WE NEED THE OMBUDSMAN TO CONTROL OUR SCHOOL BOARD

WHEN WILL THE ONTARIO OMBUDSMAN BE ALLOWED TO INVESTIGATE SCHOOL BOARDS?

The people of Blyth did everything within their power to prevent the closure of their school. We lost the battle, but the field on which we fought was not a level one.

Avon Maitland District School Board, despite the fact that they had  major control advantages, violated many of the rules that could have made the contest somewhat more fair. Blyth was not fairly represented, ARC meetings were not properly advertised, the board did not recruit proper representatives. 

Unfortunately, the board's records have whitewashed the entire process. When I lodged a complaint to the Ontario Ombudsman I knew that he would not be allowed to investigate the school board, so my complaint went to the Ministry of Education, which is fair game for the Ombudsman's investigative powers.

The reply that I received from the ministry was based entirely on the Avon Maitland false and misleading reports. While that was quite frustrating, I realize now that even if the OO had found the ministry at fault, that would not change AMDSB's decision since the Education Act gives them the absolute power to close any school they choose regardless of how egregious the decision might be.

A truly representative school board would have asked the question: "Can Blyth afford to lose its only school?" The same would apply to Brussels and Zurich schools.

Apparently the perfidy of this board did not end with unnecessary closure of schools and the wasteful spending of undetermined millions spent on a totally unnecessary new school. There are rumours from reliable sources that $200,000 has been given to a couple (both retired school principals on full pension) to sort out, organize and dispense with all the movable assets from the closed schools.

Further evidence of the inability of this board's administration to plan for the near future has been noted. In the normal K to 8 schools, during the winter months, older children are always on hand to help the little ones to deal with their winter clothing and footwear at the beginning and ending of the school day. With the Turnberry "Campus" being totally dedicated to K-1 children, there will be no one but a handful of teachers to help with these duties.

A large portion of your tax dollars are going to pay the salaries of those who make decisions like that, and who seem to do everything they can think of to disadvantage places like Blyth, Brussels, and Zurich.

The Ontario Ombudsman, André Marin, has been actively pressing the Ontario government to allow his office to investigate the so-called "MUSH" group: municipalities, universities, schools, and hospitals. The pressure is mounting from the thousands of people who, like us, have legitimate complaints about errors, decisions, and bad policies of public service organizations.

It is a matter of justice and fairness for all citizens.

Brock Vodden