BWDSB calls on province to join public, Catholic boards
By Barb McKay
The BWDSB passed an ambitious motion at its meeting last week to enter into amalgamation talks with its Catholic counterpart.
The motion, introduced by vice-chair Jim Dawson, calls for the BWDSB to reaffirm its support for a merger of the public and Catholic school boards “to create a publically-funded school board for each official language that would create better administrative economies, while creating better education for students.”
The motion was introduced, in part at least, to support another school board that introduced a similar motion, Dawson said during last Tuesday’s meeting. But the motion also takes a stab at the province’s Putting Students First Act, or Bill 115, which imposes wage freezes, imposes cuts to scheduled pay increases for teachers who have gained experience or additional education and cuts sick days by 50 per cent.
“It’s affecting our students at a grass roots level with the uncertainty of what’s happening in their school year,” said Meaford trustee Fran Morgan. “It’s a good time to bring this motion up and support our staff and through it, our kids.”
The board estimates that a merger of the public and separate boards would save the province at least $1 billion annually and be a better solution than shutting schools. Hanover trustee John Chapman said the BWDSB has always had a good relationship with the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board (BGCDSB) and the two boards already share a purchasing consortium and a transportation consortium. He said an amalgamation would benefit everyone involved.
“I think there’s never been any doubt or question around this table about where our unequivocal support rests,” Chapman said. “It’s with our staff, all staff, in terms of their due diligence in serving students across Bluewater. It’s unwavering. We are in a time of turmoil and confusion from a political stance and it’s very important that we support this.”
The BGCDSB is in the midst of a process to amalgamate with the
Doreen Schultz, community relations and outreach co-ordinator for the BGCDSB, said the board was caught off guard by the Bluewater motion.
“We are not considering a merger with BWDSB,” she said. “We are a distinct board. Neither is the Ministry of Education considering any amalgamations across the boundaries of language or faith.”
The BWDSB is sending a letter to the Ministry detailing its motion and sharing the motion with the Ontario Public School Board Association. The motion also calls on the province to review or repeal Bill 115 on the grounds that it undermines human rights laws, labour laws and democratic institutions, such as elected school boards, and that it is causing hardships for students, teachers and members of the education community.
school boards
We should always keep two distinct school systems in this province. As we have learned in the past combining boards saves no money at all.
Catholic School Boards should stay
As a mother of three young children who attend a Catholic school, I support the Catholic school system. I believe it allows faith to be on the table for discussion which can open up conversations about all religions and strengthen the virtues of acceptance and understanding in our youth.
I think it is an inclusive system. I notice that families of many different faiths choose to send their children to Catholic high schools so it holds a value for non-Catholics as well. And people of all faiths can choose to support the Catholic system on their municipal tax forms.
It is part of the history of Canada and we should celebrate that fact. And it will cost more than a billion dollars to dismantle the system with no savings in return.
Catholic Schools are a must!
We send our children to school to learn.. We send our children to a catholic school to learn more. Religion is a choice and when made during the sacrament of confirmation their parents, teachers and the parish priest all stand proudly behind the choice.
Taking catholic schools away from the system is not the right choice to make here. It is a system that has been working for a very long time. If religion is taken away from schools children will slowly begin to forget the correct choice to make. They will start to fall between the cracks and forget the phrase " what would Jesus do" when faced with those difficult choices.,
As a mother of three boys, I am proud when I say that they attend a Catholic school. Where they are encouraged to say " merry Christmas" and not forced to be politically correct.
The Catholic community needs to make a stand and fight for what is right here. Make sure your taxes are going to the correct sector and let's make sure that we support those in office who are of the catholic Beliefs so that we may continue to see our children have a strong relationship with Jesus that will be the fundamental for every relationship when going out and dealing with people and life! The choice should be ours!
Keep the option for spiritual studies available to students
Dear Editor,
I have taught in the Catholic School system for a quarter of a century, teaching teenagers such subjects as dramatic arts, ESL, biology, math, careers, general science and religion. Human beings are wired for some sort of spirituality and a Catholic School curriculum provides for this need. I attended a public high school as a teenager back when we were allowed to have the Lord's Prayer along with O Canada in our opening exercises. We were also allowed to have Christmas trees in our lobby and we wished each other Merry Christmas. Catholic schools still keep the "Christ" in Christmas in addition to providing a rich curriculum at all grades to address, teach and provide a forum of discussion of the Catholic Faith. My perception of the public school system is that, while moral action is encouraged, the school must remain essentially faith-less so that no one gets offended. My current school welcomes Muslims, Protestants, Atheists, Agnostics and the occasional Wiccan to join with the Catholics in celebrating the Catholic faith. What is more, I can openly discuss the preceps of any religion in any subject area in light of Gospel values. My students and I can also pray together in any classroom. This freedom of Prayer has been a source os strength and comfort to the school community in times of distress, such as death or illness in an individual student's family or in the school community as a whole.
If you combine the Catholic and Public school system, it is quite likely that the Spirituality of the Catholic system will be dropped to accommodate the politically correct religious sterility of the public system. A large number of public school students are raised with a sense of spirituality, but this is a result of their families, not the school system. All children should have this opportunity. If they attend a Catholic School, they do have it. Like every other academic subject that we teach, the student is free to choose to take the knowledge gained through Religious Education and apply it to their own lives, or not. It is important that they be exposed to this potential richness in their lives.
Amen
J. Buscher
Catholic School Boards are part of the fabric of our Canadaian E
As a Catholic School supporter and former educator in the system, I vouch for the importance and necessity of the Catholic School Board. This system was entrenched in our Constitution and has grown from strength to strength by virtue of the dedication of its teachers and administration, who strive for excellence in education, and developing spirituality and character in our students. We are an inclusive Board taking students from all nationalities and religions and still maintain our right to practice our religion as Roman Catholics.
By merging with the public Board even our rights to celebrateelebrate Christma, Easter and our religious holidays will go to the board!
Gloria Remedios
Imparting catholic values to students make them good citizens
Hi I am a catholic school teacher and mother of four kids. I feel there must be catholic schools in our country, it should never be merged with the public school. Imparting catholic values to students make them good citizens in future. Values like love and peace is emphasized in all the areas of their curricullam, hence all the subjects are learned and taught with these values in mind. The future of the country depends on our schools.
Lovina Rodrigo