The response from the board was
a) that this request was not part of the pubilc consultation process

b) that the French Immersion Study was completed, and hence this research could not added to its mandate

It is regrettable that the board has waited to the last minute to provide this information.

If you want to check the accuracy of my statements, please review HSDB’s web-site Questions & Answers section. I can provide a copy of our council letter, date November 4, to Director Joudrie and all trustee, should you like additional verification.

John Hickey
Co-chair, Pilgrim Wood Public School, School Council

There are a number of options for Southwest Oakville as a whole over the next five to ten years. As you may be aware, the mature areas of our Town are suffering from declining enrolment. Of the 12 public elementary schools built in Wards 1&2 in the 50s and 60s, six remain. The others were closed in the 70s and 80s after the Boomers headed off to college and the workplace.

The decline continues at a pace that was about 40 kids a year between 2003 and 20066, and this pace is likely to accelerate (in spite of all day every day kindergarten) as more of the “affordable” starter homes in the mature areas are sold as tear-downs to flippers and speculators.

The Beaver fails to report just how inevitable a PARC (program and accommodation review) is for Wards 1&2, regardless of whether a school is built in Lakeshore Woods or not.

Finally, unless the Provincial Liberals are forthcoming with some significant funding to bring our 50 year old schools up to current standards, we as a community will want to keep our options open with regard to a new school. Recent announcements suggest that “renewal” is one area where boards can expect to see the purse strings tightened during the economic crisis.

Many things could happen this Wednesday. It is most likely, however, that the report will be referred or rescheduled to the Program & Accommodation committee. But one never knows.

Thanks Sandra.

PS. Trustees meet every Wedbesday of the month. The first and third Wednesdays are Board Meetings at which public delegations and questions are welcome. Delegations must be requested by the Wednesday prior to the Board Meeting and submitted in written to the Director’s Office by 4:00 PM on the Thuirsday prior to the Board Meeting. For more information, Gail Gortmaker in the Director’s Office will be very helpful (905-335-3663).

1) There was no motion, Report 09004 contained a recommendation which the Board received for information.

2) The report and its recommendation will be discussed in committee (public) in February before returning to the table for consideration.

3) No action will be taken before February 18 2009.

4) The report outlines reasons for recommending the release of the site.

5) The report also outlines alternatives to releasing the site, including a PARC (Program and Accommodation Review Committee) for Southwest Oakville.

It is my belief that Southwest Oakville (Wards 1 & 2) will likely undergo a PARC in the next three to seven years, whether we buy the LSW site or release it.

As in many mature neighbourhoods, Southwest Oakville school enrolments are in decline. This decline is exacerbated by the tide of stone edifices sweeping aside the “affordable” little bungalows and sidesplits that lured many young families to our area.

The economic downturn will have an impact on capital projects (delays, slowdowns).

Economic downturn aside, all the rules for accommodating students in Ontario could change in the fall of 2010 with the next Provincial election.

I’ll leave it at that for now. Thanks for your question!

For a town that should be trying to create wonderful communities, I am dissappointed to say the least in what is going on with this Lakeshore Woods property!!!