To the Editor,
Re: School closures recommended, Nov. 26.
After several months of difficult research, fact-finding, accounting, organizing and more research, dozens of community members presented a case to keep Rutherford open. Most of the people involved gave up copious amounts of their time, took days off work, missed time with their families, and rushed and hustled through the 60 days of a stressful consultation period to make obvious the need of Rutherford Elementary for the education of north-end students and the prevention of overcrowding in three other schools.
Not one of our voices has had any effect on superintendent John Blain’s plan for the north-end schools.
He continues to report that there will be $500,000 in savings per year in a Rutherford closure when it was made clear that these calculations are incorrect and would be mitigated by doing repairs. We proved with thorough accounting that closing Rutherford would only save 0.5 per cent of the district operating expenses. Are the disruptions and instability of closing this school worth saving only 0.5 per cent?
Please, Nanaimo – community members and parents – stand up to the school board and let trustees know they can be advocates for educational stability and predictability. Closing schools is not the way to support growth and development or a way to support families.
K’reen KerrNanaimo