brad nelson letter to sd68 board chair dot neary
DESCRIPTION
Brad congratulates Dot Neary for stepping up as SD68 Board chair and wonders her position on the 10-year Facility Plan (specifically as it relates to the closing of Cedar Secondary). Knowing that a financial analysis reveals no cost savings and the costs associated with fighting the community and Snuneymuxw First Nations, Brad wonders why SD68 is so opposed to considering other options. He wants SD68 to abandon their current plan, consult with stakeholders, re-evaluate priorities and create a truly financially viable plan.TRANSCRIPT
From: Brad Nelson <[email protected]> Date: Friday, December 13, 2013 Subject: SD68 School Closures To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Dear Mrs. Neary, First of all, congratulations on winning the chairperson position. I hope you have it easier than your predecessor did. To business, I was curious as to your stance on closing Cedar Secondary. Will the board be staying with the original plan to close the CSS and revamp it into an elementary school? I ask because after doing some research into the costs associated with all of these changes, it would take the district many years, if not decades to see any savings. Not to mention that the district could save money by not having to go to court, hire consultants, and other expenses associated with fighting the Snuneymuxw First Nations and the residents of Cedar. As a parent in Cedar, I would rather see this money spent on education instead of litigation and confrontation. You've been heavily involved in SD68 business for quite some time, and I would hope that you would feel that education is far more important than playing politics. The trustees have a fantastic opportunity to not only save face, but to save money by halting the plans to close CSS and our elementary schools. We've been told by our provincial government that there is no new funds coming for education, and the current plan the board has will cost an incredible amount of money. This is money that we've been told does not, and will not exist. Couple that with an expensive legal battle, and SD68 will be so deeply into the red that there will be consequences district-wide. All of this could be avoided by simply abandoning the current plan, consulting with concerned parties, reevaluating priorities and creating a viable financial plan. I look forward to your response. Sincerely, Brad Nelson
Editor comments: To the credit of the Chair, Dot Neary, she responded to Brad’s email rather quickly – the very next day (Although her “answers” were inadequate).
Mr. Nelson,
The cost of converting Cedar Community Secondary School to an elementary school is
a capital expense, which is funded separately from operational expenses. I am unable
to predict or comment, at this time, on potential legal costs associated with litigation.
The position of Chair of the Board of Education is not invested with any additional or
distinct powers to direct Board decisions or policies. As Chair, I am one trustee voting
among nine on the Board.
The Board's position on the closure of CCSS has not changed. While it is a possibility
that a motion to reconsider a Board decision could be brought forward, to date this
has not occurred and there has been no indication from any trustee of an intention to
do so in the case of CCSS.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on this important matter.
Yours truly,
D.A.Neary