The future of a renovated J.W. Walker School here, as well as that of Alberton Central and Alexander MacKenzie, could be decided by the public school board after a presentation by architect Dudley Thompson at tonight’s regular meeting.
“The architect will be presenting the collective design process results, along one or two designs,” said Warren Hoshizaki, director of education for the Rainy River District School Board.
“The board will have to decide what direction to take from there,” he added.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at Donald Young School in Emo.
The board will vote whether or not to go forward with the design. If it does so, there also may be motions to begin the school closure process.
The results Thompson will be presenting stem from a public session held April 18 which included parents, teachers, and board administration.
The board held the session to allow the public to give input on what they’d like to see in a renovated J.W. Walker, which also would accommodate students from MacKenzie and Alberton Central.
Alberton parent Danielle Robinson, who had submitted a petition opposing the closure of Alberton Central at the design process session, will be allotted five minutes for a public presentation at tonight’s regular board meeting.
“We’re going to go over a few things we’ve been over before, and simply ask them to put the children first. It’s not the school we’re fighting for, it’s the community,” Robinson noted.
Admitting it’s possibly the last chance for a plea, she added she hopes all the trustees will be there to hear her out.
The petition, which included 311 signatures, also will be recognized as part of the board’s regular review of its monthly correspondence.
Also on the agenda tonight will be:
•the board’s monthly “Recognition of Excellence” will go to Donald Young School staff for developing a portfolio system to track student progress;
•an update on finalists in the regional science fair, which was held in Kenora on March 31;
•a presentation on “Promoting Early Intervention,” an initiative by the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario;
•a vote to change kindergarten scheduling for 2001-2002;
•a five-year plan for proposed capital projects;
•a report on a Special Education meeting held April 4-5 in Thunder Bay;
•the policy committee will submit four policies for stakeholder consideration, including policy #3.75 (harassment), policy #4.16 (safe schools), policy #4.30 (suspension/expulsion of students), and policy #4.55 (student alcohol and drug abuse); and
•the May personnel report, which notes leaves of absence for one caretaker and seven teachers, and the retirements of two principals, one bus driver, one executive secretary, and three teachers.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
