggested the Halton District School Board find an alternative to its July 2 decision to close four southeast Oakville schools and build one new one on this site in Clearview. While critical of the board's decision In his report, Cooke said a new school should be built in Clearview. and work from the board's goal of meeting the accommodation needs of students in both southeast Oakville and Clearview," he wrote. "Another possible process would be a revised PARC, with shorter timelines and a focused mandate." Joudrie issued a response on environments for students. While the board's decision in July was in the best interests of students, financially responsible and sustainable for the long-term, we recognize processes such as these always allow for improvement." This move is supported by Oakville Residents for Public Education (ORPE), the group that coordinated the request for an administrative review by the Province. "The closure decision must be put on hold immediately," said ORPE spokesperson Mark Caskenette, who added that the report is a relief for members of its organization. "If the process is flawed, then the decision is flawed; it is that simple. There is an opportunity now for the school board to conduct this process correctly by working with all the affected parties and finding a solution that respects the character and history of our community." Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn also supported Cooke's findings. He praised the board in its efforts to find a solution to what he called a difficult challenge, but agreed that its decision should not stand. "First and foremost, I think the school board should be congratulated for tackling the issue in the first place," Flynn said. "Trying to assess the proper school needs of a community isn't going to win you any friends in a popularity contest.... What the review has said is that they could have done a better job at it. I don't think that is anything to be ashamed of, but certainly it gives you a foundation to move forward." "The closure decision must be put on hold immediately" Mark Caskenette, ORPE spokesperson Friday to the report, saying the board will consider future direction with respect to the southeast Oakville accommodation issue at a special board meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. "As a board, we respect the conclusions David Cooke has outlined in his report, and thank him for such a thorough review and understanding of the accommodation pressures in this community," said Joudrie in his release. "Throughout this complex PARC process, trustees and staff were focused on finding a good solution to support quality instructional "The role of the trustees on the PARC was confusing. On the one hand, there was an expectation that trustees should remain neutral, yet on the other hand their involvement was extensive." Statement from David Cooke's report While Cooke recommended that the number of schools being closed be reviewed, he does agree with the decision that Clearview should get its own JK-8 school. "The accommodation plan needs to reduce the excess pupil places in southeast Oakville," he said in the report. "This means some schools need to be closed and the remaining schools renovated and modernized. Clearview students need accommodation in their own community. The plan should result in as few students being bussed as possible." Cooke's endorsement of a new Clearview school was good news for parents in that community. "We fervently agree with David Cooke's assessment that Clearview should have a school within its own community," said Michelle Sloane, president of Clearview Oakville Community Alliance (COCA), Clearview's ratepayers association. Sloane said COCA supports the board's July 2 decision, but added that the board could work to find alternative solutions for the other schools in the area. "I don't believe there should be another PARC. I think that is a bit too detailed," Sloane said. "The board needs to take a look at schools south of Cornwall and find a solution for those schools. Clearly it has been noted by Cooke that Clearview needs its own school and the board should continue with that, and now find a suitable solution for south of Cornwall, where all the discussions are coming from that they don't like the solution." Cooke's 15-page report makes several observations about what he considers to be a "flawed" accommodation review process. One problem he identified was the number of members on PARC 14. "The size of the PARC was unmanageable and the significant membership of school board staff was of concern to some of the parents," he wrote. Cooke also questioned the behaviour of trustees on the committee. "The role of the trustees on the PARC was confusing," wrote Cooke. "On one hand, there was an expectation that trustees should remain neutral, yet on the other hand their involvement was extensive." There were also critical comments made regarding the board's decision to choose its own recommendation over the preferred option put forward by PARC 14. See Board page 5 Stocking Stuffer Gifts & Ideas 10% OFF Making Your Cooking Fun & Easy ing Fu · Knives and Garnishing Tools · Spice Racks · Small Appliances · Cookware and Tableware · Linens, Aprons and Mitts · Bakeware · Barware · Espresso Makers and Accessories Hours: Monday-Friday 10am - 6pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday CLOSED River Glen Mews Plaza 2530 6th Line, Oakville (905) 257-3500