WESTMEATH– Residents had opportunity to speak directly with school board staff and trustees during a public information open house-style meeting regarding the possible closure of Westmeath Public School.
In February, the Renfrew County District School Board trustees voted in favour of a review of whether the school should remain open or not at the end of this school year. It was noted there are 54 students in the school, which can hold just over 200.
Following the announcement, a Save Our School (SOS) committee was formed of families and residents to see if the possible closure could be postponed, as it was in 1977.
“Welcome to my worst nightmare,” said Dave Shields, the local trustee and chairman of the board, as he addressed the large crowd gathered in the community hall in Westmeath April 14.
He noted usually he addresses crowds when there is a happy occasion, but that’s not the case for this night. He reviewed what happened the night of February 23, noting when he got home from the meeting, he called several key people within the Westmeath community to advise them of the news that was about to be released.
There have been questions and comments since then, Mr. Shields said, and the next step was to hold a night for residents and families to have their input. He explained there would be no opportunity for anyone to speak out loud during the evening, but to speak directly about their concerns and questions with board staff and trustees.
Each question and concern would be written down and then they would all be put together by staff in another report for the trustees.
“The trustees are neutral tonight,” Mr. Shields said, adding, “They are here to listen to your concerns, your questions.”
He encouraged the residents to speak directly to any SOS committee member if they had any input after the meeting.
Gayle Bishop, from the school board, provided a hand-out of the staff report regarding the review of the school. Several other board staff quickly reviewed some of the information in the report, including the financial savings that could be realized.
Ms. Bishop encouraged those attending the meeting to speak with the staff who were at the meeting, so their concerns and questions could be answered.
“This is your chance to talk,” she said.
There will be a board meeting on Monday, May 16 where delegations will be heard regarding the student review. For those who want to be a delegation, they must inform the school board by May 9, she said.
Then, on Tuesday, May 31, trustees will make the decision about Westmeath Public School.
Once the official part of the meeting was over, Neil Nicholson, who is chairman of the SOS committee, said he was thrilled by the large turnout for the meeting. The community wants to save the school, which will save the rural community, he said.
“(The closure) would come at the expense of the community, and a rural one, too,” he said. “We understand the need to save money and resources so they can be redirected to the students, but we want the board to look beyond that.”
The SOS Committee has been working on finding a counter-proposal to shutting down the school, he said. There is an opportunity of sharing accommodations with Our Lady of Grace Catholic School or even leasing part of the school to a private company, Mr. Nicholson said, adding, all options are being explored. It’s expected the options will be presented at the May 16 meeting.
