Letters sent to The Premier, Minister of Education, MLA's and Quesnel School District Trustees...
July 24, 2002
Premier Gordon Campbell
PO Box 9045, STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC
V8W 9E1
Dear Premier Campbell:
I want to register my concern regarding the closure of schools in small towns and rural areas of British Columbia, and in particular, the school in Wells. The public school system of this province was developed over a long period of time. Schools in small towns and outlying areas are often there because of the committed efforts of citizens concerned that every child has access to an education. The high level of commitment to the principle of access to education is presently exemplified by the people of Wells, especially the hunger strikers who are protesting the closure of their school.
This school closure will result in five-year-old children rising at very early hours of the morning to take an eighty-kilometer bus trip to attend school in Quesnel. This is not only an unfair demand on a child's health and the family routine, but also a denial of the right to an education within the community when that community is large enough to justify a school.
The closure of the Wells school is also an example of the problem with current legislation regarding the powers of individual school districts. The Quesnel School District has just given a $120,000 raise to administrators, but closed a school whose operating budget is approximately $100,000. If the trustees in Quesnel can't see the fallacy in this action, the Ministry of Education should intervene. And if current legislation permits this type of decision-making on the part of a school board, that legislation should be revoked immediately.
The Ministry of Education must assume greater responsibility for the maintenance of a public education system that serves every part of this province. Without schools, our communities in the Interior of the province will suffer, and their citizens will be denied their basic right to an education.
I urge you to take immediate action to resolve this situation, and I look forward to your response to this letter.
Sincerely,
Mary Carlisle
Vancouver, BC
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July 24, 2002
Mr. Val Anderson, MLA
#207, 5740 Cambie
Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 3A2
Dear Mr. Anderson
I am concerned about the closure of the Wells-Barkerville School, and I would like you to discuss this issue in caucus. Quesnel School District has decided to close the school in Wells even though they have given their administrators a raise of $120,000. It appears that the Small Community Supplement intended for rural schools has been redirected in violation of the government's own policy. A misuse of public money has occurred and requires the immediate attention of the caucus and the Minister of Education, Christy Clark.
The current hunger strike in Wells is one indication
of the depth of commitment in that community to the principle of access
to education. Other British Columbians share that commitment as well as
a strong desire to see public moneys spent as they were allocated.
I urge you to bring this matter to the attention of caucus and the Minister
of Education, Christy Clark.
Yours sincerely,
Mary Carlisle
Cc Hon. Christy Clark