a sarcastic sign expresses what concerned parents are saying about portables at some School District 71 schools. PHOTO by stu power
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Letter to Editor
ShareRetired educator ‘appalled’ by current District 71 regime
Published: September 04, 2008 3:00 PMUpdated: September 04, 2008 6:31 PM
Dear editor,
As a retired teacher who gave 33 years service to the Comox Valley, I continue to be appalled at developments under the current District 71 regime.
When my friends across the province ask, “What the hell is going on in your district?” I’m afraid the air turns as foul as that which is circulating both metaphorically and physically in and around the district’s portables at the moment.
In its headlong rush to complete an underhanded and precipitous closure process for Cape Lazo Middle School, the board (in the personages of trustees Proudfoot, Charlesworth, Rowe, Grinham and Dawson) has already effectively diverted over $200,000 in court costs away from precious school programs, and the fact that they continue to keep their eye on the “prize” of disposing of Lazo, has meant their attention to other important details in preparation for this year’s startup has been lamentable.
If the “transition” period of reconfiguration lasts only another four or five years, in addition to last year, which is already lost, with more than 8,000 students in the district, you can readily calculate 40,000 to 50,000 student/years of upheaval.
Mr. Tinney seems to be saying all the right things when it comes to mould and air quality. However, make no mistake!
Two of the three suspect portables were moved on-site, at needless expense, before any statement of intent to test was issued, and then only after individual staff health concerns at both Highland and Huband had been expressed.
I have no doubt these portables would have been in use during this school year, had staff been less vociferous in voicing their concerns.
I find it ironic that one of the champions of “air quality,” Janice Proudfoot (school board chair), seems strangely silent on the subject right now. In the early ’90s as a Glacier View Elementary parent, she had no difficulty vocalizing her determination to effect improvement in that “theatre of battle” with the administration of the day.
No energy for that now, though. Could it be that Lazo has all her attention? Probably not portable 800 at Highland, which, nevertheless, thankfully, is finally slated for destruction.
Destruction should indeed have happened two years ago, before it was ever moved to Highland, had there indeed been a genuine and regular commitment to health and safety testing.
But, no! This portable served as both a classroom (during the seismic upgrade) and also a storage room within the past two years, and all on this board’s watch. What’s behind the walls and under the floors of the other portables?
There continues to be something rotten in our little educational hamlet, and the community must not shirk its duty to keep on holding the school board’s fingers to the flame.
Remember, remember the 15th of November!
Stu Power
