Why school officials are ticked off with Dalton and Dave

Decisions on new programming, staffing and facility improvements in Algoma's public school system have to be delayed, and it's all Dalton and Dave's fault, says Wanda McQueen, chair of the Algoma District School Board.

Some critical decisions may not even happen this coming September because the province has still not given local school officials clear direction, an obviously miffed McQueen told a board meeting last night.

"They're tying our hands," McQueen grumbled. "It's a terrible way to do business."

'It puts everything on hold'

With talk of possible new money for school replacement, daycare centres in schools and additional money for staff and other new programming needs dangling before the board, McQueen says school officials are growing very impatient with the province.

"It puts everything on hold," she said. "We don't look at school facilities because the guidelines aren't there. I mean, people are saying to us, 'why are you not looking at closing schools or at least starting that initiative?' – we don't have the guidelines."

McQueen said the board is waiting for the Ministry of Education and Training to formalize school closure or consolidation recommendations as policies before an decision can be made about those issues.

'They're asking an awful lot'

"We are almost into June and the board effectively shuts down at the end of June," she said. "To make room in buildings for programs or to change buildings for September, they're asking an awful lot."

Trustees are also waiting to find out how much money they will get for specific budget items.

"They're usually out about March or April or so because we have commitments we have to do with staffing," said McQueen. "If we want to initiate any new programs what we are is effectively on hold."

Why renovate a school that may close in two years?

The board doesn't want to spend money now on projects that may have to be redone or will go into a school that may close in the next two years, she said.

McQueen believes the ministry will not make any financial promises to boards until most collective bargaining agreements across the province have been signed and it has a better idea how much those agreements will cost the province.

An agreement is anticipated by June 1, she added.

At yesterday's meeting, Board Superintendent of Business Bob Backstrom said a detailed budget couldn't be prepared at this time because there are just too many variables.

He said the best the board could do now is to make a wish list and prioritize it.

Impossible to budget

But until it's known how much will be received for what, it's impossible to make a budget.

The only items Backstrom says he can budget now are facility improvements designated as urgent or high need by the ministry and funded by Stage 1 of the Better Places to Learn initiative.

Backstrom he could also plan for most of the districts' facility renewal project funding.

McQueen is also unhappy about having to spend money on schools that may be replaced or consolidated when the ministry finally releases its long-promised guidelines.

"We basically just rubber-stamped that initiative for facilities tonight," said McQueen. "The government identified that [urgent and high needs projects]. Is that what we want to do?"

Backstrom’s project list

Windows

Anna McCrea, Chapleau, Kiwedin, Mountainview, Northern Heights, Pinewood, S.F. Howe, Spanish, R.M. Moore, Riverview and Tarentorus Public Schools, F.H. Clergue, and Rockhaven schools as well as Elliot Lake Secondary School, Sir James Dunn Collegiate and Vocational School and White Pines Collegiate and Vocational School

Flooring

Michipicoten and Chapleau High Schools

Exterior

White Pines Collegiate and Vocational School and Elliot Lake Secondary School

Stack and breaching (chimney)

R.M. Moore, Rosedale, S.F. Howe and Thessalon Public Schools as well as Chapleau Secondary School

Ventilation

Aweres, Riverview and Sir James Dunn public schools, Bawating Collegiate and Vocational School, as well as Elliot Lake and W.C. Eaket Secondary Schools

Public address systems

Bawating and Sir James Dunn Collegiate and Vocational Schools

Paving

Pinewood, Etienne Brule and Sir James Dunn public schools, Korah Collegiate and Vocational School and Central Algoma Secondary School

Handicapped access

Spanish, Rockhaven, Anna McCrea, and Arthur Henderson public schools as well as Bawating and White Pines Collegiate and Vocational Schools, and also Elliot Lake and W.C. Eaket Secondary Schools

Busing lanes

Rosedale and Grandview Public Schools

Utilities systems

Iron Bridge, S.F. Howe and Central Avenue Public Schools, Sir James Dunn Collegiate and Vocational School and Michipicoten High School.

There will also be $179,000 spent in miscellaneous projects throughout the board and Rockhaven is scheduled to get a new roof as it was deferred from 2003-2004.