It defies logic that the Trustees continue in their plan to close 4 Elementary schools in SE Oakville (Ward 3).  The top EQAO school in Halton is Brantwood, according to the Grade 3 results, with a perfect score in Reading and Mathematics.  Chisholm Public School came in the third position in Halton and Linbrook rounded out the top 5.

Consistently SE Oakville schools are top performers in the Provincial EQAO testing.  If the recent PARC process is truly about programming and education, can someone explain why we need to radically alter the deliver of education in a community that outperforms both the Halton Region and the Province of Ontario -- It simply defies logic. 

How did the Trustees vote unanimously to close the best schools in Halton and some of the best schools in Ontario.  What criteria beyond programming, as EQAO demonstrates, did the Trustees use to arrive at their decision?

The complete Halton review by school is available  Halton EQAO results 2007/2008 (49.5 kB). 

In the appeal response by the Halton District School Board, dated August 27th 2008, the Board asserts that the school community only reached 36% of the student headcount overall.  Their calculations are based on counting only one signature per household and exclude any PARC members that were not parents of a student at that school.

The Ministry had confirmed to the community in writing that both parents are eligible and that each counts separately as a signature.  The Ministry also confirmed that all PARC members are eligible to sign any school petition.  The understatement of eligible signatures for each and every school due to these errors was obviously very substantial.  In addition, signatures were also denied if neither the signatory's last name or address matched that of a student, which could which could certainly be the case for certain eligible parents -- such as a parent living at a different address than the student and using a new last name or a maiden name.

The individuals who applied for a review by the province have said they stand behind the original numbers, which showed over 50% support.

When the school board publishes erroneous information such as this, how can the public have confidence that other data is error-free?

Today,  Wednesday, September 10th at 7:00pm at the J.W. Singeton Education Centre, 2050 Guelph Line, the Halton District School Board will vote to accept the revised bussing figures to append to the decision to close 4 schools in South East Oakville.  If you recall, the board originally published figures that EJ busing would be 30 students, when the revised report to be accepted is almost 1000% greater.

Detailed comparison of the Board's figures in their appeal reply and the figures from the appeal itself can be found by clicking on read more.

The scene was surreal, as Oakville Resident's for Public Education, counsel, Alan D'Silva and Elizabeth Pillon, partners at Stikeman Elliott, spoke to the Trustee's concerning the bussing irregularity and fair process.  However, they were interrupted repeatedly by the School Board Chair and Trustees.  They were not allowed to conclude their presentation and it appeared obvious that the Trustees were not interested in hearing the content of their delegation but merely enforcing what is both arbitrary and open to interpretation.

The Board's apparent hostility towards the community of South East Oakville was again reinforced by tonight's demonstration. The community has consistently called for an open, transparent process for all stakeholders.  Tonight, our community was denied the right to speak for a mere 10 minutes.

Mr. D'Silva  spoke about the case law regarding school closure and the court's belief that school boards and Trustees must observe the highest standards of fairness in making these types of decision.  Without referencing specifics he suggested that the process followed would infringe upon a layperson's sense of fairness.  Chair Tuck Kutarna, immediately interrupted Mr. D'Silva requesting he refer to a specific passage in his written submission he is presenting.  Trustee Russell objected to a lawyer speaking to the Board and referred to a judicial review.  Another Trustee suggested Mr. D'Silva restrict his comments to reading his written submission and requested he read his written submission.

Mr. D'Silva, then spoke to timelines, informing the local community and having all relevent materials presented.  Again, he was interrupted by the Chair and asked to reference his specific paragraph in his written submission.  We have attached his written submission here, Oakville Residents for Public Education Sept 3 submission (485.67 kB) and you will see he is referring to paragraph 2.

In this blow by blow report, Mr. D'Silva referred to section 3.4 of the board's policy concerning 60 days notice.  Again, interrupted to reference a specific paragraph of the written report.

South East Oakville Parents issued a press release July 29th indicating that each of the 6 schools has filed an appeal with the Halton District School Board and Minister of Education.  A copy of the press release can be found at,  Appeal Press Release.

 The appeal states 4 main areas that the school board failed to follow its own policy.

• The Board failed to "exemplify open decision-making  .... and public participation in capital planning"
• The Board failed to supply alternate accomodation plans for review by the PARC Committee.  The policy states that the Board staff will prepare alternate school configuration plans that the committee would then study and review.
  
• The Board appointed members outside of the initial committee structure, as defined in the PARC policy, without the agreement of the PARC.  Specifically, the Clearview Resident's Association (COCA) was invited to join by the Board, whereas, the Policy states any other members must be decided by the PARC.  The Board also refused to allow other groups, specifically, the Trafalgar Chartwell Resident's Association to join.
• The Board failed to provide 60 days notice of the Board meeting that would vote on the matter.
• 
  

Based on head count requirement in the provincial document, the group achieved an overwhelming 77% of support from those eligible south of cornwall.

The school board now has 30 days to respond to the Minister.  After which time, the Minister will appoint a facilitator who will review the appeal and board response and file a report within an additional 30 days. 

The appeal document requests the board post their response on their website for community review.  The board's response is due August 28th. The facilitator's report will be due September 27th.  The Provincial Appeal Policy does not provide details on the authority or range of decision making the facilitator has at his/her disposal.

We have received many emails about the Halton's District School Board's decision to close 80% of the elementary schools in South East Oakville.  Residents want to know how they can appeal, litigate, protest the Board's decision.

We just received an email announcing details of a public meeting for Monday, July 14th at Maple Grove United Church, 7:30pm.  A copy of the email can be seen by found at  Public Meeting.

The initial meeting is to collect parent's signatures from each of the respective schools in SE Oakville.  The provincial government policy allows for any individual to file an appeal providing they have 30% of the signatures from a given school.  Each of the 6 elementary school areas, has appointed an area captain to collect signatures for the appeal.

It is important to note that the appeal must be strictly based on how the Halton Distrct School Board failed to follow its own policy.   Details will be available on Monday night.

We also understand a number of other items are under discussion on how the decision can be overturned or stopped.  A group has been assembled and will be updating the community on Monday night.