An “our local schools matter” sign is planted in front of the Hastings and Prince Edward Education Centre on Ann Street, on April 26, 2017. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
A local group says a moratorium on school closures across the province, put into place in late June, needs to go back further.
Rural Schools Matter is asking the Ministry of Education to make the moratorium retroactive to September of 2016, to provide a fair and equitable student accommodation review and review the current funding formula for rural, northern and urban schools.
In issuing the moratorium on June 28th, the ministry decided the current accommodation review guideline was flawed and no more schools would close until it was updated.
However, multiple schools in Hastings and Prince Edward were slated to close in 2018 using the old guidelines and the group says those closures should be reversed until the policy update is made.
Rural Schools Matter says anyone within the Hastings and Prince Edward School Board district can sign the petition, by Monday November 6th, before MPP Todd Smith presents it at Queen’s Park.
The petition can be signed at Kelly’s Shop on Main St in Picton, or if you are interested in hosting the petition at your business, or just signing, you can contact J.J. Syer at jjsyer@yahoo.ca.
