Staff
The number of signatures on a petition calling for the Ministry of Education to look into Rainy River District School Board’s handling of various situations has continued to rise since it first was launched two weeks ago.
The petition was created after local resident David Kircher was dissatisfied with the board’s handling of situations that included some $300,000 in funds that went missing from Fort Frances High School, among other concerns.
The petition calls on the minister of education to “investigate the affairs and conduct” of the local board, citing an eroding confidence the petition’s signatories have with it.
As of last week, some 200 people had signed the petition, noted Kircher. And while he hasn’t checked the numbers since then, he expects them to have risen.
While the petition is available online at www.feduprr.ca, Kircher noted many people also have been helping to circulate the petition in paper-form for those who don’t have access to the Internet.
While only one submission is allowed per e-mail/ISP address for the online petition, Kircher explained more than one name can be listed in the petition’s form.
Kircher plans to circulate the petition for another four-five weeks before submitting it to the ministry.
Meanwhile, board chairman Dan Belluz said the school board always has been responsive to Kircher’s requests for information and explanations when it comes to the handling of these situations.
Jack McMaster, the director of education for the board, said while Kircher and others have the right to express their opinions, the board always has kept the Ministry of Education up to date when it comes to the situations Kircher has been raising.
He added the ministry always has been satisfied with the actions the board has taken.
