More than just bricks and mortar

They say it’s hard to serve two masters — and Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board trustees know that all too well. They’re trying to meet the hard business demands and numbers imposed upon them by provincial legislation in regard to school closures. But Monday night — their other masters — the parents and families they represent in Hamilton’s east end — came to city hall to remind trustees that to the people that use them, community schools, are more than just bricks and mortar.

People like Chris Weston demanded: “This plan is unacceptable. We know when we we are being short-changed, and we won’t stand for it.”

Residents like Grant Boyko pleaded: “Please keep Parkdale school open. Please.”

There was some singing.

And even some comic relief from community members like Mike Rinaldi: “Here’s a picture with a neighbourhood school open. And, it’s awesome, it’s like a Tim Horton’s commercial. And here’s a picture of a neighbourhood, with a school closed, and — it’s — not so good.”

But in more than 40 presentations given to the HWDSB — there were two main themes. Jessica Brennan is the board chair: “We’re hearing some joy — I believe — we’re hearing some real joy about what their schools are about.”

That and this from Abby Boyko: “This many closures this fast, cannot be the only solution.”

Parents in the east end are being asked to close 4 out of 7 elementary schools in that area — more than any other school zone, in the city. But rather than blame the Board — Councillor Sam Merulla took aim at the Province: “You can be part of a solution. Wait for the new government of Ontario to come in, and work with them to try to prevent sucking the life out of this community.”

And even though the process is rooted in the cold numbers of fiscal responsibility, Brennan concedes that emotion, will play a part in the final decision: “All of that is fodder for all of our concern, and our thinking about what is going to be the best result for this community, recognizing that we still have a tough fiscal responsibility to consider.”

There were no hard, fast decisions on the accommodation issue planned for tonight’s meeting. Instead, board trustees will get together on May 26th to consider a preliminary decision. That will allow more time for public input — and it may also allow trustees to consider the possibility of a new government at Queen’s Park. One that may allow them to slow down the review process — and perhaps keep some of the schools that they now seem to be in such a hurry, to close.