A8 - Sunday, April 24, 1983 - North Shore News I vnc bo x Public debate would have saved WV schools Dear Editor: The Sunday (April editorial, 17) “Exceptional Case” would have readers believe that your paper's generous coverage .-and support for the establish- ment of a tavern in Dun- darave is really defence for the democratic process and a reverence for historical buildings. Yet the unprecedented move by WV’s_ school trustees to hastily close five elementary schools, place grade 7 students in high school and build a new high school has been reported without reference to the fact that there never were public hearings on these discon- certing issues; there was no attempt by the West Van- couver School Board to formally notify local residents and no effort by them to assess community impact. Attorney General Allan Williams’ letter to the North Shore News made it clear that the responsibility for closing schools is that of the Minister of Education and permission is granted assuming “residents have been made aware of the need for closure.” Notifying local residents does not mean picking up the Sunday News and reading “Doomsday for WV Schools” prior to trustees voting. It does not mean reading a four column eulogy on the demise of one of WV’s oldest and still finest elementary schools prior to Ministerial approval. Public notification is a formal procedure whereby conspicuous notices an- nouncing public hearings appear in local newspapers and both pro and_ con concerns are presented for decision by a committec. This much is done in ap- plications for parking and building variances where only ai few immediate neighbours are likely af- fected. The shifting of staff and students all over the arca means that’ every school, cvery student is affected. The fact that the plan involves public moncy means the cntire public, not just parents need to be represented at meetings. The need for closing five elementary schools is still vague. The Supcrintendcnt now admits it ts not finan- cially beneficial. Certainly as the plan calls for building a new high school and busing WA: 1 boating, follow the cules and learn about toc al hazards such as tides and cuments of The C arevecan Red Crons Socety PLAY IT SAFE! everybody everywhere, there are considerable unacknowledged expenses. The Ministries. of Education of all 10 provinces deem it unwise to place grade 7 in high school but in WV it is expedient despite almost unanimous parental objection. The rationale of making “better use of facilities” given declining enrolment nicely ignores that coupled with this decline is an un- precedented increase in demand for preschool facilities and a birthing rate in this city which may well rival the post war boom. Pre- schools and day care facilities fill the empty classrooms and _ provide income to the School Board. It is as good a community use of these few spaces as any other. Enclosed is a 14 page petition of signatures gathered in a few days before the trustees voted. The names are those of three main taxpaying groups: the immediate residents of the Pauline Johnson area, many of whom are alumni of the 30s, 40s, and 50s; better than 80% of the families whose 200 children attend that fine school and lastly WV residents who have no ties with the school but oppose its closure on democratic principles. The indication is that had the issues been publicly debated, had there been formal surveys, an informed public would reject these costly, radical proposals that stand to erode educational benefits, crowd the classrooms and jeopardize the safety of young children. Nancy Baker West Vancouver WEDDING PHOTOS Complete Wedding Coverage 108 colour proofs to choose from from $340. Mirror Image Photography 986-5155 Kenneth Parkinson If you're a registered provincial voter, you'll recetve a “You are registered” card in the mail. The back, upper-left corner shows your electoral district and polling division — use it to check the location of your polling station, to be published in this paper. For more information, contact your nearest Returning Officer or Registrar of Voters. ELECTORAL DISTRICT NORTH VANCOUVER CAPILANO NORTH VANCOUVER SEYMOUR Province of RE TURNING OFFICER PHONE NO ADORESS Mrs NJ MacArthur 986-5337 345 Bewicke Ave a oo North Vancouver 6 C V/7M 3t9 Mrs Lorna K Dudley 986 564/ 123 & 15th North Vancouver BC V/t 2P/ British Columbia REGIS FRAR OF VOTERS Mer tit Me Ht Stennett Stennett PHONE NO ADDRESS 8/72 Olt 475€ Broadway Vancouver,BC VST 4G/ — 8/7? Oi 475t Broadway Vancouver BC WoT 4G/ Cimeft Electoral Officer