Another Slap in the Face for Cedar

I read this letter and attended this meeting and thought to myself how much more are we expected to take from this district and our trustees? stated Steve Rae of the Save Cedar Schools Coalition. It just seems like the goal posts are constantly moving when it comes to this plan and how it impacts our community. It seems every time we turn around they are telling us something different. We're all getting dizzy from all the circles they have us running in. The constantly changing information and choices once again shows that the district and trustees really have no respect for this community. The original Facilities Plan had students from Cedar automatically attending John Barsby Secondary. During the 60-day consultation parents made it clear that among many objections they had with the plan, that they wanted LSS to be their in catchment school. At the June 26th meeting where the plan was ratified the one alteration to that plan that SD68 agreed to provide Cedar parents was a choice between John Barsby or Ladysmith Secondary as in catchment schools. At this meeting SD68 said no buses would be provided to LSS (which left many wondering where the choice was), but that Cedar students would be considered incatchment for LSS. On September 25, parents asked if we are considered in catchment for LSS. Chairperson Brennan reaffirmed, Yes, Cedar is in catchment for LSS. Trustees also admitted that bussing to LSS would need to be provided if enough elected that option. On October 23, further clarification for parents with multiple children was sought regarding the choice of LSS versus Barsby. For parents who have children in lower elementary grades as well as high school aged children, the fear that LSS would be a one time option and then siblings would be forced into different schools was a genuine concern. At this meeting both Superintendent Hutchinson and Chairperson Brennan told parents that LSS wouldnt be a onetime choice. One day later on October 24th, the school choice letter was sent home. It stated that LSS is a one-time choice. Numerous parents, PAC execs and Save Cedar Schools have emailed seeking clarification. There has been no response. Steve Rae said, This is another example of the trustees not fulfilling their elected duties. If they are not going to represent the families of this community, who will? On October 29, a handful of staff from John Barsby Secondary came to Cedar Secondary to present course options available to the students for the 2014-15 academic school year. What the community learned was that university prerequisite courses that are currently available at Cedar Secondary are not available at John Barsby Community School and will not be available

in the coming school years. A plan that is supposed to increase the educational opportunities of Cedar students is actually resulting in a decrease in course options available to the new John Barsby intake. Currently Cedar students enjoy a full range of senior course offerings including, among the many, French 12, Math 12, Metal Works and senior level textiles courses. These offerings allow our senior students a full range of post secondary options, from university to trade apprenticeships to career opportunities. However, it became clear after the presentation from the Barsby staff tonight that these options will no longer be available to our students. Instead they will have to settle for the limited professional training options currently offered at Barsby. When members of the community pushed the Barsby staff on the vast number of options currently offered to them at Cedar Secondary as opposed to what they viewed as a limited number of options at Barsby, the district response was that it would take 2-3 years to fully implement the many choices currently available to the students at Cedar Secondary. There was a general acknowledgement in the crowd that there are not enough educational opportunities available at John Barsby to warrant the closure of Cedar Secondary. Of particular note to the community was the absence of any trustees at this particularly difficult meeting. On October 17, the district held a meeting where the new 21st century learning models being proposed for the new Cedar Elementary were discussed. There were five trustees at this very positive presentation about increased educational opportunities. However, on October 29, at a meeting where the community was told that their childrens educational opportunities were going to be ruthlessly limited, no trustees showed up to help represent the community. Their absence was telling and noted by members of the community. After tonights meeting where Barsby presented the course options that will be available to Cedar students, our worst nightmares about this plan came to light. I spoke to many parents leaving this meeting that expressed their disappointment at the lack of reassurance offered by Barsby staff. Most said that their concerns were not adequately addressed and questions not fully answered," said Steve Rae. "The district has stood behind the mandate that this is about increased educational opportunities for our students because Cedar Secondary falls below their newly imposed 'optimal school size model', however, after what we saw tonight, it is evident that this is clearly not the case. Added Rae, The lack of trustee response to parent concerns prior to this meeting and their absence at this meeting only reaffirms that we will have to dig in for the long haul to fight for quality public education for the students of this community.