Letters From Our Readers
Parents of Sunnybrae should voice concerns

Dear editor;

I wish to bring a local item involving Sunnybrae School to the attention of this community. It is my understanding that the Simcoe County District School Board has decided to remove at least two classrooms from service and turn them into offices for board administrative staff as part of what is being referred to as?

The Family of Schools? initiative. I further understand that these offices will be equipped with private bathrooms, a separate entrance and air conditioning. At present, the children who attend Sunnybrae are very fortunate that they are not subjected to the use of portables. My concern over the next short while is that while the School Board has deemed it appropriate for a small number of office staff to enjoy the comforts of a modern office, children will be required to endure a) cramped classrooms b) no air conditioning c) ever increasing split grade classrooms and d) the implementation of portables.

In addition to this, every September we parents receive a letter from the school detailing all supplies which we are required to purchase to support both our children and the school, as we are told, funds are in short supply. I am curious as to the costs of this project as rumoured as opposed to encouraging the administrative staff to work from their current offices, vehicles and homes to fulfill their professional duties.

Come September 2007, when my children come home with the school supply "wish list" I intend to submit a Freedom of Information Request to the Board of Education to find out how much this little project has sucked from the funds which could be better used to provide the school community with education essentials.

I would encourage the parents of Sunnybrae to voice their concerns regarding this project with our local Board Superintendent.

For those of you who wish to do so, please contact Phyliss Hili at 728-7570 ext 11244.

Thank you, Ken Tooby