By Staff
February 3rd, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Asked what were the driving forces that got her into serving the public at the school board level Leah Reynolds provided the Gazette with a rather lengthy list of what shapes her involvement in the education of our children.
Trustee Reynolds, centre with Collard on her left and Gray on her right.
“I understand the public wants to know how I will vote on this issue. I will wait for the PAR committee to complete their work, for the Director’s Final Report and to hear from the public throughout this process and more formally in April, before committing to any option as I believe the best option has yet to emerge.”
The driving force behind entering public office is my passion for education as evidenced by my long-serving school volunteerism through reading club, breakfast club, chairing school councils, participating in community discussion of elementary school closing and helping lead numerous school capital fundraising enhancements and initiatives. These experiences equipped me with the skills to navigate the school board and I realized that I could be helpful to parents and community.
I also understood that there were population challenges and should a Program Accommodation Review (PAR) be held, I wanted to be a part of the conversation because schools are the heart of the community.
Reynolds pointed out that “this is a full time job, serving parents and families days, evenings and often weekends, one that trustees gladly take on in service to students and their education.”
Trustees attend far more meetings than city Councillors do.
If Central high school is closed – for whatever reason – can Leah Reynolds get re-elected?
Reynolds said her “top priority and philosophy is focused squarely on what is in the best interests of students.” She did make clear that “schools are the heart of the community”.
Her decision matrix, said Reynolds will consider more than the three factors the Gazette set out. Her considerations include the 13 factors identified by the PAR policy which are:
I. Range of mandatory program
2. Range of optional program
3. Viability of Program – number of students required to offer and maintain program in an educationally sound and fiscally responsible way
4. Physical and environmental state of existing schools
5 Proximity to other schools (non-bus distances, natural boundaries, walking routes)
6 Accommodation of students in permanent school facilities and minimal use of portable classrooms
7. Balance of overall enrolment in each school in the area to maximize student access to programs, resources and extra-curricular opportunities and avoid over and under utilization of buildings.
8. Expansion and placement of new ministry or board programs.
9. Stable, long-term boundaries to avoid frequent boundary changes
10 Cost effectiveness of transportation
11 Fiscal responsibilities
12 Existing and potential community uses and facility partnerships
13. Goals and focus of the current multi-year plan
Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward and school board trustee Leah Reynolds the night Meed Ward launched her re-election campaign. Are these two joined at the hip on the school closing issue.
There may be additional factors that bubble up as a result of the PAR committee’s discussions. But the lens through which all these factors will be viewed is what is best for students at our schools.
Every person added Reynolds “has an opportunity right now to make their voice heard to help shape the options that emerge for trustee consideration in the spring.
Don’t raise my taxes! Don’t close my school! Can’t have it both ways folks.
Pretty clearly put susan. And correct.
Right on the mark.
A very sound and appropriate response to a very difficult situation. I know having been thru it when my kids were in elemenatary school and their school was closed (the right decision).
Not so sure I believe all trustees are as committed to the job as Trustee Reynolds. The expectations of the position are not in line with the renumeration and when it comes to school closures the stakes are high. The level of knowledge and time needed to perform due diligence, while working full time, as most trustees do, is impossible. As such, when asked to respond to questions from the press and the community, there is silence…what’s that old adage?…if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys…
“Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward and school board trustee Leah Reynolds … Are these two joined at the hip on the school closing issue”
According to this article, trustee Reynolds is considering all options prior to making a decision, a position she has taken from the beginning.
The councilor/ parent rep changed her position from opposing school closings to advocating an option to close one.
There may be some separation between these two, at least at this point in the process.
As pointed out the 13 factors listed are only some of factors being considered.
John,
Where is it disclosed that MMW changed her position and advocated an option to close one?
I have not seen anything.
Tom
Option 23 and subsequently 23b and 23c have all been submitted to the PARC by the central committee members, the councilor is one of the members.
These options advocate closing Bateman high school, home to many of our students attending specialized programs. They also require the building or retrofitting of either MMR, Aldershot or both to accommodate the specific needs and equipment required to accommodate these students.
Moving these programs and building new supporting infrastructure would likely cost million, if it can be done at all.
More importantly, the impact on many of our most vulnerable students is extreme. Their needs require consideration prior to any discussion regarding school closure’s that expose them to unnecessary issues.