Over recent years a distressing trend has appeared. Our public schools are being allowed to deteriorate due to lack of maintenance and upgrading. Then, rather than repair or rebuild them, the schools are closed and the children sent to newer ones further away.
So far, we have seen this happen in Barrie with King Edward and Prince of Wales, and the same fate threatens Barrie Central Collegiate. But that's not the end of it; many of our elementary schools are also heading toward what is often called "prohibitive to repair" status, as are two more of our high schools: Barrie North and Eastview. Will the board allow that to happen to them, as well?
I can't believe that allowing schools to fall apart, then building new ones elsewhere, is sound management of your tax dollars. I also can't believe that we expect students to study, and teachers to teach, as their facilities deteriorate to unacceptable levels. What kind of message does that send?
As your trustee, I will work to ensure that our schools are properly maintained. There is funding available to upgrade schools or introduce "green" technology to reduce energy costs. I will work hard to see that Barrie and Simcoe County schools get at least their share of this available funding. We should be building new schools to accommodate growing population, not because we've let the old ones fall apart.
