Discussions have been under way this summer
which may lead to a very innovative solution to the problem of
establishing an English-Language Catholic Secondary School in Valley
East. Doreen Dewar, Chairperson of the Rainbow District School Board has
indicated that her Board would be willing to share space at
Confederation with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. The main
stumbling block at this time is the nature of the sharing agreement.
Dewar’s plan is to open Confederation up to students and teachers from
both boards so that they not only share the building, but they also
share classes as well. In order to satisfy the Teacher’s Unions, the
staff assignments would no doubt have to be based on enrolment figures
from each separate Board, but otherwise, Dewar’s offer has gained
considerable support from local residents who see this as a win-win
situation for the children.
The Catholic School Board has received $6
million in provincial funding to convert St. Anne School into a high
school anb build a new elementary school. If the money which was
earmarked for St. Anne renovations was re-directed into some renovations
to Confederation, the facility would instantly become one of the largest
secondary schools in the area with approximately 1500 students. Dewar
suggests that by sharing classes, this would enable both Boards to offer
a wider variety of viable
programs with class sizes which conform to provincial requirements.
Confederation’s population of 750 often results in some classes of
less than 15 students which makes it difficult to justify in these times
of fiscal restraint. A similar problem would arise if the Catholic School Board had a school
of approximately the same size at St. Anne’s. By sharing the
facilities and classes at Confederation, those students would be taught
by one teacher in a class of 30 students, making the program much more
cost effective.
Paula Peroni, the Chair of the Catholic Board,
does not support the offer made by Dewar, stating that it would be
impossible for them to maintain their Catholic identity if the students
share classes with the Public School students. Peroni had indicated that
she is still interested in sharing Confederation, but not in sharing
classes.
Local residents feel they are caught in the
middle. What they see is an opportunity to develop a very strong
secondary program in a building which is large enough to hold over 1500
students. They see the students having access to a large outdoor playing
field and track; a hockey arena; a large baseball field; proximity to
the Valley East Industrial Park and the Val Caron commercial district
for their co-op programs; a large green belt area; and centrally
located. They see the language of instruction and the new provincial curriculum
requirements, which mean that students from both boards will be required
to take the came course of studies. It appears to residents that the
only barrier now is the fact that the Catholic students are required to
take several religion courses and will take part in a variety of
religious celebrations during the year.
For now, discussions will continue to be held
as both sides try to find a solution to dwindling enrolment and
dwindling finances. The Catholic Board is adamant that there will be a
Catholic High school in the Valley for September 2002. Where it is
located is to be decided.
If our readers have any thoughts on the matter,
please send us a letter or visit our web site at www.thevisionpaper.com
and drop us an email.