At least 100 people showed up at Chelmsford Valley District Composite School on Sept. 15 to hash out a plan to save their school.
The school is one that is slated for closure in accordance with the Rainbow District School Board's accommodation review and would be consolidated by the 2017-18 school year.
Parents, politicians and students past and present showed up to listen to group organizers Felicia Fahey and Chantelle Gorham lay out the situation before them and what can be done.
“The squeaky wheel gets the oil,” said Fahey. “We're looking for ideas, we've drafted a petition, we want to save not just our school, but all schools.”
Gorham made mention that the timing of the evening's meeting coincided with “Stand up Against Bullying Day”.
“I feel like this is bullying on the side of the board,” said Gorham.
Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas addressed those on hand, saying that they had an uphill climb ahead but that she would be with them every step of the way.
“It's not easy, this is a daunting task,” said Gélinas. “We were able to save R.H. Murray when there was talk of closing it, and now that school is flourishing and doing well, but for that one school I can name a dozen others that aren't there anymore. I don't want to see any more schools closing.”
Two members of Greater Sudbury Council attended as well, both of whom are CVDS alumni, and both spoke, starting with Ward 4 Coun. Evelyn Dutrisac.
“I'm proud to be a Chelmsford alum, my heart is here,” said Dutrisac. “Why should children have to leave their community? We need to keep our schools here, this is how communities are built.”
Many students make long trips by bus to get to CVDCS, and Ward 3 Coun. Gerry Montpellier discussed how closing the school could extend bus rides to as many as 90 minutes each way for some students.
“How are these high school students with jobs supposed to work when they're spending three hours a day on a bus?” said Montpellier.
“I'm not happy about this and I believe the (Rainbow District) board is not looking at a lot of things.”
The crowd seemed to be largely in agreement of the petition and peaceful protests at the board office, as well as attending the board's next public meeting on the accommodation review on Oct. 20.
For more information on what the group is doing, Felicia Fahey has started a Facebook group “Save Our Schools Valley North 2016” where she provides regular updates.
