Use them or lose them

We talk a lot about community and what makes a complete community.

Schools are at the top of the list.

We hate to bring up the ARC days, that dreaded little three-letter acronym, that made everyone’s eyes twitch but if there was every any doubt about how important schools are to community think back to large crowds and emotional parents pleading to keep their neighbourhood school’s doors open.

Last year, the Nottawasaga Creemore Public School (NCPS) annex closed due to declining enrollment, before that it was Duntroon that closed and now NCPS is just over capacity and the board is projecting stable numbers. Although there is an increase in split-grade classes, which can be challenging for students and teachers.

Now Byng is facing an accommodation review as a result of declining enrollment.

Boards across the province, and throughout the country, are seeing fewer new students.

A decline in the birthrate is the main factor, most people seem to agree, but there are other pressures.

In an affluent community such as this, people may opt for private schools in the area and the brighter students may chose to transfer into the French language program in Collingwood (beginning in Grade 1) but perhaps the threat of a strike is also a factor this fall.

According to news reports, enrollment at independent schools in British Columbia spiked after a public-school teachers’ strike.

Declining enrollment is a big problem and a complex issue.

Schools are funded based on the number of students and with 600 of the province’s almost 5,000 schools operating at less than half capacity, many boards are spending education dollars to maintain empty space.

Funding for Ontario schools for the 2015-2016 year will remain stable but because of declining enrolment, more money is being spent per student.

The solution is in partnerships. If a facility is underutilized, it should be seen as an opportunity to partner with other educators, daycare providers, municipalities that are looking for improved library services or sports facilities.

When people shop for a new home they look at the whole community, especially schools. In order to attract young families, the community needs to have a vibrant school.

Withdrawing from public institutions such as our schools reduces the ability of small rural communities to maintain the facilities required to fully serve our children.

The bottom line is, we have to use it or lose it.