I believe that every residential neighbourhood should have an elementary school within a safe reasonable distance so that it can make education as accessible as possible to the greatest number of people.
That is why I will fight against the closing of community schools in the City ofToronto.
Two simple statements are the reason this blog exists.
But we know that in spite of the TDSB’s own figures predicting that the Board will run out of elementary spaces in the near future, it is committed to using small dips in student populations in vulnerable areas, to close as many schools as possible.
This does not make sense to most people.
The Board believes that fewer schools cost less to run and up keep and that it can earn some small windfalls by selling off some of the vast amounts of vacant schools.
But this is not only short sighted, it is stupid.
It is stupid because it will mean that elementaryTorontoschools of the future will have more portables, strained facilities and fewer safe and accessible places for children to learn in. It is stupid because it means that the richness of our public assets will be sold off permanently for temporary gain and private profit.
It is just plain stupid.
What needs to happen is a clear provincial commitment to adequate funding.
Until that happens, the Board should be resisting closing and selling schools; but it won’t.
It is up to us, the communities ofTorontoto resist any closing like we did in Jane and Finch.
Have a great holiday.
Errol Young
