MEDIA RELEASE – MONDAY AUGUST 25, 2008
EDUCATION ACTION
Welcome Back to School…for the last time???
Unless Ontario’s Liberal government changes course, this will be the last school year for 50 Ontario schools with another 350 under review for possible closure and sale according to new figures released by People for Education and many more slated to be closed and sold in the coming years.
The provincial government attributes the closure and sale of schools to declining enrolment, but parents and community members argue that the flawed funding formula is to blame.
“The formula does not provide funding for building or expanding schools in many areas, forcing school boards to sell some schools to raise money to build others,” says Chris Glover, a parent with Education Action. “In other words, the formula forces boards to cannibalize the system in order to build new schools and additions.”
This was the experience of Oakville residents, whose board, the Halton DSB, voted on June 2nd to close and sell four Oakville schools in order to raise money to build one new one and expand others.
“The plan the Board voted for, had never been discussed in the consultation process,” says Gillian Santangeli, an Oakville resident. “The process was disrespectful to say the least.”
Education Action is asking for a moratorium on the closure and sale of schools until there has been a full review of the funding formula.
A press conference will be held on Monday August 25th:
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Queen’s Park Media Studio
Speakers: Chris Glover Parent – Education Action 416-875-4386
Gillian Santangeli Oakville Parents for Public Education phone
Rosario Marchese MPP –NDP Education Critic 416-325-9092
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Press Package:
1. Rozanski Report: section where he recommends a review of funding formula every 5 years
2. P4E report http://www.peopleforeducation.com/adx/aspx/adxGetMedia.aspx?DocID=1064
3. Ideas???
