Wells Council Files Freedom of Information Request Regarding Wells School Closure
For immediate release May 9, 2002
The District of Wells is filing a request with School District 28 (Quesnel) under the Freedom of Information Act regarding the proposed closure of the Wells-Barkerville School. The District of Wells Council voted unanimously to undertake the action when they heard that the School District administration had refused a previous information request from Wells staff. Copies of the FOI request are being sent to the Premier, the Minister of Education, the Attorney-General and the provincial Ombudsman.
District of Wells Administrator Gary Champagne says Council is making the request because it is concerned about the process undertaken by the School District around the closure. "Although we are currently in a period of public consultation, our Council is concerned that the closure of the school may already have been determined in decisions made behind closed doors."
The District of Wells is requesting information about any motions that were made by School District 28 Trustees at restricted meetings held between November 1, 2001 and May 8, 2002 regarding the closure of the Wells-Barkerville School. Along with the motions, the F.O.I. request seeks to know who made them and who voted in opposition as well as any additional recorded information related to the motions.
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Press Release
May 20, 2002
"In these days of open government, School Trustees need to be accountable for their decisions," said Councillor Judy Campbell. "They should not be allowed to make decisions that effect our children in secret meetings".
School District trustees announced their intent to close the Wells-Barkerville School at the April 24 school board meeting commencing an official 60-day public consultation period. "I find it regrettable that we must resort to an F.O.I. request to access what should be an openly debated public matter." Commented Councillor Robin Sharpe. "But since the School Board insists on conducting it’s business in secret, we must act to protect the rights of our children to an education in their own community."
The proposed closure of the Wells-Barkerville school has brought heated and united opposition from the entire community. Residents say students as young as five years old should not be expected to travel 80 kilometres one-way to the nearest school in Quesnel. They also say it’s ludicrous to close a school where the economy is growing. A destination casino is opening in June, and gold prices are forecast to rise, bolstering current economic activity already generated by Barkerville Historic Town, Island Mountain Arts and the proximity to Bowron Lake Provincial park. Although Trustees claim that closing the school is necessary to fund other critical educational needs, opponents quickly contend that the savings were really needed to fund the $121,000 a year raise included in the budget for the Trustees and their Administrators.
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For more information contact:
Gary Champagne, Administrator, District of Wells 250-994-3330 (w)
Dave Hendrixson, Mayor, District of Wells 250-991-6664 (cell)
Judy Campbell, Councillor, District of Wells 250-994-3349
