John Hamalainen has some advice for parents fighting to keep their kids' school open this fall: don't bother using emotional arguments.
The Sudbury man would know — he's already been involved with two accommodation reviews initiated by the Rainbow District School Board.
The most recent one resulted in his children's school, Long Lake Public School, being shuttered in 2013.
Hamalainen, who ran unsuccessfully as a Rainbow board trustee in 2014, is also involved in a province-wide school closures group, where parents share information about accommodation reviews in their area.
The Rainbow board announced sweeping cost-cutting measures Aug. 31 that include closing and merging several schools — both elementary and secondary — building new ones and transferring Grade 7 and 8 students to high schools.
The board is holding accommodation reviews in six of its eight planning areas this fall and winter, with a decision expected to be made in January.
“You've got to hit them with strategies on how you can save them the money,” Hamalainen said.
“You've got to hit them, and hit them hard, and forget about that emotional stuff. Concentrate on the numbers. Challenge them on the numbers. Also challenge them on where else there could be savings besides closing schools.
“I'm sure there's other places they could be looking at.”
Hamalainen was just one of several hundred people who attended a public meeting at Lively District Secondary School on Thursday night.
It's one of the schools on the chopping block, and could close as soon as next September.
Stacey Paajanen, who's on the Lively high school parent council, which is leading the fight to save the school, said she agrees the school board won't listen to emotional arguments.
“We understand that the school board is a business,” she said. “We would like to create potential business plans that they may not of thought of.”
Those at the public meeting were invited to share their ideas about how the school can be saved.
Those at the meeting were able to write their ideas on poster boards and had a chance to speak, if they wished. The parent council will use this information to devise a plan.
“Tonight is about action and to build the message we want to send to the Rainbow board,” said Karry Strelezki, who's also on the Lively high school parent council.
“We know things are handed down at the provincial level, and since it's the same for everyone, we can't effect change at the provincial level.
“But to the Rainbow District School Board, we want them to know we are very invested in our school, and we're going to fight for it.”
Many people at the meeting wore their Lively Hawks gear, and a few students even created signs of support.
Twelve-year-old Miia Hanhimaki, who just started Grade 7 at the school, said she'd be sad if it closed.
She just graduated from Walden Public School, but could be headed back there next year if Lively high is closed.
Walden Public School is currently a junior kindergarten to Grade 6 school, but if the high school closes, the board is looking to place Grade 7 and 8 students at the elementary school.
Students in Grade 9 and above would attend Lockerby Composite School or Sudbury Secondary School.
“This is the town I grew up in, and this is the school that's close,” said the tween. “I have so many of my friends come here. It would just be a disappointment to go to a different school.”
