Another packed meeting for the Bluewater Accommodation Review Committee.
Bayshore Broadcasting News Reporter Robyn Garvey was among 200 people at Tuesday night’s meeting in Hanover and she tells us emotions ran high.
There were cheers, loud applause’s and even standing ovations as members of the public took to the mic to share their thoughts at the ARC meeting.
Even with 11 options on the table involving five different schools — the entire evening was centered on the fate of the Hanover and Chesley high schools.
Proponents for both sides were passionate in their arguments as to why there should be either be a new combined Hanover Chesley high school or the creation of a J-K to Grade 12 school in Chesley with a Grade 4 to 12 school in Hanover.
The audience seemed evenly split on the matter.
Many JDSS students and members of the public voiced concern that if John Diefenbaker goes it alone in a new school build — students will suffer with smaller tech rooms and music programs.
On flip side — many Chesley school supporters worry about losing their agriculture high skills major program if their high school were to close.
Last night’s ARC meeting was the last chance for the public to make oral presentations to the committee — only written submissions will be accepted now.
Meanwhile ARC members now have the desk of digesting the information and decide over the next coming week which options they prefer.
They plan to do this by using a Matrix scorecard system that will narrow down the most preferred options.
This information will than be revealed at the next ARC meeting on April 14th.
ARC Chair Salim Shaw says it will be a tough job but they will forge through.
Superintendent Alana Murray says the ‘homework’ will provide staff as well as the public a clearer indication as to which option the ARC committee is leaning towards.
