September 25, 2001
Dear Parents/Guardians
The Harris government is sending you a
bill for $53 million.
That's right, and they'll be asking you,
the parents and guardians of students in Ontario's Provincial and
Demonstration Schools, to own and operate these schools after they dump
the responsibilities on you under the new "governance model."
The annual cost to operate these schools is $53-million.
We are employees of the provincial
schools, who work every day with your children. And we have serious
concerns about the government's plans for our schools. We're concerned
for the students, for the parents and guardians, and, frankly we're
worried about our own future under this scheme.
The government's consultation process so
far has been a sham. We are upset to see Ministry officials touring the
province portraying the government as incompetent, disinterested and
tight-fisted regarding our schools, simply so they can duck out of their
own responsibilities to provide better funding.
Instead of promising to improve the
Ministry's funding and operations, they are proposing an
"agency" model, that basically leaves parents and communities
to run the schools themselves.
They say parents can operate our schools
as a profitable business. But who pays when a new roof is needed? You
will.
No - education is not a business. It's a
public service. The government should live up to its responsibility to
properly fund and operate its own schools.
We all know what happens when the Tories
privatize public services. It hurts all of us. It will mean the loss of
many dedicated, professional and experienced staff, and poorer services
for your children.
Again, under the Tory scheme, you as
parents will be called upon to own, operate and maintain our provincial
schools. The Harris government simply wants to contract out its
responsibility to our vulnerable children. Let's make it clear that
parents reject the government's scheme.
We, the dedicated staff of these schools,
believe the ministry should retain responsibility and accountability for
your child's education.
Here is what you can do:
· Write or phone members of your PDSC
· Attend community meetings hosted by OPSEU about the new model
· Send a letter to your local newspaper (sample
enclosed)
· Send a letter to Minister of Education Janet Ecker (sample
enclosed)
· Write or phone your local MPP and make your representative at Queen's
Park aware of the government's divestment plan
· Inform other parents, guardians, and members of your community what
is happening.
Together we can persuade the government
to maintain responsibility for our provincial schools.
A message from front-line staff at provincial schools-proud members of
the
Ontario Public Service Employees Union
Contact Barb
Linds at OPSEU (1-800-268-7376 x 203)) for further information.
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to Provincial Demonstration Schools Index
