Parents campaigning against school closures said they were taken aback by the school district’s decision to post the list of facilities recommended shut online today (Friday).
“They have been saying Sept. 19 all along for the superintendent’s recommendations to be announced and now they switch it up?” wrote Kim Nowitsky, of Richmond Schools United, to the Richmond News.
According to Richmond School Board chair Debbie Tablotney, the online announcement was needed because the closure recommendations are found in the Sep. 19 board meeting agenda, which is routinely published online the Friday before each meeting.
Nowitsky said a 30-minute rally against the closures will be staged Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at MLA John Yap’s office on Bayview Street. She hopes parents from all schools attend.
“It doesn’t matter which schools close because the bottom line is that the province is starving our public education system.
“It’s not right that in a wealthy province like B.C. vital programs like music or art will be cut and portables added so that a school can reach 95 per cent capacity in order to receive seismic upgrading. It’s absurd,” said Nowitsky.
Yap did not reply to the News’ inquiry.
On Oct. 17 a final vote will be held following further public consultation. Nowitsky said all parents should attend Monday’s board meeting to ask questions. The list of schools recommended for closures will be posted online at Richmond-News.com.
