WELLS SAVE OUR SCHOOLS COMMITTEE
April 26, 2002
Wells Residents Resist Planned School Closure
Wells residents listened in shock and dismay on Thursday morning as representatives from the Wells Save Our School Committee announced the decision of School District 28 (Quesnel) School Board to close the Wells School.
"We provided the Board with proof that the costs of closing the school and lost per capita grants would cancel out any cost savings, so it's hard to understand their position," said Dave Jorgenson, spokesperson for the Wells Save Our School Committee and President of the Wells Chamber of Commerce. "The Board has given us no explanation for their decision."
The action flies in the face of the recommendations made by the Board's own Long Term Facilities Review Committee which specifically noted that the Wells-Barkerville School should not be closed.
"It makes no sense," commented Dave Hendrixson, Mayor of this mining and tourism community just 8 Km from the Province's premier heritage site, Barkerville. "The new casino which is opening June 21st is hiring 60 to 70 people; at least 40 of those are coming from out of town. And with the price of gold predicted to go to $500 by the end of the year, the Municipality is planning for rapid growth. We know that the school enrollment is going to increase rapidly."
The School District proposes to take a $100,000 Small Community Supplement specifically earmarked for the operation of schools in remote communities with small populations and use it to offset the District's operating costs. Wells residents feel that this 'cash grab' is morally wrong, because the operation of the Wells-Barkerville School was in the formula the School District used to obtain the grant.
Student Power!
68 Kb + 44 Kb pics
(May 9, 2002)
Press Release
May 20, 2002
"In my opinion, it is beyond misappropriation, it is outright theft" said angry Councillor Judy Campbell. "I wonder if this is how they are paying for the 2.5% increase they voted themselves in the same budget that they closed our school."
"The District is suggesting that it is acceptable for a 6 year old child to step on a bus at 6:45 a.m., travel in a completely unsupervised environment over treacherous roads for 80 Km and not return to their family until 4:30 in the afternoon. This only leaves 4 hours a day for eating, homework, and family and community interaction," explains PAC president Will Lepine. "We say this is not acceptable". "We pay school taxes" said another resident. "We are entitled to a school".
The School District is legally required to have a 60 day consultation period before any school closure. The Wells Save Our School Committee intends to fight the School District's decision through any and all means available to them including the legal system. "However, we still believe we can convince the Board that this action is not in their best interest," said Jorgenson. "We will try every avenue of negotiation before we resort to more drastic measures"
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For more information contact:
The Wells Save Our School Committee
Dave Jorgenson
250.994.2345
