Letters sent to The Premier, Minister of Education, MLA's and Quesnel School District Trustees...
British Columbia Teachers' Federation
100 - 550 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4P2 604-871-2283, 1-800-663-9163
www.bctf.ca
CCD Fax: 604 871-2289
August 27, 2002
The Honourable Christy Clark, MLA
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
PO Box 9045 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC V8W 9E2
Dear Minister Clark:
I am writing to request that you take action in
response to the dramatic situation unfolding in Wells, as parents and
other citizens struggle to save Wells-Barkerville Elementary School. As
you knows this is only one of many schools province-wide that are slated
to close due to the funding cuts imposed by your government. However,
the unique situation in Wells and the enthusiastic response of the community
to attempt to keep their school open, merit your attention
Artist Claire Kujundzic began a hunger strike July 16, 2002, and Wells Mayor David Hendrixson maintained the hunger strike for more than four weeks. Many other supporters have followed their principled example and joined the strike for one or more days.
Their actions speak eloquently of citizens' commitment to their rural communities and their determination to defend the right of their children to a quality public education where they live.
Despite the many persuasive and creative solutions proposed by the community members, trustees of School District # 28 have not seen fit to reverse their ill-advised decision to close the school. As teachers and as parents, we know that it is not appropriate to compel children as young as five to travel 80 kilometres each way over a treacherous mountain highway to attend school in Quesnel.
We echo the appeal of the Wells Parent Advisory Council and urge you to appoint a special advisor to look into the situation and recommend ways to save the Wells-Barkerville Elementary School.
Sincerely,
Neil Worboys
President
cc: Premier Gordon Campbell
Dr. John Wilson, MLA Cariboo North
Mayor Dave Hendrixson, District of Wells
Ms. Claire Kujundzic, Wells School Committee
Ms. Louise Scott, Chair, Board of Trustees, School District #28, Quesnel
