What a nice change to write to editor John Harding to say that I agree with his editorial (‘School boards serve little purpose’, The NEWS, May 27).
The weeks the school board spent consulting was just a charade, as they were just following the plan set in Victoria. The request from the board for a business plan to support a community school resulted in the committee of volunteers spending more than a thousand hours researching, consulting and enlisting the support of the town council, service clubs, organizations, businesses and volunteers. Many gave money used for posters and advertising.
To those watching the rejection of the plan, it was easy to think a number of the trustees had not read it. As a result, the board has lost the respect of most of the community. I have to ask how they feel when looking in their mirror, putting so many to needless tasks. Maybe the board could now explain how or why they think that there will be co-operation from this group as they implement their plan.
It is said that it takes a community to raise a child. A willing community has been shut out, even to the point that the minister of education has refused to meet with the town councils, it any wonder that the premier and the minster of education have provoked a teachers strike?
The pre-election promises of Christy Clark to focus on health care, education and families has proven to be hollow. The charade we have witnessed here is what we expect to see in the theatre, and has no place in a democracy.
Arthur N. Skipsey
Qualicum Beach