The Act states a school may be closed only if local officials can demonstrate that “there is a consensus among the parents and residents of the area served by the school that the school should be closed.”

 All closures planned for this year will be halted in the meantime, to provide some valuable time to assess, reevaluate, and brainstorm alternatives to school closures. The Act also limits bus travel time to under an hour, and provides additional support for schools struggling with low enrolment or serving disadvantaged communities, and those with active Community School Councils.

 While questions remain about how that support will be distributed, parents feel the changes offer new hope for communities wanting to retain and improve their schools. “We will now have the opportunity to talk, and to make real change,” said Schindle.

 Meanwhile, Saskatchewan parents have received few assurances from their government. Election promises to make school boards more accountable to citizens have gone unfulfilled, said Trish Elliott of RealRenewal.

 “Education Minister Ken Kravetz now tells parents it’s impossible for the province to have a hand in closure decisions. Yet Manitoba has proven that standing up for local schools is both a possibility and a responsibility for the province.”

 “The minister claims the current system of leaving everything to local school boards serves people well. Yet between elections, there’s little transparency and accountability. The system only works well for trustees and bureaucrats.”

 In December 2007, Ontario also passed regulations demanding great transparency and community involvement in decision-making, including a requirement to place student and community needs ahead of purely economic factors. 

Comments

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.

Powered by AkoComment 2.0!