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Trustees vole to close two “Mellon schools Mixed emotions were felt Monday night when Waterloo Catholic Distnct school board trustees decided the doors of two Waterloo schools will close for the final umc next Trustees voted In favour of the board's "preferred option" to close St, Michael and St. Thomas schools m June 2001 to make room for the opening two new schools m the East- bridge and Laurelwood areas of the city the following Septem- ber. Students who now attend the soon-to-be obsolete schools will either transfer to one of the new facilities, or continue their education at either St. Agnes or Our Lady of Lrurdes schools. Trustees also voted to hire an architect to determine any improvements or renovations needed for St. Agnes or Our Lady of Lourdes schools in time for the changes to take effect. "The decision was well thought out," explained Waterloo trustee Dianne Moser, who saw through the decision-making process from start to finish, "The board made a senous effort to look at consolidation and bring benefit to the greatest number of peo- ple." The issue of the then post- ble closures arose about six months ago when the board began looking into ways it could reduce bussing through the city and provide longterm stability for Catholic elemen- tary schools throughout Waterloo, An Ad Hoc communes was formed to determine the Viable option which would serve as the best model for change "This is a great opponunuy to provide lwo new schools to take us into the new millen- Andrea Bailey Chmnn V Stull mum and mto the future of education," Moser said. "lt makes good sense to build schools where there Is the most growth, h makes good sense tty bring schools lo the children, not the children to the schools." And the trustee said she was happy to see most parents In favour of the decision. "l felt a sense of relief among parents," she said. "Most of them followed this from the beginning and got a sense of how hard we worked to come lo a good decision. I think they felt it was an endorsement for all of the hard work." One parenL however, main- tains the process has been flawed from the beginning. Lisa Costello, a local mother who began a neighbourhood petition In an attempt to save the two schools, said while she ur not surprised by the trustees' declsuon, she IS still ohsap- painted wnh the outcome _ "As [ar as I'm concerned," she sad, "they decided to do " months ago “This was supposed to be a public process, but they didn't hsten to us It was already too late to do anything when " started." Maser saud the board's process could not have been “I felt a sense of relief among parents. " --Dianrte Maser more transparent "The facts were visited many times over about a six-month period," she explained. "Every effort was taken to make the public wise to any decisions" Moser said she understands the emotional ties some par- ents may feel towards the old schools, but she believes those warm feelings will also be established at the aew facili- ttes, "The schools that are closing have wonderful memories and years of learning have taken place m them." she sand. "We can't forget about the culture and the relationships devel- oped at the old sites, But I feel the new sites will bring a new sense of community and new opportunities." Moser said every step will be taken to ensure disruption to students changing schools is kept to a minimum. 'cour main focus will be on building community." Coslcllo said her next step, however, is to decide whether or not she wants her two chil- dren to be a part of that new community "l am considering switching school boards," she said. "lt's too bad because I really want my children to get their reli- gion through the Catholic edu- cation. But I just dont know" Maser said now that the board has the green light to proceed, boundaries for the new schools will soon be set up Parents should know which school then children will be amending by the end of this school year Maser added. parents are welcome to " m on planning committee meeungs and gwe their Input on the prolecl. "We Will he looking at safety ISSUS, as well as the Calhollc focus the new schools will have," she said. "ln all, we will be looking towards a well, planned school community" The Region of Waterloo Culinary Association held its first annual Junior Chef Mack Box Competition at Clarita on Saturday, and Waterkro's Kelly Pascoe, pic- tured above, thtistted in second place. The junior (hells prepared menus from a box of iredieats, which weren’t revealed until the competition began. The winner, Tom Malycha, now gets a chance to compete at the provincial competition. WhwN ila the boss? 91 In... SI. N. Wan-loo (519) 336-2001 30 an). St. w. Mai i tSMF) tb69-2M2 Tax, Group -r.._ ”chi“ BENEFIT FROM OUR EXPERIENCE 13 ye." will Bevan" Canada " year: u:- private prlcuct Penman] and Business Income Tax ..iiaG Ga.., " __ " - mqtn-a mama” Bé’u Mobility MA/ess lob "has: ,5.»