Change venue

Few local issues garner as much emotion and controversy as school closures, and that’s certain to be the case yet again as the local public board wrestles with the future of Donald Young in Emo, Sturgeon Creek in Barwick, and Crossroads in Devlin over the next three months.
The Rainy River District School Board obviously recognizes that—and clearly is expecting a large turnout—by choosing to hold a committee of the whole meeting, “to allow trustees a focused opportunity to receive administration’s analysis of the [three Pupil Accommodation Reviews], to ask questions on the information received, and to discuss options fully,” on Nov. 19 at La Place Rendez-Vous here instead of at the board office as is usually the case.
What the board evidently doesn’t grasp, however, as was rightly pointed out by Devlin resident Glenda Belluz in her letter to the editor this week, is the affront to affected ratepayers by holding the meeting in Fort Frances rather than out where the board’s ultimate decision will have the greatest impact.
True, this committee of the whole meeting is open to the public “for observation.” Still, even if no one is allowed to formally address the committee, it’s a chance to demonstrate support for their respective schools while being privy to information that directly affects their children and communities.
Is there a valid reason for holding the Nov. 19 meeting in Fort Frances, or was a simple oversight behind the board’s choice? Let’s hope it wasn’t a case of being leery (afraid?) to venture into “hostile” territory or, more troubling, an attempt to stifle legitimate public outpouring and access to information.
Either way, the venue for the Nov. 19 meeting should be changed. In the same vein, the Jan. 7 board meeting scheduled for the Education Centre here in town, during which trustees will look at making a final decision on the three accommodation reviews, should be moved to a more central location.
After all, if the board can meet across the district to coincide with its monthly “Recognition of Excellence,” surely it can do so when school closure is at stake.