Walkerton Secondary School Chair Speaks Out

at recent Bluewater Board Meeting

 

Education

(continued)

Dan Wong, Walkerton District Secondary School Community Council (SSC) Chair, started off the public delegation portion of the Bluewater School Board's meeting on Tuesday (Aprl. 21).

"In talking with members of the School Community and, in reviewing the media coverage of this situation, I felt compelled to come forward to provide input to this current state of affairs," he said. Wong's purpose he explained was to firstly frame the current situation and put it into proper perspective in order to get to the root causes and implement corrective actions and, secondly, he wanted to put forth recommendations to the Board and Trustees.

"There is significant negative energy around the numerous complaints recently and I have no doubt that some of them are valid."

Wong commended many of the people in the room for being passionate about the welfare of children and the quality of education and also said that there are good staff members, teachers and administration within the Bluewater Board. He went on say however that, "The current turmoil is painting the entire school board with the same brush. I personally do not believe this blemish should spoil the entire apple."

Wong felt that emotions are running high and he appealed to both the school board and the school community to resolve the issues in a professional manner. "Unbridled emotions can be self-destructive and can prevent effective resolution for both parties.

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22/04/2009 05:25 PM

 Hidden agendas and personal axes to grind are also non-constructive and will only breed more negativity. "It's a highly charged atmsosphere," he added, "and there must be more respect if there is to be credibility."

Wong went on to make firm recommendations to the board and trustees. "It is recognized that a Trustee's job is usually thankless and the remuneration a pittance given the countless hours committed to the position. "However," he pointed out, "as a publicly elected official, it is your duty to look after your community. Now is the time to step up and be accountable and exhibit both transparency and good governance. Now is the time to make things right."

While he supported the initial efforts being made to address the many complaints, he strongly suggested that impartial third party members of the community must be involved in the process. "I am recommending that a task force be struck and that unbiased parents be included on this team."

He also said that strategic consultation with parents should be practiced for all future delicate issues such as the Rotary issue and the TRAIL Program.

"Communication protocol should be established for staff members to communicate their concerns without fear of reprisal," he continued. "The public should be apprised and informed of the progress of the preliminary review and a formal process or procedure needs to be established where future concerns may be addressed in a systematic and effective manner, as well as fairly and objectively."

Wong pointed out that the ultimate goal is to provide quality education to children. "Let us learn from the past, fix the present and improve for the future."
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