Dan Belluz
Dear editor:
What has the previous school board done over the past number of years? It kept the focus on the students in our system while being fiscally responsible!
The previous board created strategic plans that were student-focused and consistently passed balanced budgets that supported the students in the Rainy River District School Board.
The board has approved student programming, such as full-day senior kindergarten, speech language programming, the “Reading Recovery” program, student achievement teachers, and increased aboriginal programming/awareness to name a few.
The board also most recently built two new schools for students in Fort Frances and Mine Centre.
By the board approving use of funds for innovative programming, it has become a leader in the province on many initiatives for student learning. Many of these special projects then were funded in the following years by ministry grants.
As these programs were provided for in the budget, the board’s financial position supported surpluses at year end. Each year, the surplus was reinvested back into the system to support students.
These reinvestments included SMART technology in all the regular classrooms (which brought the board into the 21st century in learning), “Later Literacy” education assistants, a student achievement coach, math coach, secondary curriculum coaches, assistive technology supports, aboriginal achievement leader and aboriginal immersion program, and extensive professional development for our teachers and staff.
The previous board’s student investments increased graduation rests, increased EQAO results in Grade 6 and Grade 9, and decreased the student achievement gap among students.
Achievement is not only reaching the provincial average or Level 4, it is about reaching all students so they can reach their potential!
So I ask you this question: what has the “new” board done in the last five months for students?
(Signed),
Dan Belluz
Fort Frances, Ont.
