“Contrived Public Relations Exercise”
The Edmonton Public School Board is closing schools on a sector by sector basis using a public relations firm to facilitate ‘dialogue’.
There are unanswered questions regarding the actual amount of ‘surplus’ space at EPSB schools and the reasons that EPSB is losing a significant number of students to other districts.
Concerned parents attended a ‘so-called sector planning workshop’ last night for eastern Edmonton, however there were no public school board representatives present. (correction 09.12.01: although the CBC story indicated that “no school board officials were there during the information session” Trustees George Rice and Catherine Ripley attended this open house session.)
Hugh MacDonald, the Liberal MLA for Edmonton-Gold Bar was reported to have said 'This is just a contrived public relations exercise. I'm very disappointed to say that, to close these schools without public outcry or court challenges like we've had in the past." (CBC News Workshop solicits ideas to avoid school closures 09.11.30)
Apparently not all trustees believe that a this should simply be a public relations exercise. Trustee David Colburn has given notice of the following motion “That a working committee be created by the Board consisting of Trustees, City Councillors and MLAs to engage in tri-level discussions examining all possibilities related to school closures, school viability and any other related matters deemed appropriate by the committee.” The motion will be debated and voted on at a public board meeting on December 8, 2009.
A map of Edmonton’s wards and this list of Edmonton Public School Board trustees can be used to directly provide your input.
Please provide suggestions and comments on this website using the contact link in the left column.