Ge mailbox Backs WV school closures OPEN LETTER TO EDUCATION MINISTER VANDER ZALM 1 wish to inform you that I am unhappy with the way the Social Credit government is handling the West Van- couver school situation. For five years it has been increasingly evident that West Van's declining enroliment would eventually necessitate closing some of the schools. Decreasing population causes split classes and split teachers, and classroom situations which are difficult to manage. I have a child in grade 4 who has four dif- ferent teachers — far from an ideal situation, as anyone will agree. The costs of staffing small schools are unacceptably high. I welcome Mr. Carlin’s school consohdation plan. I appreciate the consultations that were held between principals and = superin- tendent, and I greatly respect their knowledge and experience. I attended several of Mr. Carlin’s public information meetings, and | found the discussions in- teresting. Virtually no questions were raised which had not been considered by his department. Though the decision as to which schools should be closed was a difficult one, I feel it is in the best interests of the school children. The objections from small groups who were dismayed at losing a neighbourhood school were predictable, but short-sighted and _ selfish. The School Board, our elected representatives, voted to accept the plan, so the implementation procedures could begin. I fail to understand why the Ministry of Education has not endorsed the plan. A Ministry official, Mr. Macklin, who came to West Vancouver recently, came during the spring break, when it was not possible to consult with principals, teachers or families. He met only with small groups of vocal partisan parents. He did not hold any public meetings, and he did not meet a group of parent representatives. And yet, on the basis of his advice, the ministry is withholding its approval. Furthermore, he made copies of his report available last Monday to a selected group of parents before it was available to the Board, the Superintendent or the principals. That smacks of dirty politics. Along with the majority of people with school-age children, I want to see this plan implemented. I believe that the people who ad- minister our schools should be making these decisions because they have the educational welfare of our community at heart, and the School Board obviously agrees. For the ministry to turn its back on their advice is unethical, and to me, infuriating. ; (Mrs.) Anne McMahon West Vancouver GOLDMART BIGGEST CHAIN ONE DAY A7 - Wednesday, May 4, 1983 - North Shore News CLUTCH YOUR CLUTCH At UNIQUE AUTO CLUTCH probably the 14K GOLD SALE the North Shore. ONLY. Sat. May 7 Doors Open Keep it short and signed SHORT LETTERS (300 words or less) have a much better chance of being published while still timely than longer ones. Our policy is to publish let- — within space limitations — on the widest variety of topics of interest to readers everywhere on the North Shore. Overengthy letters crowd out letters on other topics that concern many readers. All letters must be signed and include the writer's LEGIBLE name, ad- dress and phone number. If you have s good reason tor wishing your name to be withheld, we will not print it — but we must know who you are. The ad- dress is: Mailbox, North Shore News, 1139 Lonsdale Avenue, North Van- couver, B.C. V7M 2H4. ters Some West Vancouver Parents Speak Out: As concerned parents, taxpayers and residents of West Vancouver, we teel obliged to comment on the inaccuracies in your article “Trustees Last to Know About Report” in the Sunday News May 1/83 The Minister of Education ts ultimately responsible tor ratitying school closures Where pro posais of such protound impact (such as closure of 40% of a District's elementary schools and the removal of Grade 7 children from the elementary system) are concerned, the Minister of Education would be irresponsible if he did not consider all facts Mr Vander Zaim. in exercising his statutory obligations, met with the School Board the istrict Superintendent. and concerned parent groups As a result of these meetings, Mr F Macklin (former School Board Trustee & School District Secty /Treasurer in Kelowna and present Chairman of the B C Transit Authority) was suggested as a consultant to review all aspects of the proposal and make recommendations to the Minister of his findings Mr Macklin was accepted by the School Board before the parents group accepted. & it was our understanding that ail parties would adhere to the recommendations There have been NO secret meetings The meeting that Mr Vander Zalm & Mr Williams held with the parents was tn the cabinet offices in Vancouver (the same place the Schoot Board had met with him 2 weeks eartier) and at the suggestion of the School Board Chat man, the meeting between the parents and Mr Macklin was held in the SCHOOL BOARD OFFICES at 10am Hurry for best selection GOLDMART 146 West 14th St-N. Van. In the Marlborough Tawers 980-2252 834 West Ist N. Van Free towing for customer We fix all makes of CLUTCHES (eo Bi MA Da aA eS ADT AME 4 The suggestion that Mr Macklin 5 reportis based on two days research in the Community ts G L A SS : S 3 O false Ouring the month between the appointment and the filing of the report: he reviewed all documents prepared by the School Board together with studies surveys and numerous reports prepared by parents groups & other Community members < 9, : > > ah > 5 Inthafly the reason for school Closures was given as financial bul because Concerns were e Save 3O% of all prescoption eyeglasses raised that the school closings would result in additional costs to taxpayers. the Board then announced the closures were tor education purposes Mr Mackin stated that because there was no financial reason to close schools and little evidence to suggest the learning situation at thts time ts at a crisis point (and in fact our pupil achtevement is generally above the provincial average) thal the moving of Grade 73 to high school moving young children © Specials on Contact leas solution GLA SSES example Barnes & bind weekly cleaning Vuarnet from thetr local environment and dispersing them mainly by bus to a variety of schools would seem to be a ngk not warranted al this ime His recommendations therefore were to system Bausch & Lomb maintain the status quo of the elementary schools until atleast 1965/86 when they ould De roviewed and to leave the Geade / Children in the elementary schools at this time 9 9 Carrera 6 The Parents groups have folowed the due process set oul by law We have ap part of he ZB democratic procesa oo system of Chachs and balances and our apptying to the Ministor tor o hearing was our democrabe aght Mrs furk has stated that the Minister of § ducation bowed to special interest groups We are indeed «1 spectal interest group Another name tor us is PARENTS and our special interest happens to be Our children and the educe hone tutucee Mrs Furk makes a blatant attempt to divert the issue trom the contents of the proposal to the politcal question of local school board autonomy We resent the escalation ot an educatonal matter into what wo perc otve as an attempt to insure the polittal survival ot some members of the achou! board CONCERNED PARENTS OF WEST VANCOUVER Ee i SAVE 30% You can Jdepond on our profes stonal Service & OXPanene @ DOUGLAS OPTICAL 1665 Marine Orwe West Van 7 925-2110 PRASAD HAR et Nh SR PART