The Bluewater District School Board has decided to set up an ad hoc committee to consider kindergarten scheduling changes.
But some who attended the meeting greeted the news with skepticism.
Owen Sound parent Miranda Miller says the board should have considered a consultation process before now.
Miller says the board doesn’t want to listen to the concerns of those who are opposed to the proposed scheduling changes after her request for a public meeting was deemed ‘out of order’.
The proposal involves changing school schedules for all students up to Grade 8 but the biggest changes would affect kindergarten and J-K students and how they attend day care on their days away from school.
Parents say the changes would be a disaster and throw a wrench into daycare, recreational activities and home life not to mention parents who work part time based on their children’s schedule.
The board says a collective agreement is behind the proposed changes.
But parent Ian Lang says the board has a choice – to accommodate the teachers’ union or do what’s best for children and families.
Another parent, Jamie Stata, says he’s disillusioned by the board’s communication strategy, calling it “smoke and mirrors.”
Parent Aly Boltman, criticized the board for not giving the public adequate time to discuss the proposed changes, for not asking for input from parents and for dealing with the issue on the second day back after March break, when many concerned stakeholders can’t be present.
That said, the board room in Chesley was full, and the crowd enthusiastically applauded speeches by those who criticized the proposed changes.
And parents weren’t the only ones with concerns.
Captain Colin Bain of the Owen Sound Salvation Army spoke out against the proposed changes, as did Dennis Morrison, director of children’s services at the YMCA in Owen Sound, and Dan Purdon, executive director of South East Grey Community Outreach.
Board trustee Cindy Aitken suggested the ad hoc committee be formed, with representation from the provincial ministries of education and children and youth services, children’s services agencies in Grey and Bruce, day care staff members, municipal recreation staff members, teachers, administrators, trustees and parents.
The motion received unanimous support from trustees.
The committee is to report back to the board at its next meeting, which is scheduled for April 20th.