[fusion_text]I know many of you are interested in hearing about the status of our discussions with the School Board regarding the potential for a new school in the Bayview area and as I committed to keeping you all informed I can provide the following update.
At our recent Council meeting (November 8th), I asked under New Business for an update on Councils’ motion to have the Trustee attend Council within 30 days to speak about this. Given that the 30 days is almost up, I thought that Council and the residents have a right to know what’s happening.
Our CAO stated that he has had a difficult time in getting a hold of the Director of Education. He noted while he did finally get a response, it was not for a Trustee or Board representative to attend a public Council meeting. Instead, it was for a meeting between our CAO and the Director of Education on November 25th.
That is not satisfactory.
The purpose of the 30 day deferral of the original motion was to allow the Trustee the opportunity to provide residents with valuable information on the Board’s plans for the area. He has chosen not to.
I am disappointed to say the least, as I am sure you are, that the Trustee doesn’t feel the need to speak about this issue to Council or the residents in a public forum .
However, with or without his input, Council can move forward with advocating for the need for a new school. Thus, at the November 22nd meeting, Council will consider the motion to support the need for a new high school.
As I said previously, while I think it is important that residents and Council hear directly from the decision makers – the Trustees – what it is they have planned for that area, nevertheless I do think it is important to advocate for the expressed needs of the residents we represent. And as our residents have clearly indicated the need for a new school, I will be supporting this motion.
And as always I will keep you informed with any updates on this issue.[/fusion_text]
