Future school needs spark debate in Essa
By Richard Blanchard

A meeting last week in Alliston set to look at future needs for school construction in local South Simcoe schools ended up focusing on the need for a new high school for Essa Township and on immediate improvements required at Tosorontio Public School.

The meeting, held by the Simcoe County District School Board, was designed to give the public input on their preferred suggestions for new school construction in the area. But the meeting, which attracted about 50 people, saw few questions about the future of the present

schools, or the construction of new facilities in New Tecumseth, instead focusing on the current overcrowding at the Tosorontio school, and the need for a new secondary institution in Angus.

Board staff, including Kathi Wallace, Area Six superintendent, and Dave Few, property and planning manager, emphasized the board's planning process for capital projects was

just beginning. They also say public input is necessary, for the development of a future action plan.

Everett resident Leo Losereit angrily accused the board of delaying needed work at Tosorontio school.

"You're sucking wind. As far as I can see, there's an ongoing process for either a new school in Tosorontio or upgrades which shouldn't be delayed for a new capital needs plan," he said. "Don't be sucking wind. Tell us the plan."

Essa mayor Dave Guergis told the audience that he had been lobbying for a high school for the Angus area for almost 20 years.

"Back in 1991, before I was on council, I meet with public school officials and was told that a high school was likely to be constructed in Angus in seven or eight years. I'm still waiting," he said. "We now have 7,500 people in Angus and we're busing a lot of people to Bear Creek (Secondary School). We're seeing a lot of local students bused to Barrie and I'd like to see them stay in the community."

Guergis said that the township was already in negotiations with Simcoe County to obtain 53 acres along Highway 90, a portion of which it would like used for a new high school.

Essa councillor Sandie Macdonald said she would like to see both the public

and Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board look at a joint facility in Angus, to serve all the village's students.

"It has worked for other boards, such as in Pickering. I think that it would help our sense of community by having both board's students together," she said.

Adjala-Tosorontio Township councillor Joy Webster told the board officials there will likely be 800 homes constructed in Everett, and another 500 in Colgan, over the next 20 years. Those homes would also require new schools.

Some residents accused the school boards of not keeping abreast of future development proposals in municipalities. However, Adjala-Tosorontio mayor Tom Walsh said the boards comment on every development proposal.

Guergis said he felt the audience's anger should be directed at the provincial government.

"The third partner is not here tonight, the province. They write the checks for school construction. We need new hospitals and schools to accommodate growth in this county, but we're not seeing the province investing the dollars," he said. "I think that we're not getting

our share of those taxes."

Local trustee Robert North told residents that his promise of a new school for Tosorontio had been derailed by the changes in government.

"I did promise that I would help in getting a new school for Tosorontio but things changed and plans changed with changes in provincial government policy. I wanted to see the school either rebuilt in its present location or a new school in Everett," he said. "I wish what I said had happened and a new school had come to place."

Area residents can submit their comments on the public board's future capital spending to few@scdsb.on.ca by Nov. 12.