Rural schools should remain open - Runciman
(Brockville) - The Upper Canada District School Board’s consideration of school closures in rural areas of Leeds & Grenville should be put on hold and priority given to working with parents, municipalities and the provincial government to insure the schools can remain open, according to Leeds & Grenville MPP Bob Runciman.
The local MPP was reacting to recommendations contained in “Boundary 20-20”, a board proposal that recommends closure of 4 rural schools in the United Counties.
“Rural schools are seen as a focal point of the community” asserted Runciman. “When you take away a school, you’re cutting at the heart of the community.”
Runciman also pointed to an announcement by Premier Dalton McGuinty early in the recent provincial election campaign as another reason for the board to rethink the proposal. Just days into the provincial election, McGuinty pledged to invest an extra $550-million in rural schools to keep them open.
“We’ve got to find ways to keep the schools open, and also to get a better transportation funding formula to keep the buses running in rural areas.” said the MPP. “The Liberal government needs to keep its 2003 election promise and fix the education funding formula”
“We should also, at least over the short term, determine if there are other ways support can be found locally to help provide a financial bridge until such time as long-term solutions are in place” suggested Runciman.
