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News
Release |
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Butler calls for greater consultation and government
investment before Eastern School District plan is implemented March 6, 2006
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Roland Butler, Opposition Education Critic and MHA for the District of Port
De Grave, says stronger consultation is necessary before the Eastern School
District moves forward with implementing its multi-year plan that will see
school closures and a significant reconfiguration of grade levels offered at
various schools. Butler is also calling for increased government investment
to be secured before any decisions are finalized. On Friday night, the Eastern School District released its draft multi-year plan. In this document, nine schools are slated to close, while many others will be reconfigured to increase or reduce the number of grades that will be taught at a number of schools. The Eastern School District also plans to build, expand or renovate a number of schools dependant upon the amount of government funding that will be allocated. "At Friday night’s meeting, representatives of the Eastern School District stated that consultation will now take place on their draft multi-year plan," said Mr. Butler. "I certainly hope this next round of consultations is more open, transparent and inclusive than the last round of consultations that took place within a two week period in January. The decisions that will be made on this report will have far-reaching consequences on many communities and schools in the Eastern School District, especially students on the Burin peninsula. Before any decisions are made, parents, students and teachers must have a public opportunity to raise their concerns. Nine schools are still slated to close and many others are facing configurations that will drastically change the role of their schools. "I am also calling upon government to make the proper investment into the education system in the upcoming budget. This draft plan calls for new schools, expansions and renovations and will require a significant investment by government. It is not acceptable to close schools and reconfigure the system if government is not willing to put the money forward to make the system work. I will be watching closely and working with parents to ensure that any changes that are made are in the best interests of our education system."
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