Remarks by Mayor Gord McKay, Midland
Simcoe Muskoka District School Board – Accommodation review Committee
February 4, 2014
I want to begin by
thanking the members of the ARC for their work on a subject that we all recognize
as being very difficult and also essential to the future of our North Simcoe
communities.
This evening I am speaking
as a mayor and admit to little competence with regard to educational policy and
pedagogical methods. Like many other challenges that land on my desk, I gather
input from those who do know and use that to shape the policy direction for our
community.
One other caution – I am
the Mayor of Midland and so may be suspected of being a bit biased.
Background
A bit of background on the
decision before us:
-
Third iteration
of the ARC for North Simcoe – a process that has gone on far too long
-
Area high schools
face a projected long-term, low and stable level of enrolment, relative to the
space available – the demographics are established
-
Budget pressure
on the Board has it looking for more efficient delivery
-
Quality modern education
is increasingly critical for our children’s success and our communities’ future
It is time to make a
decision and resolve the matter.
The question then – How should our area high schools
be best organized to meet the needs of the students and the community?
Looking at Options
All mayors want a high-school
in their community – educational asset, community spirit, a more complete
community, economic development. That desire to keep their own high-school exists
in both Midland and Penetanguishene. In fact, the municipalities have been
working collaboratively for years to improve the economy of the entire area.
Having either community lose its high-school will have an impact on the whole
area.
So could we share a school?
– one school with two campuses. It should save money; would support local
communities and would satisfy two mayors.
Seems to make sense.
With that thought I had discussions
with both principals and a number of parents. Their over-riding concern was the
quality of the educational experience – both academic and social. In no
uncertain terms they said that a split school may sound good in concept but
trying to deliver it while optimizing the student’s experience is problematic.
Further comments were that the students generally were onside with a one
location school. It was the parents who were opposed.
For me the bottom line is
the educational experience – what best prepares our children for the
future? What decision do we take that will
have parents choose to educate their children in our area as opposed to moving
to Barrie. We cannot afford to maintain two sub-optimal schools and expect our
children and our area to succeed. Our new
school must deliver the best in modern education and seamlessly serve the entire
catchment area. And that area is Oro
Medonte, Springwater, Severn, Christian Island, Tiny, Tay, Penetanguishene and
Midland.
If it is to be one school
where should it be? I will speak in favour of Midland and what Midland has to
offer the school.
-
Cultural
infrastructure – the new MCC and Town library
-
Sports
infrastructure – the modern NSSRC and three new soccer fields
-
Location - in the middle of the urban area, providing
downtown amenities and opportunity for active transportation
-
Location –
central to the catchment area
-
Public transit
Midland has much to offer
in enhancing the educational outcome for our areas’ high-school students.
Conclusions
My recommendations to the
ARC are guided by the “prime directive” – ensuring that we provide the best
education and student outcomes for our public high school students throughout
the entire area
My secondary considerations
are those of budgets and municipal boundaries.
Recommendations
-
That the one area
high-school solution be adopted
-
That available
funds be used to construct a new school, or failing that to extensively
refurbish the existing school
-
That the school represent
the area and be named accordingly – eg. Huronia High School
-
That the school
be located in Midland
-
That the School
Board provide budget to improve after hours transportation for students to all
areas, allowing students to fully participate in all the school has to offer.
Extending Midland transit to link to Penetanguishene should be considered
-
That the school
Board provide budget/staff to assist with the conversion of surplus high school
real estate to other useful purposes
-
Conclude the ongoing
ARC process by making a firm decision
No comments:
Post a Comment