The only reasoning given to many of us for the closure of OSCVI as a high school is one small chart showing the operating profit next year and the percentage utilization rate. We are then told it is what the community wants. And all in the name of better programming, because that's all that matters. I don't believe either of these arguments holds merit for the BWDSB, and the rest of their argument does not attribute value to a number of items.
Community Support – I don't see this at all. A few letter writers have suggested that we are a small, fringe group. But we're not. Both Grey County and Owen Sound asked for this ARC review to be slowed down, both were denied. Owen Sound City Council does not support this, parents, students, alumni, grandparents and businesses don't support this.
As Peter Reesor, CEO and Chair of the Advocacy Committee of the Owen Sound & District Chamber of Commerce, said in his deputation to the Owen Sound City Council:
"In making its decisions did the School Board take into account the many related costs that the City of Owen Sound and Grey County will likely incur and the tax hikes that may need to be imposed?
Did it identify and factor in the clear social costs, their impact, and their remediation? Did it conduct any kind of value for money calculations? If not, why not? These are all key ingredients of making an informed business decision. If they did do this essential work then it is incumbent on the Board to share the results. Because frankly – we don't understand how their decision makes business sense." They have not shown us their business case.
Better Programming – We keep hearing how larger schools provide better programming and this is the focus. Yet this doesn't appear to be a concern in the latest announcement to build a k-12 school in Meaford and the one that was recently built in Chesley. Both of those schools have fewer high-school students than OSCVI. Why do some communities get to keep their schools while others don't? What is the rational because it doesn't apply equally? Here in Owen Sound "apparently" we don't think it's right to put our 7/8's in the high school environment, yet other areas are putting their Kindergarten children in. And most urban areas are converting to the 7 to 12 model.
OSCVI has the artistic facilities that the Alumni raised $900,000 towards. At West Hill, the stage is in the gym, so now the students will have to compete with sports teams and physical education classes for time. There are music practice rooms at OSCVI that will no longer be used. The auditorium at OSCVI is used at least ¾ of the day, every day. How will this decision provide better programming for those interested in drama and music?
And the alumni contribution hasn't been valued at all. Ron Motz said at the April 12th meeting that he was "immune" to any discussion of the history of OSCVI, but with 160 years comes a lot of benefactors. When you wipe out this school, you wipe out their involvement and their financial contributions. These qualitative and quantitative factors have not been valued at all. If it doesn't fit in the formula, they're not going to look at it.
I've been the CFO of a land development company for over 15 years and to receive funding before construction starts we have to provide a detailed budget and plan. I cannot believe they announce funding for a school in Meaford before a site is picked or a plan is drawn up. We wonder why government projects are continually over-budget but when you see this haste in planning, it's no wonder there's waste. Where is the business plan?
And that's what businesses do, that's what people do; they plan ahead. They pick areas to locate their business based on what is in the community. People buy houses next to schools because they want a certain quality of life. We all know change has to happen, but the abrupt change in plan and the quick consolidation of the schools with so little concern for the people this affects is discouraging to see in our elected trustees.
And we don't trust the numbers they have given us: 1.2 million to renovate OSCVI for elementary. That means changing the washrooms, 6 new kindergartens. (Two KG rooms cost $860,000 at Dufferin in 2013). Additions of playground equipment, fencing, a bus loop. (A bus loop at Bayview cost $480,000 in 2010.) Renovating existing science, art and tech rooms. It's hard to believe that could be done for 1.2 million.
They estimate 5 to 6 million to put an addition on to OSCVI if it were the one high school. But again, we haven't been shown any details to these estimates. But it's safe to say, putting an addition on to an already purpose-built high school is a lot cheaper than building a new high school. A new high school that won't get the artistic spaces designed into OSCVI.
Ron Motz is not surprised at our reaction because, "It was exactly the same reaction seventeen years ago when the Grey Board of Education proposed replacing the original OSCVI building," If Ron Motz knew how people felt about this school, perhaps he and his team could've taken more time and consideration in communicating with this community, instead of the dismissive way he has treated our concerns and the lack of information provided.
He may remember how it was seventeen years ago, but it has only been seven years since a facilitator was brought in over transparency and accountability issues at the BWDSB and the appearance of "rubber-stamping" by Trustees.
To sum up, the BWDSB has offered no business plan to the community of Owen Sound. We have no faith in the numbers provided due to the lack of detail and support. We have no faith that the BWDSB is concerned about our students as they give the answer that's most convenient to their situation and then change it when discussing another community. Where is the transparency in the process? Where is the accountability?
Diane Ferguson, CPA, CA
Williamsford, ON
