Letter to the Editor

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Schools are the centre of many of our rural communities and play an important role in strengthening communities.

We also know that our rural schools face some unique challenges including declining enrolment and higher costs for materials and resources. 

That is why since coming to office, we introduced additional funding to support boards with a high proportion of students from rural and small communities. This includes funding for operations to help boards deal with declining enrolment and renewal for schools that are under 100-per-cent capacity. 

This year, rural boards are receiving over $1 billion or 37-per-cent more funding since 2003.  

Since 2003, we have also provided $33.7 million in additional funding to the Bluewater District School Board. This is an increase of 21.5 per cent.

School board decisions on student accommodations are difficult for every community which is why I believe that it is so important for these decisions to be made at the local level. 

We have made a number of changes that give communities an opportunity to provide meaningful feedback throughout the process. The changes recognize that while school boards are responsible for making these decisions, their decisions impact entire communities. They must provide information and opportunities for parents and communities to be involved before any decisions are made.

Your MPP, Carol Mitchell, continues to be a strong advocate on behalf of all of the schools in her riding and has brought the concerns of your community about the accommodation review to my attention. 

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Friday, May 20, 2011