Almaguin parents fighting against school closure

Concerned Almaguin Parents Coalition
News Release

**********

The Concerned Almaguin Parents Coalition is not giving up on its goal of suspending the controversial school closure process in Almaguin.

“We have the support of the community and we’re not going to stop,” said Coalition President Jennifer Farquhar, after being denied a chance to address the Near North District School Board meeting on Tuesday night. For three weeks Farquhar has been seeking a spot on the Oct. 22 agenda to present the board with the Coalition’s petition calling for trustees to suspend the Almaguin Accommodation Review Committee process until a report from a provincial investigation into North Bay school closures can be acted upon.

“The province has sent someone in to show the board what best practices are and the report is a month away. Our group believes the communities of Magnetawan, Burk’s Falls, Sundridge, South River and beyond deserve the Near North’s best effort,” said Farquhar.

After studying the Near North’s own policies the Coalition is concerned the board has not been following them. Specifically it points to the lack of School Information Profiles, Terms of References, Capital Plans and public access to information.

“The board’s policy quite clearly states all of this information will be posted on its website. So far it hasn’t,” said Farquhar.

Already the Coalition has garnered more than 900 signatures in less than two weeks calling for the suspension of the Almaguin ARC until the provincial review is at least released.

“I think the request is absolutely reasonable and 900 people in Almaguin are backing our request and the board wouldn’t even listen to us let alone consider it,” said Farquhar, noting board chair Kathy Hewitt skipped over the public question period on Tuesday night.

“This is not the end. Our kids deserve better.”

**********