Principal has to answer for lack of communication before Bluewater School Board

Education(continued)

Pat Cavan

At the recent board meeting of the Bluewater School Board, Principal Pat Cavan, of the Bruce Peninsula School, had to answer for her decision not to allow students to take part in public speaking competitions, except on their 'own time'.

The competitions are held by the Wiarton Legion, as they are throughout Ontario. Cavan sent a letter to the Legion stating simply that they would no longer be taking place and that alternative choices were being for the curriculum.

When questioned before the board about her decision, Cavan admitted that she had not informed the local Student Council Chair, had not communicated with parents, did not go to school council, did not advise the local Trustee and did not discuss the matter with the Legion other than to send them a shortly worded letter.

Cavan explained that the school was looking at other methods of communication such as 'literature circles', where students sit in circles and discuss reading materials they have covered.

John Chapman

Trustee, John Chapman of Hanover said that is was very disappointing and discouraging that the four gentlemen (Legion representatives) had to come from Wiarton to share their concerns and that it was the first that the board/trustees had heard of the issue. "It was obvious they felt removed," he said. "The stakeholders and parents deserve better than that ... we would find it difficult to justify to the Wiarton Legion that we are not providing this service [consultation and communication]."

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25/04/2009 01:13 AM

He went on to add that, "We cannot overstate the important of meaningful consultation and we are in the education business. Our taxpayers and stakeholders deserve to be better informed of changes and we have to thank the Wiarton Legion for coming forward."

Gail Nadjiwan, Trustee from Cape Croker pointed out that, "The delegation was not just Legion members, they are our Veterans. There was a lack of consultation. This  was a tradition. I would like information on how many years this took place."

Jan Johnstone

Vice-Chair, Jan Johnstone, added that her children participated in science fairs and public speaking. "Speeches are very valuable," she said. "I have one child who is now a young adult and thanks to public speaking at the school level and the Legion level, can speak very well. In Kincardine, we consult with our Student Council chairs (SCC) who then survey the parents. Some [parents] may say it's not worth the work but I really want to strongly suggest that communication, whether for science fairs or the Legion, is about consultation and partnership."

Chapman then added that, "Absence of consultation about how the community or parents feel cannot be allowed. Tim, [Reaburn, Wiarton Trustee] had to leave this meeting due to illness, but I know he was not consulted. In West Grey-Hanover, there is great respect for the Legion and, if our President [Legion] had received the correspondence that you [Cavan] sent to the Wiarton Legion, my phone would be ringing off the hook. It was an unforgiveable omission of sin to not run this past your Trustee to see how he would feel about it. There has been a lack of judgment in this situation."

Cavan then replied that she would discuss it at the Parent Council meeting being held that same night.

Newly-appointed Chair, Jennifer Yenssen, said that from her perspective, parents would benefit from background knowledge [re literature circles]. "I would like to see that discussion at the SCC level. If parents think what is happening in the schools is the same as when they went to school, they would see how wrong they are. Parents need all that background [literature circle information et al].

Trustee, Cindy Aitken, added that the upsetting part was the communication with the Legion. "If our staff feel that public speaking is out, perhaps, they [Legion} could become involved in another way ... hopefully, we can mend this situation with the Legion."