Central Frontenac Council

Jeff Green | Feb 25, 2010

Central Frontenac Council stands up for LOLPS

On the eve of the final public meeting before trustees from the Limestone District School Board will decide the fate of all of the schools in Central Frontenac, Central Frontenac Council has taken a stand in favour of keeping Land O’Lakes Public School (LOLPS) in Mountain Grove open.

In a letter to the trustees, which was drafted by township CAO John Duchene, endorsed by council at their meeting on Tuesday night, February 23, and signed by Mayor Janet Gutowski, the township took a stand in favour of the option that was proposed by the publicly constituted Program and Accommodation Review Committee (PARC) last August, and against the option that was proposed by senior school board staff on January 27, 2010.

Under the PARC option, Hinchinbrooke Public School in Parham, and Sharbot Lake Public and High Schools would close, to be replaced by a comprehensive school in Sharbot Lake or another location. LOLPS and Clarendon Central Public School in Plevna would remain open.

Under the senior staff option, LOLPS would close as well, in addition to the others, and the new school would be built at the site of the current Sharbot Lake High School. Clarendon Central would still remain open.

Both options require some added support from the province in addition to the monies that have already been committed for a new school in the area.

In their letter, Council says “ ... We must disagree with the notion that the school consolidation approach is cheaper and will result in a better teaching and learning model.”

The letter goes on to challenge some of the numbers used in the senior staff report, including the construction cost for the school that is recommended in the PARC option, which the township’s calculations, based on figures supplied by school board staff, show to be $213,000 less than the senior staff report claims they would be.

But the crux of the township’s argument is summed up in a bullet at the bottom of the first page of the letter: “It may also be noted that Land O’Lakes has the largest enrolment of all public schools in Central/North Frontenac, sits on the largest property of any school, is the newest and is in the best condition …. Why closure?”

The letter also talks of the investments the township has made in the vicinity of Land O’Lakes Public School, including bringing in high speed internet in conjunction with the City of Kingston, upgrading lighting and change rooms at the outdoor rink that is located near the entrance to the school, and making major repairs to the road that joins the school with major roadways to the north and southeast.

Also, a project is in the planning stages to establish a new recreation facility, including a ball field, a playground and extensive trail development, on lands that abut the school.

In discussing the letter around the township table, Councilor Gary Smith, who is the township representative to the Program Accommodation Review Process and worked on the letter, said, “It is important that we make our position known at this time. We now have a Minister of Education, Leona Dombrowsky, who knows Sharbot Lake High School, and there have been a lot of questions raised about the school closing process”.

Councilor Frances Smith said, “I agree we should send the letter but I’m afraid it is too late. I think the decision has already been made and the meeting is really all about telling the public what has been decided by the school board staff.”

“It is the trustees, who are elected officials, who will make the decision in the end,” said Mayor Janet Gutowski. “I strongly support this letter.”

The only objection to the letter came from Philip Smith from Hinchinbrooke District, with support from the other Hinchinbrooke representative, Bill Snyder.

“You all are suddenly jumping up and supporting Mountain Grove, but why was it to hell with Parham? It seems to me this is a constant theme that runs through everything right now.”

Gary Smith said, “When we made our initial letter last June we defended all the schools, but the situation has moved. While we can’t save two schools there is a possibility we can save one.”

The mayor and three councilors, (Smith, Smith, and Purdon) supported sending the letter, while Bill Snyder and Philip Smith did not support it. Councilor Norm Guntensperger, who teaches at LOLPS, had declared a conflict of interest and did not take part in the debate or the vote. Councilors Harvey and Matson were absent.

The mayor will attend the meeting, which will be held on Tuesday March 3, 7pm at Sharbot Lake High School, and she is expected to read out the letter at that time.

Parents and community members from Mountain Grove and Arden are expected to attend as well. 

Fire Master Plan – Fire Chief Mark MacDonald, along with Deputies Art Cowdy and Bill Young, brought the long-awaited Fire Master Plan to council on Tuesday, February 23. “The good news,” said MacDonald “is that we are on the right track. We’ve put ourselves in good shape in terms of equipment, training and buildings.”

The fire plan includes maps and charts showing the 8km and 13km radii from the fire halls, which are important in terms of meeting standards, and talks of the department’s plans for “superior water shuttle accreditation” which could bring insurance savings to those residents who live where the fire crews can deliver lots of water quickly.

The plan also talks about the fire halls. MacDonald said that three of the four stations are good, but the Hinchinbrooke station is “at the end of life” and should be replaced over the next few years. In order to alleviate the problems that can be caused by the train tracks in Parham and Tichborne if trains are blocking the intersection when crews are on a call, MacDonald said that a new station should be built on the other side of the tracks.

The Henderson station, which is now out of commission, could be bought back if fire fighters could be found in the vicinity.

Council received the plan for information, and will consider its implications and get back to the fire chiefs.

The 2010 proposed fire budget was discussed as well. It is up over 2009 because of the inclusion of a new pumper for $240,000+. Council will consider that purchase when they work through the budget later this month and into April.

Marine storage building rejected – An application by John Keen for a zoning amendment to permit a marine storage building on an undersized lot on Big Clear Lake was rejected, based on the opinion of the planner and the conservation authority.