To the Editor,
Have some trustees already made up their minds to close Rutherford Elementary School, rendering this whole time-consuming, emotionally draining and highly frustrating process a complete waste of time?
Maybe school district employees could explain what their agenda is to all parents of the district.
They could tell us why they think a feasible long-term vision for north-end education is to cram Rutherford students into schools that are already at, close to, or above capacity. Why do they want to relocate 230 children, plus our vibrant Strong Start program, plus our Skills for Life program to other schools when ours is so viable right now?
What reason does the school board have for revisiting the idea of a Rutherford school closure only nine short years after the last process?
The longer the school district remains a management/top-heavy institution, and the more years it bumbles and wastes funds and pours dollar after dollar into reports, consultations, and needless processes, the less parents in this area have faith in our public school system. The enormous growth in private school enrolment, French Immersion, homeschooling, Learn at Home and other alternatives prove that the school district does not encourage educators and parents to do the very best for our kids within the regular public school system.
Instead we are left with yet another battle to keep Rutherford open and thriving, and we know it is not impossible.
K’reen KerrNanaimo
To the Editor,
For years now, one school facilities plan after another has been torn apart by protesting parents. Nanaimo lost an $83 million high school due to a past school board’s non-leadership by caving in to pressure of a few vocal groups.
A generation of students could have graduated at that school if it went ahead as approved provincially. And the closure battles go on and on. And trustees still can’t stick to their guns.
All these people want their school to stay open – close the neighbouring school instead.
How about to keep your school open, get the enrolment up by sponsoring families of the two million-plus people fleeing Syria and area to come here?
Neil Saunders
Nanaimo